Few beauty concerns can feel quite as terrifying—and insidious—as hair loss. Unlike acne or hyperpigmentation, which can crop up overnight or over several weeks, hair loss tends to develop so slowly that by the time you realize it’s happened, it becomes harder to treat.
While some forms of hair loss can be less challenging to address (like the hair fall caused by the dramatic hormone swings that come with pregnancy and childbirth), all hair loss can take a toll on one’s self-esteem. So if you’re noticing thinning hair, it’s time to act. We highly recommend seeing a dermatologist who can develop a treatment plan tailored to your unique situation—and while waiting for your appointment, you can start using a hair loss treatment at home.
To find the best hair loss treatments, we tested 20 unique formulas, spending 960 hours over a 12-week testing period, evaluating them on application, efficacy, and overall results. From there, we narrowed down our list to 13 formulas. Hair loss doesn’t happen overnight so treatment won’t work that quickly, either. “Generally speaking, you would want to apply topical treatments twice a day for three to six months to really see growth benefits,” says Victoria Fu, cosmetic chemist and cofounder of Chemist Confessions. “It takes patience and consistency to see a difference!”
PHOTO: Virtue Labs
Why We Love It: We went into testing this product with a specific goal in mind—repairing the damage done to our edges caused by the tension of protective styles as well as heat. This product did just that, making them look fuller by the end of the testing period. Most notably, we got these results without using the product daily. We didn’t want to disrupt our wash routine, so we applied the formula every two weeks, and despite this, we still achieved the results we were looking for. At no point did the hair loss treatment make our hair look greasy or feel weighed down, nor did it irritate our scalp.
Who It’s For: If you’re looking for a full hair loss treatment system, give this one a try. In addition to the minoxidil foam, it comes with a shampoo and conditioner formulated to support stronger, healthier hair growth. While it can be used by individuals with a variety of hair loss causes, this set in particular is ideal for those who are managing shedding caused by hormonal fluctuations, making it a great pick for new moms.
Editor Tip: One pump of foam was plenty to address our entire scalp. When we wanted to concentrate our application solely on our edges, we only needed half a pump to get the job done.
Type: Foam｜Active Ingredients: Minoxidil｜FDA Approved: Yes｜Usage: Once daily｜Size: 2.11 oz
InStyle / Chantia Murphy
PHOTO: Costco
Why We Love It: This very affordable set from Costco gave us six months’ worth of product; we saw results from twice-daily treatment in half that time. Each treatment features a cap with a built-in dropper, so dosing and application was very straightforward. The formula dispensed easily and didn’t irritate our scalps.
Who It’s For: Anyone who wants to target hair loss on the crown of their head should give this product a shot. It may also be best for those with coarser hair textures, as the formula took a long time to absorb into our fine, straight hair. Though the packaging says it’s for use by men only, the active ingredient is the same as those found in products marketed towards women, so keep that in mind.
Editor Tip: Truthfully, we weren’t convinced this product was working—we would check our hair periodically leading up to the three-month mark, and what we saw didn’t make us feel confident in the efficacy of the formula. However, we could see a significant improvement to our hair growth by the end of the testing period, so committment is key!
Type: Topical solution｜Active Ingredients: Minoxidil｜FDA Approved: Yes｜Usage: Twice daily｜Size: 2 oz
InStyle / Rob Cunliffe
PHOTO: Advanced Trichology
Why We Love It: This was the only minoxidil-free product we tested to make the cut, and while it didn’t contain any of the expert-recommended ingredients suggested below, it contains niacin, a form of vitamin B that stimulates blood circulation (always a good thing). We loved how quickly this product took effect—we saw improvements in about a month—and how the formula never made our hair feel or look greasy thanks to its surprisingly dry texture, which was absorbed within minutes of application. We also loved the price point, which was more affordable than others we’d tried.
Who It’s For: Give this product a go if you’re not interested in using a product formulated with minoxidil and prefer more natural ingredients. This is also a good choice if you have very fine hair that tends to get greasy easily, as the texture of the serum doesn’t leave a residue behind. (This also makes it ideal for people who are wary of gunking up their bedsheets with a hair loss treatment.)
Editor Tip: You can use a full dropper or two for treatment, which is a lot of product, and still not have to worry about burning through the bottle too quickly. After our testing period, we still had half a bottle left! Be aware that the scent of this product is pretty strong at first, but dissipates very quickly.
