10 Hair Loss Products That Are Totally Useless & 10 That Actually Work
Don't Give Up On Your Hair
80 percent of men and 40 percent of women experience significant hair loss during their lifetime. Despite its commonality, losing hair can be embarrassing and damaging to your self-confidence. While there are plenty of treatments and remedies that can help, there are also some not-so-reliable ones out there. To help direct you in the right direction, here are ten hair loss products you shouldn't waste your money on and ten that work.
1. Viviscal
Viviscal is a popular supplement focused on reducing hair loss. Although the product may work if your hair loss is caused by a specific vitamin deficiency, it doesn't work for most people, especially those with genetic hair loss.
2. Mane N' Tail Shampoo
Mane n' Tail shampoo is marketed as a shampoo for both horses and humans. It's been rumored to encourage hair growth; however, there's no scientific evidence to support the claim.
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3. Caffeine-Based Shampoos
While there is some evidence to suggest caffeine may help stimulate hair growth, caffeine-based shampoos are not left on the scalp long enough to have an effect. Instead, you can try massaging coffee into your hair and let it absorb for at least 20 minutes.
4. Amla oil
Amla oil is a traditional hair loss remedy used in Ayurveda (Indian traditional medicine). Despite the many claims, there is no scientific evidence backing its effectiveness as a treatment for hair loss.
5. MONAT Hair Products
Although some users report positive results, MONAT's reputation has been plagued by lawsuits and complaints, overshadowing any potential beneficial experiences. Scientific evidence backing the products is limited.
6. iRestore Laser Treatment
Although clinical trials have found laser treatments to be effective for stimulating hair growth, at-home treatments like the iRestore simply aren't strong enough to show noticeable results. You would be better off booking a session with a professional at a laser clinic.
7. Hairtamin
Hairtaimin is a multivitamin marketed as a hair loss treatment. However, most users complain that they've seen minimal results, the vitamin is overpriced, and lacks specific ingredients that target hair growth.
8. SugarBear Hair Vitamins
SugarBear Hair vitamins have been criticized for being overpriced and no more effective than a standard multivitamin paired with a biotin supplement. However, they may work for those with a specific vitamin deficiency.
9. Hairfinity Vitamins
Hairfinity is a daily supplement targeted at hair growth that contains vitamin B7, biotin, and amino acids. Although some users claim to have seen results from the product, there is no quality scientific evidence backing up the efficacy of the vitamins.
10. ScalpMED Products
ScalpMED is a company that sells a variety of products aimed at reversing hair loss including shampoo, sprays, and supplements. However, the company's products are not FDA-approved, data backing up the products is lacking, and customer reviews are very mixed.
Now that we've covered the products you shouldn't waste your money on, let's go over some of the ones that are actually effective.
1. Rogaine
Although the ways it works aren't fully understood, research suggests rogaine is an effective hair loss treatment for certain types of baldness. You can get it over the counter in liquid or foam form.
2. Propecia
Propecia is an FDA-approved prescription-only tablet meant to slow down hair loss in men. It can't regrow hair but has been shown to stop further hair loss.
3. Spironolactone
Spironolactone is predominantly a high blood pressure medication; however, doctors have recently started prescribing it for female pattern hair loss as well. It's important to note it's only effective for women experiencing hair loss due to hormonal causes.
4. Biotin Supplements
While biotin won't do any good for people experiencing hair loss due to genetic factors, studies have identified a link between inadequate levels of biotin and hair loss, with a biotin deficiency found in 38 percent of women experiencing hair loss. For those women, taking biotin supplements is likely to be effective.
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5. Rosemary Essential Oil
Rosemary essential oil has long been touted as a hair loss remedy, but as opposed to other natural treatments, people may be onto something with this one. Rosemary oil is anti-inflammatory and enhances blood flow to hair follicles, supporting healthy growth.
6. Saw Palmetto
Saw palmetto is a natural supplement extracted from a fruit that has shown promise as a treatment for hair loss. It works by blocking the enzyme that produces DHT, the molecule responsible for hair loss.
7. Ketoconazole Shampoo
Ketoconazole is an anti-fungal shampoo used to treat dandruff but it's also shown great promise as a hair loss treatment. It works by soothing inflammation and killing the fungus that may be the cause of hair loss in some people.
8. Scalp Massagers
Not only do they feel nice, but scalp massagers can stimulate hair growth as well. They do this by increasing blood flow, stretching, and softening the skin on your head.
9. The Ordinary Hair Serum
Customers swear by The Ordinary Hair Serum. The leave-in formula is fueled by caffeine, a combination of peptides, and plant-based extracts to give you fuller, thicker-looking hair.
10. Bimatoprost Solution
Many studies have found promising evidence supporting the efficacy of bimatoprost to stimulate hair growth. Derived from fatty acids, the solution increases the amount of hair and the duration of the growth phase of the hair cycle as well as the size of the hair bulb.
