It’s normal to lose hair…up to a point. The average person may shed up to hundred strands a day. But when your hairline is receding, and you can see your scalp where your hair is thinning, it’s also normal to feel distressed.
Pregnant women and new mothers often experience hair loss. Women entering menopause may have the same issue. And men with a family history of androgenetic alopecia glimpse their future when they look at their father’s bald spots.
But it’s not just hormones and genetics that cause hair loss. Lack of essential vitamins, harsh hair treatments, skin conditions like psoriasis, some medications, and certain illnesses can also make hair fall out in excess. Just ask Tyra Banks and Victoria Beckham, two celebs who overcame hair loss.
It’s easiest to reverse hair loss if you know what’s causing the problem. For example, if you have male or female pattern baldness, also known as androgenetic alopecia, then you can focus on topical treatments like minoxidil. Or if your hair is brittle and dry from sulfate-laden shampoos, you can switch to a gentler formula.
Now let’s take a look at the best hair growth products for men and women. They are designed to stop hair loss and help you grow thick and lustrous locks.
Best Hair Growth Products – For Men & Women
1. Shea Moisture Strengthen, Grow & Restore Shampoo and Conditioner Set
The Shea Moisture shampoo and conditioner are a top choice to keep your hair hydrated and your curls bouncy. The formula is free from parabens and sulfates and is not tested on animals.
If your hair and scalp are overly dry, or your locks are looking dull, use these products to cleanse residue and restore shine. The formula is pH-balanced with apple cider vinegar. The vinegar gets rid of build-up and makes hair soft again.
Next, the addition of Jamaican black castor oil adds natural moisture to both the scalp and strands. It smoothes frizz, repairs split ends and strengthens brittle hair. Castor oil also stimulates new hair growth.
2. Art Naturals Organic Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo and Conditioner Set
The Moroccan Argan Oil shampoo and conditioner from Art Naturals is free of parabens and other harsh ingredients. It’s safe for color-treated hair. And it protects against damage from UV radiation and heat treatments.
Argan oil is an ingredient that moisturizes the scalp and hair, rejuvenating hair follicles. It seems to encourage thicker growth, and it restores shine.
3. Hair Growth Shampoo and Conditioner by Watermans
Watermans Hair Growth shampoo and conditioner comes from the United Kingdom. This well-liked product pair uses rosemary to block DHT from bonding with hair follicles naturally. And that means this is a good choice for washing your hair during pregnancy or menopause.
There are no parabens or sulfates in the bottle. Instead, the shampoo contains biotin to strengthen hair and caffeine to stimulate the scalp. There’s also argan oil and allantoin to moisturize skin. Then, the conditioner contains another dose of caffeine plus rosemary, vitamin D, lupin protein, glycerin, and niacinamide. When used together, the shampoo and conditioner nourish strands and encourage new growth.
4. Maple Holistics Biotin Shampoo for Hair Growth
The biotin in the Maple Holistics shampoo produces fuller, thicker hair, and slows down shedding. Meanwhile, rosemary, zinc, and mulberry root extracts block DHT and remove it from the scalp. These ingredients also help clear up dandruff.
But the shampoo doesn’t just cleanse all types of hair, it also strengthens it with phytokeratin and moisturizes it with argan oil. Plus, the ingredients are non-GMO, and the formula is free of parabens and sulfates. Finally, if you don’t love their product, Maple Holistics offers a 100% money-back guarantee.
5. Majestic Pure Hair Loss Shampoo
Majestic Pure’s hair loss shampoo contains a variety of DHT-blockers like saw palmetto, Fo-Ti, and nettle extract. These ingredients stop dihydrotestosterone from crippling hair follicles. But the formula is powerful enough that the manufacturer recommends pregnant women check with their doctor before using it.
Besides the natural blockers, the shampoo strengthens hair with a B vitamin complex and biotin. Plus, there are no sulfates, no parabens, and no gluten to irritate the scalp.
5. MenScience Androceuticals Daily Shampoo
The Androceuticals shampoo from MenScience is popular among men with sensitive scalps, acne prone skin, and hair loss. It contains no artificial dyes, fragrances, or other irritants. It’s also unscented.
Although the shampoo is gentle enough to use every day, it deep cleans the scalp with alpha and beta hydroxy acids. Then it has vitamin E, wheat proteins, glycerin, and panthenol that repair hair with damaged cuticles to make it soft and shiny.
