As the technician finished combing through my hair, magnifying my scalp with a microscopic camera, I anxiously waited for the results. It’d been months of hair falling out in dense clumps and circling the shower drain. What felt normal at first became quickly troubling—was I experiencing hair loss? All signs, including the yellow bar blinking on my chart, pointed to yes.
Just six months prior to my scheduled scalp analysis, I had been laid off, started planning a wedding (in Italy, no less), and packed up my life with my fiancé to move from New York to Austin for his new job. Stress was my middle name. Up until then, I had been in denial despite the all the hair in my brush. But the answer was plain as day, with science and technology to back it up. My first thought was pure panic about my health—what is wrong?
“Hair loss can have lots of causes, but genes are usually the biggest driver,” explains board-certified dermatologist Marnie Nussbaum, MD, FAAD. “The most common type is pattern hair loss or androgenic alopecia, which is hereditary and happens gradually with hair getting thinner and finer over time, especially as we age.” But there are a few other culprits, too. Hormones can play a huge role. As they fluctuate during pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause, menopause, and even from certain birth control methods, it can affect the state of your scalp. And even hair being pulled too tightly from extensions, ponytails, and braids (called traction alopecia) can trigger hair loss.
Vogue’s Favorite Hair Growth Remedies
Hair loss could also be a wake up call that something else is going on, like nutritional deficiencies, an over- or under-active thyroid gland, or illnesses like cancer or autoimmune diseases so it’s crucial to see your dermatologist or doctor to rule out anything more serious. Often a consult and blood test can check levels and rule out some causes. “Blood tests can show anything that might indicate weakening hair follicles like low iron, thyroid imbalances, nutritional deficiencies (in vitamin D and B12), autoimmune or inflammatory conditions, and of course, hormonal shifts, including testosterone or DHT levels, which can cause hair follicles to shrink,” says Dr. Nussbaum.
However, previous bloodwork showed no major red flags and according to this analysis, my hair follicles were healthy and active, just my hairs per follicle were low—meaning my hair loss was likely due to something else. “Hair follicles are sensitive to both physical and emotional stressors,” says New York dermatologist and psychiatrist Amy Wechsler, MD. According to Dr. Wechsler, stressful life events—which can be physical, like illness, infection, pregnancy, and surgery, or psychological, like a breakup, career change, or big move—can also cause a type of hair loss called telogen effluvium. Ah—there it was.
Hair growth happens on a cycle over several months and this type of hair loss causes hair to move from the anagen (growth) phase to the telogen (rest) phase, causing hair shedding. “When your body is under stress, it can push a large number of hair follicles into the resting phase all at once,” says Dr. Nussbaum. “Those hairs stay that way for a few months before shedding, which is why you often notice hair loss three to six months after a stressful event.” But it’s not all doom and gloom—there is a glimmer of hope. “I reassure patients that telogen effluvium is self-limited,” says Dr. Wechsler. “It’s only temporary and once your body recovers, the hair will grow back.”
Hair loss, no matter its origins, is undeniably tough. With hair being such an integral part of our identity, losing it took a serious emotional toll, causing me even more stress and anxiety. I threw everything I had at my regrowth: I spoke to the experts, got the tests, and tried pretty much every pill, tincture, massage technique, device, serum, and more under the sun. Tackling hair loss is a very personal journey and everyone is different, but eight months in, here are a few expert-approved remedies that I tried that really helped make a difference.
In This Story
Best Supplement: OMI WellBeauty Women’s Hair Growth Peptides
- Why We Like It: While technically there is no magic pill for hair growth, this capsule is as close as it gets. Every dermatologist agrees, your diet can impact hair growth so what you eat can be a first line of defense against loss. If you’re already consuming a diet full of omega-3s (think salmon, eggs), antioxidants (berries and spinach), and crucial vitamins and minerals like iron, vitamin D, and B12, a supplement can help fill nutritional gaps and offer extra support. Dr. Wechsler says biotin can help a little, when combined with other hair treatments. “Biotin, caffeine, niacinamide, and peptides can help with scalp circulation and follicle support,” says Dr. Nussbaum. Vitamin C, iron, and zinc can help support follicles too. Crafted with a superblend of B vitamins (one being biotin), niacin, zinc, and the brand’s patented follicle-supporting biotechnology peptide complex, IFP Hair Growth Peptides, this OMI’s supplement is clinically-tested to boost new hair growth, reduce hair loss, and enhance strand strength in 90 days. I’ve taken the capsules religiously for six months and feel like they have kicked my hair growth into high gear. I’ve been impressed by the results I’ve seen, especially evidenced by fine baby hairs that have accumulated at my hairline. Everyone from my sister and best friend to my hairstylist and dermatologist noticed a difference in the fullness, shine, and healthier-looking texture, too.
