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Everyone wants to have a full head of healthy hair, however, thinning hair is a reality for many women, especially as we grow older. More than 50 percent of women will experience noticeable hair loss throughout their lives and the most common form of hair loss is female-pattern hair loss (FPHL) which affects around 30 million women in the United States. A hair growth serum can help manage hair loss when it happens.

The most likely to be affected by hair loss are women over 40, women who are going through chemotherapy or are using medication, women who just had a baby, and women with hairstyles that pull on hair in the form of tight ponytails or braids or damage hair through chemicals such as relaxers.

That’s where hair growth serums can help with shedding and encourage healthy hair growth. Here’s how to find the best hair growth serum for you.

How Hair Growth Serum Works

Hair serums can help encourage hair growth and stop hair shedding in a variety of ways. The first way is to moisturize and nourish the scalp creating optimal conditions for your roots and subsequent growth. Many serums also contain ingredients that stimulate blood flow to the scalp also encouraging growth. Some serums halt hair loss by blocking DHT. DHT is a form of the male hormone testosterone and causes hair loss in both men and women. DHT attacks hair follicles, making hair thinner and sometimes stopping hair growth altogether.

Looking to get fuller tresses? Here are the best products for hair growth and thickness:

Natural Hair Growth Serums

1. Vegamour GRO Hair Serum
This natural hair growth serum contains mung bean, red clover, curcumin, and nicotiana benthamiana. These ingredients help inhibit the production of hair-damaging DHT, help lengthen the hair’s growth (anagen) phase and help increase the density of the hair roots. The formula is very light and not greasy at all — in fact, this leave-in serum feels like water when applied to your scalp, and mixed with a light head massage can feel really refreshing. If you read the Vegamour reviews on their site, hundreds of women rave about increased hair growth and less shedding.

2. Bondi Sands Intensive Growth Spray
This hair growth spray is made with all-natural ingredients such as peppermint, tea tree oil, and Vitamin B5 which help to stimulate growth and supports thinning hair types for a thicker look and feel. It’s perfect to use when you want to refresh your hair — use it in place of dry shampoo on days when you want your hair to look just washed. The scent is incredible and the spray will help you turn your thinning tresses into voluminous locks. This product is safe for colored hair.

3. Grow Gorgeous Hair Growth Serum
This serum is vegan-friendly, gluten-free, and formulated without parabens, sulfates, silicones, phthalates, or mineral oil. It has a nice earthy scent and promises to make your hair growth denser. It’s formulated with caffeine to stimulate your roots and hyaluronic acid to moisturize your scalp. It also contains Chinese scullcap, soy, and wheat sprouts which boost root growth and promises give your hair an overall fuller appearance. This product is suitable for all hair types and can be used during any time of the day to feel refreshed.

More Serums for Hair Growth

4. Lee Stafford Hair Growth Scalp Serum
This serum is the first hair growth serum I ever used and it never ceases to impress me. It likens itself to “fuel for follicles” and contains a Pro-GrowthTM complex of powerful proteins to moisturize your scalp and encourage growth. This scalp serum for hair growth is part of a whole hair growth range including shampoo, conditioner, and scalp scrub. The cooling formula can be applied directly to your scalp

5. Viviscal Viviscal Gorgeous Growth Densifying Elixir
Viviscal is one of the most recognizable hair growth brands (they also sell hair growth supplements, shampoos, and conditioners.) so, of course, they also carry a scalp serum for hair growth. Their hair elixir features a proprietary complex of as pea sprouts, biotin, keratin, and zinc which helps promote the appearance of hair growth. You can use this lightweight, non-greasy product on its own or if you’re looking for maximum growth, use it with the entire Viviscal Gorgeous Growth Range+.

6. Viabrance Hair Growth Serum
This FDA-approved serum bills itself as a colorless liquid medication that contains 2 percent Minoxidil. The serum is applied to the scalp and is promoted as an easy way to help re-grow your hair without needing surgery or any other procedures. Results can take between two to four months to see any significant change in hair growth. At $69 per bottle this hair growth serum is on the pricier side.

7. The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density
With its low prices and effective ingredients, The Ordinary has taken the skincare world by storm but did you know they also have an amazing hair growth serum? Their multi-peptide serum will help your hair become denser and your scalp more nourished to encourage more growth. Consistent application to the scalp will help you get your most luscious locks to date.

Traction Alopecia Hair Growth Serums

8. Actsyl-3 Hair Growth Serum
Traction alopecia can occur as the result of too-tight hairstyles (braids, ponytails, or weaves) or chemical hair processes like relaxers. Traction alopecia disproportionately affects black women and can lead to a receding hairline. Actsyl-3 specifically addresses this issue with its restorative hair growth serum promoting stronger fuller hair follicles, blocking DHT and promoting overall hair health

Hair Growth Serum DIY

9. Jamaican Castor Oil
If you don’t want to buy a serum, Jamaican castor oil is frequently used to stimulate growth. It is used to heighten blood flow to the scalp and increase subsequent growth. It can also help manage a dry or flaky scalp. Warning, it’s quite sticky as a product and best applied overnight (with your hair covered) or used right before you wash your hair.

Hair Growth Supplements:

10. Reserveage Collagen Candy
Not a fan of serums? You can also encourage hair growth with supplements. Reserveage Collagen Candy’s collagen candies are delicious and support smooth, hydrated, and supple skin and hair.

Photo (top) by DeMorris Byrd on Unsplash

Photo (middle) by Jackie Parker on Unsplash