Finding the best hair growth and thickness products can be a challenging task because they are not the same for everyone. For one thing, each of us is different and so is our hair. On the other hand, as we move through life, our hair transforms as well, influenced by ageing, hormonal changes and modifications in our lifestyle.
For example, children and teenagers are more likely to be diagnosed with alopecia areata than grown-ups, while mature adults have higher chances of developing androgenetic alopecia. In fact, 85% of men and 50% of women develop this condition by the age of 50 [1][2]. Menopausal women may experience hair loss due to hormonal imbalances. At the same time, seniors are predisposed to natural, age-related hair thinning [3], but some also have increased chances of experiencing medication-induced hair loss.
Different ingredients commonly found in hair growth and thickness products can help improve hair density and diameter in people with different kinds of hair loss. Medications such as Minoxidil or Finasteride, devices such as laser hair growth caps or certain essential oils for hair growth can all be effective in restoring hair fullness under certain circumstances. The key is to find the right product to suit your particular needs.
Keep reading this article to find out more about:
Typically, we think of children and adolescents as having full, healthy hair. However, 15-38% of all teenagers experience some form of hair shedding [4]. They may still experience telogen effluvium, a form of temporary hair shedding induced by stress, trauma, physical illness, or nutritional deficiencies.
Moreover, children are more predisposed than adults to be diagnosed with alopecia areata, an autoimmune condition that causes patchy hair loss. Finally, approximately 15% of adolescents develop early onset androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness or female pattern baldness), this being one of the most common causes of teenage hair loss [5].
At this early stage, however, it is easy to keep under control with treatment. Here are the best hair growth and thickness products for children and teenagers:
This hair growth treatment contains a unique blend of rosemary, lavender, cedarwood and coconut oils. Rosemary oil for hair growth has been proven to be as effective as the popular hair loss medication Minoxidil 2% in improving androgenetic alopecia hair shedding [6].
That is because it contains compounds that are natural DHT blockers, but it also stimulates blood flow to your hair roots. Lavender oil can reduce stress and anxiety hair loss and may also increase hair density [7], while coconut oil can strengthen and moisturise your strands [8].
Moreover, studies show that when combined, rosemary, lavender and cedarwood oil may effectively reduce hair shedding caused by alopecia areata [9].
Price: Approximately £8.00/ 2 oz
Most effective in improving: androgenetic alopecia, alopecia areata.
Best feature, according to reviews: It can make your hair very soft, smooth and reduce scalp dryness
This portable device provides red light therapy for hair growth. This is an evidence-based treatment (also known as low-level laser therapy) which has been found effective in stimulating hair growth in several conditions, such as androgenetic alopecia, telogen effluvium and possibly alopecia areata (though more evidence is needed) [10].
It is completely safe and painless and essentially works by improving the blood circulation in your scalp, as well as the energy production by mitochondria in the cells of your hair follicles. Using it for 25 minutes 3 times a week can lead to visible results in 3-6 months.
While this helmet can be quite pricey, it has a 2-year guarantee, as well as a money-back guarantee, in case you are not satisfied with its results. Furthermore, due to its versatile nature, it can be used by all members of your household, regardless of age or gender.
Price: Approximately £550
Most effective in improving: androgenetic alopecia, telogen effluvium
Best feature, according to reviews: It is comfortable to wear and effective in achieving hair regrowth
Black seed oil for hair is one of the few hair growth oils with proven qualities in curbing telogen effluvium, restoring your hair density and improving its thickness [11]. It can also regulate your hair growth cycle, prolonging the growth phase and delaying hair shedding [12]. Furthermore, it may also possess some antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, though more research is needed to verify this [13].
Price: Approximately £10/ 2 oz
Most effective in improving: telogen effluvium
Best feature, according to reviews: It offers both a spray cap and a pipette, for easy application.
Some young adults may see incipient forms of androgenetic alopecia. However, in early youth, hair may be more likely to be damaged by poor styling practices. Frequently wearing tight hairdos, such as braids, cornrows or ponytails can cause hair loss, known as traction alopecia.
Moreover, constantly using heat styling can lead to dry, brittle hair, resulting in easier hair breakage. And late nights spent studying for exams mixed with an on-the-go diet high in processed foods can also put a strain on your body, disrupting your natural hair growth cycle.
Fortunately, some of this damage can be repaired. Here are some good, evidence-based hair growth products young adults can use to improve their strand density and thickness:
This handy electric device is one of the best scalp massagers for hair growth. That is because it reunites two distinct forms of hair growth therapy: it produces red light that can bring an energy boost to your hair follicles, but at the same time, it also provides scalp massage for hair growth.
The latter can increase blood flow to your hair roots, allowing more oxygen and nutrients to reach your follicles and may also play a role in increasing hair thickness by activating some of the genes involved in hair production [14].
This device is waterproof, so it can also be used in the shower and has 8 interchangeable claws (4 harder and 4 softer ones) which can be combined in sets of 4.
