How long does saw palmetto take to work for hair growth?

Most studies and user experiences suggest a minimum of three to six months of consistent use before any visible difference. Hair growth cycles are slow by nature. Expecting results in the first month usually leads to quitting too early.

Can saw palmetto regrow edges lost from braids or tight hairstyles?

Probably not on its own. Traction alopecia is caused by physical stress on the follicle, not by DHT. Saw palmetto works on the hormonal pathway. If traction damage is the cause, focus on reducing tension, giving your scalp rest, and supporting circulation at the hairline.

Should women take saw palmetto differently than men for hair loss?

The dosage studied most often is 320mg daily of a liposterolic extract, which applies to both men and women in the available research. However, women with hormone-sensitive conditions, those who are pregnant or nursing, or women on hormonal birth control should speak with a doctor before starting.

Is topical saw palmetto as effective as oral supplements for hair?

Some shampoos and serums include saw palmetto as a topical ingredient. There is limited but growing evidence that topical application may reduce DHT at the scalp level. The oral supplement research is currently more documented, but topical use is low-risk and may complement a supplement routine.

Can I take saw palmetto while using other hair growth products?

Generally yes. Saw palmetto supplements work systemically through the bloodstream and do not interact with most topical hair products. Combining it with a scalp massage routine that supports circulation, like using a nourishing edge cream daily, may address multiple factors at once rather than just one.

Does saw palmetto have any side effects I should know about?

For most people it is well tolerated. The most common complaint is mild digestive upset, which often improves when taken with food. Because it affects hormone pathways, women with conditions like PCOS, endometriosis, or hormone-sensitive cancers should get a doctor's opinion before using it regularly.

I Tried Saw Palmetto for My Edges for 60 Days. Here's What Happened

June 13, 2026

By the Edge Naturale Editorial Team · Medically reviewed by Shelia Davis, Edge Naturale Medical Team · Last updated June 2026

Quick answer: Saw palmetto may help slow certain types of hair loss, particularly those driven by hormones like DHT, by blocking the enzyme that converts testosterone into DHT. It is not a guaranteed regrowth solution, and it works better for some causes of hair loss than others. Results, if any, take months, not weeks.

Why I Even Started Looking Into Saw Palmetto

My edges had been thinning for about two years before I finally paid attention. I blamed my braider, then my bonnets, then my hormones after my second pregnancy. All of those things probably played a role. But when a friend mentioned she had been taking saw palmetto supplements for her own hairline, I went deep into the research before I touched a single capsule.

What I found was actually more interesting than I expected. So let me walk you through what the science says, what my own experience looked like week by week, and where saw palmetto genuinely helps versus where it falls short.

What Is Saw Palmetto and How Does It Relate to Hair?

Saw palmetto is a small palm tree native to the southeastern United States. Its berries have been used for decades in supplements targeting prostate health in men. The connection to hair comes down to one enzyme: 5-alpha reductase.

This enzyme converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone, or DHT. DHT is the hormone most associated with androgenetic alopecia, the pattern hair loss that can affect both men and women. It shrinks hair follicles over time until they stop producing hair altogether.

Saw palmetto appears to inhibit 5-alpha reductase. A small but real 2012 study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that 38 percent of men taking saw palmetto supplements showed improved hair growth compared to 24 percent in the placebo group. That is modest, but it is real data, not a marketing claim.

For women, the picture is more complicated. Hormonal hair loss in women often involves DHT too, particularly after pregnancy or during perimenopause, but it can also come from iron deficiency, thyroid issues, or traction damage. Saw palmetto only addresses the DHT pathway. It will not do much for edges that thinned because of tight braids or lace glue.

My Week-by-Week Timeline

Weeks 1 and 2: Nothing. Genuinely nothing.

I started taking a 320mg saw palmetto softgel daily, which is the dosage range used in most studies. I also added a scalp oil massage with the Follicle Enhancer each morning because I wanted to address blood flow and follicle stimulation at the scalp level while the supplement worked systemically. Those first two weeks were quiet. No shedding reduction I could notice. No baby hairs. I kept going.

Weeks 3 and 4: Shedding felt lighter.

By the end of the first month I noticed my hairline brush had less hair in it. This could have been coincidence. Postpartum shedding also naturally slows around the four to six month mark after delivery, and I was at month five. I noted it but did not celebrate yet.

Weeks 5 and 6: The first baby hairs showed up.

This was the moment I got genuinely interested. Three small baby hairs appeared along my left temple, which had been the balder side. They were soft and short. Whether saw palmetto or the daily scalp massage was responsible, or both working together, I cannot say with certainty. Hair growth biology does not come with clear attribution labels.

Weeks 7 and 8: Slow but visible progress.

By the end of week eight I had a visible line of new growth along both temples. Not full coverage, but real progress. My scalp also felt less inflamed, which I credit partly to the peppermint and jojoba in the topical routine rather than the supplement alone.

What Kind of Hair Loss Does Saw Palmetto Actually Help?

This is the question most articles skip. Here is an honest breakdown.

Cause of Hair Loss	Will Saw Palmetto Help?
Androgenetic alopecia (hormonal, DHT-driven)	Possibly, modest evidence exists
Postpartum shedding (telogen effluvium)	Unlikely, this resolves on its own
Traction alopecia from braids, weaves, or wigs	No, this is mechanical damage, not hormonal
Lace glue or chemical damage	No
Thyroid-related shedding	No, address the thyroid first with a doctor
Perimenopause hair thinning with hormonal component	Possibly, worth discussing with your doctor

How Should You Actually Take It?

If you decide to try saw palmetto, a few things matter.

The studied dosage is 320mg daily of a liposterolic extract, meaning the fat-soluble form from the berry, not a dry powder. Softgels tend to absorb better than capsules.
Give it at least three to six months. Hair growth cycles are long. Expecting results in four weeks is setting yourself up for disappointment.
Pair it with a scalp stimulation routine. Topical circulation support is not a replacement for addressing hormonal root causes, but working at both levels makes more sense than either alone.
If you are pregnant, nursing, or on hormonal contraceptives, talk to your OB before adding saw palmetto. It affects hormone pathways and has not been well studied in pregnant women.

Is Saw Palmetto Safe for Women?

For most non-pregnant adults, short-term use appears well tolerated. Some women report mild stomach upset, especially on an empty stomach. Because it affects hormones, women with hormone-sensitive conditions should check with their doctor first. The American Academy of Dermatology notes that supplements for hair loss are often understudied in women specifically, which is worth keeping in mind when weighing the evidence.

My Honest Take After 60 Days

Saw palmetto is not magic and it is not nothing. If your hair loss has a hormonal component, particularly DHT-driven pattern thinning, it may be worth adding to your routine with realistic expectations. If your edges thinned because of tension, glue, or protective styles worn too long, a DHT blocker will not rebuild those follicles. You need to reduce tension, address scalp inflammation, and support blood flow at the hairline directly.

I kept it in my routine past the 60 days. My edges are fuller than they were. I also stopped wearing my braids so tight, switched to a better edge cream, and stayed consistent with scalp massage. I cannot hand all the credit to one thing, and honestly, I would not trust anyone who told me I should.

This article is for education and is not medical advice. If you are worried about hair loss, see a board-certified dermatologist. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Edge Naturale products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.