The #1 Hair Growth Product for Men on Amazon Is Heavily Discounted Right Now

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You don’t want to think about it until you can’t NOT think about it: Every time you look in the mirror, there are those two parking spaces at your temples, and your forehead looks a bit … well, taller? With many guys, their hairline is unchanged, but they're starting to get a bald patch up top. Understandably, your first instinct may be to slap on a baseball cap and think about it later. But your second instinct is to wonder what, if anything, you can do to stop the thinning and — if it’s even possible — make your hair grow back.

Luckily, the answer is yes. In addition to products that make your hair look thicker, there are, in fact, other treatments and products that are specifically designed to slow the process of hair thinning, and sometimes men are able to fill in the blank areas.

Depending on the cause or causes of your hair loss, your doctor may suggest or prescribe a product that’s designed to address your particular problem; advise you to make lifestyle or dietary changes, if they believe that is contributing to your issue; or they may suggest an in-office treatment such as platelet-rich plasma injections, in which a patient’s own plasma is injected into the scalp, enriching the follicles, explains Michele Green, M.D., a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist in New York City. No matter what you try, give it time: Hair grows in three- to six-month cycles, so it will likely take months to see a real difference even if a product is working.

Below, you'll find the best hair growth products for men, according to dermatologists who specialize in hair loss. We're also answering your top questions, such as what causes hair loss in men, and what you need to consider before buying a product.

5% Minoxidil Foam (Three-Month Supply)

“Dermatologist’s go-to OTC ingredient in combatting hair loss in men (and women) is topical minoxidil,” says Shoshanna Marmon, M.D., Ph.D., FAAD, an assistant professor of dermatology at New York Medical College. The brand name is Rogaine. "It works by shortening the resting phase of the hair growth cycle, during which hair falls out and pushes follicles to enter the growth phase,” she says. Thus, more hairs are in the growth phase at once, making your hair appear fuller. “It also slows hair loss by increasing blood flow to the hair follicles,” she says. It is often recommended for male pattern baldness (androgenic alopecia) and telogen effluvium.

Many people prefer the foam formulation over the liquid version, since it’s less drippy. Caveat: You have to keep using Rogaine (or any minoxidil product) to see and maintain results, which start to show up in three to six months, as you complete the cycle of hair growth. “Minoxidil is effective at hair growth and hair loss prevention, but it is only effective if it is actively used,” says Dr. Green. “Stopping minoxidil application will lead to a gradual loss in hair that grew due to the minoxidil.”

Scalp Therapy Energizing Scalp Serum Revitalizer

This popular Amazon cart item “is an affordable, minoxidil-free hair serum that contains niacin, biotin, Argan oil, antioxidants and other natural ingredients that aim to detoxify and nourish the scalp to promote healthy hair growth,” says Dr. Green. “It also contains DHT blockers and coffee extract to reduce hair loss and thinning.”

What is DHT, and why would you want to block it? Some of your testosterone is converted into DHT, an androgen responsible for male sex characteristics. Unfortunately, high levels of DHT also miniaturize (or shrink) follicles, so they basically go into retirement and lose their ability to produce strands. Block DHT and you block that process, although so far, evidence of topical DHT blockers slowing hair loss is promising but preliminary, and the research was done on the drug finasteride, which this serum does not contain.

Still, if you want to try without spending a ton of money, people do like this product, says Green. “There is an inadequacy of clinical studies to back the efficacy of its active ingredients, but anecdotal evidence is promising.”

Topical Finasteride & Minoxidil Spray (One Month Supply)

Minoxidil is minoxidil, no matter what brand you use, and the FDA approved concentration is 2% or 5%, which is why that’s what you’ll see on drugstore shelves. And more is not necessarily better — one 2021 study found that a 5% concentration worked better than a 10% concentration, and the higher concentration caused more scalp irritation.

Still, some hair loss specialists are formulating products with slightly higher concentrations and combining minoxidil with other ingredients known to help for a double-whammy jumpstart for your follicles. This one contains 6% minoxidil and .3% finasteride, another research-backed FDA-approved hair loss treatment. Finasteride, often taken in pill form, is a DHT-blocker. Our friends over at Men’s Health put it atop their list, and recommend using it on clean hair after the shower, as it can be slightly greasy.

Note: Finasteride is available only by prescription, which you may obtain after an online consultation with a Hims provider, or your own.

Finasteride (Three-Month Supply)

Finasteride (which is also sold under the brand name Propecia) is a prescription drug. It's an oral daily tablet for men only, which works by blocking DHT, an androgen responsible for shrinking hair follicles so they can no longer produce thick (or eventually) any strands.

“Finasteride has been studied in thousands of patients and now we have over 20 years of experience with it", says Barry Goldman, M.D., a dermatologist in New York City and a clinical instructor at NY Cornell Presbyterian Hosptial. “Studies showed more success with the vertex (back top of the scalp) more than the frontal hairline.”