Price: Approximately £27
Most effective in improving: androgenetic alopecia, telogen effluvium, traction alopecia
Best feature, according to reviews: It blends red light therapy and relaxing massage
This formulation combines two hair growth oils with proven qualities in improving hair density: rosemary and peppermint oil for hair. While rosemary oil rivals the effectiveness of topical Minoxidil against androgenetic alopecia, peppermint oil has demonstrated hair growth qualities in animal studies (further evidence is, however, required to show it also works in humans).
It also contains menthol, a soothing and cooling substance that can calm an itchy scalp [15]. This can reduce hair breakage caused by scratching.
Other hair oils present in this Mielle product, such as grape seed oil, tea tree oil and jojoba oil, also have a positive impact on your hair health, increasing its strength and elasticity, as well as making it softer and shinier [16].
Price: Approximately £8/2oz
Most effective in improving: Androgenetic alopecia
Best feature, according to reviews: It has a subtle, pleasant smell and is effective in achieving hair growth.
One of the best shampoos for hair loss, this product contains Stemoxydine for hair loss, a type of antioxidant which can effectively regulate your hair growth cycle and decrease the proportion of hair in the shedding phase [17]. Moreover, while it can prevent and treat telogen effluvium, it can also improve hair density in androgenetic alopecia [18].
This product is also a hair thickening shampoo and can volumize your strands, while at the same time, strengthening them and giving them a healthy, youthful appearance.
Price: Approximately £33/8.5 oz
Most effective in improving: telogen effluvium, androgenetic alopecia
Best feature, according to reviews: It adds volume and body to fine hair.
In most cases, pattern hair loss sets in at maturity. In men, the first signs of hair thinning and balding usually appear around the age of 30, while in women, they often occur later, before the age of 50 [19].
Moreover, compounded stress from work, domestic obligations and caretaking activities can put significant pressure on the mind and body of mature adults, predisposing them to telogen effluvium. The following hair growth products can help curb hair loss and make their hair fuller and thicker:
Topical Minoxidil is one of the world’s most popular hair growth medications, with demonstrated results in increasing hair density in a number of conditions, such as androgenetic alopecia, telogen effluvium, alopecia areata or traction alopecia [20]. In turn, derma rolling for hair growth has also been found efficient in regrowing hair in these conditions, by harnessing the body’s own healing properties [21].
However, studies show that using Minoxidil and a derma roller together enhances both their effects [22]. That is because the serum helps increase blood flow to your hair roots, nourishing your follicles, while the derma roller creates microscopic holes in your scalp, improving Minoxidil penetration.
Price: Approximately £24/ kit
Best feature, according to reviews: The included derma roller that enhances the effect of the Minoxidil.
A delicate but powerful diluted rosemary oil blend for hair growth, this product is both delightful and effective. It harnesses the hair density enhancing effects of rosemary, peppermint and lavender oils, but at the same time, adds some tea tree oil to soothe your irritated scalp and help treat mild cases of dandruff. Moreover, this product also contains grapeseed oil, which is known to improve strand strength and elasticity [].
Price: Approximately £10/ 2oz
Best feature, according to reviews: Using only a small amount of oil every time can still improve hair density and thickness. It also has a good moisturising effect.
While many people know that this medicated shampoo can treat common scalp problems, such as dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis, not everyone is aware that under certain circumstances, Nizoral can also treat hair loss. This product contains ketoconazole, a substance which studies suggest may play a role in treating androgenetic alopecia [23].
So using this shampoo can treat any yeast infection on your scalp, reducing the resulting itching and hair loss while at the same time, it may reduce hair shedding from pattern baldness.
Price: Approximately £8/ 2 oz
Most effective in improving: androgenetic alopecia, dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis
Best feature, according to reviews: It is excellent at soothing an itchy scalp and reducing dandruff.
When reaching menopause, women’s hormonal balance shifts, producing numerous changes in their body. As they produce smaller quantities of oestrogens, their natural hair cycle is disrupted, shortening their hair growth phase.
Moreover, the dwindling female hormones can no longer balance out the male ones, which can lead to an excessive production of dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT binds to androgen receptors in hair follicles, causing them to shrink and produce thinner, smaller hair or stop producing strands entirely. This can trigger or worsen female pattern baldness.
Fortunately, there are some treatments and shampoos for menopausal hair thinning with proven efficiency in increasing hair fullness and density:
Rogaine is the brand name of the hair growth medication Minoxidil. This medication can have the same powerful impact on increasing hair growth and thickness in female pattern hair loss as it does in the male variety. And using a lower concentration of this substance (2% Minoxidil instead of 5%) may suffice for curbing mild or moderate hair shedding and making your hair grow thicker while having a lower risk of unwanted side effects.
Price: Approximately £13/month with a 3-month subscription
Best feature, according to reviews: It is very effective in improving hair density.
Caffeine shampoo for hair loss has demonstrated effectiveness against female pattern baldness and can help you achieve significant regrowth with constant use [24]. Moreover, this specific formulation also contains zinc for hair and niacin, which can nourish your hair and improve its overall health.
This shampoo has been designed specifically for strengthening and thickening the finer, brittler hair of menopausal women, giving it fullness and volume.
Price: Approximately £15/17oz
Most effective in improving: female pattern hair loss.
