Best Hair Growth Solutions: Top Treatments

Our hair impacts our confidence and appearance. When hair frays and hairlines recede, it’s normal to want to hide. Hair loss can be such a painful thing. Thankfully, hair loss solutions can effectively stimulate hair growth. OTC and prescription meds can help you manage alopecia and strengthen hair. 

Let’s compare the best hair growth solutions based on clinical backing, customer reviews, and overall effectiveness. We’ll also discuss what causes hair loss and how to regrow hair. 

Understanding Hair Growth and Loss

How Hair Growth Works

To better understand hair loss conditions and treatment, scientists have heavily researched hair loss and the four-stage hair growth cycle. The hair growth cycle involves:

Anagen: The hair follicles push out hair that grows for 2 to 8 years. ~90% of your head hair is in this phase at any time  

Catagen: For 2 weeks after the anagen phase, the hairs separate from the hair follicle  

Telogen: Before falling out, the hairs enter the 2-month resting period of the telogen phase 

Exogen: Shedding phase. Usually, a new hair is ready to grow out after the old hair sheds 

Nutrition is crucial for healthy hair and scalp. Without sufficient nutrients, the hair follicles and hair can struggle to grow. Deficiencies can lead to hair shedding, frayed hair, and hair thinning. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies can also lead to scalp irritation and increase the risk of inflammation. 

The most important nutritional components for hair are:

• Vitamin A
• Vitamin B6, B12, and folic acid
• Vitamin C
• Iron 
• Zinc
• Protein 

Common Causes of Hair Loss

Hair loss is a complex, frustrating topic for many. While everyone is different, here are the most common reasons for hair loss. 

Genetics: Heredity plays a large role in hair loss. Androgenic alopecia is the hair loss condition associated with aging, also known as male-pattern baldness and female-pattern baldness. The stages are predictable. Male-pattern baldness begins with a receding hairline and bald spots, while female-pattern baldness involves thinning hair.

Hormonal changes: Hormones can lead to either temporary or permanent hair loss. Hormonal changes are prominent due to pregnancy, menopause, childbirth, and thyroid disorders. 

Mental stress: A hair-pulling disorder, trichotillomania, can be exacerbated by stress. Stress management and therapy are helpful for trichotillomania. 

Diet: Insufficient or excessive nutrients can both lead to hair loss. For example, citrus fruits and green veggies are necessary for collagen and sebum production. 

Autoimmune disorders: Alopecia areata (AA) is an immune system condition that causes patchy hair loss and scalp infections. Alopecia totalis is a severe form that means total hair loss. Alopecia universalis causes hair loss across the entire body. There is currently no cure for alopecia, but treatment can help manage the condition and promote hair growth in both children and adults. 

Physical stress: Prolonged tension on the hair, such as tight hairstyles, can lead to traction alopecia. Injury to hair follicles (anagen effluvium) can also cause hair loss. 

Choosing the Right Hair Growth Solution

Prescription vs Over-the-Counter (OTC) Treatments

Prescription Hair Growth Solutions:

Healthcare providers can prescribe hair growth treatments and other medications to address hair loss concerns. These solutions typically have stronger ingredients that have undergone rigorous standards of testing to be approved by the FDA. Prescriptions tend to target the underlying cause of hair loss (e.g. hormonal imbalances) as opposed to more superficial OTC solutions.

Pros:  

• More effective treatments, especially for androgenetic alopecia 
• Medical supervision
• Targets hormonal hair loss
• Can be cheaper 

Cons:

• Potential negative side effects
• Requires a doctor’s visit 
• Harder for everyone to obtain certain medications or treatments 

OTC Hair Growth Solutions: 

Over-the-counter hair growth treatment starts at $20 and can cost hundreds of dollars. Rogaine is the most popular OTC hair regrowth product for men, while Nutrafol is the most well known of women’s hair growth products. OTC products are generally less effective than prescription meds, but are much more accessible since they do not require a doctor’s visit.  

Pros:

• Better accessibility 
• Usually milder + fewer side effects 
• Good for early intervention

Cons:

• Not personalized 
• Not as effective 
• Needs ongoing application 
• May not address underlying hair loss cause 

Each type of hair loss treatment has its own pros and cons. The choice is yours. At the end of the day, it is important to choose FDA-approved ingredients for safety reasons. The FDA requires clinical trials to demonstrate the solution’s safety and effectiveness. 

Non-approved products can be dangerous or ineffective. Even if they can help with hair growth, they may cause other severe health concerns or be carcinogenic. The unproven claims may also mean a waste of money and time. 

Key Ingredients 

Hair care and growth products generally use a blend of the following ingredients. 

Minoxidil: Used in hair regrowth for men. 

Finasteride: Treats hair loss in men. 

Biotin: AKA Vitamin B7. Biotin deficiency can cause hair thinning. 

Natural extracts: Saw palmetto and other natural extracts can be good. 

There are also notorious hair care ingredients that you should avoid. Many of these preservative ingredients pose varying degrees of danger, ranging from scalp irritation to possibly carcinogenic. Here are some cosmetic ingredients to avoid:

• Parabens
• Sulfates
• Silicones 
• Coal tar
• Phthalates  

The federal authorities do still allow parabens and other hazardous ingredients in products and food. Fortunately, consumer concerns and demand have pushed hair care companies to use safer ingredients for hair growth solutions. Keep an eye out for the FDA-approved label, which is a safety and effectiveness assurance. 

Top 5 Hair Growth Solutions

Hair growth solutions vary by gender. Here are the top 5 hair growth solutions we’ve researched and tried. 

