The Hair Restoration Efficacy Scale: What Actually Works

The Hair Restoration Efficacy Scale: What Actually Works

Not all hair treatments are created equal — and the efficacy pyramid makes the difference visible at a glance.

Tier 1: Terminal Hair Density Therapy (LLLT)

Low-level laser therapy sits at the top of the pyramid — it stimulates mitosis using 635–655 nm light to increase terminal hair density. The catch: results require consistent 8–15 minute sessions, and LLLT shows significantly higher success rates when combined with 5% topical minoxidil than when used alone.

Tier 2: The Pharmacological Gold Standard (DHT Reduction)

Finasteride (1 mg) and 5% topical minoxidil offer the highest-quality evidence for stopping miniaturization — but they're not for everyone. These treatments are not recommended for women of reproductive age, and both require ongoing compliance.

Tier 3: Targeted Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)

PRP effectively increases hair density by delivering concentrated growth factors, but it carries clear limitations: no significant benefit for individual hair thickness, and results that vary substantially with protocol quality.

Where the Pyramid Meets Reality

Every tier has a "limitation" note that marketing rarely mentions: LLLT demands consistency, oral medications have restrictions, and PRP improves fullness more than fiber thickness. The honest approach — and the one a good professional will take — is combining tiers rather than betting everything on one treatment.

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