Best Hair Growth Products for Hair Thinning and Loss

Hair loss and hair thinning affect millions of people and are dependent on a host of varying underlying factors. Whether you’re experiencing hair loss, hair thinning, or just want more volume or length, you may be overwhelmed by the staggering number of hair growth product options out there. I’ll help you understand what to look for and then you can check out my top picks.

Our top picks for the best hair growth products

What to consider when choosing a hair growth product

To help narrow your search, there are a few things to consider before you start looking.

What’s your reason for seeking hair growth products?

Since hair thinning and hair loss aren’t the same thing, you’ll want to know which condition you have. Though the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, thinning is when the shaft of the hair itself becomes thinner than usual and it occurs in the early stages of hair loss. Hair loss is when hair has been shed and the affected hair follicles no longer produce new hair.

Either can be caused by a number of reasons, including genetics, age, illness, stress, or diseases like alopecia areata. Each of these factors causes hair loss to a different degree, and requires different treatment. Before you begin looking for treatments for your own hair, it’s best to consult a physician in order to understand what’s causing your hair loss or thinning so you’re not taking shots in the dark.

Do you want a topical or an oral product?

Products for hair loss come in both topical formulations like serums which go on top of the skin, or oral, such as capsules, which work from the inside out. Which is best for you may be influenced by the type of hair loss or thinning you’re experiencing, but also your lifestyle and your preference.

How we selected the best hair growth products

Drawing on medical professionals’ expertise, I reviewed a selection of online and traditional retailers to make my recommendations for the best hair growth products, with an emphasis on price, natural ingredients, oil-based solutions, and formulation for all hair types. All of my picks are cruelty-free products, are priced under $100, and prioritize financing options and accessibility.

What ingredients should you look for in a hair growth product?

When it comes to ingredients, Dr. Samuel Hetz, Medical Director of Concept Medical, an Ontario-based physician-led medical aesthetic and cosmetic dermatology practice, recommends keeping scalp nourishment a top priority, and looking for products that use oils (castor, rosehip, coconut, argan) as a base. On top of that, here are some ingredients to seek out:

• Minoxidil is one ingredient found in Rogaine that works by promoting blood flow to the hair follicles.
• Finasteride, also found in Rogaine, blocks the conversion of testosterone to the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT) which is linked to pattern baldness.
• Dutasteride also blocks the conversion of testosterone to DHT, and is often used to treat alopecia.
• Caffeine may be incorporated into some shampoos and serums, and has been linked to the promotion of hair growth when left on the scalp for an extended period of time.
• Collagen and peptides are other popular ingredients in shampoos or oral products. Though not a proven treatment, they are thought to promote skin, hair, and follicle health.

What is a hair growth product?

A hair growth product is a topical or oral formulation designed to stimulate and promote hair growth by targeting the underlying cause of hair loss.

Do hair growth products really work?

The answer to this depends on the underlying cause of hair loss, and therefore varies from person to person. Promoting growth and strengthening hair can be much more manageable than recovering hair loss caused by genetics, for instance. Dr. Michael May, Medical Director at Wimpole Clinic, a hair transplant clinic in the UK, emphasizes that products usually require consistent and prolonged use to see results, so users need to be patient with the process.