The Best Hair Growth Serums If You're Thinning Out or Shedding a Worrisome Amount
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Everyone experiences some type of hair loss and shedding; on average, most women lose 100 to 150 hairs per day, scalp expert Kerry E. Yates, creator of Colour Collective previously told Shape. This generally goes unnoticed, via the hair that ends up in your brush or on your bathroom floor, but if you start to see serious clumps falling out while you're washing your hair, this can be a sign of a bigger issue. Similarly, sudden and drastic thinning of your strands — even if they're not shedding — can also be concerning, yet is also very common. (See: How to Tell If You're Losing Too Much Hair)
The reasons for this type of tress stress are plentiful: Genetics, hormonal changes, stress, illness, certain prescription meds, hairstyling habits, and dietary deficiencies are some of the main causes behind female hair loss and shedding, according to Bridgette Hill, a trichologist and colorist at the Paul Labreque Salon in New York City. It's a lengthy list, to be sure, and it's worth noting that if you're dealing with hair loss, it's always a good idea to seek the advice of your doctor, says Hill. (Related: This $8 Leave-In Conditioner Is 'Liquid Magic' for Fine, Thinning, and Damaged Hair)
That being said, there are a plethora of hair growth serums and other leave-in treatments that can help. Unlike wash-out shampoos, these work by penetrating the scalp, where they can do any number of different things based on the particular formula, explains Gretchen Friese, a trichologist for BosleyMD, a company that specializes in hair loss and restoration. "They can increase circulation, remove toxins and debris from the follicle to create a better environment for healthy growth, or even reactivate a dormant follicle so it will start growing hair again," she says. Most people experiencing some type of hair issues can benefit from using one of these treatments, most of which can be used either all-over or just on targeted areas where you're noticing thinning, she adds. (Psst, this is the scalp serum Ashley Graham swears by for strengthening her weak baby hairs.)
Below, explore the best hair growth serums that will help restore your tresses’ natural volume and fullness.
The Best Hair Growth Serums and Treatments
Best Overall: Women's Rogaine 5% Minoxidil Foam
Best Budget: Pronexa Topical Hair Loss Serum
Best Lightweight: Rene Furterer Triphasic Reactional Concentrated Serum
Best for Thickening: Vegamour Gro Hair Serum
Best Strengthening: Pura D'Or Hair Thinning Therapy Energizing Scalp Serum Revitalizer
Best for Bald Spots: BosleyMD Follicle Energizer
Best for Shedding: Aveda Invati Advanced Scalp Revitalizer
Best for Itchy Scalps: Groh Stimulating Scalp Serum
There's no shortage of hair growth serums to choose from, all of which boast a variety of different ingredients. Hill recommends seeking out plant-based options for more preventative measures and to help ward off thinning in the first place; rosemary extract, CBD, and curcumin are a few good options, says Friese. Keep in mind that there's only one ingredient, minoxidil, that's FDA-approved to actually grow new hair, says Howard Sobel, M.D., New York City-based cosmetic dermatologist and director of Sobel Skin. (FYI, it's the active ingredient in Rogaine and is available both OTC and by prescription.)
Keep scrolling to learn more about the best hair growth serums and leave-in treatments, which experts say are worth trying in your quest for fuller, thicker, and more luscious locks. (Related: The French Hairspray Behind Jennifer Aniston's Volume Is a Game-Changer for Thin Hair)
Best Overall: Women's Rogaine 5% Minoxidil Foam
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As Sobel mentioned, this contains FDA-approved minoxidil, the only ingredient proven to trigger new hair growth. This particular product can regrow up to 25 percent more hair, perfect for those dealing with serious thinning or bald spots. The lightweight foam is easy to use daily, although you'll have to use it diligently for a few months to see results — and will have to keep using it in order to maintain those results. (Related: These Vitamins for Hair Growth Will Give You the Rapunzel-Like Locks of Your Dreams)
“This stuff is amazing,” exclaimed a reviewer that has been using the foam for four months. “My hair was thinning so bad and I'm only 24 years old. I needed something to help my hair get thicker; try this stuff it will make you feel so much better.”
If the treatment foam is out of stock during your next Amazon visit, you can also get it at walmart.com, walgreens.com, or target.com.
Buy It: Women's Rogaine 5% Minoxidil Foam, $27 was $31, amazon.com
Best Budget: Pronexa Topical Hair Loss Serum
AMAZON
A budget-friendly and Amazon-favorite pick, this hair loss serum earns rave reviews for working quickly and effectively (and reviewers also love the pleasant scent). It uses a patented pea sprout extract that's rich in nutrients good for your scalp and hair. According to a brand-backed clinical study, 95 percent of users noticed reduced hair loss after three months, though the brand does offer a complete money-back guarantee if you're not totally satisfied with your results.
Speaking to its fast-acting formula, one shopper wrote, “After only two weeks you see the small growth especially on the top where I literally have had no hair.” Another said, “This is the second bottle that I ordered and have noticed that my hair loss has diminished. When I wash my hair, I used to see a lot of hair on my comb and now I see very little.”
