Saw Palmetto for Hair Loss: Is It Effective?
Considering 30 to 50 percent of men are affected by hair loss by age 50 — it’s no surprise that some turn to herbal remedies like saw palmetto.
A plant extract often found in hair loss supplements and shampoo for thinning hair (including DHT-blocking shampoos), saw palmetto extract may be an effective hair loss treatment. But supporting research is limited.
Below, we dig into what saw palmetto is and discuss whether saw palmetto hair loss treatment really works — or if you should try other treatment options for hair loss.
What Is Saw Palmetto?
Saw palmetto is a palm tree found mostly in the southeastern United States, which also answers to the scientific name Serenoa repens.
It may help alleviate symptoms linked to an enlarged prostate gland, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). It’s also sometimes used to treat chronic pelvic pain, migraines, and other conditions.
But what does this have to do with hair loss?
It has to do with DHT or dihydrotestosterone, a male androgen hormone associated with hair loss.
While DHT makes facial hair grow and voices deepen during puberty, it also shrinks hair follicles in a process called hair miniaturization. Smaller follicles mean thinner, patchy hair and hair loss in men — also known as androgenetic alopecia or androgenic alopecia, the clinical terms for pattern hair loss or male pattern baldness.
To treat hair loss caused by DHT, ingredients known as DHT-blockers like the prescription medication finasteride (the active ingredient in Propecia®) work as a shield to help hair grow.
One of the main saw palmetto benefits is that it also appears to partially block DHT.
The Different Forms of Saw Palmetto
Saw palmetto may be a buzzy ingredient these days, but it’s not new. It has a long history as a folk medicine ingredient, with records showing Native American tribes used it to treat urinary and reproductive health problems.
You may see it as an oil extract, dried berries, powder capsules, or tea (though the fatty acids in saw palmetto aren’t water-soluble, so tea doesn’t really do much).
For hair loss, it’s often applied topically via shampoo or serum. More research is needed, but some findings on saw palmetto and hair loss show that the supplement may help treat it.
Does Saw Palmetto Block DHT?
Saw palmetto does block DHT — at least in part. The harder thing to answer is to what extent it blocks the hormone.
A 2012 study of 100 men with mild to moderate male androgenetic alopecia showed that 38 percent of patients treated with saw palmetto had an increase in hair growth compared to 68 percent of those treated with finasteride who noticed an improvement. But even finasteride doesn’t completely block DHT.
balding can be optional
How Effective Is Saw Palmetto for Hair Loss?
While there isn’t a ton of evidence supporting the idea that saw palmetto is effective against hair loss, that doesn’t mean it’s not.
Dietary supplements usually don’t require approval from the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) and often aren’t studied as much as their prescription counterparts. This may explain why there’s more anecdotal evidence than clinical trials that suggest saw palmetto works as a hair loss treatment.
That said, some studies do exist. A 2009 review found that saw palmetto is the most popular botanically derived 5-alpha reductase inhibitor (5-ARI).
Another meta-analysis looked at both oral and topical saw palmetto. It found that 60 percent of those studied showed improvement in overall hair quality, 27 percent showed improvement in total hair count, and just over 83 percent saw increased hair density.
Saw Palmetto Dosage for Hair Loss
Since saw palmetto is a natural supplement and haircare product ingredient rather than a medication, there’s no evidence-based dosage your healthcare provider may recommend for treating hair loss.
In the meta-analysis mentioned earlier, men were given a dose of between 100 and 320 milligrams (mg) per day.
Powder vs. Liquid Saw Palmetto Supplementation
If you’re taking saw palmetto berry powder capsules (as opposed to an oil capsule or liquid tincture), it’s important to note that this formulation usually contains much less saw palmetto than you’d find an oil-based extract.
The liquid extract is much more potent, even if the pills are the same size or contain the same number of milligrams. This means the powder may not have enough fatty acids or phytosterols to be effective against hair loss. It’s also potentially dangerous for those using saw palmetto to treat BPH and boost their prostate health.
When using saw palmetto, always check the instructions on the packaging for information about the recommended dosage. It’s also best to get medical advice from your healthcare provider or dermatologist before taking any oral supplement or using a haircare product containing saw palmetto as an active ingredient.
