If it feels like your hair is thinner than usual, you’re not alone. Fifty percent of women and 80 percent of men will experience hair loss in their lifetime. But you can put an end to excessive hair loss and help your hair regrow, thanks to smart hair loss treatments designed to thicken hair while protecting it from hair-thinning hormones.
The more you know
Because the causes of hair loss are so varied, treatment results will vary from person to person, and while no treatment will completely solve the problem, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Dendy Engelman says that people who suffer from hair loss due to factors like genetics, hormonal imbalances, and lifestyle choices can benefit from hair loss treatment.
There are tons of hair care products out there that claim to make your hair thicker and longer, but finding the ones that actually work takes time, research, and resources. Our PEOPLE Tested team spent nearly 1,000 hours testing 20 formulas to uncover which treatments are effective and ultimately worth your money.
Photo: Advanced Trichology
After testing 20 hair loss treatments, this serum received the highest marks and took the top spot. The dropper bottle makes application super easy (apply directly to the scalp), and the quick-drying formula leaves your hair feeling smooth and prevents messes with your hairstyle or the need for extra washing. It is easily absorbed by the skin and is completely non-irritating.
When I tested this hair loss treatment, I saw results after just one month of use: at the end of the test period, my hair looked thicker, felt better, and I had new hair growing not only around my hairline, but in any areas that had thinned.
Ingredients: Melatonin, Minoxidil | Size: 2 oz | Supply: 90 Days
Photo: People / Taylor Carta Photo: People / Taylor Carta Photo: Her star quality
Available in 2, 4 and 6 month supplies
Approximately $15 per month
A little effort gives big results
Results in one month
For another fast-acting hair loss treatment, we also like her Minoxidil Foam, which comes in two-, four-, and six-month supplies for about $15 per month (the four- and six-month plans are even cheaper). Its mousse-like consistency makes it easy to massage into the scalp and doesn’t interfere with styling, but does add a bit of shine upon application.
After just one month of testing, I began to see a difference in my hair root growth. At the end of the testing period, my hair looked and felt much thicker and healthier than before. It also has a soothing, cooling sensation that is pleasant on irritated scalps and is odorless, making it perfect for sensitive noses.
Ingredients: Minoxidil | Size: 2.11 oz | Capacity: 2-6 months supply
Photo: Ulta Star Qualities
Easy to target specific areas
Hair doesn’t get sticky
Results came out after 2 months
While I like the way Advanced Trichology NutraM DHT Blocking Hair Serum is applied, I find this solution from Keranique to be even easier to use. This serum comes with an applicator cap with a long nozzle that you apply directly to your scalp, making it easier to apply to specific areas instead of your entire head, and less messy. It takes a little time to absorb and dry (about 5 minutes), but it doesn’t leave me feeling oily or dry.
Although I didn’t see results as immediately as some of the other products on this list, I did see improvements before the end of my testing period. After about eight weeks, my hair looked and felt much thicker and I noticed new hair growing in the thinning areas of my scalp.
Ingredients: Minoxidil | Size: 2 oz | Capacity: 60 Day Supply
Photo: People / Allison VanCura Photo: People / Allison VanCura Photo: Ulta
This serum from Nioxin is the best hair loss treatment for men. We tested it on our balding head and after nine weeks of using it twice a day, we saw a youthful growth of hair. The scalp serum comes with a relatively easy-to-use dropper, but it can be a bit tricky to use, especially if you want to target specific areas like the back of your head.
Though it absorbs quickly, the serum is a bit watery and messy to apply (a spray-on formula would be much more ideal for this product). That said, I was impressed with the hair regrowth, and I think it’s worth using it over the long term to maximize hair growth results.
Coming soon
The product is so popular, it’s sold out everywhere online, but while we’re waiting for the Nioxin Treatment to come back in stock, we also found it tucked away in this men’s hair growth kit, which also comes with a strengthening cleanser and hydrating conditioner.
Ingredients: Minoxidil | Size: 2 oz | Capacity: 30 Day Supply
Photo: Virtue Labs Star Quality
Shampoo, conditioner and treatment included
30 and 90 day supplies available
A little effort gives big results
Reduces hair loss
If you’re looking for a hair loss treatment that won’t affect your color-treated hair, try this regimen from Virtue. The kit comes with a hair loss shampoo, conditioner, and minoxidil treatment to support hair growth. Even using this product just once every two weeks, I’ve noticed hair growth at my hairline, thicker hair, and less hair loss.
Ingredients: Minoxidil, Gamma Keratin, Alpha Keratin | Size: Varies by product | Supply period: 30-90 days
Photo: Rogaine Star Quality
Absorption takes just a few seconds
After 6 weeks, my hair was thicker and longer.
No greasy residue
If you’re concerned about hair loss or want thicker hair, this treatment from Rogaine is worth considering for its thickening effects. The minoxidil-based formula is absorbed into the scalp within seconds and won’t leave your roots greasy or fade your color-treated hair. It’s also one of the most effective formulas we’ve tried, and we saw thicker, longer hair after just six weeks of use.