Type: Topical solution｜Active Ingredients: Niacin, melatonin, panthenol｜FDA Approved: No｜Usage: At least once daily, preferably overnight｜Size: 2 oz
InStyle / Taylor Calta
PHOTO: Ulta
Why We Love It: After nine weeks of consistent use, we saw noticeable growth where our hair was thinning, with little hairs sprouting up in sparse areas. It was easy to incorporate this twice-daily treatment into our daily routine as we work from home, so we never had to worry about packing it to go. Though the formula was runny, it absorbed easily within a few minutes of massaging it in.
Who It’s For: Men experiencing mild hair loss should give this formula a try. Though it’s not a dealbreaker, we’d also suggest using it if you have someone to help you apply it (more on this below).
Editor Tip: We’ll confess that we found this product a little cumbersome to use. To make sure we applied it evenly to the area of our scalp where we were experiencing thinning, we had to stand in front of our bathroom mirror, then hold another mirror in one hand and the dropper in the other—and the treatment was very runny, which added to the challenge. We’d recommend applying this with the help of a partner for a smoother experience.
Type: Solution｜Active Ingredients: Minoxidil｜FDA Approved: Yes｜Usage: Twice daily｜Size: 2 oz
InStyle / Allison Vancura
PHOTO: hers
Why We Love It: We didn’t think much was happening while testing this product, so we were shocked by our before and after photos. After the full trial period, we observed that our hair definitely looks fuller, and our hairline is denser. We were also very pleased to see the new growth that came courtesy of this product.
Who It’s For: We’d recommend this to someone who already has an established morning and evening beauty routine. As minimalists, we frequently found ourselves forgetting to apply this product and having to go back to our bathrooms to put it on. It’s also best for someone who is averse to heavy fragrances—this formula had no scent at all.
Editor Tip: This product wasn’t hard to use, but we found that we had to remind ourselves to use it because it didn’t feel like a natural part of our routine when our hair wasn’t wet. Though it absorbed well, it left our hair a bit wet to the touch for about 10 minutes. This made our hair look greasy for those 10 minutes, so we had to build that time into our morning prep.
Type: Solution｜Active Ingredients: Minoxidil｜FDA Approved: Yes｜Usage: Twice daily｜Size: 2 oz
PHOTO: InStyle / Shauna Meany
PHOTO: InStyle / Shauna Meany
PHOTO: Amazon
Why We Love It: We’d been shedding a lot more hair than we used to ahead of trying this formula; in just three weeks, we noticed a significantly reduced amount of hair fall, as well as some new growth. It absorbed quickly and was relatively easy to use, with a little of the foam going a long way to cover our entire scalp. It did create a bit of a tingling sensation, but we didn’t mind—it made us feel like it was working (which it was!).
Who It’s For: If you lack the patience of applying a product twice daily, you’ll appreciate this formula as it only needs to be applied once daily to achieve results. We have fine, straight hair and didn’t feel like the product weighed it down, which is a bonus for those with our same hair type. However, this formula can leave a little bit of a residue on hair, which could affect styling somewhat; if you wash your hair every morning and apply this product the night before, you’ll never have an issue.
Editor Tip: This sounds a little funky, but we recommend your hands are as cold as possible ahead of applying this product. That’s because we found that having warm hands caused the foam to dissolve more rapidly. The more intact the foam is, the easier time you’ll have dispersing the formula across your scalp—trust us.
Type: Foam｜Active Ingredients: Minoxidil｜FDA Approved: Yes｜Usage: Once daily｜Size: 2.11 oz
PHOTO: InStyle / Brenda Thompson
PHOTO: InStyle / Brenda Thompson
PHOTO: Ulta
Why We Love It: Though the results weren’t dramatic, we were pleasantly surprised by the noticeable difference this product made to our hair. In eight or nine weeks, we saw a lot of baby hairs crop up, especially along the hairline, including our temples. The product absorbs within five minutes of application (and didn’t make our hair look stringy at all); though it has a chemical-like smell, it was pretty mild and wasn’t potent enough to bother us.
Who It’s For: This product features a very precise spray applicator, which makes it ideal for use by someone who has targeted areas of hair loss they’d like to address. The nozzle made it simple to get a concentrated application right on our temples. It’s also great for people with fine hair—the formula never made ours look greasy!
Editor Tip: While testing this product, our husband was also testing a hair loss treatment. We found that we had a significantly easier time applying our product than he did because of the convenient spray nozzle. We’ll also add that while the instructions say to use six pumps, we found that to be overkill, and believe that four would be sufficient for most people.
Type: Spray｜Active Ingredients: Minoxidil｜FDA Approved: Yes｜Usage: Twice daily｜Size: 2 oz
InStyle / Allison Vancura
PHOTO: Rogaine
Why We Love It: Rogaine is the top derm-recommended hair loss treatment, and after the trial period, we can see why. After eight weeks of use, we saw an improvement in density to the receding areas of our hairline, with thinning spots noticeably filled in. Though we occasionally felt a tingling sensation upon application, we didn’t experience any irritation or sensitivity, and there was no smell.
