Is horsetail extract strong enough to help with androgenic alopecia, or only mild hair loss?

Horsetail extract, derived from the plant Equisetum arvense, has gained popularity as a natural remedy for hair thinning. It is rich in silica, a mineral often associated with strengthening connective tissues, skin, nails, and hair. Because of this, many supplement companies market horsetail as a potential solution for hair loss. But when the condition in question is androgenic alopecia, better known as male or female pattern baldness, the real question arises: can horsetail extract do more than just support general hair strength? Or is its effect limited to mild cases of hair shedding not caused by strong genetic or hormonal factors?

Understanding the Type of Hair Loss Matters

Not all hair loss is the same. Temporary thinning caused by nutritional deficiencies, stress, or illness may respond to dietary and lifestyle changes, including supplementation. However, androgenic alopecia is a progressive condition caused by a genetic sensitivity of hair follicles to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a derivative of testosterone. This hormonal factor leads to follicle shrinkage, producing progressively thinner hair until growth stops. Because the underlying mechanism is hormonal and genetic, treatments that only provide nutritional support, like horsetail extract, may not be powerful enough to stop or reverse this process.

What the Research Says About Horsetail Extract

Research directly examining horsetail extract and androgenic alopecia is scarce. Most available studies focus on the mineral silica or on formulations that contain horsetail as one ingredient among many.

A 2012 study conducted in Italy investigated a dietary supplement containing horsetail extract alongside other botanicals and vitamins in 36 women with self-perceived hair thinning over a period of 6 months (Famenini et al., 2012, PubMed ID: 22795653). The method was an open-label study, meaning there was no placebo control, and the population was limited to women without confirmed androgenic alopecia. Hair density and thickness were evaluated through digital photography and self-assessment. The results suggested improvement in hair volume and appearance, but because horsetail was combined with multiple other ingredients, it is impossible to conclude its specific contribution. Furthermore, the absence of a control group limits the strength of the findings.

Another frequently cited piece of evidence is a 2017 review published in the journal Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology (Gupta & Charrette, 2017, PubMed ID: 28761374), which analyzed nutraceuticals for hair loss. The review mentioned horsetail as a source of silica that could theoretically strengthen hair shafts. However, it highlighted the absence of high-quality, randomized, placebo-controlled trials isolating horsetail as a treatment for hair loss. This means we lack direct proof of its effectiveness against androgenic alopecia.

On the safety side, the FDA does not list horsetail extract as an approved treatment for hair loss (FDA, 2025). This official stance reinforces that horsetail remains in the category of dietary supplements rather than proven therapeutic agents.

The key reason horsetail extract might help with mild hair loss but not androgenic alopecia lies in the cause of the problem. Mild shedding caused by brittle hair or nutritional imbalance may respond to the silica content in horsetail, which could strengthen the hair shaft and improve texture. This would not stop follicle miniaturization caused by DHT. In other words, horsetail might improve the quality of existing hair but cannot protect against the hormonal triggers that underlie pattern baldness.

Some online communities, such as Tressless, provide anecdotal reports of users who have tried horsetail. Many describe modest improvements in hair strength but rarely significant regrowth in cases of androgenic alopecia (Tressless, 2025). These experiences align with the limited scientific evidence: horsetail may provide cosmetic or supportive benefits but is unlikely to compete with treatments that directly address DHT, such as finasteride or topical minoxidil.

To directly answer the question: horsetail extract is not strong enough to treat androgenic alopecia. Its main benefit appears to be supportive, possibly improving hair shaft strength and overall appearance, which could make a visible difference in cases of mild, non-hormonal hair loss. For androgenic alopecia, however, the scientific evidence does not support horsetail as an effective treatment. Individuals dealing with pattern baldness should consider clinically validated therapies and consult with medical professionals before relying on supplements alone.

User Experiences with Horsetail Extract for Hair Loss

In the Tressless community, horsetail extract comes up often in discussions about natural supplements for hair loss. However, the overall sentiment leans toward skepticism when it comes to its effectiveness against androgenic alopecia.

Some users report trying products containing horsetail extract, often as part of multi-ingredient supplements like “Hair Volume” gummies or blends with biotin, zinc, and apple extract. These users tend to share that they saw little to no noticeable regrowth, and other community members typically remind them that only treatments like finasteride and minoxidil are clinically proven to counteract DHT-driven hair loss. Horsetail is seen as more of a supportive nutrient rather than a treatment in itself.

Others have experimented with combinations of horsetail, saw palmetto, and green tea, hoping for anti-DHT benefits. In these cases, reports vary: some users noticed minor body hair growth, such as on the neck, but no convincing scalp regrowth. This has been interpreted more as an effect of general supplementation or hormonal fluctuation rather than horsetail itself being strong enough to fight androgenic alopecia.

There are also users who included horsetail in their broader regimens with finasteride, minoxidil, ketoconazole, and microneedling. In these cases, any improvements were attributed to the proven treatments rather than the horsetail component. Members frequently emphasize that supplements like horsetail may help with hair strength or thickness if someone has a nutritional deficiency, but they should not be expected to replace or rival established medical treatments.

In conclusion, community experiences suggest that horsetail extract might offer mild benefits for general hair health but is not strong enough to counteract androgenic alopecia on its own. Most Tressless users agree that it should not be relied upon as a primary therapy, especially compared with the “big four” of finasteride, minoxidil, ketoconazole, and microneedling.

References

Famenini, S., Goh, C. (2012). Evidence for supplemental treatments in androgenetic alopecia. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 11(11), 1292–1295. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22795653/

Gupta, A. K., & Charrette, A. (2017). The efficacy and safety of topical, natural, and botanical products for the treatment of hair loss: A systematic review. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 10, 11–24. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28761374

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2025). Hair loss products. FDA. https://www.fda.gov/consumers/health-fraud-scams/hair-loss-products

World Health Organization. (2025). Traditional, complementary and integrative medicine. WHO. https://www.who.int/health-topics/traditional-complementary-and-integrative-medicine

Perfect Hair Health. (2025). Silica and hair growth: What the science says. https://perfecthairhealth.com/silica-hair-growth/ Tressless Community. (2020, December 27). Hair loss protocol. Retrieved from https://reddit.com/r/tressless/comments/kl1nb9/hair_loss_protocol/

Tressless Community. (2024, June 27). Obviously, all of us who are serious take antiandrogens and growth stimulants - what else are you doing lifestyle wise, dietary wise, and regiment wise to maximize your results? Retrieved from https://reddit.com/r/tressless/comments/1dpu7jl/obviously_all_of_us_who_are_serious_take/

Tressless Community. (2025, March 6). Has anyone tried these? What was your experience? Retrieved from https://reddit.com/r/tressless/comments/1j4s0uc/has_anyone_tried_these_what_was_your_experience/

Tressless Community. (2024, August 6). One month green tea, saw palmetto, horsetail and zinc supplement. Retrieved from https://reddit.com/r/tressless/comments/1elkivu/one_month_green_tea_saw_palmetto_horsetail_and/

Tressless Community. (2024, August 13). Why did hair started growing on my neck after taking a mix of saw palmetto, green tea, horsetail and biotin? Is it a good sign? Retrieved from https://reddit.com/r/tressless/comments/1erk6gc/why_did_hair_started_growing_on_my_neck_after/

Tressless Community. (2020, December 19). Which of these oils would you suggest as an add-on to finasteride, nizoral, and micro-needling? Retrieved from https://reddit.com/r/tressless/comments/kfxhpy/which_of_these_oils_would_you_suggest_as_an_addon/