6. Hair Restoration Laboratories’ DHT-Blocking Hair Loss Shampoo
This shampoo contains more than twenty ingredients that block DHT. The manufacturer says no other product contains so many blockers. As a result, washing your hair with this formula is practically guaranteed to protect your follicles from miniaturization.
In the bottle you’ll find biotin plus natural extracts of rosemary, Camellia Japonica, Nigella Sativa, and more. But there are no sulfates and no parabens. Therefore, with three to five months of daily shampooing, you should end up with thicker, stronger hair.
7. Folexin
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We’ve reviewed Folexin before in our article about hair growth vitamins and supplements. It’s one of our top picks because it contains the essential Vitamin B complex with biotin. Plus, it has herbal remedies like horsetail, Fo-Ti, and saw palmetto. We also appreciate that there are no artificial fillers in the capsules.
The B vitamins in the formula ensure that hair follicles in the scalp are well-nourished. And plenty of vitamin C protects against cellular damage inflicted by free radicals in the environment.
8. DrFormulas HairOmega 3-in-1 Hair Growth Vitamins with DHT Blocker
The HairOmega vitamins contain a natural DHT blocker. DHT, or dihydrotestosterone, is often the culprit behind hair loss. It sends a message to hair follicles to stop growing new hair. And that’s why many hair growth treatments contain a DHT blocker.
The HairOmega tablets have 5000mcg of biotin as well as other B vitamins to support hair growth at a cellular level. There’s also zinc, silica, vitamin C, vitamin A, and MSM. MSM is a form of sulfur that strengthens the keratin, or protein, which makes up hair.
9. Nutrufol Hair Loss Thinning Supplement
Like all oral supplements that encourage hair to grow, Nutrofol may take up to three months to make improvements. Their formula has ingredients that spur follicles into action, and it helps existing hair to be stronger and shinier. The company also says that their four-capsule-a-day regimen treats hormonal imbalance, inflammation, and stress.
10. Viviscal Extra Strength Hair Nutrient Tablets
Viviscal’s Nutrient Tablets are a top-selling hair growth supplement. It’s been endorsed by doctors and celebrities like Reese Witherspoon and Selma Blair. Additionally, clinical trials revealed positive results for those who try it.
Over time, the tablets encourage the production of stronger hair with less shedding. But the company states it may take up to six months to notice a difference.
Viviscal relies on vitamins, extract of horsetail, and a proprietary blend of fish derivatives called AminoMar.
11. HairAnew Unique Hair Growth Vitamins with Biotin
HairAnew tackles hair loss with 5000mcg of biotin, pantothenic acid, niacin, zinc, and vitamins C, E, and B6. It also contains kelp, bamboo, and ginkgo biloba. Plus, the capsules are 100% vegan with non-GMO ingredients.
With so many hair growth supplements on the market, it’s hard to stand out. But HairAnew backs their product with a satisfaction guarantee. They say they are confident that customers will notice results like thicker hair and eyebrows and glowing skin within 30 to 60 days.
12. Men’s Rogaine Hair Loss & Hair Thinning Treatment Minoxidil Foam
Although both men’s and women’s Rogaine share the same active ingredient called minoxidil, the formulas are tailored to suit the needs of each gender. Unless your doctor says otherwise, use the kind that’s appropriate for your needs.
What is minoxidil? It’s a vasodilator, a drug that increases circulation. Although it’s been on the market for years, there is no solid explanation for why it causes hair growth. There is a rumor, however, that Tom Cruise relies on Rogaine and hair transplants to keep his hairline intact.
Before we explain what Rogaine is good for, let’s discuss what it can’t do. First, it won’t fix a receding hairline or baldness at the front of the head. Next, it also won’t solve hair loss after giving birth or sudden unexplained hair loss where there is no family history of baldness.
But Rogaine can reactivate sleeping and shrunken hair follicles. It’s clinically proven to regrow more hair faster than any other topical treatment.
The men’s formula of Rogaine comes with botanical extracts and emollients to keep the scalp healthy. It also contains alpha hydroxy acid to gently exfoliate dead skin and keep follicles open.
Don’t be alarmed if you begin using Rogaine and see that your hair continues to shed in excess for couple more weeks. This is just the process of your scalp rejecting thinner hair so that thicker hair can grow. The company says users should see a difference within two months if they use Rogaine twice a day. And if you’re not satisfied after hundred and twenty days, you can get a refund.
13. Women’s Rogaine Treatment for Hair Loss and Hair Thinning Once-A-Day Minoxidil Foam
Women’s Rogaine won a Best of Beauty from Allure in 2016. It’s clinically tested and proven to regrow thicker hair. And it relies on a 5% solution of minoxidil to stimulate hair follicles into production.