Who It’s For: We’d recommend this formula to anyone hoping to regrow hair, especially if they’re prone to experiencing sensitivity as this product was very gentle on the scalp. Though it’s designed to address thinning on the top of the scalp, we focused our application on our hairline and saw great results, so we’d suggest this product to anyone with thinning hair, regardless of where the loss is. You should just be prepared for twice-daily application!
Editor Tip: Though this formula is said to be safe for color-treated hair, proceed with caution. We used it on freshly dyed hair and within one week of our hair appointment, we saw grays again. Makes sense—the formula features an alcohol base, and alcohol strips hair color.
Type: Solution｜Active Ingredients: Minoxidil｜FDA Approved: Yes｜Usage: Twice daily｜Size: 2 oz
PHOTO: InStyle / Alisa Hale
PHOTO: InStyle / Alisa Hale
PHOTO: Walmart
Why We Love It: We’ve used a handful of hair loss treatments before, and this one has the edge. We found that this one was the gentlest of all that we’ve tried—we’d consider it “skin friendly,” in fact—and delivered some results within six weeks. It was also easy to apply and the formula didn’t negatively affect the look and style of our hair after application.
Who It’s For: If you’ve used other hair loss treatments in the past only to be left with a sensitized scalp, give this one a go. This is also a great pick for someone who is on the go. We found that the foam applied similarly to mousse and absorbed easily, fully drying in about five minutes without changing the texture or appearance of our hair.
Editor Tip: The can of product is dosed exceedingly well. While we thought we’d have plenty of product left after the trial, we found that the cans lasted exactly three months.
Type: Foam｜Active Ingredients: Minoxidil｜FDA Approved: Yes｜Usage: Twice daily｜Size: 2.11 oz
InStyle / Robert Whicker Jr.
PHOTO: CVS
Why We Love It: We’d used other minoxidil hair loss treatments before and were dissatisfied by how messy the foams were—we didn’t feel like we got enough into our scalps and required more prep on our part. This liquid solution from Roman was much more satisfying, with a precise applicator that allowed us to get up close and personal with our scalps. We also felt the bottles were very travel friendly.
Who It’s For: We’d recommend this to someone with hair that tends to fall on the oily side, because once this product dried, it made our hair very stiff and hard to style; some natural oils would have helped with that. The formula also dried out our hair a bit and made it a little frizzier than it used to be. We’ve counteracted this with leave-in treatments, but we’re fairly sure those with oilier hair may not face the same issues.
Editor Tip: We’d suggest buying a separate scalp massager to use with this product. We didn’t have one and wished we did—it would have helped us get even more of the solution into our scalps while stimulating blood flow. Even though the dropper packaged with this product was more precise than other products we used, we still found that our hair ended up absorbing a bunch of the solution.
Type: Solution｜Active Ingredients: Minoxidil｜FDA Approved: Yes｜Usage: Twice daily｜Size: 2 oz
InStyle / Jason Tseng
PHOTO: hers
Why We Love It: We were stunned by how rapidly this product began to work—we noticed our hair looking fuller and growing faster just one month into our test. (We wouldn’t have believed it ourselves if not for the fact that we dye our hair, and our roots grew in much more quickly than usual.) We appreciated that a little went a long way (only half a cap full of foam) and just once-daily application was required.
Who It’s For: This is an ideal pick for someone who wants to see results fast and appreciates the convenience of a foam formula, which we felt wasn’t as messy as a liquid product. Be aware that this formula did make our hair look greasy—while it appeared less oily as the day went on, our hair still had a noticeable sheen from the product by the end of the day. We have very fine hair; those with coarser hair textures may not experience the same level of greasiness.
Editor Tip: You don’t apply this product directly from the canister—rather, you squirt the foam into the cap until you’ve filled it halfway, then scoop it out to apply it from there. This is a little inconvenient (and the cap is hard to clean), but you only have to do it once daily!
Type: Foam｜Active Ingredients: Minoxidil｜FDA Approved: Yes | Usage Once daily｜Size: 2.11 oz
InStyle / Alexa Jade Frankelis
PHOTO: Rogaine
Why We Love It: While we admittedly didn’t see too much of a difference in terms of growth throughout testing this formula, we did notice an improvement to how much hair was falling out. Our hair loss slowed significantly, and we saw way less shedding than we had previously—there were practically no loose hairs in the sink after two months of testing. We found that it made our hair feel denser, too.