Ingredients: Minoxidil | Size: 2 oz | Capacity: 60 Day Supply
add to cart
As you add hair loss treatments to your shopping cart, also consider PEOPLE’s editor-approved hair care products, each of which has been thoroughly tested and rated as the best in its category.
What you need to know about hair loss treatment
material
Dr. Engelman recommends looking for hair growth enhancers like minoxidil, biotin, and keratin, as these can promote hair regrowth and strengthen your hair. “Scalp treatments that contain ingredients like caffeine and palmetto can also block the effects of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone associated with hair thinning,” she says.
All six treatments on our list contain growth-promoting minoxidil, including Advanced Trichology NutraM DHT Block Hair Serum (90-day supply), which we picked as the best hair loss treatment. For even more results, Virtue Hair Growth Treatment also contains gamma keratin and alpha keratin, which strengthen hair and promote growth.
Long-term use
While there are hair styling products that can make your hair look thicker and fuller, there’s no overnight fix for hair loss, and Dr. Jacobs recommends consistent, long-term use for best results when adding a hair loss treatment to your routine.
That being said, if you’re looking to achieve noticeable improvements in a shorter period of time, we found that Advanced Trichology NutraM DHT-Blocking Hair Serum thickened hair after just one month of regular use (of course, results will be more noticeable over a longer testing period).
The underlying causes of hair loss
Hair loss treatments can help improve the thickness and length of your hair when done regularly, but both Dr. Jacobs and Dr. Engelman stress the importance of knowing the underlying cause of your hair loss and working with a medical professional to address the issue.
“Hair loss can be the result of a variety of factors, including hormonal fluctuations (such as during pregnancy and postpartum), genetic predisposition, aging, stress, and seasonal changes,” says Dr. Jacobs.
Vitamin and mineral deficiencies can also cause hair loss, especially if you’re deficient in iron, vitamin B12, vitamin D, or biotin. “These nutrients are essential for healthy hair growth, so deficiencies can lead to thinning and hair loss,” says Dr. Engelman.
The more you know
“Vitamin D affects the hair growth cycle by inhibiting hair follicle cell proliferation, and iron deficiency can lead to anemia, which reduces oxygen delivery to hair follicles and can lead to hair loss,” says Dr. Engelman. Biotin is important because it’s essential for the production of keratin, the protein that makes up the hair shaft.
Additionally, Dr. Engelman says that “environmental factors, like exposure to pollution or harsh chemicals in hair care products, can damage hair follicles,” which can lead to hair loss over time.
By addressing the underlying causes of hair loss and following regular treatments, you will be able to reverse side effects and achieve the results you desire.
Behind the Scenes
We researched dozens of formulas before putting 20 products to the test, testing each treatment for 12 weeks and 960 hours, carefully considering the application process, effectiveness, and overall results.
Application: During the testing period, we considered the packaging and the application process required to get a rough idea of convenience. We looked closely at the applicator itself, the required treatment time, how to use it, and how much was needed to achieve the desired results. We also noted the ease of use, consistency, and whether the process was cumbersome. Effectiveness: When using a hair loss treatment, of course you want it to work. With this in mind, we noted which formula gave us the best results, how long it took to realize those results, and whether the product matched its claims. We also considered which formula was most effective at increasing hair thickness and which formula promoted hair growth. Overall Results: After considering the application process and effectiveness, we compared notes and looked at the overall results of all 20 formulas. In addition to hair growth results, we considered which formula was the most absorbent, dried quickly, and didn’t leave a greasy residue.
Once the results were in, we compared and rated each product to narrow it down to the six best hair loss treatments on the market.
Why trust people?
Jesse Quinn is a contributing commercial writer for PEOPLE and has written for publications such as Byrdie, InStyle, The Spruce, and NYLON. Jesse has spent years trying to improve her hair’s health and promote growth. Though she now has long, healthy hair, she’s gone through periods of hair loss and has tried everything from supplements to serums to achieve her current hairstyle.
She considered her own experience and that of the PEOPLE Tested team to highlight the regimens that are worth the energy and money she puts in. She also reached out to board-certified dermatologists Dr. Michael I. Jacobs and Dr. Dendy Engelman to learn more about what causes hair loss and what to look for in an effective treatment.
Our Expert Panel
Dr. Michael I. Jacobs is a board-certified dermatologist and associate professor of dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College. Dr. Dendy Engelman is a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and Mohs surgeon at Schaefer Clinic in New York City.
What is the PEOPLE test?
We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the best products for your life. We use a proprietary methodology to test products in three national laboratories and a network of at-home testers to determine a product’s effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products to help you find the right product for your needs.
But we don’t stop there. We regularly revisit the categories that we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval because today’s best product may not be tomorrow’s best product. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendations; their products must be legitimately worthy of our recommendations.
That means PEOPLE Tested gives you recommendations you can trust on every purchase, every day.
