Does melatonin work against baldness?

There is some scientific evidence that melatonin may help with certain forms of hair loss, although it is not a widely accepted treatment for baldness.

Melatonin is known as a sleep hormone, but it has also been shown to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that may be helpful for hair growth.

Small studies suggest that melatonin in a lotion or serum may help reduce hair loss, especially in people with androgenetic alopecia (the most common form of hair loss in men and women) and those with sudden hair loss.

The positive effects of melatonin are attributed to its antioxidant properties, which can protect hair follicles from oxidative stress, and to regulating the hair growth cycle.

While these results are promising, the studies are often small in design and more large-scale, long-term research is needed to fully confirm the effectiveness of melatonin as a hair loss treatment. It is important to emphasize that melatonin is not a proven solution for severe baldness.

If you want to treat baldness, there are approved treatments such as minoxidil and finasteride that are more widely recommended.

Source: https://jddonline.com/articles/melatonin-and-the-human-hair-follicle-S1545961623P0260X/

Author: Prof. Dr. Dirk Devroey - Latest update: 2024-08-18 - Copyright: Clinifacts 2025