The Best Products and Solutions for Guys with Thinning Hair

Medical Disclaimer: Freebird provides general information, not medical advice. For any health or medical advice, consult a licensed healthcare professional

Once you notice a receding hairline or thinning hair, fear starts to creep up on you, and you ask yourself the dreaded question, Am I Going Bald?

I faced this situation decades ago, and my initial reaction was to look for the best hair loss treatments available.

It's deja vu as I tread in familiar territory once more.  

Join me as we review the best hair regrowth products like shampoos, serums, hair loss treatments, styling tips, and a simple hack if all else fails. 

The Best Products for Guys with Thinning Hair

Before discussing the best products and solutions addressing hair loss, let's discuss the elephant in the room.

Male pattern baldness can't be reversed. If you have it like I did, you can only delay the progression and work on how much hair you have left.

Now that we know the truth, we can manage our expectations.

Here are the best products and solutions for guys with thinning hair:

The Big 4 Hair Loss Solution - Most Effective Treatment Overall

The Big 4 hair loss treatment combines the most effective hair growth products to attack and address hair loss from multiple angles. It combines the following medications and treatments:

1. Minoxidil - a vasodilator that increases blood flow to the scalp

2. Finasteride - a powerful DHT blocker

3. Ketoconazole shampoo - a hair follicle stimulator

4. Derm rollers - increase blood circulation to the scalp

The big 4 is an excellent combo to try out for thicker hair growth.

Pros:

• Slows down hair loss significantly
• Promotes thicker hair growth

Cons:

• Minoxidil and Finasteride have potential side effects
• Skin irritation
• Loss of libido
• Requires a doctor's consultation and prescription
• Costly and requires a lifetime commitment

Who It's For: The Big 4 Hair Loss Solution is for guys with male pattern baldness who want to take an aggressive, medically backed approach to slow hair loss and maximize regrowth. This is for the baldie who has managed expectations and is prepared for a serious, long-term commitment.

For a more detailed discussion on this, click here.

Hims Thick Fix Shampoo - Best DHT Blocking Shampoo for Thinning Hair

Hims hair thickening shampoo contains saw palmetto and other hair-thickening ingredients that make hair look fuller. It removes sebum buildup, clearing the way for new hair follicles to grow.

Saw palmetto is known as a DHT blocker. DHT (dihydrotestosterone) is a hormone known to cause hair loss.

Pros:

• Easy and convenient
• Blocks DHT
• Removes buildup
• Promotes a healthier scalp

Cons:

• Not as powerful as other treatments
  

Who It's For: The Hims Thick Fix shampoo is for men in the early stages of hair loss who want a simple, low-effort solution. It's also for those who want to support their hair health with a DHT-blocking ingredient without committing to more serious medications with nasty side effects.

To learn more, you can check out their website.

Nioxin Regular Hold Niospray - Best Hair Spray for Thinning Hair

To finish off your haircut and blow-drying session, you need a hairspray that will hold your hair for a fuller-looking effect.

The Nioxin Regular Hold Hair Spray does the job. It gives extra hold for longer-lasting hairstyles. Clays and gels may be too heavy and weigh down the hair, which makes hairsprays the way to go for styling thinning hair.

Pros:

• A quick and effective way to make hair look fuller
• Doesn't weigh down hair

Cons:

• Cosmetic solution, not a treatment
• Won't address the underlying cause of hair loss
• Will not promote new hair growth

Who It's For: The Nioxin Regular Hold Spray is for guys who want to style their hair and temporarily hide hair thinning. It's for anyone who wants a finishing product that adds volume and hold without making their hair look flat.

Buy from their website.

Mielle Rosemary Mint Scalp and Hair Strengthening Oil - Best Essential Oil for Thinning Hair

Rosemary oil is another popular treatment for thinning hair. This study shows that rosemary may produce similar results to 2% minoxidil.

A daily scalp and hair-strengthening oil that you can use that may help stimulate hair growth and thicken hair.

It will cost you around $10 per 59 ml bottle.

Pros:

• Natural, plant-based remedy backed by studies
• Helps with dryness and irritation

Cons:

• Takes longer to see results
• Effectivity may vary
  

Who It's For: The Mielle Rosemary Mint Scalp Oil is for people who prefer a natural, drug-free, and affordable approach to hair loss. It's also for those who are patient and willing to incorporate a new step into their daily grooming routine.

