Saw Palmetto for Hair Loss: Efficacy, Dosage & How to Take
BY TRYBELLO
Jun 28, 2025
Key Takeaways
- Saw palmetto works by naturally inhibiting DHT, a hormone linked to hair loss in both men and women
- Research shows saw palmetto can reduce hair loss by 22–29% and increase hair density by 5–7% over 16 weeks
- Both oral supplements (160–320 mg daily) and topical solutions have shown promise for treating androgenetic alopecia
- Saw palmetto is generally considered less effective than finasteride but comes with fewer potential side effects
- Trybello's Hair Helper Spray combines proven ingredients including biotin, caffeine, and castor oil alongside other natural compounds to support comprehensive hair health beyond just DHT blocking.
DHT and Hair Loss Connection
Before we discuss the benefits of saw palmetto, we need to understand what causes hair loss in the first place. For most people experiencing pattern hair loss, a hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is the primary culprit. This powerful androgen can wreak havoc on your hair follicles if you're genetically predisposed to its effects.
How DHT Causes Balding
DHT is created when the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase converts testosterone into this more potent form. While DHT plays important roles in the body, it can spell trouble for your hair follicles if you're sensitive to it. When DHT binds to receptors in your hair follicles, it triggers a process called miniaturization.
Your once-healthy follicles begin to shrink, producing thinner, shorter hairs with each growth cycle until they eventually stop producing hair altogether.
Who Gets DHT-Related Hair Loss
While male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) is most commonly associated with DHT, this hormone doesn't discriminate by gender. Women also experience DHT-related hair loss, though it typically manifests differently. In men, hair loss often begins with a receding hairline or thinning crown. Women usually notice diffuse thinning across the scalp, particularly along the part line, while maintaining their frontal hairline.
Your genetics largely determine your sensitivity to DHT. If your family has a history of pattern baldness, you're more likely to experience it yourself. However, other factors like stress, certain medications, hormonal imbalances, and nutritional deficiencies can accelerate the process or trigger hair loss through different mechanisms.
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Saw Palmetto's DHT-Blocking Powers
This is where saw palmetto enters the picture. The extract from this small palm tree (Serenoa repens) native to the southeastern United States has shown promising abilities to interfere with DHT production. By targeting the same pathway as prescription hair loss medications, saw palmetto is a natural alternative for those concerned about maintaining their hair.
How It Works
Saw palmetto works primarily by inhibiting the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme, which is responsible for converting testosterone into DHT. By reducing the amount of DHT in your scalp, saw palmetto may help protect your hair follicles from miniaturization and prolong their healthy growth phase.
What makes saw palmetto particularly interesting is that it contains multiple active compounds, including fatty acids, plant sterols, and flavonoids. These work synergistically to provide its DHT-blocking effects. Unlike some harsh chemicals, saw palmetto takes a gentler approach to managing DHT levels, which is why many people are incorporating it into their hair care routines.
Comparison to Finasteride
When comparing saw palmetto to finasteride (the active ingredient in Propecia), you need to know their similarities and differences. Both work by inhibiting 5-alpha-reductase, but with varying potency. Finasteride typically blocks about 70% of DHT, while saw palmetto's inhibition is less powerful, estimated at blocking roughly 30–40% of DHT production.
Scientific Evidence
Clinical Study Results
A 2023 randomized, placebo-controlled study found that both topical and oral saw palmetto oil produced significant benefits for people with androgenetic alopecia. Over a 16-week period, participants experienced reduced hair fall by 22–29% and increased hair density by 5–7%. The treatment even successfully lowered DHT levels.
Success Rates
Based on available research, saw palmetto appears to be most effective when used consistently over time. It's worth noting that saw palmetto typically works better as a preventive measure or for early-stage hair loss rather than for regrowing hair in areas where follicles have been dormant for years. The earlier you start using it in your hair loss journey, the better results you're likely to see.
Effective Forms of Saw Palmetto
Oral Supplements
Oral saw palmetto supplements come in various forms, including capsules, tablets, and liquid extracts. When choosing an oral supplement, look for products that clearly state the concentration of saw palmetto extract.
At Trybello, our Daily Hair Booster Capsules draws upon scientific research and contains therapeutic amounts of saw palmetto extract.
These capsules are often recommended over other forms because they provide a comprehensive approach to hair growth and are easily absorbed by the body.
Topical Solutions
Topical saw palmetto products apply the active compounds directly to your scalp, targeting the follicles where DHT does its damage. These products come as serums, oils, shampoos, and leave-in treatments. The advantage of topical application is that it delivers the DHT-blocking compounds precisely where they're needed most.
Combination Products
Many hair loss products combine saw palmetto with other beneficial ingredients to create a synergistic effect. These formulations often include additional DHT blockers, circulation enhancers, and nutrients that support healthy hair growth. At Trybello, we've found that combining multiple natural ingredients can provide better results than using saw palmetto alone.
How to Take It
Daily Dosage
For oral saw palmetto supplements, the most commonly studied effective dose is 160 mg taken twice daily, for a total of 320 mg per day. This dosage has shown results in multiple studies on both prostate health and hair loss. Some people start with a lower dose and gradually increase to minimize any potential digestive adjustment period.
For topical applications, the concentration matters more than the amount applied. Look for products containing at least 1–2% saw palmetto extract and follow the specific product directions for application frequency. Most topical solutions are designed to be applied once or twice daily to clean, dry scalp.
Best Time to Take
Oral saw palmetto supplements are typically best absorbed when taken with food, particularly meals containing some healthy fats. This helps your body absorb the fat-soluble compounds in the extract. Many people find dividing the dose between morning and evening works well, though some prefer taking the full dose at one time for convenience.
For topical applications, many hair specialists recommend applying after showering when your pores are open and your scalp is clean. This allows for better absorption of the active ingredients.
Duration for Results
Patience is essential when using natural hair loss remedies.
Saw palmetto, like most hair loss treatments, requires consistent use over time to show meaningful results. Most studies show that it takes at least 3–4 months of regular use to notice initial improvements, with more significant results appearing after 6–12 months.
The hair growth cycle naturally takes time, and you need to allow several cycles to pass before you can fully evaluate the effectiveness.
Trybello's Complete Approach to Natural Hair Restoration
While saw palmetto represents an excellent natural option for blocking DHT and preventing further hair loss, at Trybello, we believe in taking a more comprehensive approach to hair restoration. Our Hair Helper Spray in combination with our Daily Hair Booster Capsules containing saw palmetto extract offers the multi-faceted benefits your hair needs.
The Trybello Hair Spray combines proven ingredients like biotin, caffeine, and castor oil in a convenient, easy-to-use formula.
The biotin in our Hair Helper Spray strengthens your hair's protein structure, while caffeine stimulates blood flow to follicles and promotes growth from the root level. Castor oil enhances circulation and provides essential fatty acids that nourish your scalp.
Our Daily Hair Booster capsules containing gigseng, multi-vitamins, and saw palmetto revitalizes your hair follicles from the inside out.
For our Daily Hair Booster capsules, simply take two capsules a day to strengthen the structure of your hair follicles while also stimulating a healthy growth. With our 120-day growth guarantee, you can try our approach risk-free and see the difference that comprehensive hair care can make in your hair restoration journey.
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