Who It’s For: Overall, we’d recommend this to pretty much anyone who’s looking for a generally low-risk way to try to treat hair loss. In particular, though, we’d suggest it to someone who’s prone to sensitivity. Our scalps are irritated easily but this formula left us comfortable throughout the entire testing period.
Editor Tip: This product is best applied on relatively dry hair, so we had to time the application properly—for example, if we wanted to use it after showering. Make sure you build some time into your schedule for this product when using it close to shower time so you can let your hair partially air-dry ahead of application.
Type: Foam｜Active Ingredients: Minoxidil｜FDA Approved: Yes｜Usage: Twice daily｜Size: 2.11 oz
InStyle / Peter Weckend
PHOTO: Bosley
Why We Love It: This formula felt almost like water—it didn’t leave our hair greasy or sticky, weigh down our hair, cause any tingling sensations, or have any odor whatsoever. It was a little messy because of how fluid the formula was, but it was otherwise easy to use thanks to the spray applicator. After about three weeks, we noticed a difference in terms of how thick our hair looked and felt. In balding areas in particular, we saw a thin layer of hair where there had been none previously, and it all grew in evenly.
Who It’s For: We’d recommend this to anyone who’s experiencing reduced hair density and hoping to achieve new growth. However, it’s important to have reasonable expectations. While the results were noticeable, we wouldn’t call them dramatic.
Editor Tip: Though the fluid dispensed by the spray applicator can get a little messy, that’s easily solved by keeping a tissue on hand to dab up any drips. We felt like the nozzle was a great delivery system overall. Even though we followed the instructions—six spritzes per application—we didn’t even get through a whole bottle during our trial period, though we expected to work our way through two.
Type: Spray｜Active Ingredients: Minoxidil｜FDA Approved: Yes｜Usage: Twice daily｜Size: 2 oz
PHOTO: InStyle / Susan Gabbay
PHOTO: InStyle / Susan Gabbay
What to Keep in Mind
Your Type of Hair Loss: Figuring out what kind of hair loss you have is relatively easy—just look at the pattern, says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Morgan Rabach, M.D. There are so many factors that play a role in hair loss, including changes to hormone levels, genetics, nutrition and diet, health issues, and medical conditions. For that reason, it’s best to see a dermatologist to get a proper diagnosis of your unique conditions and a targeted course of treatment, says Fu.
Female pattern hair loss will typically present as a gradually widening center part. Sometimes circular bald spots, or alopecia areata, appear as hair loses density.
Male pattern hair loss manifests as the signature receding hairline.
Tension-related shedding usually signals that the follicles that have been subjected to a lot of tension, courtesy of varying hairstyles (such as braids or a tight, high pony), also called traction alopecia.
Diffuse thinning is when your whole head of hair overall looks thinner and finer with moderate or severe shedding.
Your Commitment Level: Unequivocally, says Fu, you must approach your treatment of choice with an almost militant-like commitment. And you should settle into this routine—for the long haul. “Most options take three to six months of consistent, daily application to really see any growth benefits from a topical product.”
Product Type: The most common options are topical treatments, ranging from serums, sprays, foams, and lotions, to prescription medication or over-the-counter oral supplements. No matter which route you take, all of them must be used daily to see results of any kind. “The ideal treatment has to be easy to use,” says scientist Dr. Sanjay Batra, founder of WeThrivv and a former adjunct professor at the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine. “I am not a fan of large pills to swallow or serums that leave your scalp greasy because compliance will wane…if something is not easy to use, the chances that you will use it consistently go way down.”
Active Ingredients: There are three drugs that you’ll find being used for the treatment of hair loss—corticosteroids, finasteride, and minoxidil.
Corticosteroids are administered via injection by a healthcare provider to address a very specific form of hair loss that manifests in stark, circular patches. “Corticosteroids treat alopecia areata, which is believed to be caused by an autoimmune problem,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Howard Sobel, M.D. “They work by decreasing inflammation in the hair follicle.
Finasteride, a 5-α reductase inhibitor, is a controversial, but effective, option that can only be used for men to target androgenetic alopecia (also known as male pattern baldness). It can be taken as an oral medication or used topically. “It prevents the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotesterosterone (DHT),” says Dr. Rabach, adding that this ingredient does it’s best work with early intervention into the first few years of hair loss. “This drug is pretty controversial and the potential list of side effects is rather concerning: Erectile dysfunction, decreased libido, problems with ejaculation, testicular pain, and even depression,” warns Dr. Batra.
