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What hair loss treatments are being studied
Medicines you already know, used in new ways. Topical minoxidil is approved for men and women and sold over the counter; finasteride is approved for men only. Minoxidil as a low dose pill is a blood pressure medicine that some doctors prescribe off label for hair, and trials are comparing it with the topical form, for example in women losing hair during hormone therapy for breast cancer.
New topical anti androgens. Pattern hair loss is driven by DHT, a hormone that shrinks follicles. Clascoterone 5% solution blocks the hormone's effect right in the scalp, and in two Phase 3 trials it met its main goals with side effects similar to placebo. It is not approved yet; the company has said it plans to seek approval in the US and Europe.
Light and laser devices. Several low level laser caps and combs are cleared by the FDA for pattern hair loss, and newer lasers are being tested, including in a study designed for people with darker skin.
Cell based and regenerative procedures. Platelet rich plasma, fat derived cells, and follicle secretome injections are being studied, mostly in early, small trials. None is FDA approved for hair loss.
Hair transplant technology. Studies of robotic systems that help surgeons harvest and place follicles.
Preventing hair loss from cancer treatment. Scalp cooling caps chill the scalp during chemotherapy to protect follicles. The FDA cleared the first one in 2015 for breast cancer and expanded it to all solid tumors in 2017; in the study behind that clearance, about two thirds of women lost less than half of their hair. New trials test portable coolers, other devices, and results in patients of color.
For autoimmune patchy hair loss, the medicines are different; see alopecia areata clinical trials. For scarring hair loss and other types, see our alopecia clinical trials page.
Using minoxidil without the results you hoped for? Read why minoxidil sometimes does not work.
Approved, cleared, or experimental: what the labels mean
Hair loss is full of products, and the words on them are not the same. FDA approved is used for medicines that went through clinical trials showing they work and are acceptably safe for that use; for pattern hair loss that means minoxidil and finasteride. FDA cleared is used for devices like laser caps, which went through a different process that compares them with devices already on the market. Experimental means the treatment is still being tested, which includes most injections and many supplements sold online. Clinical trials are where experimental treatments get their evidence, one way or the other.
Does stress cause hair loss?
It can. A major stress, illness, surgery, or fast weight loss can push many hairs into the shedding phase at once, a condition called telogen effluvium. For most people the hair starts to grow back without treatment.
What is the newest hair loss treatment?
For pattern hair loss, clascoterone 5% solution reported positive results from two Phase 3 trials in December 2025 but is not approved yet. For alopecia areata, upadacitinib is under FDA review; see alopecia areata clinical trials.
Who can participate in hair loss clinical trials?
It depends on the kind of hair loss and the treatment. Pattern hair loss trials usually enroll men or women with early to moderate thinning, graded with standard scales, and many ask you to stop minoxidil, finasteride, or other hair treatments for a set time before joining, called a washout period. Scalp cooling and chemotherapy trials enroll people about to start specific cancer treatments. Some device studies look for specific skin types or ages. People with thyroid problems, iron deficiency, or other causes of shedding may need those checked first. Eligibility always varies by study.
Considering volunteering in a clinical trial? Explore our comprehensive guide to learn more about why people choose to volunteer and the impact you can make in advancing medical research. Discover the process of volunteering, what to consider before applying and the potential benefits and risks involved.
How to enroll in a hair loss clinical trial
Find your trial. Use the filters. Titles usually name the type of hair loss, such as "androgenetic" or "pattern," and the treatment being tested.
Choose a location. Enter your city or state. Device and procedure studies often run at a single clinic, so check the site address.
Read the study details. Click "Learn More" for the age range, the type of hair loss required, and any treatments you would need to stop first.
Complete the health profile. Click "Get started" to begin the 5-step application. Have three things ready: what kind of hair loss you have and whether a doctor diagnosed it, the hair treatments you have used and when you stopped them, and your other medicines and conditions, including thyroid problems or recent chemotherapy.
Submit the application. A clinical trial coordinator reviews it and contacts you. Nothing is decided until you have gone through informed consent, and participation is voluntary at every step.