Hair loss can be a confidence killer, but you don’t have to accept it as your scalp’s fate. Hair growth products are an easy solution to getting more volume, but it won’t happen overnight.
We talked with seven hair experts, and almost every one said their clients have the same complaint: They don’t see results fast enough. “Everyone wants magic in a bottle,” says Vito Esposito, a celebrity stylist who’s worked with Hoda Kotb, Tina Fey, Nicky Hilton, and Britney Spears. But, he compares your scalp to a garden, adding that “if the roots aren’t healthy, nothing grows.”
Instant gratification plays a “huge factor” when it comes to people shopping for hair growth products, according to celebrity hair stylist Wesley O’Meara (whose clients have included Sarah Jessica Parker and Chloë Sevigny). It takes time, though — double board-certified facial plastic surgeon and hair-restoration expert Dr. Yael Halaas says a decrease in shedding usually happens within the first month and regrowth occurs after six months of use.
To narrow down your options, we asked our experts what products are actually worth the investment, and they gave us non-greasy serums, shampoo and conditioner sets, and more picks.
Expert-Recommended Hair Growth Products
Paisle Botanics Biotin DHT-Blocker Shampoo and Conditioner
Amazon
Esposito suggests looking for hair growth products that are “like a good espresso in the morning.” Meaning, formulas that use natural ingredients like biotin and caffeine, which “wakes up the scalp.” This shampoo and conditioner combo have both of those key ingredients and won’t add an extra step to your beauty routine.
Ingredients to Look Out for
Not all hair growth formulas are made the same, which is why Esposito suggests making sure you pick ones that contain one or more of these ingredients:
- Biotin
- Keratin
- Caffeine
- Lupine Proteins
- Essential oils like rosemary, ginger, and peppermint to boost circulation
Nutrafol Women’s Hair Serum
Amazon
Incorporating a nourishing serum or scalp treatment into your hair care is “key,” according to celebrity hair stylist Jerome Lordet. He recommends using Nutrafol’s hair serum, which has a lightweight feel and only needs to be applied to your scalp once a day. It uses natural ingredients like Irish moss peptides and pea sprout extract to promote thicker hair.
Things to Avoid
- Make sure to give hair growth products time before you try another method. Celebrity hair stylist E Williams warns that “switching between products too quickly or stopping altogether can actually set you back, not speed things up.”
- Be weary of “empty marketing claims,” warns Briana Dunning, celebrity stylist and co-founder of Unsubscribe. “Look for the words ‘clinically proven,’ this means the benefits have been third-party verified and backed up by science,” she explains.
Davines Energizing Hair-Thickening Tonic
Nordstrom
You shouldn’t ignore scalp health, Lordet adds. Davines hair tonic is another favorite of his because it contains peptides and caffeine that “stimulate the [hair] follicles and encourage growth.”
Ibiza Hair Round Boar Bristle Brush
Amazon
“Hair brushes are also super important when dealing with hair loss or breakage,” says Kim Gueldner, celebrity stylist and founder of Voel Hair. She tells clients to use a boar bristle brush because they “help distribute natural oils and are more gentle, which helps to protect the integrity of the hair.” Her go-to is this Ibiza round brush, which is used in salons.
Expert Styling Tip
Creating lift and movement is the key to getting volume, according to celebrity hair stylist Jerome Lordet. Below, he breaks down his go-to styling method that can easily be applied to your hair routine:
- Start by blow-drying your hair upside down or lifting sections at the root with a round brush to build body (a volumizing mousse or spray applied to damp hair before styling can really amplify the effect).
- Once the hair is dry, a few tricks can make a big difference: You can try backcombing at the crown for a subtle lift, or using a large-barrel curling iron to add soft waves and texture.
- Finish with a lightweight dry shampoo or texture spray at the roots to keep the style full and bouncy all day.
Cécred Restoring Hair & Edge Drops
Ulta
Williams can’t help but gush over the Cécred hair drops. “It’s a lightweight, daily serum designed to support a healthy scalp and promote the appearance of fuller, thicker hair,” but only with consistent use, he explains.
Vegamour Gro Hair Serum
Amazon
“I like serums that are not greasy,” Dunning says, which is why she tells people to pick up Vegamour’s hair growth serum. The formula has clinically proven ingredients, which she considers a green flag. It can also be used on wet or dry hair, so you can easily apply it after a shower or before you leave for work.
Kérastase Genesis Hair Serum
Amazon
Kérastase’s hair serum has joined Lordet’s list of recommendations for clients. It has a mix of hair- and scalp-nourishing ingredients like caffeine, amino acids, and ginger root extract. You don’t have to rinse it out after applying, and it can be applied into sections of your head, allowing you to target specific areas.
Act+Acre Cold-Processed Stem Cell Scalp Serum
Amazon
When clients ask for recommendations, this is one of the scalp serums that Dunning suggests. It meets her third-party-tested requirements and has a lightweight formula that doesn’t “weigh the hair down.”
