Everybody endures some degree of hair loss and shedding; on average, most women lose 100 to 150 hairs every day, according to Color Collective founder Kerry E. Yates.
This usually goes unnoticed, since hair ends up in your brush or on your bathroom floor, but if you see substantial clumps falling out when washing your hair, it might be a symptom of a larger problem. Similarly, abrupt and severe thinning of your strands — even if they aren’t shedding — might be alarming, but it’s also rather normal.
There are several causes of this sort of tress stress: According to Bridgette Hill, a trichologist and colorist at the Paul Labreque Salon in New York City, genetics, hormonal fluctuations, stress, sickness, certain prescription medications, hairstyling habits, and nutritional deficiencies are some of the primary reasons of female hair loss and shedding.
It’s a long list, to be sure, and Hill emphasizes that if you’re experiencing hair loss, you should always seek the opinion of your doctor.
Having said that, there are several hair growth serums and other leave-in treatments that can assist. Unlike wash-out shampoos, they penetrate the scalp and may do a variety of things depending on the recipe, adds Gretchen Friese, a trichologist at BosleyMD, a business that specializes in hair loss and restoration.
“They can enhance circulation, eliminate toxins and debris from the follicle, or even reawaken a dormant follicle so it can start producing hair again,” she explains.
Most people who have hair problems can benefit from one of these treatments, which can be applied all over or simply on certain places where you’re observing thinning, she says. (Side note: Ashley Graham swears by this scalp serum for strengthening her brittle baby hairs.)
Explore the top hair growth serums below to help restore the natural volume and fullness of your tresses.
The Most Effective Hair Growth Serums and Treatments
There are several hair growth serums to select from, each with its own unique set of components. Plant-based solutions, such as rosemary extract, CBD, and curcumin, are recommended by Hill for additional preventative measures and to help avoid thinning in the first place.
Keep in mind that just one chemical, minoxidil, is FDA-approved to really grow new hair, according to Howard Sobel, M.D., cosmetic dermatologist and director of Sobel Skin in New York City. (It’s the active component of Rogaine, which is available both over-the-counter and by prescription.)
Continue reading to discover more about the greatest hair growth serums and leave-in treatments recommended by professionals in your quest for fuller, thicker, and more luscious locks.
1. Women’s Rogaine 5 percent Minoxidil Foam is the best overall.
As previously stated by Sobel, this contains FDA-approved minoxidil, the only substance shown to stimulate new hair growth. This product can recover up to 25% more hair, making it ideal for people who have severe thinning or bald areas.
The lightweight foam is simple to use on a daily basis, however you’ll need to use it regularly for a few months to see benefits — and you’ll need to keep using it to retain those results. (Related: These Hair Growth Vitamins Will Give You the Rapunzel-Like Locks of Your Dreams)
“This stuff is wonderful,” one reviewer gushed after using the foam for four months. “My hair was thinning severely, despite the fact that I am just 24 years old. I wanted anything to help my hair grow thicker; try it, it will make you feel great.”
2. Pronexa Topical Hair Loss Serum is the most affordable option.
This hair loss serum is a budget-friendly and Amazon-favorite selection that gets amazing ratings for working swiftly and efficiently (and reviewers also love the pleasant scent). It makes use of a trademarked pea sprout extract that is high in nutrients that are beneficial to your scalp and hair.
According to a company-backed clinical research, 95% of users saw reduced hair loss after three months, however the business does provide a full money-back guarantee if you’re not completely pleased with your results.
One customer said of its fast-acting solution, “After only two weeks you see the little growth especially on the top where I literally had had no hair.”
Another person stated, “This is the second bottle I’ve bought, and I’ve seen a reduction in my hair loss. I used to notice a lot of hair on my comb after washing my hair, but now I see very little.”
3. Rene Furterer Triphasic Reactional Concentrated Serum is the best lightweight.
Hill likes this mild serum, which boosts scalp circulation with a range of plant-based components (including lemon essential oil). Hill appreciates how simple this is to use, which is important because regular usage of any of these treatments is required for optimal outcomes. To that point, it must also be used only once a week for three months.
According to one Dermstore customer, “It’s quite simple to use. I use it on my scalp once a week after towel drying my hair. After that, I massage it in for a few minutes. Around week five or six, I observed new hairs sprouting in and my general hair growth speeding up. I’m really delighted with the outcome.”
4. Vegamour Gro Hair Serum is the best for thickening.
“In four months, this serum can noticeably enhance hair density by up to 50% while lowering loss from combing and washing by up to 76%,” adds Friese.
This is due to a combination of ingredients not found in many other hair growth serums, including mung bean and red clover, which have been shown to help inhibit the production of dihydrotestosterone (DHT, a hormone involved 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 quickly become a popular favorite for thinning hair and has gotten rave feedback from customers.
According to one Vegamour client, “This product significantly boosted my hair growth. I shed a lot due to stress, which helped me regenerate.”
Another person remarked, “Three months later, [my] bald patches are completely covered with baby hairs! The lotion is simple to use and does not leave a [greasy] residue, which is critical for me because I have oily hair.”
