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The best hair growth products of 2024, according to dermatologists
We asked the experts about popular hair growth brands like Vegamour, Nutrafol and Hims.
Hair loss affects millions of people in the U.S., and the impacts go beyond physical appearance. Experiencing air loss can cause stress, lower self-esteem and depression because it's a deeply personal aspect of body image and self-identity. Understanding why your hair is thinning or shedding is essential to finding the right solution for your hair loss. According to Dr. Amy Forman Taub, a board-certified dermatologist and assistant professor at Northwestern University Medical School, the most common cause of hair loss is androgenetic alopecia, aka male pattern hair loss or female pattern hair loss. "The second most common is called telogen effluvium and can be caused by many things, including severe stress, childbirth, certain drugs and thyroid abnormalities," Taub says. Thankfully, in most cases, treating and reversing hair loss is successful with effective hair growth products.
Hims Hair Regrowth Treatment
Best overall topical hair growth treatment for men
Hers Women’s Minoxidil 2% Topical Solution
Best overall topical hair growth treatment for women
Mielle Rosemary Mint Growth Oil
Best hair growth oil overall
KeraFactor Scalp Stimulating Shampoo and Conditioner
Best shampoo for hair growth overall
Nioxin System Kit 2, Hair Strengthening & Thickening Treatment
Best complete kit for thinning hair
Nutrafol Men Hair Growth Supplements
Best hair growth supplement for men
Nutrafol Women's Balance Hair Growth Supplements
Best hair growth supplement for women
iRestore Essential Laser Hair Growth System
Best low‐level light therapy cap for hair growth
With millions experiencing hair thinning and loss, the market is overflowing with hundreds of hair growth products promising miracles, including shampoos, serums and oils. With so many products to choose from, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. Picking the wrong product not only means wasting money but also valuable time that could be better spent finding the right solution for you. Well, here's some good news: we tried all the top-rated hair growth shampoos, conditioners, serums, oils, supplements and laser caps, so you don't have to.
When the team here at Yahoo decided to take on the wild world of hair growth products and all the promises that came along with it, we knew the best place to start was with a panel of experts made up of dermatologists, trichologists and plastic surgeons. We leaned on them for inside information on what to look for in the best hair growth products and what to avoid, what types of products work best for various conditions and which products they regularly recommend to patients. We then took that information and researched, reviewed and personally tested what felt like an endless range of products (prescription and non-prescription) to find the best hair growth products that not only treat various forms of hair loss but also actually worked — and we're here to tell you, many did not deliver on their lofty promises. Here are the best hair growth products of 2024, according to our panel of experts and in-house testers.
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Best hair growth products overall for men and women
Cost: $28.98 for a set of 2 | Product type: Topical solution | Key ingredient: 5% minoxidil | Best for: Male pattern baldness
Hims is a company devoted to men's health from the inside out. Its Hair Regrowth Treatment topical solution contains 5% minoxidil, which is one of only a few FDA-approved hair regrowth treatments. Additionally, minoxidil has been clinically proven to regrow thick, healthy hair in a matter of months.
What sets Hims apart from the more old school Rogaine brand is its all-encompassing approach to men's health. Hims' on-staff health care providers can help you address hair loss, mental health concerns, erectile dysfunction, skin care and more, including prescribing medication when needed. We also appreciate that Hims' services are often reimbursed by insurance providers. And for those who are underinsured, Hims is a great affordable option.
- Extra-strength FDA-approved 5% minoxidil solution
- Easy auto-subscription ordering
- Access to medical support and consultations at Hims
- May irritate sensitive skin
- Must apply twice a day
Cost: $15 | Product type: Topical solution | Key Ingredient: 2% Minoxidil | Best for: Female pattern baldness, shedding and thinning
Hers is the sister company of Hims and offers many of the same great services; from hair regrowth to mental health to weight loss and more. It also has on-staff physicians who can provide prescriptions when needed. You may have noticed that the Men's Minoxidil solution is 5%, while the Hers Women’s Minoxidil is a 2% topical solution. This is due to the genetic difference in female and male skin. A 2% minoxidil solution is the highest dose approved by the FDA for women.
