14 Best Hair-Growth Products for Thinning and Shedding, According to Experts

Dr. Chacon recommends massaging a bit of Act + Acre’s serum onto your scalp if you suffer from buildup, dandruff, or itchiness. Buildup can actually inhibit hair growth, she says, and detoxing with a product like this one can create a healthier environment for development of new follicles. This moisturizing serum is packed with ingredients like antibacterial aloe and nourishing sunflower seed oil that can support overall scalp health and rehydrate split ends.

• Type: Serum
• Pros: Helps with dandruff and itchiness; made with natural ingredients.
• Cons: Adds time and a step to your hair care routine.

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Multiple experts recommend this hair-growth supplement. “Nutrafol has a range of supplements formulated with a blend of minerals and vitamins, including vitamins A, D, and biotin, to help support hair health," Y. Claire Chang, MD, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist in New York, tells Glamour. “Studies have shown an improvement in hair shedding and thickness, but it can take three to six months to see improvement.”

Dr. Chacon recommends the supplement as an option that blends both clinically tested and holistic ingredients. “It addresses multiple causes of hair loss and thinning, such as stress, hormonal imbalances, and poor nutrition,” she says.

One tester, Jessica Adams, suffered from a great amount of hair loss after giving birth and said that within just a few weeks she started to shed significantly less. “My hairstylist commented on the amount of new hair growing on my head,” she says. “Almost a year in, my hair is the thickest it’s been in 20 years.”

• Type: Supplement
• Pros: Contains biotin, vitamin C, vitamin D, collagen.
• Cons: Pricey; need to take four pills a day with a meal.

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Yup, Rogaine isn’t just for men. This particular topical solution is meant to help regrow hair and improve hair density with FDA-approved minoxidil. Apply the product to your scalp twice a day to dry or wet hair and expect to start seeing results in a few weeks. “Rogaine has been shown in studies to help a large percentage of people keep the hair they have,” Papri Sarkar, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Massachusetts, tells Glamour. “And in 5% of people it can cause new hair growth.”

Glamour associate director Gabriella Iannetta was recommended the hair-loss treatment by her doctor. She was in the market for prescription pills but was told that those can actually grow “chia-pet-esque hair,” sometimes in unwanted places. “I wanted to deal with some thinning at my hairline,” she says. “I use this twice a day, every day, and have noticed a lot of fullness in just one month. It’s been a staple in my everyday routine.”

• Type: Topical solution
• Pros: Comes with a three-month supply; proven effectiveness; FDA-approved.
• Cons: Have to apply twice a day.

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Anyone who’s ever tried to search for ways to grow more hair or stronger nails has likely come across biotin. Dr. Chacon recommends Vegamour’s (delicious strawberry-flavored) gummies for their high dose of biotin, which she says is known to help improve hair strength and growth. But that’s not all—she loves that the vegan, gluten-free supplement also contains folic acid along with vitamins B5, B6, and A.

• Type: Gummy supplement
• Pros: Vegan, gluten-free; good taste; contains biotin.
• Cons: Pricey

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Dr. Kingsley emphasizes the importance of taking a supplement that is backed by research, like Biosil’s Advanced Hair + Nail Care capsules. These supplements are meant to support collagen, elastin, and keratin production, the latter of which is the primary protein in hair. She adds that the supplement may even improve blood flow to hair follicles to stimulate growth while also making individual strands stronger. “My hairstylist recommended this because my hair was shedding like crazy,” writes Amazon reviewer B. Smith. “I've been using the product for about three weeks and can tell that the shedding is noticeably less.”

• Type: Supplement
• Pros: Contains biotin; vegan-friendly; under $40 for one-month supply.
• Cons: Results will take time.

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Dr. Kingsley says collagen is one of the most important ingredients to look for in a hair-growth supplement, especially when it comes to treating age-related hair loss. Vital Proteins’ powder gets straight to the point with only one ingredient: collagen peptides. Mix two scoops of the unflavored powder into your morning coffee, smoothie, or even water to get all the hair-growth benefits.

“I like the thickness of my hair now, but I wanted something to amp up the thickness even more while helping to prevent loss,” says Glamour contributor Neha Tandon of the collagen supplement. “I was worried this marine collagen would have a fishy taste, but it’s totally flavorless. I mix it into my morning protein shake, and after two months, I’m noticing significantly less hair coming out in the shower.”

• Type: Powder supplement
• Pros: Flavorless, easy to absorb; one ingredient; made with wild-caught fish
• Cons: Not vegetarian-friendly

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Consider Revivv’s Hair Growth Serum an invitation to give yourself a little self-care moment. Prop your feet up and massage the serum into your scalp for a few minutes of relaxation. The formula comes in a convenient, mess-free rollerball format so you can easily do this one in bed without ruining your sheets. At over $100 for a 90-day supply, it’s pricey, but most people say they see results after just six weeks. “Revivv has demonstrated excellent results,” says board-certified dermatologist and hair-loss expert Jeffrey Rapaport, MD. “It’s botanical and cosmetically elegant.”