Hims – Best for Male Pattern Baldness

4.9/5 rating

Hims is the best for male pattern baldness, receding hairlines, and overall hair loss for men. Hims is available as both pills and topical medications. 

We love how Hims makes hair growth solutions accessible and affordable. Their 100% online process offers you a free consultation. They also provide FDA-approved treatment options with clinically proven ingredients, so you can rest assured it’s not snake oil. 

People who use Hims see results in as little as 3-6 months. 

(Plus, you get free delivery if it’s prescribed. That’s always a treat.) 

Hers – Best for Female Hair Loss

4.8/5 rating

Hers comes in pills, chewables, and topicals. We’re a big fan of how simple it is to get started with Hers for female hair loss. Just take the hair quiz to personalize your treatment, and then you can subscribe to their effective hair regrowth treatment kits. No more stressing and second-guessing treatment options, and much less hair falling into the drain.

Hers is FDA-approved and dermatologist-approved with science-backed research. They understand how hormonal changes and aging can lead to female pattern hair loss. You can even get a free consultation and delivery. Hers customers can generally see progress within 3-6 months. 

Happy Head – Best Customizable Solutions for Men

4.7/5 rating

Happy Head uses the strongest FDA-approved ingredients and dermatologist-made custom formulations for male pattern baldness and overall hair loss. They offer pills and mess-free topical treatments, great for those who dislike the inconvenience of traditional topical treatments. 

To get started with Happy Head, complete a quick 1-minute questionnaire. You can also cancel anytime if you are not satisfied with the results. 

Happy Head Women – Best Customizable Solutions for Women

4.6/5 rating

Happy Head Woman is one of the best customizable hair loss solutions for women. Their special formulations address women’s hair concerns, like hair thinning near the crown of the scalp and female pattern hair loss. The ingredients are strong and effective, while still being FDA-approved. 

Happy Head Women provides free shipping, which helps reduce how much you pay for hair loss solutions. Plus, with no contracts, you can easily cancel anytime if you’re dissatisfied with the progress. 

Strut – Best Pharmaceutical Compounding

4.6/5 rating

Ready to waltz around with more hair and improved confidence? Strut has your back. They offer pills, gels, and topical medications for hair loss. Their personalized care is custom-compounded with multiple active ingredients. The preservative-free, alcohol-free gel option is a popular option. 

With Strut, you get free online MD visits and free follow-ups on your hair regrowth journey. You can cancel at any time with no fees. Plus, the compound treatments come with free shipping. 

Tips for Maximizing Hair Growth Results

Gentle scalp and hair care 

Experts recommend routine scalp massages. Gentle massaging can promote hair growth by way of increasing blood flow to hair follicles. 

The shampoo and conditioner you choose can also make a big difference. You may want a hydrating or thickening formula. 

Steer clear of sulfate shampoos that can cause irritation and clogged follicles. Also avoid formaldehyde, silicones, parabens, and other hazardous ingredients. 

Healthy diet and supplementation

It is much harder to have healthy hair growth without a nourishing diet. Here are some foods that generally support hair growth: 

• Eggs and dairy products: Contain keratin, a key protein for hair strength and growth
• Shellfish, spinach, and meat: Contain iron. Iron deficiency can cause hair loss
• Grains and shellfish: Contain zinc, which can improve hair follicle function 
• Fatty fish and supplements: Omega-3 fatty acids can improve hair shine and strength 
• Almonds and eggs: Vitamin B (biotin) helps avoid brittle hair 
• Leafy greens and carrots: Vitamin A supports healthy, moisturized hair  

Check with your healthcare provider about whether a new diet or supplements are right for you. What’s edible and advisable for one person may not be healthy for another. Too much of any nutrient can also cause health issues, and some supplements may have side effects. For example, regular intake of biotin supplements can cause acne breakouts, though biotin is useful for hair care. 

If you suffer from alopecia, your doctor may recommend a special regimen, like gel pills, to supplement your diet. 

Reduce stress and protect hair from physical damage 

Mental stress can lead to hair loss and thinning. Stress-induced hair loss is typically temporary, and self-care can go a long way in mitigating or reversing its effects. To handle chronic stress, here are some effective techniques: 

• Practice mindfulness 
• Meditate for relaxation 
• Have a consistent sleep routine
• Take time out to enjoy your hobbies
• Exercise regularly 

Physical trauma can also lead to permanent or temporary hair loss. Minimizing hair damage is important since physical stressors can impede hair growth, hasten hair shedding, or cause baldness. Tips for hair care include:

• Avoid combing hair too much (especially if it’s wet)
• Reduce the use of dryers, straighteners, and other hair stylers
• Opt for looser braids – avoiding smaller, tighter braids or using gentler hair ties 
• Trim ends every 2 months to prevent split ends 

Regular consultations with healthcare professionals 

A trichologist (hair treatment professional), dermatologist, or other healthcare professional can help tackle personal hair-related issues. Since hair loss is often a hereditary concern, an expert can help you create a more personalized hair care plan. 

Hair growth treatments can take half to one whole year before seeing substantial progress. Because of this, it is often helpful to obtain professional supervision or guidance so that your time is not wasted on ineffective treatments. 

Conclusion

Hair loss isn’t the same for everyone. It can be due to genetic reasons or hormonal fluctuations. It can be natural and caused by aging. Major stress can even induce hair loss. 

The best treatment for baldness is often a blend of different hair solutions and therapies. Early action is essential since hair growth treatments can take time before they set in. 

• OTC treatments: Accessible, generally less effective 
• Prescription: Targets specific causes of hair loss; less accessible

Consult a health provider for personalized advice, especially if you’re looking to try a new supplement, diet, or medication.