Best feature, according to reviews: fast results in curbing hair loss and thickening hair strands.
While not all hair-thickening shampoos can help you achieve hair growth, the treatment that accompanies this one has a real chance to do so. That is because its active ingredient is stemoxydine, an antioxidant with proven efficiency in resolving hair shedding [25].
The hair thickening treatment can be applied on wet and dry hair alike and is enhanced with menthol, to soothe an irritated scalp. It is ideal for reducing hair thinning and increasing strand diameter in menopausal women, whose hair is naturally becoming finer. At the same time, the pH balanced shampoo can remove product buildup and make your hair softer and shinier.
Price: Approximately £53
Most effective in improving: telogen effluvium, female pattern hair loss
Best feature, according to reviews: It increases hair volume, thickness and shine.
Advancing in age has been found to shorten the anagen (growth) phase of your natural hair growth cycle and to make your strands take more time to regrow after being shed [3]. Ageing can also lead to reduced hair diameter and negative changes in its cosmetic qualities. It often loses pigmentation (i.e. greying), becomes frizzier, duller and depending on your scalp characteristics, either drier or greasier than in its younger days [3]. Strands may also become more brittle and easier to break off.
Moreover, since morbidity increases with age, many seniors take treatments that may result in hair loss as a side effect, such as certain kinds of heart medications, certain cholesterol-lowering drugs, certain anti-inflammatories, etc.
However, the greatest hair challenge faced by seniors is an exacerbation of androgenetic alopecia, due to ageing and hormonal changes in the body. Almost all men and more than half of women [25] in this age group experience this condition. While in some, it may already be too advanced to curb with hair growth products alone, others may achieve some hair regrowth using the following:
Finasteride is the most widely prescribed medication for treating male pattern baldness, as it is quite effective. But studies show that its effect is significantly enhanced when using Minoxidil combined with Finasteride [26]. That is because while Finasteride prevents the excessive production of DHT, Minoxidil helps nourish hair follicles, stimulating new growth.
Normally, Finasteride is not recommended to women, as it can cause foetal malformations. However, there are situations where postmenopausal women can use Finasteride. Recent evidence suggests that this medication may reduce female pattern hair loss, even though it has not yet been approved for this purpose. So if you are a woman with androgenetic alopecia and your trichologist recommends it for your condition, they may provide an off-label prescription [27].
Finasteride requires a prescription to purchase. However, Hims offers free online consultations with licensed medical specialists who can determine whether this medication is beneficial for you and prescribe it to you if needed. Be sure to mention any health conditions or treatments you are taking to the physician, to avoid unwanted side effects or interactions.
Price: Approximately £30/month with a 3-month subscription
Most effective in improving: androgenetic alopecia
Best feature, according to reviews: It is the most potent combination of hair growth medications
Although this treatment is marketed as Rogaine for men, there is no reason why women can’t use it also. Of course, they can opt for the female version of this product, but their ingredients are perfectly identical. Studies show that 5% Minoxidil is more effective in curbing the symptoms of both male and female pattern hair loss than the 2% concentration, making this formula more potent in stimulating hair growth [28].
However, if you are a woman, it may be prudent to try the 2% formulation first, as the 5% may result in excessive hair growth on the forehead.
Most effective in improving: Androgenetic alopecia, telogen effluvium, traction alopecia, medication-induced hair loss
Best feature, according to reviews: It generates reliable – if not formidable – hair growth and the foam is easier to apply than the serum.
Studies showed pumpkin seed oil for hair growth to have very good results in decreasing hair miniaturisation and increasing hair count after 3-6 months of treatment in both men and women [29][30]. Research shows that this oil may be effective in restoring hair loss regardless of whether it is ingested as capsules or massaged into your scalp as a topical oil. But using it regularly in topical form can keep your hair moisturised, soft and shiny.
Some believe that pumpkin seed oil also possesses rejuvenating and anti-ageing properties, protecting your hair from environmental damage. However, more research is needed to quantify these qualities.
Price: Approximately £8/2 oz
Best feature, according to reviews: it is light, does not encumber your scalp and keeps your hair soft, silky and well-moisturised
If you are interested in achieving fuller, thicker hair and reducing hair shedding, there are some lifestyle adjustments you can make alongside using hair growth products:
If you have tried several kinds of hair growth products and none of them worked for you, it is time to book a consultation with a trichologist. This is especially true if you are experiencing advanced hair loss. They will examine your scalp and hair thoroughly and perform all the necessary tests (such as a dermoscopy, a scalp biopsy or blood tests for hair loss) to provide you with an accurate diagnosis.
Once the reason your hair is falling out has been uncovered, your trichologist will recommend the best treatment for your particular condition. Sometimes, the medication you need cannot be found in over-the-counter hair growth products, so you may require prescription drugs, such as certain steroid creams or steroid injections.
If you are an adult experiencing advanced hair loss that does not respond to non-surgical treatment, you may need a hair transplant to regain your hair density and thickness. Fortunately, getting a natural-looking hair transplant is easier than ever and the Wimpole Clinic has excellent results regardless of whether you choose to have a FUE or FUT procedure. See our results for yourself in our before and after hair transplant gallery.
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