If you don’t see results within 120 days, you can get a refund of the purchase price. Don’t be alarmed if you notice that your hair continues to fall out for the first couple weeks after you begin using the foam. This process is normal as the thinner hair sheds to make way for healthier strands to grow.
Check out the review of the men’s Rogaine above to get the details on minoxidil and why it works.
14. Billy Jealousy Hair Raiser Follicle Revitalizer
The Billy Jealousy Hair Raiser scalp treatment is designed to block DHT and stimulate hair follicles. It contains licorice and swertia extracts to stop dihydroxy testosterone from binding to the follicles. Then it has methyl nicotinate to speed up circulation. Finally, it also moisturizes the scalp.
While reviews about the effectiveness of the product are mixed, they mostly agree on one thing. The Hair Razor Revitalizer smells great and leaves hair shiny and soft.
15. Wild Growth Hair Oil
If you have curly or kinky coils, try the Wild Growth Hair Oil. It’s a popular product that makes hair softer and stronger. It also treats dry scalp. The ingredients include olive and coconut oils as well as lavender, frankincense, clary sage, and other botanical extracts.
16. Tropic Isle Living Jamaican Black Castor Oil
The Tropic Isle Living Jamaican Black Castor Oil is another top-selling treatment used by people with curly and coily hair. It revives a dull, dry scalp and adds strength and shine to fragile strands.
You can use castor oil as a deep conditioner, a hot oil treatment, and a spot treatment for patchy beards and eyebrows.
17. Optimally Organic Fulvic Ionic Minerals X350
Fulvic acid is an oral and a topical treatment for hair growth. It’s also promoted with a long list of benefits that include increasing energy and removing toxins from the body.
There is not yet a lot of research regarding fulvic acid and hair loss. But there is a reason to believe that it reduces inflammation that causes hair loss in women. And it’s an antioxidant that fights the effects of aging in skin and hair.
18. Ultra Strength Hair Regrowth Treatment
Hair Restoration Laboratories has a new Ultra Strength Hair Regrowth Treatment. The company explains that they believe their product to be among the most comprehensive and logical approaches to reversing hair loss presently available.
It focuses on blocking DHT with 5% minoxidil similar to Rogaine. But it also includes natural ingredients like caffeine, saw palmetto extract, green tea extract, pumpkin seed oil, azelaic acid, borage extract and cumin seed oil.
Besides those botanical DHT-blockers, it contains hair growth supplements such as biotin, keratin, inositol, Vitamin E, Vitamin C and Vitamin B6. So not only does it stop the number one cause of hair loss, but it also promotes a healthy scalp and hair.
19. iRestore Laser Hair Growth System
This white plastic helmet may seem like an unusual way to stimulate hair growth. But it’s backed by 100% satisfaction guarantee that you’ll see new hair growing in six months or less. And iRestore has FDA clearance to sell their product as a medical device.
Instead of buying supplements or topical treatments once a month, the iRestore laser helmet is a one-time purchase. And instead of remembering to take pills or apply foam once or twice a day, you only need to use the helmet every other day for less than half an hour. There are no side effects, and it’s not painful.
iRestore uses fifty-one medical-grade lasers supplemented by red LEDs. They operate at a 650nm wavelength. And that’s right in the range that’s proven to encourage hair growth.
20. CapillusPro Mobile Laser Therapy Cap for Hair Regrowth
The CapillusPro cap has 272 laser diodes to cover every inch of your scalp. You only need to use it for six minutes a day to see results in as little as four months. The first changes you’ll see are less shedding and baby hairs appearing. Then you’ll notice that your hair looks fuller after six months to a year of consistent use.
Capillus achieved FDA clearance for this device. It’s also ISO-certified for safety. And a clinical trial revealed that test subjects using the Capillus device experienced significantly more hair growth than those using a placebo.
21. Capillus82 Mobile Laser Therapy Cap for Hair Regrowth – NEW 6 Minute Flexible-Fitting Model
If the CapillusPro is out of your budget, try the Capillus82. Its 5mW lasers operate at 650nm, outputting safe red light that stimulates hair follicles.
A major benefit of the Capillus82 that it doesn’t require office visits to see a dermatologist. It only takes six minutes a day to see results within a few months.
22. TOPPIK Hair Building Fibers
TOPPIK hair building keratin fibers are available in nine colors. If the exact shade you need isn’t available, you can blend two or three for a better match.
