Every treatment, side by side
| Treatment | What it does | Who it suits | Typical cost in Ireland |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minoxidil on the scalp | Slows pattern hair loss and thickens some hairs | Men and women with pattern hair loss | €50 to €85 for three months |
| Finasteride tablets | Lowers the hormone that shrinks follicles | Adult men only, on prescription | €79 for 12 weeks |
| PRP injections | Your own platelets injected into the scalp | Early thinning, alongside other treatment | €225 to €400 a session |
| Hair transplant | Moves your own hair to thin areas | Stable pattern hair loss with good donor hair | €1,500 to €10,000 |
| Steroid creams or injections | Calm the immune attack on follicles | Alopecia areata, from a doctor | GP or dermatologist fees |
| Scalp micropigmentation | A tattoo that looks like stubble or density | Any type, when the look matters most | €500 to €2,500 |
| A wig or hairpiece | Covers the loss completely | Any type, and hair loss from illness | €400 to €800 and up |
Strong evidence
Minoxidil and finasteride are the two medicines licensed for pattern hair loss, backed by large trials over many years. They hold hair better than they regrow it, so results look like less loss, with some thickening. Hair transplants work because hair from the back of the head keeps growing wherever it's moved.
Mixed evidence
PRP trials are small and use different methods, so results vary from clinic to clinic. Low-level laser caps and combs show modest gains in some trials, mostly paid for by the makers. Neither is a scam, and neither is a sure thing. Treat both as an add-on.
Little or no evidence
Caffeine shampoos, biotin, collagen, rosemary oil and scalp massagers have little good evidence behind them for pattern hair loss. Supplements help only if a blood test shows you're low in something, such as iron. Our guide to natural treatments goes through them.
The right treatment depends on the cause
Nothing on this page helps if the cause is wrong. Patchy loss needs a doctor. Shedding after an illness needs time. A scaly, sore scalp needs a diagnosis. The hair loss check sorts the likely pattern in four taps.
Questions people ask
What is the single most effective treatment for hair loss?
There isn't one for everybody. For male pattern hair loss, finasteride has the strongest effect of the medicines; for women it's minoxidil. The cause decides.
Do hair growth shampoos work?
Not much. A shampoo is on the scalp for a minute or two. Medicated shampoos help scalp conditions like dandruff, which can make hair look better, but they don't treat pattern hair loss.
Is it worth combining treatments?
Often, yes. Many men use minoxidil and finasteride together, and clinics add PRP or a transplant on top. A doctor should check the combination suits you.