If you’re actually suffering from hair loss, that’s one thing, but lately the beauty market has been saturated with products that claim to improve hair growth and volume that are otherwise healthy, but maybe just a little thinner than you’d like.
If your FYP is loaded with hair-building vitamins, scalp serums, and other products that swear they’ll thicken and grow your curls faster, you’re probably right to be at least a little skeptical. We spoke to experts to find out if any of these products actually work.
Many serums claim to actually make your hair grow faster. Getty Images
Why might your hair not be as thick as you want it to be?
There can be many reasons why your hair is not as thick as you would like. “The condition of our hair can be a reflection of our overall health,” said clinical trichologist Kate Holden. She cited factors such as genetics, hormonal changes, nutritional deficiencies, illness, medication or stress as causes of hair loss and even shedding.
Stress, you say? Yes. “Stress can have a huge impact on hair, both through physical factors like illness and weight loss, and through emotional stressors,” Holden said. And there’s more: “Harsh styling, harsh hairstyles and chemical treatments can weaken hair shafts over time and make hair appear thinner,” she added.
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Thickening products: how they work
There are several products that aim to make hair look or feel thicker by physically coating and compacting the hair shaft to make it appear fuller.
These products, such as volumizing shampoos, volumizing sprays, and mousses, work instantly to coat each strand, slightly plumping the cuticle and adding volumizing polymers. There are also products that contain hair fiber, and some act as concealers, sticking to existing hair to add instant volume. But remember that these are temporary measures that only last until you use another shampoo.
Thickening products include L’Oréal EverStrong Thickening Shampoo and Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Lemon Sage Thickening Shampoo, or specialist products like Bumble and Bumble Thickening Spray and Living Proof Fully Thickening Blow Dry. Fiber coating options include Toppik hair growth fiber and Caboki hair development fiber.
Dermatologist Dr. Efe Kakpovbia said her most popular products are Olaplex and Aphogee. “They’re great for strengthening hair,” she said. “They contain proteins such as keratin and peptides that help rebuild hair structure by forming disulfide bonds that make strands stronger and less prone to breakage.” She also recommended the Head & Shoulders Royal Oils collection. “It works especially well for individuals with tight curl patterns and dry hair,” she said.
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Growth Products: How They Work
If a coating alone isn’t long-lasting enough for you, you can try treatments that aim to promote healthier growth or reduce shedding.
Topical serums and scalp care products include brands such as Chāmpo’s growth serum and Vegamour’s Gro hair serum. It is important to note that serums, even hair growth promoting ones, are classified as cosmetics and not drugs. This means that their efficacy claims do not need to be rigorously tested, and often are not. Independent clinical trials are often small, short-term or company-funded. At least so far, no substantial research has been done to support the claims of hair growth from cosmetic serums.
For example, Chāmpo Pitta Growth Serum claims that in independent studies, 2022 90% of users saw a reduction in hair loss. However, they offer no citations to any published article, journal article, independent consumer tests, or clinical studies to support this claim. These are brand results and should be treated as marketing data rather than independently verified evidence.
in 2025 The study, Topical Alternatives for Hair Loss: Beyond the Common, published in the International Journal of Trichology, reviewed the clinical evidence for ingredients including Redensyl, Procapil, Capixyl, Baicapil, AnaGain, onion juice, coffee extract, palm extract, pumpkin seed oil (PSO), and rosemary oil. However, there were problems with the data, as the study concluded with methodological flaws such as limited sample size, lack of a representative sample, inadequate comparison with standard therapies, qualitative rather than quantitative measures of hair regrowth, and conflicts of interest in the form of pharmaceutical company sponsorships.
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The study did not identify any of the ingredients tested as a “magic bullet” type of alternative hair growth ingredient. It suggested that topical treatment could be used as an adjunctive or alternative treatment for patients intolerant to standard treatment, and concluded that more rigorous, large-scale studies are needed.
While they may not work as well as they claim, most of these cosmetic serums are unlikely to cause any harm to your hair or scalp. You may experience redness or itching, and some natural ingredients such as rosemary, peppermint, or saw palmetto may cause allergic reactions in some individuals. However, there is still no proven, science-based evidence that any of them are very effective for hair growth.
“Stress can have a huge impact on hair, both through physical factors such as illness and weight loss, and through emotional stressors,” said clinical trichologist Kate Holden. Emilija Manevska via Getty Images.
Vitamins: How they work
There are also several nutritional supplements and vitamins on the market, such as Nutrafol and Viviscal, which are designed to address the internal causes of hair weakness or breakage. There is currently no strong clinical evidence that these treatments are effective, although some small studies, often funded by companies, have shown modest improvement. in 2023 study found some potential benefits of supplementation, but as with the growth serum study, this study also noted limitations in study design, population, and standardization.
Before buying any of these often expensive supplements, Holden said, you’ll want to start by understanding what your body actually needs. “If you have a blood test and everything is consistent with a healthy diet, then you don’t need to supplement,” she said. “However, supplements can be helpful if a deficiency is identified.”
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“Many people have found hair loss vitamins and supplements to be beneficial because they can improve the health of their hair and scalp,” said esthetician Dr. Michele Green. She warned that they certainly won’t help everyone, especially if you’re in a more difficult situation. “For individuals with hair loss due to genetics, hormonal imbalances or stress, vitamins may not be effective and may need to turn to topical or oral prescription medications for better results.”
Another concern about these vitamins: “Patients often look to supplements that contain biotin, but I advise caution with oral biotin supplements,” Kakpovbia said. “They can interfere with laboratory tests for thyroid and heart disease, especially troponin levels.”
Is it time for minoxidil?
While some products can help improve the appearance of your hair, you may be ready to try something stronger. The only over-the-counter topical medication with strong clinical trialh is based on minoxidil, which has been shown to increase blood flow to the scalp and increase the caliber of hair follicles. “Over-the-counter topical minoxidil has been shown to promote hair growth,” Green said.
It is supplied in 2% and 5% solutions andstudies have shown that the 5% version works better, although it may irritate the scalp more or cause temporary shedding.
Green said a dermatologist may prescribe compounded versions that contain higher concentrations of minoxidil (up to 10%) or may contain added ingredients. Many dermatologists now prescribe low-dose oral minoxidil, which may be better for those who do not respond well to topical treatments.
Know when to see a doctor
“If you notice sudden or patchy hair loss, loss that lasts longer than six months, or scalp irritation, it’s a good idea to see a trichologist or dermatologist,” Holden said. “You should thoroughly review your medical history and hair care routine, and perform a thorough examination to determine the underlying cause and best treatment options. In addition to topical or oral minoxidil, your dermatologist may recommend a prescription containing finasteride or spironolactone if your hair loss is caused by hormonal factors. You may also consider platelet-rich plasma therapy or low-level, in-office laser treatment.”
Whatever you do, though, you’ll have to be patient. Like anyone who’s had to wait for bad bangs to grow out, you’ll find that changing your hair isn’t quick, so don’t expect instant results. “It usually takes at least three to six months before you see significant changes because hair growth cycles are slow,” Holden said. “Consistency is key.”
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