- Key Ingredients: Patented intermediate filament peptides (IFP), biotin, niacin, vitamin B6, zinc
- Usage: 2 capsules a day
- Type: Supplement
Best Device: Ladoura Duo 4-in-1 Pod Based Scalp Hair Care Device
- Why We Like It: We all know red light as a treatment for skin, but it can also give your hair a boost. “Low-frequency red light therapy has clinical research showing it can help reactivate follicles and increase hair density over time,” Dr. Nussbaum explains. “But like most devices, red light therapy works best when used alongside proven topical treatments and can take anywhere from six months to a year to work.” If you’re a device freak like me, and willing to play the long game, I found that diligence pays dividends when it comes to a hair growth routine. Laduora’s handheld device harnesses the power of red LED light, microcurrent, heat therapy, and vibrational massage in a daily, five-minute treatment. I like to habit stack and do it as part of an evening wind-down routine: I apply a repair serum on my ends, get in bed, and brush this through my hair as I read my book. It’s the most soothing ritual and massage to end the day, though its benefits go far beyond sensorial. Massaging your scalp can stimulate circulation and blood flow delivering more oxygen to hair follicles, which can help encourage growth. It turns out, it might also be the key to soothing stress, lowering cortisol levels, and may even help you drift off to dreamland—all things that can help ease everyday stressors to begin with.
- Key Specs: Red LED light, microcurrent, heat therapy, vibration
- Usage: Daily for 5 minute treatment
- Type: Device
Best With Rosemary Oil: Wonder Valley Rosemary Hair Oil
- Why We Like It: While scalp oiling has been a ritual used in Ayurveda for centuries, it’s gained steam stateside over the past few years for its soothing, nourishing, hair health-boosting benefits. And perhaps no oil is more well-loved for scalp oiling than rosemary oil, with its thickening, densifying benefits. “Rosemary oil is a nice complement to, but not a replacement for, proven hair growth treatments like minoxidil,” explains Nussbaum. “Rosemary oil has some promising data showing its ability to boost circulation and reduce inflammation around the follicles.” While more robust research needs to be done, the preliminary studies are promising, comparing the results from rosemary oil to that of FDA-approved 2% minoxidil treatments. Wonder Valley’s oil is lightweight enough that I can use it on my scalp and lengths (it doesn’t weigh down my fine hair) and smells faintly earthy and herbaceous without being overpowering. I like to warm up the oil and drench my scalp in it before giving myself a long, soothing head massage. It helps me take a moment for myself mentally, and nourishes my scalp for shinier, softer, more-manageable hair with noticeably better texture.
- Key Ingredients: Rosemary oil, olive oil, jojoba oil
- Usage: 1-2 times per week
- Type: Oil
Best With Caffeine: La Bonne Brosse Cair The Fortifying Scalp Serum
- Why We Like It: Healthy hair starts with a healthy, balanced scalp and managing your its delicate microbiome is essential to keep excess oil at bay, promote cell turnover, and create a balanced environment for hair to grow. La Bonne Brosse’s serum works brilliantly to hydrate and nourish the scalp thanks to the list of ingredients you’d typically seen in powerful skin-care topicals (your scalp is your skin, after all) like lactic acid and hyaluronic acid. The star here is caffeine, which has some, albeit insufficient, lab studies that show it can help promote hair growth by stimulating and strengthening the root. “Ingredients like biotin, caffeine, niacinamide, and peptides can help with scalp circulation and follicle support,” says Dr. Nussbaum. “Low-molecular hyaluronic acid or ceramides can support scalp hydration without clogging or causing excess yeast that can lead to dandruff.” I use it as a pre-shampoo treatment—I apply a few drops and massage it into my scalp before I take my dog for a walk or do a morning Pilates class. It absorbs almost instantly, helps cushion and hydrate even the most sensitive scalp (like mine) without any astringents or alcohol, feels like nothing on your scalp, and leaves behind no sticky, flaky residue.
