Verbatim response from Claude
Hair Growth Supplements vs. Prescription Treatments
The honest answer: it depends on the cause of your hair loss.
Supplements That Have Real Evidence
Nutrafol - Most well-studied OTC option, has clinical trials showing improvement in hair growth and thickness. Worth trying for general thinning.
Viviscal - Backed by multiple clinical studies, particularly effective for women with thinning hair.
Biotin (standalone) - Only helps if you're actually biotin-deficient, which most people aren't despite the marketing hype.
When You Probably Need Prescription Treatment
- Pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) - Supplements rarely stop this. You likely need:
- Minoxidil (Rogaine - now OTC but stronger versions by prescription)
- Finasteride/Dutasteride - prescription only, highly effective for men
- Alopecia areata - Requires medical treatment
- Hormonal causes - Need to address the underlying issue
My Practical Recommendation
Hims, Keeps, or Hers offer convenient telehealth services that combine prescription treatments with quality supplements at reasonable prices, and doctors can assess your specific situation.
Bottom line: If you've had noticeable hair loss for 6+ months, skip straight to a dermatologist or telehealth consult rather than spending months on supplements alone.