Buy from their website or on Amazon.

Pura D'Or Scalp Therapy Serum - Best Serum Revitalizer for Thinning Hair

The Pura D'Or Scalp Therapy Serum contains 15 hair-thickening ingredients like niacin, argan oil, biotin, caffeine, and antioxidants.

It's vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, sulfate-free, and hypoallergenic.

A 120 ml Pura D'Or bottle costs less than $24.99.

Pros:

• Packed with ingredients for healthy scalp
• Vegan, cruelty, paraben, and sulfate free
• Hypoallergenic

Cons:

• Results may vary
• May not be as powerful as prescription-based treatments

Who It's For: The Pura D'Or Scalp Therapy Serum is for anyone looking for a gentle, multi-ingredient serum to support scalp health and create a better environment for hair growth. It's also a good fit for those who prefer clean, chemical-free products.

Buy from their website or on Amazon.

Iteracare Device - Best Hair Dryer for Thinning Hair

Launched in 2021, the Iteracare frequency device has been making waves worldwide. I bought one in March 2023, and I've been using it for overall health.

Lo and behold, my wife noticed new hair growth inside my stage 6 horseshoe pattern a few months ago.

Take note: I didn't buy the device for hair loss; it was just an unexpected side effect.

Is this the holy grail of hair loss we've all searched for? We will see.

The device is a hot air blower that uses terahertz, scalar, and quartz technologies. Since hair drying adds volume and hold to thinning hair, using the Iteracare is a good option.

Pros:

• May stimulate hair growth
• Can be used for overall health

Cons:

• Hair growth claims are based on user testimonies, no clinical evidence
• Pricey

Who It's For: The Iteracare device is for people who are interested in the latest technology in holistic wellness and get hair growth as one of the potential benefits.

Check out their website for more information on the Iteracare device.

MGI Nano Cap - Best Beanie for Thinning Hair

Another product worth sharing is the MGI Nano Cap from Mega Gloryoung International. I bought this cap not for hair growth (I am a happy head shaver) but to keep my head warm.

Did the nano-cap contribute to my hair regrowth? It's possible. Combined with Iteracare, I think it helped since it's not your ordinary beanie.

MGI infused the cap with the following:

• FIR (Far Infrared)

• Nano Silver

• Organic Germanium

• Negative Ion

MGI claims that the nano-cap can improve blood flow to the head and prevent hair loss.

Pros:

• Unique product that may improve blood flow to the scalp
• Keeps head warm
  

Cons:

• Effect on hair growth is anecdotal

Who It's For: The MGI Nano Cap is for people who are already invested in alternative wellness products and are open to trying new, unconventional methods that may improve scalp health.

Check out their website for more information on the nano-cap.

Scalp Massages - Best Natural Treatment for Thinning Hair

If you're looking for a drug-free alternative for thinning hair that also feels good, you should start doing scalp massages.

J.D. Moyer shares how he thickened his hair and reversed a receding hairline through two twenty-minute scalp massaging sessions daily.

He has before-and-after photos showing thicker hair after months of doing the scalp massage technique.

It's funny how he mentioned that he would rather be bald than use medication with potential side effects (low libido and performance, depression, anxiety) for hair loss. We couldn't agree more.

Pros:

• It's free (if you do it yourself or spouse)
• Drug free alternative
• Increases blood flow to the scalp
• Improves hair thickness
• Relieves stress and tension

Cons:

• Need 22 minutes of daily sessions to see results

Who It's For: Scalp massages are for anyone who wants a completely natural, no-cost solution for hair thinning. It's for someone who is patient and dedicated to a new routine.

Nutrafol Hair Growth Supplement - Best Supplement for Thinning Hair

Nutrafol hair thinning supplements are backed by clinical studies with claimed visible results in 3 to 6 months. It contains 21 vitamins, minerals, and natural ingredients like biotin, ashwagandha, and saw palmetto.

One bottle contains 120 capsules, lasts a month (4 capsules daily recommended dose), and costs between $80 and $90. Does it work? We can't say for sure since we haven't tried it, but it has pretty good reviews online!