- Key Ingredients: Caffeine, lactic acid, hyaluronic acid, fermented raspberry extract
- Usage: Leave on for 10-15 minutes before shampooing or overnight for a more intensive treatment.
- Type: Serum
Best Brush: Virtue Flourish x Manta Healthy Hair Brush
- Why We Like It: Brushing your hair can be both energizing and soothing—making this palm-sized brush is a game-changer. Bendy and flexible to gently comb through hair without tugging, pulling, or roughing up hair with tension, this unfurls any tangles and knots painlessly, thanks to the flexible bristles. The founder, Tim Binnington, is a professional hairdresser who developed the Manta for his wife as an alternative to regular brushes that felt too rough and exacerbated breakage while she was growing her hair back following a serious illness. Of its many features, the bristles gently graze the scalp for an incredible scalp massage. Most importantly, it can be used on wet hair, dry hair, and with all sorts of hair treatments—I have one in my shower, to gently comb through my hair masks, one in my cabinet for everyday brushing, and one in my bag for gently working through windswept tangles.
- Specs: ABS, resin and rubber body with TPEE bristles
- Usage: As desired
- Type: Brush
Best Scalp Scrub: Base-K The Rice Powder Detox
- Why We Like It: Dead skin cells, excess oil, and loads of styling products can build up on your scalp which can clog your follicles, irritate your scalp, and slow down hair growth. “A healthy scalp is the foundation for healthy hair,” says Dr. Nussbaum. “A gentle exfoliating treatment with ingredients like salicylic or glycolic acids once or twice a month can help keep your scalp balanced as long as it doesn’t leave your scalp feeling dry or tight,” says Dr. Nussbaum. This generously-sized pea-green tube is my secret weapon for squeaky clean, fresh hair—it feels like the type of treatment you’d normally have to book a salon appointment for. Once a week is all I need to reap the benefits—I know it’s time when my scalp gets dry or flaky or my hair starts to look oily and separate at my roots. The fine-tipped nozzle helps distribute the precise amount of shampoo, chock full of rice powder, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and what the brand calls Keori-4 (a blend of rosemary, matcha, rice, and bamboo) evenly on the scalp. I massage it in for a few minutes and it gets to work right away, clearing away buildup. I’m obsessed with the frothy lather, the energizing tingle, and the results: fresh, clean, and soft hair and scalp —a true indulgence for one’s growth regimen.
- Key Ingredients: Rice powder, glycolic acid, salicylic acid,
- Usage: 1-2 times per week in place of regular shampoo
- Type: Shampoo
Best Hair Mask: RŌZ Foundation Mask
- Why We Like It: There are hair masks, and then there’s this. Half the battle of hair loss is keeping the hair you do have in great shape and this creamy cloud of botanical butters and natural oils made by top LA hairstylist Mara Roszak works every time to nourish, soothe, and deeply hydrate. It’s like a reset button for brittleness, dryness, and damage. Since I’ve been using it, I’ve experienced less breakage, fraying, and split ends between trims which means stronger, thicker, fuller hair overall. “Hair masks are an easy way to treat and maintain hair health at home,” says hairstylist Megan Robinson, founder of New York’s Pearlita salon. “They have super-concentrated amounts of nutrient-rich oils and butters that deeply penetrate the hair cuticle and replenish moisture for stronger, healthier-looking hair.” My hair soaks up all the moisturizing goodness when I apply it once a week as the ultimate preventative treatment against dryness, dullness, and damage.
- Key Ingredients: Rice bran extract, rosemary extract, vitamin E, BotaniComplex
- Usage: 1-2 times a week as needed
- Type: Mask
Best Overnight Treatment: Crown Affair The Overnight Repair Serum
- Why We Like It: Sleep is essential for your body to function properly and your body accomplishes a lot with a few hours of quality rest. “We heal and grow in our sleep, so getting 7.5 to 8 hours of sleep a night is one way to help your body recover,” says Dr. Wechsler. I put my hair through the ringer—heat styling, blowouts, and regular highlights, so I need extra care to treat and prevent damage. I add one pump of this serum to my lengths before bed and wake up with silkier, smoother, more manageable hair—plus it’s got this amazing texture without any heat styling involved.