Minoxidil was originally used as a medication to treat blood pressure—and then doctors noticed it was causing patients’ hair to grow, so the drug was repurposed as a hair loss treatment. “It was reformulated as a topical product and received FDA approval in 1988,” says Dr. Batra. According to Dr. Sobel, it’s believed to work by shortening the resting stage of the hair, triggering blood flow to the follicles, which sends the hair into the growth phase. “This ultimately decreases hair loss and increases the diameter of each hair,” he says. It’s best for men and women dealing with androgenetic alopecia that have existing hair. “It wouldn’t work on a bald scalp without viable hair follicles,” adds Dr. Sobel.
Natural Ingredients to Boost Hair Growth: “The best natural products tend to have a blend of ingredients targeting the various mechanisms for hair loss,” says Dr. Batra. Diet plays a crucial role in supporting the effectiveness of any hair loss treatment, says Dr. Rabach, especially those who follow an exclusionary diet. “Vegans and vegetarians with hair loss often benefit from B vitamin supplements, folate, and iron,” she says.
Caffeine: “There is a study done on ~200 males that compared a topical 0.2 percent caffeine liquid to 5 percent minoxidil that showed the two to have comparable results,” says Fu.
Peppermint Oil: “Both caffeine and peppermint oil help promote blood flow around the body, and blood flow to the scalp will help bring nutrients to the hair,” says Dr. Rabach.
Rosemary Oil: One of Dr. Sobel’s favorite natural ingredients for its blood flow-boosting properties, recent research studies show this anti-inflammatory herbal oil to be as effective as a prescription topical when massaged into the scalp twice daily for six months. Participants in the study also experienced other hair-related benefits, like a major reduction in scalp itchiness, dandruff, and dryness.
Onion Juice: Hold your nose and douse your head with this stuff, because it can work wonders for thinning or balding patches in as little as two weeks, according to this surprising National Institutes of Health study.
Red Ginseng: As a natural 5-alpha reductase inhibitor, it naturally slows down the body’s production of DHT, a known contributor to male pattern baldness.
Saw Palmetto: “This ingredient is used as an oral supplement and has been through a few clinical tests shown to help alopecia,” says Fu.
Hair Loss Prescription Medication: “Hair loss is multifactorial and many treatments should be used in conjunction,” says Dr. Sobel, adding that prescription medication, over-the-counter topicals, and oral supplements are all treatment options. “All of these treatments work to stimulate or awaken the hair follicles,” he says. However, they will not work if you are fully bald and have been so for a long time—that’s a sign that the hair follicles are no longer viable. A dormant or “lazy” hair follicle can be treated, but a dead one can’t.
Your Questions, Answered
Can hair grow back after thinning?
Sometimes. “It can grow back and often does, especially when hair loss is sudden and rapid for a medical reason, like pregnancy and birth, trauma, sudden illness, or COVID,” says Dr. Rabach. However, if your hair doesn’t bounce back on its own, continues to thin, and you don’t seek help, you may have trouble achieving the same hair density you once did.
How to stop hair fall immediately?
Unfortunately, there’s no way to immediately stop rapid hair fall. “Hair shedding frequency can really depend on your hair loss situation,” says Fu. Ultimately, the key to retaining hair is to address hair loss as soon as you notice it. “As in any area of medicine, prevention is key—prevention, then early diagnosis and early treatment,” says Dr. Batra. “The longer you wait, the harder it is and the more expensive, painful, and/or suboptimal the result will be.”
How to regrow thinning hair?
Dr. Sobel likes using topicals on his patients, specifically minoxidil for women and a mixture of minoxidil and finasteride for men. He also highly recommends in-office procedures, especially exosome treatments, starting with three sessions spaced a month apart. “Exosomes contain thousands of growth factors and stem cells, which tell cells how to act, increasing hair growth, decreasing hair loss, and increasing the diameter of each individual hair,” he says. He administers this treatment using a combination of ultrasound and air pressure, which pushes the exosomes deep into the hair follicles without the need for painful injections or microneedling.
How much hair loss is normal?
Losing hair every day is completely normal. According to Dr. Rabach, you could lose around 150 hairs a day, which can be very unsettling—and you could lose more, especially if you don’t brush your hair every day. “It’s important to know that brushing or washing hair does not make hair fall out more,” she adds.
Why Shop With Us
Emily Orofino is a freelance writer, editor, and consultant with over a decade of experience in the beauty industry. For this story, she collaborated with InStyle editors about their experience testing each product, and interviewed board-certified dermatologists, Dr. Morgan Rabach and Dr. Howard Sobel, along with research scientist and adjunct professor at the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Dr. Sanjay Batra, and cosmetic chemist and cohost of the Chemist Confessions podcast, Victoria Fu.