Pros:

• Backed by clinical studies
• Contains a wide range of vitamins and minerals
• Addresses hair health from the inside out 

Cons:

• Pricey
• Results are not guaranteed
• 3 to 6 months before seeing results

Who It's for: The Nutrafol hair thinning supplement is for people who are willing to invest in a premium, all-in-one supplement who prefer to address hair health internally.

Buy from Amazon. 

Tips on How to Style Thinning Hair

Get the Right Haircut

The best way to disguise thinning hair is to make it appear fuller. Consulting a professional stylist can help you determine the most flattering haircut based on your hair loss pattern, hair type, and face shape.

Use a Blow Dryer

A blow dryer is a must-have for thinning hair. Building hair volume requires hair that's wet and hot, compared to air drying, which makes it fall flat. Blow dryers do a great job of creating volume.

As you blow-dry, lift hair away from the scalp to make it appear fuller. Do this at the front and top only. You wouldn't want to appear like you've been electrocuted with all your hair lifted from your scalp.  

As we mentioned, the Iteracare device can double as your hair dryer and hair restorer.

Finish with Hair Spray

After blow-drying, you can apply hair spray for the final touch. A good hairspray should be a staple in your grooming arsenal. It provides a quick fix that adds hair density to flat, limp hair.

Head Shaving - The Best Alternative Solution 

After going through the list of the best products and solutions for guys with thinning hair, and you're still on the fence about trying any, have you ever thought about shaving your head?

Oh, how I wish this were my first choice instead of spending money on all those hair growth products that failed to meet my expectations.

My reason for trying out hair growth products was to regrow hair fully. Anything less was a failure. 

Some products would help grow my hair, but weren't enough to cover my progressively balding head.

After years of trying and getting nowhere with complete hair recovery (which is impossible), I finally decided to shave my head.

It was one of the best decisions I've made. No more stress and expecting better results with this or that new miracle hair growth product.

Head shaving set me free!

If you've decided to shave, we recommend the FlexSeries Pro as your first razor. It's powerful, fast, and comes with free attachments.

Pros:

• Easy and quick solution to address hair loss
• Boosts confidence
• Relieves stress from hair loss
• Provides and neat and clean look
• Makes you look younger
• Finish in 90 seconds (dry shave with electric shaver)

Cons:

• Needs commitment to a new grooming routine
• Requires tools and shave care products for best results
• Irritation for sensitive scalps
• Nicks and cuts (manual razors)

Who It's For: Head shaving is for balding guys who are tired of fighting an irreversible battle with hair loss. It's for those who want to save money, time, and stress and embrace a new look.

The Bottom Line

If you have fine or thinning hair, it's good to know that there are plenty of ways to make your hair look fuller.

While male pattern baldness is irreversible, the products and solutions we've shared may help mask your thinning hair and improve your hair health. If all else fails or you may just be tired of hiding your baldness, head shaving is always an option.

You can read our article on how to confidently accept baldness to help you decide.

FAQs

Do I Have Fine Hair or Thinning Hair?

Fine hair and thinning hair are not the same. Fine hair, as its name implies, is naturally thinner hair that appears limp and lifeless. Thinning hair means you are losing lots of hair.

Can Hair Grow Back After Thinning?

It depends on the cause of thinning hair. If it's pattern hair loss or any type of alopecia, there's no cure for it. You can only delay the progression of balding. If hair thinning is due to stress, scalp irritation, excess oil, or cancer treatment (chemotherapy), there's a higher chance your hair can regrow once the cause is taken away.

What's the Best Way to Regrow Thinning or Balding Hair?

There's no one-size-fits-all solution to regrowing thinning or balding hair. It's mostly trial and error. You can pick from our list above and see what works. There's no guarantee that a specific treatment will work for you. Some will work, and others may not.

At What Age Does Balding Start?

Balding may begin at any age. Some may experience hair loss as teenagers or in their early 20s. Generally, most men will notice hair falls in their 30s and 40s.  

Does Testosterone Cause Hair Loss?

Indirectly yes. When testosterone is converted into DHT or dihydrotestosterone, it can cause hair loss. Higher DHT levels are said to destroy hair follicles, which leads to hair loss.