Oral finasteride isn’t without its issues, though: It must be taken indefinitely, or you will lose the hair it helped you retain or regrow, says Dr. Green (the same is true for topical finasteride). Oral finasteride also has some potential side effects, including sexual side effects (not the good kind), decreased fertility, breast tenderness or swelling and depression, and it may interact with other meds. It can also up your risk of developing a serious form of prostate cancer. And if you’re partnered with a woman who is pregnant or wants to be, she should not handle a broken tablet (and she should absolutely not use the medication.)

Bottom line: This is a prescription drug, and if you order it through Keeps, you can use one of their online physicians.

Men's Hair Growth Supplements (3-Month Supply)

As any reader of Good Housekeeping knows, supplements aren’t well regulated by the FDA and don’t need clinical trials like drugs do to be legally sold. They also aren’t usually recommended by derms as the primary treatment for hair loss. “Oral nutraceuticals … are often recommended as adjunctive interventions for hair loss,” says Dr. Marmon. “More data is needed to truly support their efficacy in treating hair loss.”

Still, Viviscal, which has been around for more than 25 years, has lots of happy users and there have been a few smaller placebo controlled trials showing it can help, including one on men. “After 180 days, significant increases were observed for total hair count, total hair density, and terminal hair density,” the researchers reported (terminal hair is a type of hair that is dark and thick.) The oral supplement contains a blend of shark and mollusk powders, iron, zinc and a long list of other minerals and ingredients; the study authors theorize that it helps by supporting the user’s health overall and correcting nutritional deficiencies.

Men's Hair Growth Supplement and Hair Serum (One-Month Supply)

If minoxidil doesn’t agree with you (it causes scalp irritation for some people) this system — oral supplements plus a plant-based serum — purports to target both the root causes of hair thinning as well restore scalp health. Speaking about the serum, Dr. Green says its ingredients, which include Ashwagandha Exomes, Irish moss peptides and pea sprout extract, support hair thickness, help reduce breakage and nourish the scalp.

As for the supplements, there isn’t much research on men, but one tiny open label study (meaning participants knew what they were taking) of men and women from different racial and ethnic background showed significant improvement in all measures (thickness, less shedding, etc.) after six months. Some of the ingredients in the supplement variously help reduce DHT, the androgen that shrinks follicles (saw palmetto); balances stress hormones (Ashwagandha); and help reduce inflammation (Curcumin.)

Essential Laser Hair Growth System

Yes, it’s an investment, but red-light therapy has been shown to promote hair growth when used regularly. “Red light therapy, or low-level light therapy, applies a visible red-light laser to the scalp. The body absorbs the light and turns it into cellular energy to stimulate the natural healing process, potentially promoting hair regrowth. Red light also encourages blood circulation for scalp and follicle health,” says Dr. Green. “Furthermore, red light therapy can facilitate the creation of new capillaries, helping to deliver essential nutrients and oxygen to cells and hair follicles.”

We like this helmet (rather than a comb or brush) because you can just pop it on and watch TV while it does its thing, plus there’s a 6-month money-back guarantee if you don’t notice any improvement in that time. It can also be used along with minoxidil or other hair growth methods.

Anti-Dandruff Shampoo With 1% Ketoconazole

Ketoconazole is an ingredient that not only treats dandruff, but has anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties, says Dr. Marmon. If your dermatologist says your hair loss is in part because of an inflammation of the scalp due to a fungal infection, ketoconazole can help to clear it up (they may even prescribe you a shampoo or topical treatment with a higher concentration of ketoconazole.)

Rosemary Conditioning Hair Oil

This product is not specifically marketed to combat hair loss, but “rosemary is said to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and improve circulation,” says Dr. Green. “Rosemary has been used in Mediterranean cultures for hair growth for hundreds of years. The idea is that by promoting circulation the hair follicles receive a sufficient blood supply rich in oxygen and nutrients and prevent damaged hair follicles that lead to hair loss.”

There is also some evidence, says Dr. Green, that rosemary might block DHT. This oil has a fresh, clean scent when you place a few drops on your scalp.

RELATED: How to Use Rosemary Oil to Strengthen and Grow Hair

GRO Hair Serum

Legions of folks (including Nicole Kidman) swear by this vegan hair serum that promises results after about four months. It contains Curcumin stem cell extract and red clover, thought to be a DHT inhibitors, and does not contain minoxidil or finasteride or other ingredients some might want to avoid. On its website, the company states that users see up to 76% less shedding and up to 52% more density, although the company, through a representative, declined to make any research available to Good Housekeeping.

Regardless, the before-and-after photos are impressive, so if you want to see what all the commotion is about, give it a try, but remember that it takes a few months to see best results with any hair growth treatment.

How we chose the best hair growth products for men

We interviewed respected dermatologists who specialize in hair loss to understand the various reasons men lose their hair. We then asked them to recommend products that they have seen in their clinical practices to show results.