- Key Ingredients: Rosemary leaf extract, tsubaki seed oil, rice bran extract, glycerin
- Usage: One to three pumps (depending on hair density)
- Type: Serum
Best With Minoxidil: Virtue Flourish Minoxidil 5% Foam for Hair Growth
- Why We Like It: While this topical foam may not be a quid pro quo replacement for a prescription treatment, it’s a really close second. Both Dr. Wechsler and Dr. Nussbaum say that minoxidil, both oral and topical, is a great starting place to start for at-home treatment. “Minoxidil is still the gold standard and a tried-and-true derm favorite, since it’s backed by decades of research and helps promote hair growth and prevent shedding,” says Dr. Nussbaum. “It’s a well-studied and clinically effective option that helps extend the growth phase and increase hair density.” You can find it over-the-counter (Dr. Nussbaum says to choose one that’s 5%) like this one, or ask your dermatologist about a higher-strength oral or compounded option. I used the foam version for a few months, which I found to be relatively easy to follow and implement, before my dermatologist prescribed me a powerful topical compounded serum with 6% minoxidil which I applied nightly and massaged into my scalp. Staying diligent with this treatment (no skip days!) pays dividends that your future hair will thank you for.
- Key Ingredients: Minoxidil
- Usage: Apply half a capful once daily directly to the scalp in the hair loss area
- Type: Foam
Best For Frizz: Dae Cactus 3-in-1 Styling Cream with Taming Wand
- Why We Like It: There is nothing more encouraging like finally seeing visible progress of hair growth. But the downside of said regrowth is that you begin to have a ton of baby hairs and frizz as the new hair sprouts, making your head look like those grass head planters. To tame frizz in virtually no time, Robinson gave me his brilliant little wand. “I love Dae’s formulas and this wand is the easiest and quickest way to style frizz,” she says. It has a fluffy brush that I’d like to a tiny brow gel or mascara wand, which combs a leave-in styler to smooth, slick, and shape any errant frizz, flyaways, or baby hairs. I keep one in every purse or bag to touch-up on the go and it makes styling unruly new growth easy and simple.
- Key Ingredients: Prickly pear seed oil, meadowfoam seed oil
- Usage: As needed
- Type: Cream
Best For Instant Volume: Bellami Silk Seam Clip-In Extensions
- Why We Like It: Ultimately, you can’t grow Rapunzel-length, thick, glossy hair overnight—hair regrowth takes time (and patience). To keep my hair healthy and my ends fresh, I got regular dry haircuts (brilliant for anyone looking to trim away breakage or damage and retain length and fullness) from Robinson at her chic Elizabeth Street salon. She also recommended these clip-in hair extensions as a failsafe for my wedding day. “I recommend clip-in extensions for my brides or any client who is looking for a foolproof way to secure a little extra volume and length for a big event,” says Robinson. “These are 100% real human hair, blend imperceptibly with your real hair, are comfortable to wear, and require little maintenance or expertise to put in.” To really make them look natural—have your stylist cut them (as Robinson did mine) and truly no one will know it’s not your real hair. They offer tons of dimensions, lengths, and different colors (their easy, virtual color-matching is spot-on) to choose from. I was skeptical at first with the “honeycomb blonde” I was recommended but it matched my color so perfectly that I didn’t need to do anything color-wise to them.
- Specs: 100% Remy human hair
- Usage: Anytime
- Type: Clip-in extension
Everything You Need to Know
How We Tested
When we test and review a product, we take a holistic approach to deliver well-rounded product recommendations. First, we lean on Vogue’s vast network of experts—from board-certified dermatologists to celebrity hairstylists—to gain professional acumen on the industry’s standout products, ones these specialists would actually use on their clients. We pair their expertise with our editorial best practices to curate the thoughtful edits you read on our site.
As it relates to hair loss remedies, we selected the best based on the following characteristics: ingredients, formula type, dosage, and the hair-care concerns they address. To do this, we paired our own personal tests of each formula with expert guidance and reviewer insights to determine which we would recommend to you.
Meet The Experts
- Dr. Marnie Nussbaum is a board-certified dermatologist in New York.
- Dr. Amy Wechsler is a board-certified dermatologist and psychiatrist in New York.
- Megan Robinson is a hairstylist and founder of Pearlita salon in New York.