Is it better to take saw palmetto in capsules or use it in lotions?

Saw palmetto, also known as Serenoa repens, has drawn attention among those seeking natural alternatives to treat hair loss, particularly that related to hormonal imbalances such as androgenetic alopecia.

This plant, native to the southeastern United States, has traditionally been used to support prostate health in men. However, today it is increasingly explored in cosmetic applications, both in supplements and topical products. What is the best way to harness its benefits? The answer depends on several factors, from the type of hair loss to the route of absorption and the user’s sex.

How saw palmetto works: the starting point

To understand why saw palmetto has become so popular in hair care, it’s important to first know how it acts on an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase. This enzyme converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone associated with the miniaturization of hair follicles and therefore with hair loss in certain individuals.

Saw palmetto, by inhibiting the activity of this enzyme, may reduce the production of DHT and help slow hair loss in people sensitive to this hormone.

Does it work the same in men and women?

Although DHT-related hair loss occurs in both men and women, there are key differences in how it manifests and how it responds to treatment.

In men, androgenetic alopecia typically begins with a receding hairline at the temples or thinning at the crown. In women, by contrast, hair loss tends to appear as a diffuse thinning over the top of the scalp, without total bald spots. This difference means treatments should be adapted to each sex’s hormonal and physiological profile.

A randomized clinical trial in 2020 found that women with androgenetic alopecia experienced moderate improvements using saw palmetto supplements, but results varied depending on individual hormonal patterns. In contrast, a 2012 study in men showed a faster and more pronounced response in hair density. These differences may be due to men’s higher testosterone levels, which makes DHT reduction more impactful. So, although the mechanism is the same, the outcomes can vary greatly based on sex.

What’s the difference between supplements and lotions?

When choosing between capsules and lotions, it's essential to understand that each delivery method has its advantages and limitations.

Oral supplements, such as those from brands like Havasu Nutrition or Dr. Steven Gabriel (available on Amazon), have a systemic effect: they enter the bloodstream and work throughout the body. This may benefit people with widespread hormonal imbalances, but it can also come with possible side effects like digestive discomfort or interactions with other medications.

Topical lotions, on the other hand, are applied directly to the scalp and promise a more localized action. This can be ideal for those seeking targeted effects with fewer systemic risks. For example, the HAIRMETTO product offers a saw palmetto-based lotion designed specifically to stimulate hair growth in affected areas. Although there are fewer large-scale clinical studies on the effectiveness of topical saw palmetto, some preliminary research has shown that it may reduce local inflammation of the scalp and improve hair thickness with consistent use.

Hair loss and regrowth: how effective is saw palmetto?

Beyond the type of product, the big question is whether it truly works. The research is still developing, but there are already some encouraging results. A 2012 double-blind study by Prager and colleagues compared oral saw palmetto to finasteride (a drug FDA-approved to treat alopecia) over 24 months in 100 men. While the finasteride group had better hair count outcomes, the saw palmetto group also showed improvement, with visible reductions in hair loss and without the sexual side effects often linked to finasteride.

For women, the results have been more modest, but still relevant. Kwon studied 48 women over six months and found that using a supplement with saw palmetto and biotin improved hair thickness in 38% of participants. However, the study also noted that outcomes were more noticeable in women with elevated DHT levels or a family history of androgenetic alopecia.

Products that combine ingredients: is more always better?

Many available supplements today do not feature saw palmetto alone. For instance, products like Hair Thickness Maximizer combine the extract with biotin, zinc, and other ingredients intended to nourish the hair follicle.

While some of these components — like biotin, essential for keratin production — have scientific support, it's difficult to isolate which one has the most direct effect. It’s important to remember that a more complex formula does not necessarily guarantee better results, especially if it’s not accompanied by medical guidance and consistency in use.

User Experiences

Many individuals experimenting with natural approaches prefer capsules for systemic benefits, while others explore topical lotions for direct scalp application.

One user shared an 8-month progress journey using daily saw palmetto and biotin capsules alongside weekly dermarolling and a topical mix of castor, jojoba, and rosemary oils. This user reported visible improvements in the crown and a slight return of the hairline, but credited microneedling as the most effective part of the routine. They chose saw palmetto capsules to avoid finasteride due to side effects and cost, suggesting the capsules were a safe, consistent alternative.

Another user, focused on a natural regimen, combined rosemary and peppermint oils with pumpkin seed oil and saw palmetto, applying them topically. However, feedback in the thread noted only minor hair growth changes, with some suggesting these ingredients may help slow hair loss rather than stimulate regrowth. The general sentiment was that while topical saw palmetto might contribute, the results are usually subtle and slow.

A third post documented a user who used topical minoxidil, pumpkin seed oil, and saw palmetto (form not specified). They experienced significant temple regrowth and beard thickening within three months. Though the exact role of saw palmetto was unclear, they felt the overall stack was synergistic.

Across posts, there’s no clear consensus on whether capsules or lotions are superior, but capsules seem more popular for convenience and perceived systemic DHT-blocking effects. Topical application is seen as less proven and harder to dose, although some users appreciate it for targeting the scalp directly.

For most users, saw palmetto is seen as a weaker, natural alternative to finasteride, and results are generally modest unless combined with other treatments like microneedling or minoxidil.

Limitations of the current evidence

It’s crucial to acknowledge that while promising, saw palmetto does not yet have the same level of scientific backing as pharmaceutical treatments like finasteride or minoxidil. Many studies have small sample sizes or lack long-term follow-up. Additionally, most clinical trials have been conducted in men, leaving a significant gap in research for women. Therefore, any treatment decision should be made with an informed approach, considering both potential benefits and known limitations.

References

Choi, E. J., Lee, Y. J., Park, S. Y., & Kim, H. K. (2016). Hair Growth-Promoting Effect of Lavender Oil in C57BL/6 Mice. Toxicological Research, 32(2), 103–108. https://doi.org/10.5487/TR.2016.32.2.103

Henley, D. V., Lipson, N., Korach, K. S., & Bloch, C. A. (2007). Prepubertal gynecomastia linked to lavender and tea tree oils. New England Journal of Medicine, 356(5), 479-485. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa064725

Kasper, S., Gastpar, M., Müller, W. E., Volz, H. P., Münzel, U., & Zieglgänsberger, W. (2012). Lavender oil preparation Silexan is effective in generalized anxiety disorder—A randomized, double-blind comparison to placebo and paroxetine. Phytomedicine, 19(6), 1027–1034. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2012.03.006

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2007). FDA Statement - Lavender and Tea Tree Oils. https://www.fda.gov/science-research/pediatric-research/lavender-and-tea-tree-oils

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