5. Pura D’Or Hair Thinning Therapy is the best hair strengthening product.
This Amazon fan favorite has over 1,100 five-star ratings and includes many of the elements that experts suggest. Biotin, which Friese claims helps strengthen the hair follicle, and circulation-boosting and DHT-inhibiting coffee are among the 15 active ingredients.
A focused nozzle makes application simple, and users rave about how much it increases their hair’s thickness and general quality.
(For the record, this is the serum that Amazon customers claim cured their hair loss in only two weeks.)
“This absolutely does what it claims,” a customer said as they began their review. “It reduced my hair breakage from a lot to little or none. I wholeheartedly suggest it to anybody looking to strengthen their hair and decrease breakage. This will be a staple in my hair care routine from now on.”
Another person stated that “the number of hairs that fall off my hair has tremendously, greatly reduced” and that “there’s loads of new hair growth and my hair is so much thicker now.”
6. BosleyMD Follicle Energizer is the best for bald spots.
This potent serum uses a slew of different substances to enhance the appearance and feel of your strands. “Protective botanical ingredients create for thicker, fuller-looking hair, biotin strengthens, and rosemary extract helps to reduce scalp irritation and enhance circulation,” explains Friese, who recommends applying it on specific places rather than all over the scalp. “I like to advise folks with this product, ‘If you want hair, put it there.'”
It’s a potential treatment “for anyone with areas of concern,” according to Amazon reviewers. “It took approximately two to three months once I started using [it] to observe the hair growth around my hairline,” one user stated. “My hair is fuller and thicker than before,” said another.
7. Aveda Invati Advanced Scalp Revitalizer is the best for shedding.
This multifunctional solution is ideal for individuals looking for fast pleasure. The Invati Advanced Scalp Revitalizer quickly thickens and lifts hair at the root, making strands seem fuller right away, doubling as both a style product and a hair loss therapy.
Its concentrated nozzle ensures precision application, and the plant- and herb-based product, which is rich in hair-healthy nutrients like turmeric and ginseng, helps to reinforce the keratin in your strands over time. This prevents breaking and subsequent shedding.
“Best hair product,” stated one Amazon reviewer. “It significantly reduces shedding in my hair.” Another was pleased to report that the treatment spray was effective “”This rescued my hair,” she said, adding, “I was losing my hair and this stopped it.” My hair is now thick and reaching the middle of my back. It’s fantastic, and I use it once a day.”
8. Groh Stimulating Scalp Serum is the best for itchy scalps.
This hair development serum contains ergothioneine, an amino acid obtained from mushrooms, and vitamin D2. “Because the body does not generate these nutrients naturally, humans must obtain them through food, making this topical therapy a great alternative for hair difficulties caused by dietary deficiencies,” explains Hill.
In addition to preventing hair loss and stimulating regrowth, the Stimulating Scalp Serum helps rebalance and soothe the scalp, making it excellent for anybody who suffers from flakes. (Tip: For even better results, use it with one of the best thinning hair shampoos.)
One client stated, “Within three months, I had fresh growth, and while it was a bit difficult to manage, it was well worth it. My hairdresser even complimented me on how much fresh hair I have. Finally, something that actually works!”
9. RANAVAT Fortifying Hair Serum has the best aroma.
“I genuinely feel like I’m indulging my senses while applying this for my hair—the jasmine aroma is romantic and gorgeous,” says one reviewer. Along with the fragrant jasmine, there’s sunflower oil to give hydration and shine, as well as amla, a traditional Ayurvedic ingredient with strong antioxidant effects.
10. Briogeo B. Well organic + cold-pressed 100 percent castor oil is the best castor oil.
You can learn more about castor oil for hair here, but the fatty-acid-rich substance has a slew of hair-healthy advantages. The medium-weight oil is high in vitamin E, unsaturated fatty acids, minerals, and antioxidants, which help preserve the strands from physical damage and environmental aggressors. To envelop your tresses in moisture, go for a 100 percent organic, naturally cold-pressed choice like Briogeo’s.
11. Nuele Nighttime Scalp Serum is best used overnight.
Moringa oil, argan oil, castor oil, and aloe vera combine to make this easy scalp serum a delight. Not only does the lavender perfume prepare you for a restful night’s sleep, but it also stimulates the scalp and has been related to hair growth in animal tests.
12. Innersense Organic Beauty Natural Harmonic Treatment Oil is the best lightweight.
Unless your strands are notorious for absorbing product, you’ll want a lightweight leave-in serum that won’t clog hair follicles or produce buildup. This Innersense solution leaves no trace since it contains dry oils (jojoba and safflower seed) that absorb quickly into the strands.
13. Davines Energizing Thickening Tonic is ideal for flat roots.
This leave-in tonic is well-known for plumping hair fibers and enhancing volume, allowing you to sport a thick, full-bodied ‘do. It contains a “hair energy complex” to promote hair shaft density, as well as mung bean and clover extracts to soothe and protect the scalp.