Buy It: Pronexa Topical Hair Loss Serum, $30, amazon.com
Best Lightweight: Rene Furterer Triphasic Reactional Concentrated Serum
DERMSTORE
Hill is a fan of this lightweight serum, which uses a variety of plant-based ingredients (including lemon essential oil) to boost scalp circulation. Since continued use of any of these treatments is essential for best results, Hill also likes how simple this is to apply. To that point, it also needs to be used just once per week for three months. (Psst, you can read more rave reviews calling the Rene Furterer Serum a ‘miracle treatment’ here.)
One Dermstore shopper wrote, “It’s super easy to use. Once a week I apply it to my scalp after towel drying my hair. I then massage it in for a couple of minutes. At about week five or six I noticed new hairs had come in and my overall hair was growing faster. I’m very pleased with the results.”
Buy It: Rene Furterer Triphasic Reactional Concentrated Serum, $74 for 12-count, dermstore.com or amazon.com
Best for Thickening: Vegamour Gro Hair Serum
Vegamour
"This serum can visibly increase hair density up to 50 percent while reducing loss from combing and washing by up to 76 percent in four months," says Friese. This is thanks to several unique ingredients not found in many other hair growth serums — namely, mung bean and red clover, which have been shown to help inhibit the production of dihydrotestosterone (DHT, a hormone that plays a role in hair loss), and nicotiana benthamiana, an Australian plant whose proteins have been shown to increase the density of hair roots, she explains.
The Gro Hair Serum has become a fan-favorite thinning hair solution and has received glowing reviews from shoppers. One Vegamour customer said, “I definitely saw accelerated hair growth using this product. Stress caused me to shed a lot, this helped me regrow.” Another added, “Three months in, and [my] bald spots are covered with baby hairs! The product is easy to apply and doesn’t leave a [greasy] residue, which is so important to me since I have oily hair.”
Buy It: Vegamour Gro Hair Serum, $52, vegamour.com or amazon.com
Best Strengthening: Pura D'Or Hair Thinning Therapy Energizing Scalp Serum Revitalizer
AMAZON
An Amazon fan-favorite boasting more than 1,100 five-star ratings, this features many of the ingredients experts recommend. The 15 different actives include (but are not limited to) biotin — which Friese says can strengthen the hair follicle — and circulation-boosting and DHT-inhibiting caffeine. A targeted nozzle makes application easy, and reviewers rave about how much it improves the thickness and overall quality of their hair. (FWI, this is the serum that Amazon shoppers say reversed their hair loss in just two weeks)
“This definitely does what it says,” a shopper began their review. “It has brought my hair breakage from quite a lot to little or none. I definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to strengthen their hair, and reduce hair breakage. This is a mainstay in my hair regimen from now on.” Another mentioned that “the amount of hairs that fall off my hair has greatly, greatly reduced” and that “there’s lots of new hair growth and my hair is so much thicker now.”
Buy It: Pura D'Or Hair Thinning Therapy Energizing Scalp Serum Revitalizer, $19 was $20, amazon.com
Best for Bald Spots: BosleyMD Follicle Energizer
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This powerhouse serum relies on a litany of different ingredients to improve the look and feel of your strands. "Protective botanical extracts make for thicker, fuller-looking hair, biotin strengthens, while rosemary extract helps to reduce scalp inflammation and increase circulation," says Friese, who advises using it on targeted areas rather than all over. "With this product, I like to tell people, 'If you want hair, put it there.'" (Related: 10 Products That'll Make Your Thinning Hair Look Thick AF)
According to Amazon reviewers, it’s a viable solution “for anyone with spots of concern.” One wrote, “Took about two to three months once I started using [it] to see the hair growth around my hairline.” Another added, “My hair is fuller and thicker than ever.”
Buy It: BosleyMD Follicle Energizer, $30, amazon.com
Best for Shedding: Aveda Invati Advanced Scalp Revitalizer
AVEDA
For those seeking instant gratification, this multitasking product is choice. The Invati Advanced Scalp Revitalizer instantly thickens and lifts hair at the root so strands appear fuller right away, making it double as a styling product as well as a hair loss treatment. Its concentrated nozzle guarantees precision when applying and over time, the plant- and herb-based formula, which is rich in invigorating hair-healthy ingredients like turmeric and ginseng, works to support the keratin in your strands. This helps to ward off breakage and subsequent shedding.
“Best hair product,” one Amazon reviewer said. “It really helps my hair from shedding.” Another was happy to report that the treatment spray “saved my hair” and added, “I was losing my hair and this stopped it. My hair is now to the middle of my back and thick. I use it once a day and it’s wonderful.”
Buy It: Aveda Invati Advanced Scalp Revitalizer, $69 was $76, amazon.com or nordstrom.com
Best for Itchy Scalps: Groh Stimulating Scalp Serum
AMAZON
This hair growth serum relies on a blend of ergothioneine — a mushroom-derived amino acid — and vitamin D2. "Humans only get these nutrients from our diets, since the body doesn't produce them naturally, which makes this topical treatment an excellent choice for hair issues caused by dietary deficiencies," says Hill. In addition to stopping fall out and promoting regrowth, the Stimulating Scalp Serum helps rebalance and soothe the scalp, which is ideal for anyone who may be fighting flakes as well. (Pro tip: Pair it with one of the best thinning hair shampoos for even stronger results.)
One customer wrote, “Within three months I had new growth and although it was a little hard to tame...it was well worth it. My hairdresser even mentioned how much new hair I have. Finally, something that works!”
Buy It: Groh Stimulating Scalp Serum, $50, amazon.com