Side Effects of Saw Palmetto for Hair
If you’ve ever seen a drug commercial, you know every medication and supplement has some side effects. Saw palmetto is no exception, though the side effects are generally mild.
Some may experience stomach discomfort after taking saw palmetto, which can usually be alleviated by eating first.
There’s also a risk that self-medicating with saw palmetto (or any medication that reduces levels of the 5-alpha reductase enzyme) may delay the discovery of prostate cancer. This is because with continued use of six months to a year, saw palmetto reduces levels of prostate-specific antigen, an antigen that can indicate prostate cancer when found in high numbers. Findings on this topic are mixed, so it’s always a good idea to check with your provider if you have concerns.
Saw palmetto may also interact with other medications, like:
Blood thinner medications, such as warfarin (sold under the brand name Coumadin®), clopidogrel (Plavix®), and aspirin
Oral contraceptives, such as the birth control pill
Talk to your healthcare provider before using saw palmetto if you’re prescribed any medications.
Saw palmetto hasn’t been studied on pregnant or breastfeeding women, so should be avoided unless otherwise specified by a medical professional.
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Other Ways to Promote Hair Growth
There are plenty of other hair loss treatments, some of which can be used as a complementary treatment with saw palmetto. Here are a few to consider.
Finasteride
We touched on finasteride earlier, so we’ll keep this brief. This hair loss medication was FDA-approved in 1997 as a treatment for androgenetic alopecia for men at a 1-milligram daily dose. At a higher 5-milligram dose, it’s approved to treat BPH.
Minoxidil
Minoxidil (brand name: Regaine®) is an FDA-approved medication for hair loss. It’s a vasodilator — in non-medical speak, that means it widens blood vessels, bringing blood, oxygen, and nutrients to the scalp.
This medication also shortens the telogen phase of the hair growth cycle, thereby extending the anagen (growth) phase, and increases hair length and diameter.
We offer minoxidil at 5% strength. They’re both applied directly to the scalp, but those with longer or thicker hair may find the solution easier to use since the dropper allows you to really get in there.
On the other hand, minoxidil foam may be a better option for folks with sensitive skin or anyone who’s experienced irritation with the medication in the past. The foam doesn’t contain propylene glycol, which some researchers think may be responsible for adverse reactions.
Finasteride-Minoxidil Combinations
A 2019 meta-analysis found that when used in combination, finasteride and topical minoxidil are more effective but just as safe as using one or the other on its own.
Our finasteride and minoxidil combo kit makes it easy to apply this iconic duo at once.
Biotin
Biotin helps produce a protein known as keratin, which hair is literally made of. A biotin deficiency is rare, though it could be the reason your hair is falling out — especially if you follow a strict diet.
Volumizing Hair Products
Volumizing shampoo and volumizing conditioner are like the mascara of the scalp world. While they make hair look fuller and longer, the results aren’t permanent. Still, it’s a great fake-it-til-you-make-it solution, especially when used in tandem with other hair loss treatments.
Hair loss treatments, delivered
The Verdict on Saw Palmetto for Hair
So, does saw palmetto work? If you’re beginning to notice the signs of hair loss, saw palmetto can be a powerful addition to your hair health routine.
Here’s the deal:
Saw palmetto is a type of palm tree. Oil from the saw palmetto berry is extracted to help treat certain health conditions, including hair loss and prostate enlargement.
More research is needed, but saw palmetto shows promise in helping with hair loss that has a hormonal cause, like androgenic alopecia. However, since it works by blocking DHT, it won’t be effective in aiding hair regrowth from non-hormonal types of hair loss like telogen effluvium (aka hair loss from stress).
Finasteride, minoxidil, minoxidil alternatives, finasteride-minoxidil combos, and biotin can all help prevent hair loss and promote hair growth too. If you’re worried about saw palmetto side effects or want to try a more scientifically proven approach, you can find an alternate treatment.
Want to learn more about protecting your hair? Our guide to preventing hair loss goes into detail about how to gain control over male pattern baldness using a mix of medications, lifestyle changes, and more.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment or medication.