Saw palmetto and hair loss: what we know and how to include it in your routine

Saw palmetto and hair loss: why everyone is talking about it

Saw palmetto is a plant extract that has become very popular in hair care, especially among people concerned about hair loss. Its reputation comes from its traditional use and from research into its possible relationship with hair, although it has no authorised health claims for this purpose.

If you have been looking into natural options for a while, you have probably come across this name again and again, also as Serenoa repens. In this article we explain what it is, what is really known, which precautions to take and how to include it in your routine with realistic expectations.

What saw palmetto is and how it is obtained

Saw palmetto is the extract of the fruit of a dwarf palm native to the south-eastern United States. Its berries have been used traditionally for generations, and today the extract is found in many food supplements and hair cosmetics.

The extract is obtained from Serenoa repens berries through processes that concentrate their lipid fraction, rich in fatty acids and phytosterols. That is why, when choosing a product, it is worth checking how much extract it provides per daily dose and in what form.

Saw palmetto, hormones and hair: what research is exploring

There is research on saw palmetto and hair, but it is still limited and its results are not conclusive. That is why no effect on hair loss can be attributed to it.

Androgenetic alopecia, the most common cause of progressive hair loss, is linked to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone formed from testosterone by the enzyme 5-alpha reductase. Some studies on saw palmetto explore its possible relationship with this enzyme.

It is important not to confuse a plant extract with a medicine. Pharmacological treatments for alopecia have their own evidence, indications and side effects, and only a doctor should prescribe them. If you want to compare approaches, we explain them in minoxidil versus food supplements.

What you can expect from saw palmetto (and what you cannot)

It is reasonable to see saw palmetto as one more ingredient within a hair care routine, not as a solution for hair loss. It does not reverse advanced baldness and is no substitute for a professional diagnosis.

When it is included in a food supplement, it usually comes with nutrients that have authorised claims: biotin and zinc contribute to the maintenance of normal hair. If you take them, be consistent and assess changes in how your hair looks after several months, always as part of a varied diet and a healthy lifestyle.

Precautions before taking saw palmetto

Saw palmetto is usually well tolerated, but it is not suitable for everyone. Before taking a supplement with this extract, keep these precautions in mind:

• Do not exceed the daily dose recommended by the manufacturer.
• It is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding without medical supervision.
• If you are on hormonal treatment, take anticoagulants or have a prostate condition, ask your doctor first.
• Check the ingredient list if you are allergic to any of its components.

If in doubt, especially if you take medication or other supplements, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

How to include saw palmetto in your hair routine

The most common way to take saw palmetto is in food supplements that combine it with vitamins and minerals. At Hairfluencer you can find two options:

• Xpecia Hombre: a food supplement with saw palmetto extract, ginkgo, biotin, zinc, L-cystine and keratin, formulated with men's hair in mind.
• Xpecia Mujer: a food supplement with saw palmetto extract, ginkgo, biotin, zinc and iron, formulated with women's nutritional needs in mind.

In both, biotin and zinc contribute to the maintenance of normal hair. If you would also like to include saw palmetto in your daily hair wash, Sawpoo is a cosmetic shampoo with saw palmetto and biotin designed for fine or limp hair. And if you want to know the role of each nutrient, we cover it in biotin, zinc and saw palmetto: what each nutrient does for your hair.

When to see a dermatologist

See a dermatologist or doctor if hair loss is intense, sudden, appears in specific areas or comes with itching, pain, flaking or other symptoms.

A professional can identify the cause of your hair loss and recommend the right treatment. Food supplements and hair cosmetics can be part of your routine, but they are no substitute for a diagnosis. This content is for information only and does not replace the advice of a healthcare professional.

Frequently asked questions about saw palmetto and hair loss

Does saw palmetto work for hair loss?

Saw palmetto is a traditionally used plant extract and research is still exploring its relationship with hair, but the results are not conclusive and it has no authorised health claims for hair loss. It can be part of a hair routine, but if your hair loss is intense it is best to see a dermatologist.

What is the link between saw palmetto and DHT?

DHT is a hormone linked to androgenetic alopecia, formed from testosterone by the enzyme 5-alpha reductase. Some studies explore the possible relationship between saw palmetto and this enzyme, but the evidence is limited and does not allow any effect on hair loss to be attributed to it.

Is saw palmetto the same as a medical treatment for alopecia?

No. Saw palmetto is a plant extract found in food supplements and cosmetics, while pharmacological treatments for alopecia have their own evidence, indications and side effects and must be prescribed by a doctor. If you are weighing up options, the right step is to discuss them with a dermatologist first.

Who should not take saw palmetto?

It is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding without medical supervision. If you are on hormonal treatment, take anticoagulants, have a prostate condition or are allergic to any of its components, ask your doctor first. You should also never exceed the daily dose recommended by the supplement manufacturer.

What is the difference between Xpecia Hombre and Xpecia Mujer?

Both are food supplements with saw palmetto extract, ginkgo, biotin and zinc. Xpecia Hombre is formulated with men's hair in mind and includes keratin and L-cystine, while Xpecia Mujer is designed for women's nutritional needs and adds iron. In both, biotin and zinc contribute to the maintenance of normal hair.