16 Over-the-Counter Hair Growth Products That Actually Work

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The journey to healthy hair can be long and winding, especially because there are so many factors that influence the look and feel of your strands. Diet, vitamins, home remedies, and shampoo can all affect the thickness and quality of your hair, says Michelle Zive, PhD, RD, a registered dietitian for UC San Diego and coauthor of the National Academy of Sports Medicine Certified Nutrition Coach Program. But uncontrollable factors such as genetics, stress, certain conditions like trichotillomania, and hormone fluctuations due to childbirth and menopause can take their toll on hair, too, she explains. But that doesn't mean you have to live with thinning strands. While you should certainly speak to your doctor about severe hair loss, there are over-the-counter hair growth products that may help those with mild to moderate cases.

What is a Hair Growth Product

Hair growth products come in many forms, from topical serums, sprays, oils, to thickening shampoos and even oral supplements. Typically, one product is not a cure-all for hair loss. However, a consistent routine incorporating the right ingredients and practices can help.

What Ingredients to Look for In a Hair Growth Product

These contain growth-stimulating ingredients like topical Minoxidil (the only FDA-approved treatment for hair loss, says Hadley King, MD, a dermatologist in New York City), as well as biotin, collagen, keratin, vitamin A, and more. And the best part: They're suitable for all types of hair—straight, 4C curly, natural—you name it.

But how do you know which hair growth products are potent enough to actually work? We asked hair and skincare experts, including dermatologists and trichologists, to share their picks for fast-acting hair growth shampoos, leave-in treatments, vitamins, and supplements for both women and men.

CurrentBody Skin LED Hair Growth Helmet

Hair Regrowth Treatment for Women

This spray-on formula contains 2 percent minoxidil, which is clinically proven to promote faster hair growth in women, says Sonia Batra, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and cohost of The Doctors. The spray feature makes it more convenient than most formulas, too. Simply use the targeted nozzle to spray six pumps of product directly onto the scalp where you notice thinning hair. Apply it twice a day and within four months, you'll start to notice a difference, per brand directions.

Women's Rogaine 5% Minoxidil Foam

Topical minoxidil—or Rogaine—is effective for both male and female hair loss, as well as hair loss due to chemotherapy, says Rina M. Allawh, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Pennsylvania. The formula is available in both 2 percent and 5 percent topical solutions and 5 percent foam. Allawh recommends the 5 percent formulations for maximum efficacy. And don't be turned off if you notice some initial shedding, she says. "Consistent use of Rogaine for months has been shown to have favorable results for both sexes. In fact, Rogaine works so well, I caution all my patients to avoid application on non-alopecic areas (like the face) to avoid unwanted hair growth."

Root Lifting Serum

If you're wary of applying anything too harsh to your scalp, try this serum. Though the formula is 100 percent vegan, it has a triple shot of powerful botanicals that lift hair at the roots to give the appearance of mega volume, says trichologist David Adams. It also includes caffeine, a plant-based ingredient that works to naturally boost circulation in the scalp and build volume.

Hair Thinning Defense

Healthy hair starts at the scalp, and this lightweight serum includes a mix of helpful ingredients. In it, you'll find melatonin and caffeine to help reduce thinning, an ingredient known as Capixyl to help strengthen and thicken hair, biotin, and resveratrol to soothe the scalp.

Dietary Supplement

This doctor-developed formula includes the research-backed dosage amount of several ingredients that assist in growing longer stronger strands, including betaine HCL, which helps break down proteins into amino acids, saw palmetto (a plant extract that helps support follicle development), and MSM (rich in sulfur, it plays an important role in hair and cartilage development). Overtime, you'll notice stronger hair, skin, and nails.

Ultima 9 Lasercomb Hair Growth Device

Light energy is used by doctors to stimulate and energize follicles on the scalp to regrow hair. It helps reverse thinning, increase density, and revitalize damaged hair strands. The process, known as photo-biostimulation, is similar to photosynthesis, and this at-home laser comb can help your hair with as little as a three months. For best results, use it three times a week for 11 minutes. Glide it over your scalp in slow combing motions, moving about a half inch every few seconds.

Revitalizing Fortifying Serum for the Scalp

If you're dealing with mild shedding, this could be your solution: Apply a three pipettes, section by section, of this plant-rich formula to your scalp every two days for a month and the ingredients (read: proteins, vitamins, and minerals) go to work helping to keep your hair anchored to your scalp.

Complex Energisant Hair Loss Leave-In Treatment

This popular leave-in treatment includes hardworking natural ingredients like mimosa bark extract, yeast protein, and agave extract to improve the appearance of thin, fine hair over time. It works by promoting biotin synthesis for healthy, thicker hair, and fortifying and conditioning existing strands. Usage recommendations vary based on the extent of hair loss—for severe cases, use three vials per week for three months; for moderate cases, use one vial per week.

Thickening Shampoo

Cleanse, protect, and encourage the look of thicker hair with this formula whether you're experiencing thinning or have damaged hair. It includes flax protein to strengthen, loquat leaf to fight thinning, willow bark to gently exfoliate the scalp, and jojoba oil to moisturize.

Hair Strong Gummies

This is a highly-reviewed natural vitamin full of growth-promoting ingredients like biotin, vitamin B, zinc, and folic acid, says Manish Shah, MD, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Denver. In a randomized clincal study conducted by the brand, 94% of women noticed improved hair strength, 91% noticed less shedding, and 89% noticed faster hair growth. Take two gummies daily (with or without food) for the best results.

Nutrafol Women's Supplement

Nutrafol is one of the best supplements for hair growth, says Rita Linkner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. It contains a variety of vitamins that are pro-hair growth, as well as saw palmetto, an herb that helps hair in the same fashion as propecia, a prescription medication for hair loss, she explains. It targets causes of thinning, including stress, lifestyle, and nutrition. You need to take four pills, once a daily for three to six months to begin seeing results.

Destined For Density Shampoo

This shampoo helps to promote density, thickness, and fullness by stimulating microcirculation on the scalp with the help of caffeine, CoQ10, and green coffee oil. It also contains biotin to help nourish and strengthen hair, and copper peptides to support a healthy hair cycle. Over time, you'll notice more voluminous. Pair it with the conditioner and hair serum for even better results.

Extreme Caviar Special Hair Loss Shampoo

This shampoo is chockfull of beneficial hair and skincare. It contains caviar to help strengthen weak and thinning strands, says Batra. It also has L-Arginine to help stimulate blood flow to the scalp, trace elements and minerals to stop the production of DHT (a hormone associated with hair loss), and nourishing oils to preserve moisture. You can use it on color-treated and keratin-treated hair, too.

60 Tablets

According to experts, if you don't get enough nutrition through diet alone (sometimes the case with vegans and vegetarians), an oral supplement may help stimulate hair growth. This formula is a dermatologist and patient favorite, says Jenny Sobera, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Village Dermatology in Birmingham, Alabama. Take it twice daily for potentially thicker, healthier strands.

The Alpha Multi-Vitamin Scalp Growth Oil

A healthy scalp is the (literal) foundation for a healthy head of hair—which is why this lightweight oil delivers a healthy dose of soybean, sweet almond, grape seed, jojoba, and coconut oils, as well as biotin and botanical extracts (like rosemary and sunflower) to help nourish, soothe, and stimulate the scalp. It's gentle enough for daily use and doesn't feel greasy so you can use it on all hair types.

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