Best Hair Growth Products for Women

Minoxidil is an organic compound that is now commonly used to treat hair loss.  Although its mechanism of action is not fully understood, its hair growth properties may be related to its action as a vasodilator.  Increasing blood flow through capillaries and improving circulation in the skin may provide better oxygen and nutrient delivery to hair follicles.

A 5% minoxidil foam, which goes by the well-known brand name “Rogaine,” has been approved by the FDA for use in men since 2006.  Clinical studies found that women who use a 5% minoxidil foam once per day or a 2% minoxidil solution twice daily had increased hair counts.  It has been approved for use in women in the United States since 2014, and currently is the only FDA-approved drug for female androgenetic alopecia.¹

If you start using minoxidil, it might take about 3-6 months before you start noticing benefits.  Once you start using it, you will need to keep consistently using minoxidil in order to maintain your hair’s greater thickness.

Some vitamin deficiencies are linked to poor hair growth and strength.  In women, deficiencies in dietary biotin, zinc, and even iron may lead to hair loss.²  If your hair has started falling out or breaking, make sure you are getting enough of these vitamins and minerals in your diet, and take supplements if needed.

Newer supplements have been developed to take advantage of the hair growth-stimulating properties of certain natural substances.  One such is Viviscal, which uses marine-derived protein compounds.  Their marine protein supplement has been tested in a few clinical trials to date.  In women taking Viviscal, hair falls out at a slower rate, and their number of hair strands is higher.³

Another clinically-studied supplement is Nutrafol’s Womens’ Capsules.  Since environmental stressors and associated damage are thought to contribute to hair loss, this supplement was formulated with antioxidants, anti-inflammatory compounds, and other phytoactive molecules to reduce damage to skin and hair follicles.  In a recent study, women taking Nutrafol’s supplement had a higher hair growth rate, along with greater length and thickness of hair at the end of the trial than when they started.⁴

As with other products for promoting hair growth, if you take either of these supplements, it may take 3-6 months before you begin noticing any effects.

Essential oils extracted from herbs contain a number of biologically active compounds.  Some of these have been found recently to be beneficial for hair growth, including rosemary, lavender, peppermint, bergamot, arugula, jojoba, pumpkin seed, and cedar wood essential oils.^5-9  When using an essential oil for your hair, mix a few drops into two tablespoons of a carrier oil of your choice (such as coconut oil) and massage into your scalp.

Essential oils extracted from herbs contain a number of biologically active compounds.  Some of these have been found recently to be beneficial for hair growth, including rosemary, lavender, peppermint, bergamot, arugula, jojoba, pumpkin seed, and cedar wood essential oils.^5-9  When using an essential oil for your hair, mix a few drops into two tablespoons of a carrier oil of your choice (such as coconut oil) and massage into your scalp.

While laser therapy is more well-known for hair removal, small doses of low-energy light can actually help stimulate hair growth.  This low-level laser therapy (LLLT) uses light in the visible red portion of the spectrum to increase circulation and production of growth factors in your scalp.¹⁰  Clinical trials have shown LLLT to be safe and effective for women as well as men with androgenetic alopecia, and LLLT devices have been cleared by the FDA as being safe for hair-loss treatment.¹¹