Do Hair Growth Products Really Works?

Hair Growth Products: Do They Work?

Unless you have been naturally blessed with a headful of glossy and voluminous hair that has maintained its glory over time, it is safe to assume that you would have scoured the supermarket aisles for products that promise you fuller and thicker hair at one point or the other. With hair fall issues like excessive shedding, thinning, and baldness on the rise, the global hair loss treatment industry is set to grow at an unprecedented rate. You can easily find a range of shampoos, hair oils, tonics, and capsules that claim to speed up hair growth in the market today.

Are Hair Growth Products Effective?

Not all hair growth products have the same efficacy when it comes to slowing down the rate of hair fall and promoting hair growth. Both scientific studies and anecdotal evidence suggest that the success rates of different hair growth products vary from person to person though some products, in general, are more effective than others. Let us take a look at the effectiveness of some popular hair growth products based on scientific evidence.

1. Minoxidil

Minoxidil is a medication commonly prescribed by dermatologists to treat androgenetic alopecia (AGA) in both men and women. It is available in the form of a liquid solution and foam meant for topical application on dermatologists prescription . Studies on topical Minoxidils efficacy as an agent for the stimulation of scalp hair regrowth in those with AGA have shown positive results. While Minoxidil is an effective treatment for AGA, it is not yet known how effective it is in treating other forms of hair loss in men and women.

2. Finasteride

Finasteride is a prescription medication often used to treat hair loss in men. It works as an inhibitor that blocks the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the hormone responsible for male pattern hair loss . Scientific studies have proven finasteride to be an effective hair loss prevention treatment in males. Taking the drug in oral form can not only prevent further hair loss in most men but also has the potential to promote scalp hair growth. So, if you are a man dealing with male pattern hair loss, you might want to try finasteride. This drug, however, is not suitable for women or children.

3. Hair growth shampoos

Several shampoos promise to combat hair fall and give you thicker and healthy hair. While shampoos with ingredients like zinc, biotin, aloe vera, and saw palmetto could improve the overall quality of your hair, their efficacy as a hair growth product hasn’t been scientifically proven as yet. Volumizing shampoos can make your hair look fuller but do little to combat hair thinning or boost new growth.

4. Hair growth oils

An ancient remedy touted to promote better hair growth, hot oil massage is making a comeback into the hair care routine of the modern individual due to its perceived benefits. While using natural oils like olive oil and almond oil might make your hair shinier and easier to manage, there is limited scientific evidence to prove that these oils can indeed reverse hair loss or regrow lost hair.

5. Scalp massagers and laser combs

Scalp massagers and laser combs are products that claim to massage your scalp with gentle pressure and boost faster hair growth by stimulating hair follicles. While you may try these out to enjoy the relaxing effects of a scalp massage, keep in mind that the claims that these products help tackle hair loss are not scientifically backed.