Many users are pleased by the way TOPPIK makes their hair look fuller and hides their scalp. The fibers stand up to rain and sweat but wash away in the shower with shampoo. And TOPPIK is handy for disguising extension tracks and hair roots between salon appointments.
23. XFusion Keratin Hair Fibers
XFusion’s keratin hair fibers make thin hair look thick, and they hide hair roots between color treatments. Users say that the fibers look natural if sprayed on from at least a 6-inch distance to avoid clumping. Xfusion comes in nine colors. Plus, it resists rain and perspiration to last all day.
24. CROWN Hair Fibers – Best Keratin Hair Fibers Instantly Thickens Thinning Hair for Men and Women
Crown’s keratin hair fibers come in four colors. Each can lasts an average of 2 to 3 months. And the manufacturer backs up the product with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Just like XFusion and TOPPIK, Crown’s fibers and volume and disguise thinning hair. They won’t wash away in the rain or if you perspire. Although you can comb your hair after applying the fibers, you can also keep your hair looking perfect if you use a little hairspray.
Types of Products – Buying Guide
Shampoos
At the same time you supplement your diet with nutrients for hair growth and treat your scalp to stop hair loss, it’s a good idea to switch to a better shampoo and conditioner. For example, shampoos without sulfates are rapidly gaining in popularity. People now realize that sulfates strip essential oils from their scalp and leave their hair fragile and dry.
The best hair growth shampoos and conditioners have a positive effect on your curls and waves. They keep your scalp happily hydrated and your strands shiny and strong.
Supplements
Did you know that hair loss is linked to nutritional deficiencies? If you lack vitamins and minerals, your hair may thin or shed more quickly than normal. It may also grow in brittle strands or not grow back at all. Studies show that taking certain supplement nutrients can lead to healthy hair and nail growth.
Nutritional supplements and herbs can empower your body to produce healthier hair. But please take the time to review the ingredients. Some vitamins and minerals are harmful in high doses. And some botanical extracts may conflict with medications or damage organs if taken in high doses.
Most hair growth supplements focus on a few key ingredients like biotin, panthenol, vitamin C, vitamin D, iron, and zinc. Some contain natural oils with fatty acids. And others have extracts of horsetail, Fo-Ti, and saw palmetto.
Saw palmetto: This is a traditional remedy for prostate problems. It affects hormone levels, reducing the amount of dihydrotestosterone and increasing testosterone. As a result, it promotes hair growth.
Fo-Ti: In Chinese medicine, red fo-ti is prescribed for restoring the natural color of graying hair. It may also reverse the effects of aging.
Horsetail: Horsetail is a grass that has lived on our planet for 400 million years. It contains silica that helps the body produce more collagen and can make hair shinier, too
Now that you’ve had a preview of the ingredients commonly found in hair growth supplements let’s look at the best products to boost your hair from the inside out.
Topical Treatments
Topical treatments for hair loss have both pros and cons. On the plus side, some of them like minoxidil have a proven track record. And you’ll be applying a foam or cream directly to the source of the problem instead of waiting for your body to metabolize and transport nutrients to your scalp.
On the negative side, most topical treatments stop working if you stop using them. They become a lifelong commitment for as long as you wish to maintain healthy hair. But let’s take a look at the best topical treatments that stop hair loss and support the production of a magnificent mane.
Hair Growth Devices
The best hair growth devices stimulate hair follicles to enter the anagen phase. The anagen phase is the growth period where new hair is formed. And there is scientific evidence that red light between 630 to 670nm in wavelength can reverse androgenetic alopecia.
Even better, it’s possible to use a hair growth device at the same time that you’re taking supplements or treating the scalp with a topical formula. It doesn’t cause a conflict at all. And low-level light treatment is safe and effective for both women and men.
Temporary Hair Restoration Products
You may have already come to the understanding that there is no quick solution to hair loss. No one product creates rapid hair growth. No matter how you choose to regrow your hair, it’s going to take weeks or months to look thick and full again. So what can you do in the meantime?
One solution is to wear a wig or a hat. But covering your head may have an adverse effect and slow down your recovery. But there’s another option that’s surprisingly effective. You may find that hair building fibers are the easiest way to disguise thin spots.
The natural phases of hair growth
Hair naturally grows in three phases: the anagen, the catagen, and the telogen. During the anagen phase, new hair forms and grows alongside the old hair. Each strand lengthens about half an inch per month; then the new strand eventually pushes the old hair out of the follicle. And the total length of the anagen phase can last up to 5 to 7 years.