Some of these products are FDA-approved to treat hair loss and have decades of peer-reviewed research behind them, which we vetted and linked to; others have only company-funded research, which Good Housekeeping does not consider reliable on its own, but have lots of anecdotal evidence of efficacy in addition to being good options according to our medical sources. We also indicated where there was limited or preliminary independent evidence to support the claims of the products.

What causes hair loss in men?

It's not as straightforward as you might think, which is why as soon as you start to see your hair thinning (and assuming it bothers you), you should get to a dermatologist to find out why it’s happening — it’s not always “just what happens” to guys, though male pattern baldness (or androgenic alopecia) is by far the most common form of hair loss in men, says Shoshanna Marmon, M.D., Ph.D., FAAD, an assistant professor of dermatology at New York Medical College. But heredity isn’t the only reason a guy can be losing his hair. “Diagnosing and treating hair loss in men is a multi-step process,” says Dr. Marmon. Your doctor will talk to you about your history, do an exam (often checking for scalp conditions that could be impeding growth) and perhaps conduct some lab tests, to check for blood levels of nutrients important for hair growth, such as iron, as well as hormone levels. There are also medical conditions and medications that can contribute to hair loss, so your doctor will talk to you about those as well.

Here are some of the most common reasons:

• Genetics: If you are having male pattern baldness, which is genetic, it typically looks like a receding hairline and/or a bald spot on top.

• Telogen effluvium: When your body has undergone some kind of stress (say, from an illness or surgery, or even a death in the family or divorce) it may react by shedding more hair than usual. If you are experiencing telogen effluvium, you will notice more strands on your pillow or keyboard than usual around three months after the stressful event or period.

• Drug side effects: Certain meds, such as lithium and beta blockers, can cause hair loss.

• An underlying condition: Thyroid issues, vitamin deficiencies and autoimmune illnesses can contribute to hair loss.

• Scalp issues: Various fungal conditions or inflammation of the hair follicles can cause dry, itchy, flaky scalp as well as bald patches.

• Styling issues: More common in women, certain styles that are heavy or very tight bun and worn daily could contribute to hair loss as well.

Can men regrow hair naturally?

Sometimes. It’s possible that whatever it is that’s causing your hair loss is a passing thing, and your hair will come back — that’s what tends to happen with telogen effluvium: Three to six months after the stressor that caused you to suddenly lose your hair, your strands come back, with or without intervention.

Likewise, if your hair loss is caused by a deficiency in certain vitamins or minerals, correcting that deficiency may stop the loss. “The diet should contain whole foods rich in essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A, B, C, D, iron and zinc,” she says. A blood test can reveal if that’s your issue. Likewise, changing or stopping any medication that’s contributing to hair loss may correct it.

In general, if you are losing your hair, says Dr. Marmon, try these tactics:

• Maintain a healthy and balanced diet.

• Avoid tight hairstyles and harsh treatments.

• Stop smoking.

• Manage stress.

• Engage in regular exercise.

• Limit alcohol consumption.

• Stay hydrated.

• Visit your dermatologist to determine the etiology of the hair loss and discuss treatment options.

Dr. Green emphasizes that smoking and drinking are bad for your hair (among other things!). “They stress the body and restrict the blood vessels, reducing scalp circulation and blood flow to the hair follicles,” she says.

Do hair growth serums and supplements really work?

It’s hard to give a straight answer on this, not only because nothing works for every single person experiencing hair loss, but also because the research behind many of these products simply isn’t up to the standards required for scientists to answer that definitively, says Birnur Aral, Ph.D., Executive Director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Beauty, Health and Sustainability Lab.

What's more, while nutritional supplements are not as tightly regulated by the FDA as prescription or over-the-counter drugs, the manufacturers of brands making structure/function claims (such as that their supplement can make hair grow) must be able to substantiate those claims with high-quality research. In fact, earlier this year, the Federal trade commission (FTC) sent out warning letters to nearly 700 companies, warning them to substantiate their product efficacy claims or face fines. Many "hair growth" supplement manufacturers were on this list.

That's why we have been very clear in pointing out which products seem to have research behind them and how strong the research is, and leave it to your own to judgment whether or not to try them.

And a heads-up: Before taking any supplement, you should talk to your doctor, as many can interact with other meds you may be taking, and may have side effects.

Why trust Good Housekeeping?

This story was reported by Zee Krstic and written by Stephanie Dolgoff, the deputy director of the Health Newsroom for the Lifestyle Group at Hearst. She has decades of experience writing about health and health products.

Birnur Aral, Ph.D., a chemical engineer, also contributed her expertise to this piece. Birnur has had more than 15 years of leading clinical and consumer testing in the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab. Prior to that, Birnur has had R&D experience through her seven-year stint at Unilever U.S. She has contributed to content in countless beauty categories ranging from anti-aging products to sunscreen safety. She also has written explainers that tease out the science behind beauty products and debunk misconceptions.

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