5 Popular Hair Growth Products: What the Evidence Shows

Photo by TI1880, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

When it comes to self-care, which parts of your body get your maximum attention? It must be your skin and hair. Yes, it’s right. Almost all of us pay very special attention to improve or maintain these two things.

Well, what are the reasons behind your hair care being this crucial? It might be because they can change your entire appearance. Secondly, once your hair starts thinning, it can take many months to see improvement, even with treatment. Hair loss is very common, and millions of people deal with it. Well, with the increasing number of hair problems, the number of solutions is also elevating. These solutions are in the form of different hair growth products.

How can you identify the best product in the crowd of hair related stuff? It sometimes becomes overwhelming to choose the right thing for your hair. We know your confusion. Here we look at a few popular hair growth products and what the evidence says about them. Read on to learn more:

Popular hair growth products

Hair loss has many causes, so identify the root cause first. The American Academy of Dermatology says a board-certified dermatologist can diagnose the cause of hair loss and recommend treatment.

It is because different products target various problems. If you are very keen to get requisite results, you should need to do some homework first.

Only two medicines are FDA approved for common hereditary hair loss: minoxidil (applied to the scalp) and finasteride (a prescription pill for men). The shampoos and supplements below are not FDA approved to regrow hair.

REVITA Hair Growth Shampoo

This USA-made shampoo is marketed for thinning hair. The manufacturer says it reduces hair loss and supports new growth, but there is little independent research on the product itself.

Hair growth products

Its listed ingredients have included biotin, emu oil, caffeine, vitamin B2, amino acids and ketoconazole. Formulas change, so check the current label.

Some of these ingredients, such as ketoconazole and caffeine, have shown modest effects in small studies. That is not the same as proof that this shampoo regrows hair.

It is also free of sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), which can irritate or dry some people's skin. If you have a scalp condition, ask a dermatologist before trying it.

REVITA may suit people who want a gentle shampoo with ingredients linked to hair growth & thickness, but keep expectations modest.

NIZORAL A-D Shampoo

This NIZORAL shampoo is an over-the-counter dandruff treatment. Here is how it may help your scalp:

Hair growth products

The major ingredient of this shampoo is ketoconazole. Are you hearing its name for the first time? Don’t worry! We are here to elaborate on it.

This component plays its major role by fighting against fungus growth on your scalp. If the real cause behind your hair loss is fungus, then this ingredient could be of great help for you.

The NIZORAL also contains an ability to fight against dandruff. It is another major hair problem that can put you in stress.

All in all, NIZORAL A-D is a proven dandruff shampoo that can relieve flaking and itching. A few small studies suggest ketoconazole shampoo may help with hair thinning, but it is not approved as a hair growth treatment.

Lipogaine hair growth stimulating shampoo

The maker of this shampoo focuses on hair loss products. What does it contain?

It contains several natural ingredients. A few of its components are biotin, castor oil, emu oil, coconut oil, jojoba oil, sage oil, and others.

Biotin (vitamin B7) is often marketed for hair growth. A true biotin deficiency can cause hair loss, but it is rare. The American Academy of Dermatology advises taking biotin, iron or zinc only when a blood test shows a deficiency.

Besides biotin, the other ingredients are mostly natural oils that can condition the scalp and hair. There is no good evidence that this shampoo regrows hair.

Natrol Biotin Supplement

This product is not a shampoo but a supplement. Each pill contains 10,000 mcg (micrograms) of biotin, which is hundreds of times the 30 mcg adults need each day.

Biotin dissolves in water and has no known toxic dose, but high doses are not risk-free. The FDA warns that biotin can significantly interfere with certain lab tests. It has caused falsely low troponin results, a test used to diagnose heart attacks.

If you take biotin, tell your doctor and the lab before any blood test.

Biotin helps the body turn food into energy. There is little evidence that extra biotin improves hair growth in people who are not deficient.

If your hair loss is due to a confirmed biotin deficiency, a supplement can help. Otherwise, it is unlikely to make a visible difference.

Derma Roller

This product is different from the others. It is a tool rather than something you wash with or swallow.

It is not any shampoo, conditioner, or supplements. Rather, it is a handheld tool. Its main part contains very small surgical needles. When you use it on your scalp, it makes small wounds on your skin.

This stimulates the scalp's natural healing process. The AAD notes that a few studies show microneedling can help stimulate hair growth, often combined with minoxidil. It can also worsen some conditions, so check with a dermatologist first.

For those feeling confused about its working, here is the logic:

When you get any type of wound, your body starts working immediately on it to produce a new layer. It is a natural working of our body.

Researchers think this healing response may also stimulate hair follicles. Keep the roller clean and never share it, because broken skin can get infected.

Derma roller is not only for your hair growth. Rather, it is useful for treating many other problems. Many people also use it to treat acne or stretch marks.

Conclusion

Our hair plays a very significant role in deciding our appearance. If they are good and healthy, it will affect our overall looks in a very positive way and vice versa.

Genetics, hormones, illness, stress and nutrition can all cause hair loss, and millions of people are affected. That demand has led manufacturers to make a large number of hair growth products.

Despite the presence of countless products, we find it very hard to choose the best one. Every glitter is not gold. The same can apply to these products.

There are many over-hyped products. Of the options here, ketoconazole shampoo treats dandruff, and microneedling has some early evidence. Biotin helps only if you are deficient.

For hereditary hair loss, minoxidil and finasteride have the strongest evidence. See a dermatologist for a diagnosis before spending money on products.