From my firsthand experience, the 2% solution was slightly irritating, so I cannot imagine how irritating the 5% solution would have been on my scalp. That said, this stuff works, and well! Within about four weeks, I noticed new growth at my temples and overall thickening. The good news is that you can also get minoxidil in oral form, but you will need to get a prescription — a Hers provider can help with that as well.
If you are experiencing hair loss and thinning and want to take an aggressive approach, Hers offers consultations with health care providers who can help you find the best path forward and with the best regime, whether that be topical or oral.
- Clinically proven to work
- Affordable
- Auto-shipping option
- May be irritating for those with sensitive skin
Other top hair growth products we recommend for 2024
Cost: $12 | Product type: Oil | Key Ingredients: Rosemary, mint, biotin | Best for: Promoting density and hair regrowth
Do not let the low price fool you; this stuff is magical hair growth goodness without irritation. Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil is not only a viral phenomenon but also a favorite among Yahoo staffers, including myself. I truly love and use this hair oil and recommend it to all who ask me what they should use to help with hair loss and thinning.
First and foremost, it's formulated with all-natural ingredients yet is still highly effective, so I never have to worry about sending family and friends down a path riddled with side effects and wasted time and money. Second, rosemary oil is a hair-growth powerhouse that has been clinically proven in multiple studies to work as well as minoxidil. In fact, one major study found that rosemary oil not only worked as well as minoxidil at promoting hair growth, the participants in both the minoxidil control group and the rosemary control group experienced the same amount of hair growth. The study also found that participants in the rosemary group stuck with the treatment longer than the minoxidil group. I, for one, can also attest to that — I use the oil a few times a week for upkeep.
The oil works by creating an all-over healthy scalp environment for hair growth, starting with nourishing the scalp, hair follicles, and hair shaft root to tip while also reducing inflammation and increasing vasodilation, which is a fancy word for opening blood vessels and promoting blood flow and circulation. Vasodilation has also been proven to help promote hair growth.
To see results, it's super important to stick with it for at least a few months, applying it at least every other day. This is the case for all hair growth products; hair can only grow so fast. If you would like to learn more about hair oils, read our roundup on the best hair oils.
Pro tip: For those with fine hair, rub one to two drops between your fingertips and massage straight into the scalp for at least a minute. This will minimize excess oil transfer from your palms to your hair and leave your hair with extra volume. While some feel the rosemary and mint scent is a little too strong, I love it!
- All-natural, organic ingredients
- Rosemary oil is clinically proven to be as effective as minoxidil
- Nourishes scalp and hair root to tip
- Will weigh hair down with overuse
Cost: $49 | Product type: Shampoo + conditioner | Key ingredients: KeraFactor's 7 Polypeptides Peptide Complex | Best for: All hair types experiencing thinning and loss
What sets KeraFactor apart from every product on this list is that it is sold exclusively at dermatologist offices across the country, so to say it's recommended by dermatologists is an understatement! You can, however, also get this non-medicated, safe-for-sensitive skin shampoo and conditioner combo directly through KeraFactor's website. (The hair growth serum also won high marks!)
KeraFactor's proprietary Peptide Complex really delivered results thanks to the seven polypeptides. The patent-pending shampoo and conditioner combo formula helps to “turn on” weak or resting hair follicles, improve scalp circulation, and fortify your scalp and follicles with nutrients that help produce thicker, longer, healthier-looking hair. And did it ever!
Our in-house tester raved about the product and said of all the products she tested over the past six months, this one not only made her hair feel and look thicker after just two weeks, but she also noticed growth both at the scalp and her hair overall length: "I love how the shampoo lathers and feels when I'm working it into my scalp. I'm also incredibly impressed by how soft my hair feels once dry. I've never encountered a 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner that cleanses my hair and leaves it soft without buildup. My hair feels fuller, clean and reinvigorated. I see actual growth and my hair is noticeably thicker. A total winner in my book!"