In the catagen phase, hair growth pauses for about ten days. Next, in the telogen phase, the hair follicle rests after the hair falls out, and the follicle shrinks in length. Then the follicle stays inactive for about twelve weeks, or three months before it begins to function again.
Each hair follicle works independently to produce hair. That means that each one enters the growth and resting stages at different times. But illness or medication can affect many follicles at the same time causing telogen effluvium or a lot of shedding all at once.
The causes of hair loss
The most common kind of hair loss is pattern baldness. It happens when hair follicles shrink and stop working. The first sign is the appearance of strands that are thinner and more fragile. Then the scalp becomes more visible as fewer hairs grow to replace those that shed. That’s because the anagen phase becomes too short for the hair to grow out of the scalp. Plus, the hairs that remain aren’t securely anchored. And this condition happens to both men and women.
Doctors believe that a hormonal imbalance causes the hair follicles to miniaturize and stop working properly. DHT, an androgen hormone, negatively affects hair production. That’s why many hair growth treatments contain DHT-blocking ingredients.
Other causes of hair loss range from malnourishment from lack of protein, iron, or vitamins, sudden weight loss, medications, autoimmune diseases, thyroid disease, too much vitamin A, and stress.
What makes a hair growth product effective?
Successful hair growth treatments stimulate hair follicles to keep them from shrinking. They boost the anagen phase to keep strands growing stronger and longer.
One example of an effective hair growth product is minoxidil. It restores hair growth in 65% of the users who try it. But it’s most effective for people under the age of forty who have only just begun to lose their hair.
Studies also support the use of low-level laser therapy devices. Laser light stimulates follicles at a cellular level. It works on both men and women. And best of all there are no unpleasant side effects.
Oral supplements can also be effective if the result of the problem that causes the hair loss in the first place. For example, women with a lack of iron or zinc in their diet may have thinning hair. Or persons taking certain medications may not absorb enough nutrients from food to support healthy hair growth. Also, remedies like saw palmetto and Fo-Ti appear to block the production of DHT.
How to protect yourself against scam hair growth products
You may have noticed by now that there is a multitude of hair growth products clamoring for your attention. It’s hard to know which ones are a worthwhile investment. Even worse, the ones that helped a friend or family member regrow their hair might not work for you.
The best way to protect yourself against scams and find the most effective hair growth product for your needs is to start with a professional assessment. Ask your doctor or specialist to help you determine the reason for your hair loss. That makes choosing the right treatment much easier.
For example, if your hair is thinning because you’ve recently started a new medication or a diet, your approach might be to take an oral supplement or use a laser light device. But if you have hair loss from psoriasis or chemical treatments, you might try a new shampoo and invest in a moisturizing scalp treatment. Throwing everything possible at the problem might not be the most effective method.
Then when you’re shopping for a solution take the time to read the label, the instructions, and the reviews. We know that there are lots of fake reviews out there because we see them too. Stick to products from well-known companies and use sites like Fakespot to help you weed out the scams. Of course, a recommendation from a person you trust is a big help, too.
Natural treatments for hair growth
It’s not all about what you can buy when it comes to reversing hair loss. There are also several natural treatments for hair growth you can try.
First, reduce your stress. It will improve your ability to cope with hair loss as well as help solve the problem. You might find relief with deep breaths, performing physical exercise, or laughing at cat videos online. If your stress level is high because you’re upset about losing your hair, experiment with keratin hair fibers to disguise the thin spots. It’s an inexpensive way to feel better about a tough situation.
Next, get a regular head massage at a salon or from a friend. You could also get a head massager device and treat yourself. Not only does it relieve stress, but it also stimulates hair growth.
Finally, avoid damaging your hair and scalp with harsh products and too much time in the sun. Use sulfate-free shampoos, remember to apply conditioner, and cover up outdoors. If you spend time in the pool, use a clarifying shampoo that removes chlorine from your hair. Also, rinse well with lukewarm or cool water. If you take good care of your scalp and hair, you’ll find that it’s easier to keep your locks thick and healthy.
Conclusion
There are many ways you can regrow thinning hair. The best products for hair growth include supplements, topical treatments, laser light devices, and shampoos and conditioners. Many of these solutions can be used at the same time to enhance each other without causing a conflict.
No matter what products you try, it will take time for your hair to recover. But there are ways to disguise hair loss while new hair grows back. In conclusion, although the problem is distressing, there is hope.
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