We Spent Nearly 1,000 Hours Testing 20 Hair Loss Treatments — These 6 Actually Promote Regrowth and Start at Just $13 a Month

What to Know About Hair Loss Treatments

Ingredients

Dr. Engelman says to look for hair growth promoters like minoxidil, biotin, and keratin, as these can promote regeneration and strengthen hair. “Scalp treatments containing ingredients like caffeine or palmetto can also block the effects of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone associated with hair thinning,” she says.

All six treatments on our list contain minoxidil for growth, including our top pick for the best hair loss treatment, the Advanced Trichology NutraM DHT-Blocking Hair Serum (90-Day Supply). If you want something with some extra oomph, the Virtue Hair Growth Treatment also has gamma and alpha keratin to strengthen strands and improve growth efforts. 

Long-Term Use 

While there are some hair styling products that can create the illusion of thicker, fuller hair, there is no such thing as an overnight solution for hair loss. When adding hair loss treatments to your regimen, Dr. Jacobs says to use them consistently and long-term for best results.

With that said, if you are hoping to achieve some noticeable improvements in a shorter amount of time, we found that the Advanced Trichology NutraM DHT-Blocking Hair Serum made our hair thicker after just one month of regular application (though of course, results were more noticeable after a longer testing period). 

Underlying Causes of Hair Loss

Hair loss treatments can help improve thickness and length with regular use. However, Dr. Jacobs and Dr. Engelman both express the importance of knowing the underlying cause of your loss and working with a medical professional to help address the concern.

“Hair loss can be the result of various factors, including hormonal fluctuations (such as pregnancy and postpartum), genetic predispositions, aging, stress, and seasonal changes,” says Dr. Jacobs. 

Vitamin and mineral deficiencies can also lead to hair loss, especially if you have lower levels of iron, vitamin B12, vitamin D, and biotin. “Lack of these nutrients might cause hair thinning or shedding because they are essential for sustaining healthy hair growth,” says Dr. Engelman. “Vitamin D affects the hair growth cycle by inhibiting the proliferation of hair follicle cells, and iron deficiencies can lead to anemia causing reduced oxygen delivery to the hair follicles and subsequent hair loss.” Dr. Engelman says biotin is also important because it is essential for the production of keratin, which is the protein that makes up the hair shaft. 

Additionally, Dr. Engelman says environmental factors “like exposure to pollutants or harsh chemicals in hair care products can damage the hair follicles,” which can result in hair loss over time. 

By addressing the underlying causes of hair loss and using a treatment regularly in your regimen, you can begin to reverse the side effects and achieve desired results. 

Behind The Scenes

We researched dozens of formulas before taking 20 products out for a real-world spin. We spent 12 weeks and 960 hours testing each treatment, carefully considering the application process, effectiveness, and overall results.

• Application: During the testing period, we considered the packaging and required application process to get a general idea of convenience. We carefully looked at the applicator itself, plus the required treatment time, usage, and amount required to achieve desired results. We also made note of ease-of-use, the consistency, and if the process was messy or not. 
• Effectiveness: When using a hair loss treatment, you of course want it to be effective. Witht his in mind, we marked down which formulas gave us the best results, how long it took to experience said results, and if the products matched their claims. We also considered which ones worked best for thickening and which ones promoted growth. 
• Overall Results: After considering the application process and effectiveness, we compared our notes and looked at the overall results of all 20 formulas. In addition to the hair growth outcomes, we also considered which formulas had the best absorption, were quick-drying, and didn’t leave behind any greasy residue. 

Once our results were in, we compared and rated each product before narrowing down our selection to these six best hair loss treatments on the market.

Why Trust PEOPLE?

Jessie Quinn is a contributing commerce writer for PEOPLE and has written for publications such as Byrdie, InStyle, The Spruce, NYLON, and more. Jessie has spent years trying to improve her hair health and promote growth. While she might have long and healthy strands today, she’s gone through phases of hair loss and has tried everything from supplements to serums to achieve her current ‘do. 

She considered her own experiences as well as those of our PEOPLE Tested team to highlight the formulas that are worth spending your energy and money on. Jessie 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 effective treatments.

What Is PEOPLE Tested? 

We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.

But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square.

In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.