You Could be Losing Your Hair – and Your Shampoo Might be the Culprit! Each year, millions are caught in the seemingly endless battle against hair thinning and loss, while the solution could be hiding in their very own bathroom – in their shampoo bottle. You might not realize this, but the shampoo you’re using can play a critical role in determining the thickness, structure, and overall health of your hair. Exciting results from numerous recent clinical studies have shown that the right shampoo could promote thicker hair, especially when used with the right accompanying products. Sadly, many are oblivious […]
Top 5 Hair Growth Serums of 2024: Clinically Tested Results According to a MD in Dermatology
Updated on December 4, 2024
Do hair growth serums really work? Find out what’s proven and discover a scientist’s top picks.
If you’re starting to notice thinning or balding, hair growth serums seem like an obvious solution.
First, these serums are everywhere! And no wonder. Hair growth serums are far more affordable, less painful, and present fewer risks than hair transplants and medicated products.
But can a serum really regrow hair? Sure, any brand can find before and after pictures, but will it regrow your hair? That’s the question.
As a scientist and researcher, I can tell you what the clinical studies say and how to choose the best hair serums on the market right now.
Do Hair Growth Serums Really Work? Here’s What Science Reveals
My MD is in dermatology, which means I specialize in skin and hair health science. So, it’s not surprising that I became very intrigued by the potential of hair growth solutions.
I wanted to know if it’s possible for serums to affect growth without medicated ingredients. To find out, I did an extensive review of the clinical research.
As it turns out, hair serums (the best ones) contain active ingredients that do penetrate the scalp to the follicles and actively affect growth. Studies show that serums can influence hair growth in three ways:
- Reducing scalp inflammation to improve follicle health (thereby indirectly improving growth)
- Stimulating hair follicles to enter the growth phase or stay in the growth phase for a longer period
- Improving blood circulation to expand “shrunken” follicles and deliver nutrients needed for growth
This demonstrates that the science behind hair growth serums is sound.
How Do Hair Growth Serums Compare To Other Solutions
It’s clear that active ingredients in serums can help to grow hair back and fight hair loss in three important ways.
Are these the best ways to influence hair growth? I would argue yes.
The only other ways to regrow hair or prevent loss are to a) transplant hair follicles or b) block DHT (dihydrotestosterone), a hormone. Both of these come with more significant risks and unwanted side effects.
What Can You Realistically Expect From Hair Growth Serums?
Here’s the catch: All hair growth solutions (even transplants and medications) take time. Hair loss takes time, and so does growth. At best, you’ll notice a reduction in hair loss in about 6 weeks. New growth takes 3-6 or even 9 months sometimes.
Also, hair growth serums work best if your hair loss is relatively recent. (This is true for medications, too.) If you’ve had bald spots for years, nudging those follicles back into producing hair might be impossible.
How To Choose A Safe & Effective Hair Growth Serum
Now that you know what hair growth serums can do in theory, let’s look at which ones on the market, based on their ingredients, could potentially tick all three boxes.
We also want to look at safety. Hair growth serums are “use at your own risk” products. You may have heard of cult hair products that ultimately caused hair loss, bald spots, blisters, and even scalp injuries. I don’t want this to happen to you!
Here’s what we’ll look for:
Ingredients that…
- Promote a healthy scalp environment
- Extend the hair growth phase
- Improve circulation to the follicles
- Are recognized as safe for daily, long-term use
These are the four criteria I look for in a hair growth serum backed by evidence.
Top 5 Hair Growth Serums According to a Hair Science Researcher
Now you know what we’re looking for… Which hair growth serums make the cut?
Because I’m a researcher, I’ve only included products with ingredients backed by clinical research. Next, I factor in safety, customer results, and value for money
Notes:
- All hair growth serums should be used daily, so convenience is not a factor in this ranking.
- There are no extra points for brands that claim to grow hair more quickly. Hair grows slowly, no matter what. At best, you’ll see baby hairs in about six weeks but expect to wait months.
- Texture and scent do not factor into this ranking. In this post, I’m focused on growth factors.
Here, you’ll find my top picks for 2024, ranked.
#1 Scandinavian Biolabs’ Bio-Pilixin® Activation Serum
- Description:
As one of the market leaders in clinically tested, plant-powered hair growth products, Scandinavian Biolabs’ hair serum tops our 2024 ranking.