- Dermatologist recomended
- Shampoo and conditioner in one
- Features 7 polypeptides
- Expensive
- Small bottle compared to others on this list
Cost: $35 | Product Type: Shampoo, conditioner, topical foam | Key ingredients: Caffeine, mentha leaf oil, peppermint mint, niacinamide | Best for: All hair types and genders
Nioxin has been around for decades, and for good reason: It really works. In fact, A-list celebrities like Alyssa Milano sing its praises, and so do we. While there are four Nioxin system kits to choose from depending on your level of hair thinning and the condition of your hair, the No. 2 System Kit is the most popular as it treats progressed thinning for people with normal, un-processed or color-treated hair. The kit includes an antioxidant-rich three-hit combo in the form of shampoo, conditioner and a topical leave-in foam to ensure you're getting the most effective treatment in one easy-to-use kit.
The complete system is fortified with proven ingredients that promote both scalp and hair health, which in turn creates the optimal environment for hair to return to its former glory. The key ingredients include caffeine, which stimulates hair follicles and increases blood flow to promote hair growth. Mentha leaf, coupled with peppermint, regulates oil production and product buildup on the scalp that can clog and stifle hair follicles. Last, niacinamide, which promotes overall scalp health, leaves your scalp and hair healthy and thriving. By using all three products at least three times a week, you will be well on your way to thicker, healthier hair in 30 to 60 days.
- Easy to use
- Works with color-treated hair
- Trial size available
- Three-step routine can be too time-consuming for some
Cost: $88 | Product type: Supplements | Best for: Men | Key ingredients: Saw palmetto, biotin, vitamins A, C, D; ashwagandha exomes, Irish moss peptides, pea sprout extract
While minoxidil is considered a gold standard in hair growth products, it's not for everyone. A safer yet still effective option is Nutrafol's all-natural approach to hair regrowth: supplements and a topical serum. The supplements work from the inside out to promote cell turnover and healthy cell production, while the serum nourishes the scalp and hair follicles to create an optimal environment for hair regrowth. The ingredients in both products are all-natural yet proven effective for improving hair density and growth, including some ingredients like the hard-to-pronounce ashwagandha exosomes, Irish moss peptides, pea sprout extract, biotin, and the real star here for men: Saw palmetto, which in addition to being effective for hair growth, has also been found in clinical studies to be beneficial for men's prostate and urinary tract health.
- Clinically proven to be effective
- Industry leading brand
- All-natural ingredients
- Need to take four supplements a day
- Expensive
Cost: $88 | Product type: Supplement | Key Ingredients: Ashwagandha, collagen peptides, maca, saw palmetto, antioxidants, horsetail | Best for: Women
Nutrafol are natural, physician-formulated supplements that promote hair growth and overall wellness. The products use a blend of vitamins, minerals, botanicals and antioxidants to tackle the six root causes of hair loss: hormones, stress, lifestyle, metabolism, nutrition and aging. There's also a mix of DHT blockers, including curcumin, saw palmetto, resveratrol and horsetail to help reduce thinning and hair loss. Other science-backed ingredients, such as ashwagandha, marine collagen peptides and keratin, are included as a way to strengthen hair follicles and encourage growth.
We especially love that the company has made research a priority. In a clinical trial, women taking Nutrafol supplements had longer, thicker hair after six months and improvements in overall hair growth, volume and color. Many of the participants reported improvements in other aspects of their well-being, including stress levels, anxiety, sleep quality and skin health.
- Clinically proven to reduce hair shedding and improve volume
- Formulated for women 45+
- Free from gluten, dairy, soy, hormones, artificial additives and GMO
- May take up to 6 months to see results
Cost: $600 (money back guarantee) | Product type: Laser cap | Best for: Reversing thinning and growth from the hairline to the crown
The iRestore Essential Laser Hair Growth System employs an FDA-approved treatment for hair growth: low‐level light therapy. The laser cap promotes blood flow and new cell growth by stimulating mitochondria and promoting protein synthesis. Low‐level light therapy has been found in clinical studies to help encourage hair growth over time with regular use — every other day for six months. In an iRestore independent lab study, there was an average hair count boost of 43.2% over four months in all of its participants — which is likely why the company offers a full money-back guarantee.
Light therapy is ideal for those who prefer non‐invasive hair growth options and want to avoid the ongoing expense of hair growth products; the laser cap requires a one-time purchase only. All you need to do is wear the laser cap for 25-minute intervals every other day. You can use it with other hair growth treatments, and the best part is the company will give you your money back if you don't notice results within six months.
