Can Hair Grow Back After Balding — Naturally?

If you’ve noticed more scalp than strands lately, you’re not alone — and you’re probably wondering: Can hair grow back after balding naturally? 

The answer? Sometimes. If your hair follicles are still alive, certain treatments and natural remedies may help prevent further hair loss. But if they’re gone for good, regrowth is unlikely without medical intervention. 

Certain types of hair loss are temporary — but if you’re completely bald, chances are you have a more permanent form of hair loss. Learn what actually works, and how to protect the hair you’ve got.

To understand if hair can grow back naturally, it helps to know why it’s falling out in the first place. 

Balding — particularly male pattern baldness, or androgenic alopecia — is often a genetic issue caused by a hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT shrinks hair follicles over time, eventually causing them to stop producing hair altogether.

Other underlying causes of hair loss include:

• Telogen effluvium. This temporary form of hair loss is triggered by stress, illness, nutritional deficiencies, or major changes in the body.

• Alopecia areata. This is an autoimmune disease that causes patchy hair loss.

• Scarring alopecia. With this form of hair loss, inflammation damages follicles, and they’re replaced with scar tissue.

• Traction alopecia. This type of hair loss happens when tight hairstyles pull on hair over time, damaging follicles.

Hormonal changes, certain medications, and medical conditions can also lead to temporary or permanent hair loss.

If your symptoms don’t match classic male pattern baldness, it might be another form of hair loss — check out our guide to types of hair loss to learn more.

So, let’s get to it: Can hair regrow on its own after balding?

It depends. If your hair follicles are still intact — just dormant — there’s a chance. Early-stage hair loss (like hair thinning) often responds well to treatment. But once follicles have been inactive for a long time, especially in full bald spots, they’re typically gone for good.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, only some men see regrowth of hair from medications. If you want to regrow lost hair, your best shot is to start treatment immediately, which can increase your likelihood of successfully regrowing the follicles you’ve just lost.

What Does "Naturally" Really Mean?

When we say "naturally," we’re usually talking about methods that don’t involve prescription medication or surgery. This could include:

• Scalp massage

• Nutritional supplements (like biotin, collagen, and vitamin D)

• Reducing stress

• Healthy habits and lifestyle changes (like quitting smoking and eating a balanced diet) 

• Essential oils (like rosemary oil) 

• Herbal remedies

These methods may help support healthy hair growth — but they’re not guaranteed to regrow hair. Most don’t have robust clinical evidence behind them, and results (if any) are typically mild.

Your hair may naturally regrow if you’ve lost hair due to telogen effluvium — that stress-related hair loss we mentioned earlier. But telogenic effluvium usually causes some diffuse hair loss, not complete balding.

Unfortunately, though, hair loss from androgenetic alopecia and certain types of scarring hair loss are almost always permanent, especially if left untreated for long enough.

If you’re looking for something proven to regrow hair — or at least stop further loss — your best bet is to start with science-backed hair loss treatments. These aren’t “natural,” but they’re well-proven and safe for most people.  

Minoxidil

Also known as Rogaine, this topical medication boosts blood flow to hair follicles, delivering more oxygen and nutrients to help hair grow stronger. It’s approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat hair loss. 

You can purchase minoxidil solution and minoxidil foam without a prescription. 

Finasteride

Usually taken as an oral prescription medication, finasteride (Propecia) works by blocking DHT, the hormone responsible for miniaturizing hair follicles. Less DHT means less hair loss.

We offer oral finasteride — as well as a convenient topical finasteride & minoxidil spray — to help address male pattern hair loss.

Hair Transplants

Hair transplants involve relocating follicles from areas with dense hair (usually the back of the head) to balding areas. This helps you regrow hair in previously bald spots.

While hair restoration surgery is generally effective, it’s expensive and results can vary. It can also take up to a year for you to see the full results of a hair transplant. 

Laser Therapy

Red light therapy — also known as low-level laser therapy (LLLT) — uses red light to stimulate follicle activity. You need multiple laser therapy sessions to stimulate hair growth. 

Some studies suggest laser therapy improves hair density, especially when combined with other treatments. Plus, it seems to have little to no known side effects.

Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy (PRP)

PRP therapy involves drawing a small amount of your blood, processing it to concentrate the platelets, and injecting that plasma into your scalp. You’ll need multiple sessions, and they can be costly.

Growth factors in the plasma might stimulate inactive hair follicles to regrow hair. Although more research is needed, PRP seems to be a promising treatment option for hair loss.  

These options aren’t “natural” in the granola-smoothie sense, but they are based on real science and used by dermatologists worldwide.

Prevention is crucial when it comes to treating hair loss.

Even if regrowth isn’t in the cards, you can still hang onto the hair you have. Here’s how:

• Start treatment early. The sooner you address hair loss, the better the outcome.

• Avoid harsh hairstyles and heat styling. This can lead to serious hair breakage, which can make your hair look thinner.

• Eat a balanced diet. Hair needs nutrients to grow, so eat a healthy, varied diet rich in hair-supporting nutrients.

• Keep your scalp healthy. A healthy scalp is the basis for healthy hair — so keep it clean and moisturized!

• Manage stress. Yes, stress-related hair loss is a thing. Reducing stress will benefit your hair and your overall health. 

Learn more about hair loss prevention and healthy hair care habits.

And if you’re noticing the early signs of balding — say, some hair thinning or the start of a receding hairline — try to make an appointment with a healthcare professional ASAP. They can assess your hair loss and suggest an appropriate treatment plan.

It’s possible, but it depends on the cause, the extent of hair loss, and how soon you act. Natural methods may help slow down hair loss or support regrowth early on, but they’re unlikely to bring back hair in bald spots caused by male pattern baldness. 

Keep this in mind:

• Your hair may grow back naturally if your follicles are still alive. But most forms of hair loss are permanent and require medical treatment.

• Natural methods can support scalp and hair health. Unfortunately, though, they’re far less effective than proven hair loss treatments.

• But there are ways to treat hair loss. For example, you can try FDA-approved treatments like minoxidil and finasteride or laser and PRP treatments. 

Want to learn more about what’s going on with your hair? We can help you book a consultation with a healthcare provider who can help you find the right treatment plan.

Whether you're trying to regrow hair or just want to keep your crown covered, we’ve got you.