• Type: Serum
• Pros: Lightweight; good clinical results, mess-free packaging
• Cons: Pricey

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“I had tons of stress-related hair loss while I was in grad school, to the point at which I had literal chunks of hair falling out of the back of my head,” says Tandon. “I massaged this into my scalp one or two times a week and started noticing new hair growth after just a month. Years later, my hair has never been thicker or fuller than it is today.” The jasmine-, alma-, and sunflower-infused serum has more of a thick, oily formula, so just note that you’ll want to wear it overnight or save the treatment for a day when you’re going for that clean-girl aesthetic.

• Type: Serum
• Pros: Pleasant floral scent, cruelty-free formula; helps with frizz.
• Cons: Pricey for the size

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If you haven’t experienced tons of shedding, consider yourself extremely lucky, rare, and probably also genetically blessed. For the rest of us, trichologist Abbey Yung recommends Nioxin’s Ultimate Power Serum. “It helps keep strands locked into your head instead of prematurely shedding,” she says.

Dr. Loretta Ciraldo, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Miami, praises it as well. “This line significantly increases the thickness of hair strands and has been my go-to recommendation for 20 years now,” she says. The serum is meant to be applied and left in, and its nozzle spray lets you target specific areas on your head. Apply 15 pumps every day, and Yung says you should see results in eight weeks. The water-like formula is superlight, so it won’t mess with your style either.

• Type: Serum
• Pros: Lightweight formula, targeted nozzle applicator; helps with thinning hair.
• Cons: Small bottle doesn’t last long.

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Like Rogaine, Kirkland's hair-growth solution contains minoxidil, the only FDA-approved topical ingredient that helps treat male- and female-pattern hair loss (known as androgenetic alopecia). Dr. Chang calls it an “effective, budget-friendly over-the-counter treatment.” In order to see improvement, she says, treatments must be administered consistently (or else hair will start falling out again).

• Type: Topical solution
• Pros: FDA-approved, fairly affordable
• Cons: Will stop working if you cease use.

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Fit this futuristic gadget around your skull like a headband for a minimum of 90 seconds three times a week and let it use its 655 nanometers (nm) of LED light to target follicles and encourage hair growth (similar to how LED face masks works). “This at-home medical device is FDA-cleared to be used for hair loss,” Dr. Chang says. “Low-level light therapy has some some promise in clinical studies to promote hair growth, especially in combination with topical minoxidil. While there needs to be more research and larger clinical studies to confirm its benefit, it is something that patients can try.”

• Type: Device
• Pros: FDA-cleared, hands-free, fast and easy to use, cordless
• Cons: Very expensive

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This scalp serum works as a leave-in treatment that Dr. Doshi says is useful for fighting thinning and stimulating hair growth. It's rich in reparative wheat protein, which a 2018 study showed can strengthen and smooth damaged hair. “This serum targets the scalp to enhance the environment for healthy hair growth, improving the texture and thickness of the hair strands,” says Dr. Doshi. “I used this throughout my entire pregnancy and it worked amazing for my hair,” writes JustNicole, an Amazon shopper. “I would leave this in all night once or twice a week without washing my hair, and it definitely helped it grow and helped with my hair loss after pregnancy. They key to this working is being consistent with use.”

• Type: Serum
• Pros: Easy to apply via dropper
• Cons: Expensive

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Moroccanoil's hair care products are canon for their hydrating properties (see its Glamour Beauty Award–winning shampoos and conditioners and heat protectants). Its staple, however, is its hair oil, which Dr. Doshi says nourishes and adds vitality to thinning hair. “Rich in argan oil, it provides essential nutrients, promotes shine, and helps manage frizz, contributing to overall hair health,” he says. One Glamour editor agrees, raving that there's nothing she'd rather put in her hair to dial back frizz and soothe dry ends. “Once I figured out the right amount to use, my scalp and ends were much happier. Plus, the smell truly can’t be beat,” she says.

• Type: Oil
• Pros: Budget-friendly, moisturizing
• Cons: Small bottle; thick oil can feel heavy for some.

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Professional hairstylist Candace Witherspoon started using this scalp treatment herself after seeing success in her clients' hair. It's infused with rosemary oil, which experts say helps induce hair growth. Witherspoon recommends massaging it into your scalp at least twice a week

• Type: Oil
• Pros: Under $25, easy to use; contains all-natural ingredients.
• Cons: May feel too oily for some.

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