- Rating:
4.9
- Pros:
- Demonstrated efficiency in clinical trials
- Helps reduce hair loss and promote hair density
- Can help extend the hair growth cycle
- Help to promote a healthy scalp environment
- Improves blood flow to the follicles
- Is safe for daily use
- Excellent 4.6 rating on Trustpilot over thousands of reviews
- 150-day money-back guarantee
- Cons:
Customers with sensitive skin may not tolerate the tingling sensation
Relatively expensive at €49 for a 3.4oz (100 ml) bottle
Bio-Pilixin was developed in Europe using relatively new stem cell technology.
The brand’s star ingredient, Bio-Pilixin, is backed by third-party clinical trials with men and women of all ages (and multiple types of hair loss.)
Here are the key clinical findings of the study reported after 150 days of usage:
- 93.3% of volunteers showed a reduction in hair loss. The average hair loss reduction was 45.75%, with a maximum hair loss reduction of 85.08% (volunteer 26)
- 73.3% of volunteers showed a significant improvement in hair density. Capillary density increased by up to 23.31% after the usage.
- 17.5% increase in the number of hair in the anagen (growth) phase after 150 days. 36.5% decrease in the number of hair in the telogen (rest) phase after usage.
- 80% of volunteers reported a moderate-to-intense hair loss reduction.
- 93.3% of volunteers reported being satisfied with the hair loss usage.
Scandinavian Biolabs’ Bio-Pilixin® Activation Serum is backed by a 150-day money-back guarantee. Their serum and other hair growth products are available for men and women.
#2 EssyNaturals’ Hair Growth Oil
- Description:
The active ingredients in this hair growth serum are rosemary oil and caffeine, which are backed by clinical evidence and recognized as safe. Other traditional ingredients in the formula are solid, if not ground-breaking. Overall, EssyNaturals’ serum lost points in this ranking because the complete list of ingredients is not available online.
- Rating:
4
- Pros:
Contains active ingredients for hair growth
May improve scalp circulation
Moisturizes the scalp and promotes a healthy scalp
Relatively inexpensive - Cons:
Full list of ingredients is not available
Efficacy and safety cannot be fully evaluated
#3 Forest & Shore Thrive Hair Oil
- Description:
Forest & Shore’s serum offers a blend of oils to revitalize and preserve damaged hair. These oils combine moisturizing, anti-inflammatory, and stimulating properties. Some ingredients are used traditionally and have not been extensively researched for application in hair growth.
- Rating:
4
- Pros:
Soothes, moisturizes and protects the scalp and hair
May stimulate new growth and/or extend the hair growth cycle
Relatively inexpensive at £18.99 for a 3.4oz (100 ml) bottle - Cons:
Research on individual ingredients is mixed
Multiple ingredients can cause interactions (potential for skin irritation)
#4 Vegamour GRO Hair Serum
- Description:
This well-known hair serum contains several ingredients that may stimulate hair growth. It also includes an impressive number of ingredients to promote scalp comfort and improve hair texture. Downsides? The results come solely from a “consumer study. Brand-led consumer studies are less reliable, which is where this serum loses points.
- Rating:
3.8
- Pros:
Contains active ingredients for hair growth
Users observed less hair loss and stronger, healthier hair
Realistic promises (results start around 90 days)
Promotes scalp and hair health
Vegan, cruelty-free formula - Cons:
Expensive at £64 for 1oz (30 ml) bottle
Results are from a brand-led user study (not a clinical trial)
Company has faced legal challenges for exaggerated marketing claims
Also, the cost can be prohibitive. Ounce for ounce, Vegamour is almost 3x the price of the top-rated growth serum.
#5 Grow Gorgeous Intense Hair Growth Serum
- Description:
Grow Gorgeous is a “hair density” serum combining natural and synthetic ingredients. Some research supports the growth ingredients, which include caffeine, pea sprout extract, green tea extract, and clover flower extract. This formula loses points because it includes multiple ingredients that could be irritating.
- Rating:
3.5
- Pros:
Contains ingredients that can stimulate hair growth
Exfoliates, deeply hydrates, soothes, and protects scalp
Supports hair health
Relatively inexpensive at £45 for a 3.4oz (60 ml) bottle - Cons:
No effect on scalp hormonal balance or hair growth gene expression, lack of ingredient strength or diversity
Sources
MyHealthGuide uses only trusted sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
- Prospective Efficacy and Safety Study of an Innovative Kerascalp Hair Growth Serum in Mild-to-Moderate Alopecia in India: Regrowth Study
- Serum Vitamin D3 Level in Patients with Female Pattern Hair Loss
- Clinical Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of a Hair Serum Product in Healthy Adult Male and Female Volunteers with Hair Fall
- Comparative Study of the Online Over-The-Counter Hair Loss Products
- Real-World, Open-Label Study of the Efficacy and Safety of a Novel Serum in Androgenetic Alopecia
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