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Frequently asked questions
What is the best-proven product for thinning hair?
If you’re experiencing hair thinning, the right products can make a big difference. The best approach focuses on hair growth, scalp health, and follicle strength. “Minoxidil is the most tried-and-true ingredient for hair loss and thinning,” says Dr. Mislankar. (You might recognize it as the main ingredient in Rogaine, which is a minoxidil foam.)
Other ingredients like “biotin, caffeine, rosemary oil, and niacinamide have also been shown to promote the temporary appearance of hair thickness,” says Jae-Manuel Cardenas, a New York City-based hairstylist, who recommends root lifters, volumizing products, and other hairstyle formulas to temporarily deliver fuller hair.
Hair-growth supplements are a dime a dozen, but dermatologists don’t agree on how much they can really help. And since they can come with side effects, it’s important to talk to your doctor first.
Can hair grow back after thinning?
Hair can grow back after thinning, but it depends on the cause. “In some cases, like telogen effluvium—temporary hair shedding caused by stress, illness, or hormonal changes—hair often grows back on its own with time and patience,” says Dr. Mislankar. (For instance, minoxidil won’t do a whole lot for postpartum hair loss, which is caused by hormone changes during and after pregnancy.)
However, if thinning is due to androgenetic alopecia (hereditary hair loss, or female-pattern hair loss), long-term treatments like medications or procedures are usually needed to maintain new growth. “While waiting for hair to regrow, avoiding excessive heat styling or harsh chemicals helps prevent further damage. Volumizing shampoos, leave-in treatments, and proper styling techniques can also make hair appear fuller in the meantime,” she says.
What are the “Big 3” for thinning hair?
The big three for thinning hair are minoxidil, finasteride, and ketoconazole. “They each play a special part in encouraging hair growth. Minoxidil works by widening blood vessels in your scalp, boosting circulation so more nutrients reach your hair follicles—helping to spark new growth and keep shedding in check. Finasteride blocks an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase—the one that turns testosterone into DHT (a.k.a. the hormone that makes hair follicles shrink and leads to thinning). Less DHT means your follicles stay active longer, helping to keep your hair where it belongs. Ketoconazole isn’t just for fighting fungus—it also helps mitigate scalp inflammation, one of the culprits behind hair loss. Research suggests it has mild anti-androgenic properties, meaning it may help minimize DHT’s impact on hair follicles,” says Dr. Mislankar. Together, they can create the ideal foundation for new hair growth.
Meet the experts
- Sherry Backman, a cosmetic chemist based in Brattleboro, Vermont
- Jae-Manuel Cardenas, a senior hairstylist at Ollin Salon NYC by Johnny Ramirez, based in New York City
- Cherin Choi, a hairstylist and colorist based in Los Angeles
- Michelle Henry, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skin & Aesthetic Surgery of Manhattan, based in New York City
- Omer Ibrahim, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Salmalita Cosmetics, based in Chicago
- Jerome Lordet, founder and owner of Jerome Lordet Salon, based in New York City
- Sanda Petrut, a stylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago
- Carlos Vieira, a board-certified dermatologist at The Dermatology Specialists based in Philadelphia
How we test and review products
We always enlist a range of testers for our makeup vertical, but hair-care products and tools are another story. While there are certainly products that can be used across different hair textures, lengths, curl patterns, thicknesses, colors (natural and unnatural), and needs, hair products are often created with specific consumers in mind. Many are created in order to address a concern (dandruff, breakage, brittleness) or to work most effectively for a specific hair type (4C curls, wavy hair, gray hair). You wouldn’t want to pick up a purple shampoo that’s only been reviewed by someone with, say, auburn hair, or a diffuser that’s never been tested by anyone with curls—right?
For our review of the best products for thinning hair, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and hair experts—many of whom want shinier, healthier-looking hair. Testers considered performance across four primary categories: efficacy, texture and experience, fragrance, and packaging. For more on what’s involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