- FDA-approved treatment
- Money-back guarantee
- Mess-free and easy to use
- Must wear cap for 25 minutes every other day
Factors to consider when choosing hair growth products
The best hair growth product for you depends ultimately on what's causing your distressed tresses, which means what works for one person might not work for another. Consulting a board-certified dermatologist is recommended for extreme cases or concerns about the cause of hair loss. But in order to choose the right product for your situation, focus on these four factors:
Type of Hair Loss: Temporary hair loss and thinning can be the result of illnesses such as COVID-19, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). Dr. Jake Woods, a board-certified dermatologist, advises that although there isn't an immediate cure for COVID-induced hair loss, there are steps you can take to promote regrowth post-illness. If you notice hair loss three to four months after a mild to severe bout of COVID or the flu, you can almost bet that is the cause. But there are other causes too. "People can also develop hair loss from underlying medical conditions like alopecia areata," Taub says.
Type of Hair Loss Products: Various products are available to address hair loss and thinning, including serums, shampoos, oils, foams, prescription medications and vitamins and supplements. You might find you need a combination of some of the above to fully address your loss.
Key Ingredients: Minoxidil and finasteride are commonly prescribed and FDA-approved treatments for genetic hair loss. Dermatologist Michelle Henry says these treatments have demonstrated positive results in stimulating hair regrowth, with individual responses varying.
Budget: Hair growth products can be expensive, so considering your budget is crucial. The good news is, spending more doesn't necessarily guarantee better results. Henry advises focusing on finding the right treatment plan tailored to your specific type of hair loss and individual needs, ensuring a more effective and personalized approach.
How we chose
To find the best hair growth products, we consulted with top dermatologists, a trichologist and two surgeons for their input on what key ingredients to look for in hair regrowth products. We then researched over 70 hair growth products ranging from vitamins and supplements to serums and oils to shampoos and topical medicated solutions and rated each based on the key ingredients, brand reputation, clinical studies, user results and reviews, among other factors. We then tested quite a few in-house for a first-hand experience.
FAQs
Do hair growth products really work?
Results from hair growth products will differ from person to person, but dermatologists say that these products are generally effective in treating hair loss. Dr. Glenn Vallecillos, a board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in hair loss, says that gene therapy advancements and the ability to generate patient-specific hair follicles in the lab show future promise for treating hair loss. In the meantime, focus on factors such as nutrition, hair care routine and managing stress to support hair health.
How long does it take to see results from hair growth products?
Results from hair growth products can vary in the time it takes to notice them. It's best to address hair loss early — once about half of the hair in a particular area of the scalp is lost, patients tend to notice the problem. Dr. Andy Goren, a clinical dermatologist, trichologist and professor at IMCAS, advises that early diagnosis, such as through a genetic test for androgenetic alopecia, gives the best chance of treating hair loss successfully before it becomes noticeable.
Dr. Jose Diego Mie, a board-certified dermatologist, says lifestyle factors play a prominent role and that maintaining a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and proteins, staying hydrated and managing stress through exercise, meditation or hobbies can support hair health and growth.
Are hair growth products safe for everyone?
If you have a health condition or are taking medication, it's best to check with your doctor before using hair growth products since some ingredients make them unsafe to use. It's also important to avoid products with finasteride if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant since exposure can cause birth defects.
Hair growth products are generally considered safe to use. However, if you have an underlying health condition, it's a good idea to check in with your doctor to make sure. (Ditto if you're taking any medications.) Keep in mind that products that contain finasteride are not safe during pregnancy, so women who are pregnant or considering getting pregnant should take a pass on these.
Meet our experts
Amy Forman Taub, MD, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist
Michelle Henry, MD, board-certified dermatologist and Harvard-trained Mohs surgeon
Glenn Vallecillos, MD, board-certified plastic surgeon
Jose Diego Mier, MD, board-certified dermatologist
Jake Woods, MD, board-certified dermatologist
Andy Goren, MD, board-certified dermatologist, trichologist and professor
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
