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It\u2019s okay to expect a lot from your hair-growth serum, especially when you\u2019re shopping for the best<\/em> hair growth serum. \u201cA good hair-growth serum should reduce hair shedding, increase hair diameter, increase the growth phase of hair, decrease scalp inflammation, and be gentle on the scalp,\u201d Dr. Amin says. \u201cThe ingredients I look for are rosemary oil, amla oil, caffeine, green tea, and coconut oil, to name a few. These ingredients have been shown to improve hair strength, promote growth, and undo damage.\u201d<\/p>\n Dr. Lolis adds that many common conditions behind hair loss\u2014including androgenic alopecia and telogen effluvium\u2014are triggered by the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which can bind to hair follicles and cause them to shrink. \u201cWith androgenic alopecia, we typically prescribe medications that block DHT, an enzyme that causes hair loss. However, there are many natural DHT blockers to look out for, such as saw palmetto and zinc,\u201d she says. (You can find zinc in The Ordinary\u2019s Multi-Peptide serum.) Otherwise, Dr. Lolis suggests: \u201cLook for active ingredients like biotin and caffeine, which improve hair strength and stimulate growth.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMany hair-growth serums include non-medicated ingredients,\u201d Dr. Amin says. (Translation: You don’t need a prescription for most of them.) \u201cThe efficacy of the serums is difficult to ascertain because there are not many randomized controlled clinical trials.\u201d<\/p>\n However, anecdotally, Dr. Lolis has seen evidence that the serums work\u2014especially when they\u2019re used as intended. \u201cIngredients like biotin and caffeine support the scalp\u2019s environment, helping nourish hair follicles, which can result in denser, stronger hair [over time],\u201d she says. In short, the how-tos on the packaging are required reading, and you should try to adhere to the recommended guidelines if you want to feel blessed in the hair follicles department.<\/p>\n \u201cMost users report seeing visible improvements, such as reduced shedding and new hair growth, after about three months of consistent use,\u201d Dr. Lolis says. Dr. Mian agrees, adding that patience is key here. \u201cHair-growth serums can take a while to show their efficacy,\u201d she says. \u201cI would use a serum for at least three months before deciding if it\u2019s working or not.\u201d<\/p>\n Essential oils might help with hair growth, but they can be hit or miss, according to Omer Ibrahim, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Chicago. While it\u2019s not yet fully understood how<\/em> these oils work to promote hair growth, theories abound. \u201cOne theory is that these essential oils help increase blood flow to the scalp, and that promotes hair growth,\u201d he says. \u201cAnother is that by simply improving the health of the scalp by providing essential fatty acids to the hair follicles, essential oils help hair grow out healthier to give the appearance of thicker hair and also create a fertile ground for hair growth.” He also posits that oils that are inherently anti-inflammatory may support the scalp’s natural microbiome.<\/p>\n That said, not all essential oils are created equal. Below, Dr. Ibrahim breaks down the benefits (and drawbacks) of commonly used oils.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s only been reviewed by someone with, say, auburn hair, or a diffuser that\u2019s never been tested by anyone with curls\u2014right?<\/p>\n For our review of the best hair-growth serums, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and dermatologists to find the most hydrating, strand-softening formulas out there. 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.<\/p>\n 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<\/em> wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors\u2014in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon\u2014is essential to reaching that goal.<\/p>\n After all, can we really<\/em> 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Now, watch the Forbidden Fruits<\/em> cast spill secrets after sipping the truth serum:<\/strong><\/p>\nDo hair-growth serums work?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
How long does it take to see growth?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
Do essential oils work for hair growth?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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Meet the experts<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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How we test and review products<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
Our staff and testers<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n