Hair Transplant FAQ

What Are the 3 FDA-Approved Hair Loss Treatments?

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What Are the 3 FDA-Approved Hair Loss Treatments? Video ▶

What Are the 3 FDA-Approved Hair Loss Treatments?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved medications and cleared certain medical devices that may help manage specific types of hair loss. Depending on the cause of hair loss and individual circumstances, these treatments may help slow hair loss, maintain existing hair, or support hair regrowth.

The three commonly discussed FDA-approved or FDA-cleared hair loss treatment options include:

  • Finasteride – An oral prescription medication commonly used to treat male pattern hair loss.
  • Minoxidil – A topical hair loss treatment available in different strengths and formulations for men and women.
  • Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) – FDA-cleared laser devices that may help stimulate hair follicles in appropriate candidates.

Are These Treatments Right for Everyone?

Not every hair loss treatment is appropriate for every patient. The appropriate approach depends on factors such as the cause and pattern of hair loss, age, medical history, gender, and the degree of hair loss.

For some patients, medical hair loss treatments may be considered before or after a hair transplant to help preserve existing hair and support long-term hair restoration goals. A personalized evaluation can help determine which treatment options may be appropriate for your individual situation.

For patients considering surgical hair restoration, Dr. Brett Bolton can evaluate the pattern and extent of hair loss and develop a personalized treatment plan based on the patient's goals and available donor hair.

Preparing for a hair transplant begins with understanding the procedure, treatment goals, and factors that may influence the individual restoration plan. A consultation provides an opportunity to discuss hair loss, donor hair, treatment options, and questions about recovery.

Patients may also benefit from learning what to expect during the different stages of treatment. Understanding preparation, the procedure itself, recovery, and the gradual development of transplanted hair can make the overall process easier to anticipate.

Good preparation includes having realistic expectations and discussing individual concerns with a hair restoration professional. Every patient has different hair characteristics and treatment requirements, so personalized guidance is important when preparing for transplantation.

Patient Experiences

Hear From Hair Transplant Patients

Explore real patient experiences and learn what patients have shared about their hair restoration journey with Dr. Brett Bolton.

★★★★★
I had a great experience at Great Hair Transplants! I couldn't be happier with the results. I highly recommend Dr. Brett Bolton and his staff to anyone looking to do a hair transplant! Read Patient Experience →
Patient Jimmy
Verified Hairtransplantsociety Review • November 2013
★★★★★
Wonderful experience, very professional, amazing results. The overall results take about a year but you will see improvement month to month. I would really recommend Dr Bolton Read Patient Experience →
Patient Ivan
Verified Google Review • July 2026
★★★★★
I used to be called “Scarey Cary”, my head laws not attractive. But then I went to Doctor Bolton and he transformed my scalp; it transformed my life. It’s been 3 years now since Doc did the “MaxHarvest” technique. See the pics! My new super model girlfriend likes to run her fingers through my hair.... Read Patient Experience →
Patient Akeno126
Verified Google Review • September 2024
★★★★★
Dr Bolton changed my life. I was in a hair system for years and with one procedure I was out of the system. My donor site in totally undetectable and my frontal hairline is 100% natural. In fact, during my last hair cut, the stylist without even knowing about my procedure complimented me on my... Read Patient Experience →
Patient Bob
Verified Hairtransplantsociety Review • December 2013
★★★★★
I am glad I spoke to Josh because I thought my results were good at 3 months but was not sure if I was going to get more or not. He informed me that I had at least another 1 year result to come. I am super excited to know that. Read Patient Experience →
Patient Felipe
Verified Hairtransplantsociety Review • December 2013
★★★★★
Dr. Bolton and his staff including Josh Engoren are amazing. In my mind there is simply no other alternative out there for hair transplantation. Dr. Bolton uses his own specialized technique that he pioneered himself in moving hair. His specialized grafts are called Bolton bundles. These are larger... Read Patient Experience →
Patient Jeff
Verified Google Review • December 2019
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Featured Hair Transplant Patient Stories

Explore featured hair transplant patient stories, before and after results, treatment journeys, and long-term follow-up from Dr. Brett Bolton.

Patient 523 Hair Transplant Before and After

Patient 523

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Patient 523’s hair transplant case features before and after results from one surgery, with documented one year of follow-up.

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Davindra Hair Transplant Before and After

Davindra

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This documented patient case follows Davindra’s hair restoration results through one surgery and one year, using the MaxHarvest™ Technique.
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Patient 614 Hair Transplant Before and After

Patient 614

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Mr.p471 Hair Transplant Before and After

Mr.p471

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Mr.p471’s case provides documented before and after hair transplant results, with one surgery and one year of follow-up.

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Jodi Hair Transplant Before and After

Jodi

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Discover Jodi’s documented hair restoration results, including one surgery and before and after results at one year.
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David Hair Transplant Before and After

David

Before & 1 Year Follow-Up

Review the documented hair transplant results for David, with 2 surgeries and results shown at one year, using the MaxHarvest™ Technique.
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Real Patient Results

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Our Pricing Philosophy

Please understand that we do not charge by the graft. We believe that pricing hair transplantation this way can be misleading. For example, when a clinic quotes “1,000 grafts,” that number alone does not indicate how much hair you are actually receiving. A graft may contain one, two, or three hairs, and each situation represents a very different total amount of hair, even though the patient is charged the same based solely on the graft count. For this reason, we believe that graft-based pricing does not always reflect the true value or outcome of a procedure.

Instead, we have chosen what we believe is a fairer and more transparent approach: pricing based on the amount of donor tissue removed. Our planning is based on averages. The average adult male has approximately 200 hairs per square centimeter in the donor area, although individual hair density varies. Regardless of individual density, patients at the same pricing level receive approximately the same amount of donor tissue extracted. This provides consistency in the amount of tissue removed rather than relying on graft numbers that can vary significantly in hair content.

While it is not possible to guarantee an exact number of square centimeters removed, we make every effort to come as close as possible to the planned amount. When feasible, we aim to slightly exceed the planned amount rather than fall short.