Best Hair Growth Serums

Minoxidil is famous for being a treatment for hair loss. But it wasn’t always like that. Minoxidil was originally a treatment for stomach ulcers--but then it was shown to be useful in lowering high blood pressure. Upon noticing hair growth in people using Minoxidil for high blood pressure, it started to be marketed as medication to prevent hair loss. It seems that the same property that Minoxidil has to dilate blood vessels and lower blood pressure, is what enables it to excite hair follicles to start to grow hair again. And, in fact, many of the non-medicinal hair growth products on the market claim to do just that: they aim to increase blood circulation. You shouldn’t fall for products that promise that you’ll be able to regrow all your hair--but there are a number of hair growth serums that will provide your hair with nutrients, protect hair against damage, and improve the health of your hair in general.

We’ve composed this buyer’s guide to help you make the right decision when selecting a hair growth serum. It'll help you:

• Choose the right type of hair growth serum,

• See useful tips about that particular type of hair growth serum,

• Read reviews of different hair growth serums, and what customers are saying,

• Compare prices and find the best deals.

There are numerous reasons for hair loss:

• heredity,

• hormonal changes, as resulting from menopause, post-pregnancy, or simply age,

• medical conditions such as hair follicle infections, and

• reactions to medication.

A hair growth serum can’t address all of these causes--but they can treat the main methods of stimulating hair to grow: improving blood circulation, and nutrition. Here are some of the major compounds that are common in hair growth serums:

• Zinc: In people experiencing hair loss, zinc levels in the blood were considerably lower than in the rest of the population. So it is logical that proper levels of zinc in the diet will help hair growth.

• Biotin: This improves the structure of the hair, as well as helping the body process energy.

• Keratin: This is a basic protein that is the main ingredient in hair, skin, and nails.

• Vitamin E: Many hair growth serums will contain Vitamin E, such as the Golden Reason Hair Growth Serum. This is due to the antioxidant nature of Vitamin E, which can prevent hair damage, and promote healthier hair.

• Fish-based oils, such as Omega-3 fatty acids: A Scandinavian professor saw that the Inuit Eskimos have luxurious hair due to their high-protein fish diet. The Viviscal growth serum has ingredients derived from shark cartilage and mollusk, which produces noticeable effects in improving hair growth.

• Menthol: Serums that contain menthol give a fresh and invigorating feeling. By massaging them into the scalp, they also increase blood circulation.

• Silicone: Hair serum often contains silicone. This coats the surface of the hair, and protects it against dryness and damage due to the sun or pollutants. It will also give the hair a gloss by making it reflect light--this immediately makes it appear healthier. It also prevents hair tangles and makes it softer.

• The time period to see results: Some products say that you’ll see richer, fuller hair if you use their product for 6 months, as with the Viviscal hair serum. The Grow Gorgeous Hair Density Serum claims to improve hair growth in two months--some see improvements after 8 days of use!

• Identify your symptoms: You’ll have to match the serum to your particular hair loss symptom. For example, the Toulifly Hair Serum nourishes the hair follicle, to treat hair that grows slowly, as well as dull and brittle hair. The Murad Hair Serum is a proprietary formula that stimulates the hair follicles and improves blood circulation--this is geared to prevent thinning hair and promote new hair growth.

• When to apply a hair serum: For best results, you should apply a hair growth serum only on hair that has been exfoliated and cleansed. You should first wash your hair with a gentle shampoo that exfoliates the scalp and preferably using a botanical extract. Shampoo will remove dirt, debris, and sebum--the oily secretion of the skin and scalp. After using shampoo and conditioner, you can apply the hair serum. You should put some of the serum on the palms of your hands and massage it into the scalp. If it has an oil or silicone base, the serum will protect the hair from dust and grime.

• Combination of products: Some companies make a complete treatment, by producing shampoo, conditioner, and hair serum. This ensures that the various products will complement each other. Pronexa makes such a series of shampoos, conditioners, and serums.

• Phases of hair growth: There are three major phases in hair growth:

  • Anagen phase: This is the hair growth phase, where the new wispy hair comes out of the follicle, and grows at a rate of 1 centimeter/month. At this point, the nutrients enter the hair to make the hair grow strong. This phase can last from 2-7 years. The longer the phase, the longer the hair will grow. It is estimated that 85% of your hair is in this stage--and this is the stage where nutrients will work their way into your hair, producing hair with more body.

  • Catagen phase: This is the phase where the hair follicle shrinks, and the hair strand detaches.

  • Telogen phase: This is a 3-month phase where the hair is dull and lifeless, and falls out. The hair follicle will then re-enter the anagen phase, to produce new hair.

• Grow Gorgeous is a haircare brand with products for women, with research and development by specialist scientists. Their treatments are for women who want fuller, thicker, longer hair, as well as for thinning hair and split ends. They make hair serums, oils, masques, treatments, shampoo, and conditioners.

• HairGenics is a maker of hair growth and hair nourishment products, for both men and women. Their products include Lavish Lash, for eyelashes, Blissful Brows (for eyebrows), Propidren (a hair growth supplement), as well as the Pronexa series of shampoos, pills, serums, and conditioners.

• Pureauty Naturals are manufacturers of beauty products and cosmetics. Their products include hair enhancing serum, scar removal gel, anti-aging complex, skin lightening serum, and more.

• Murad was founded by dermatologist and pharmacist Dr. Howard Murad in 1993, as a maker of skincare products, as well anti-aging products.

• Golden Reason is a maker of hair growth serums that fight dandruff and moisturize the hair, preventing hair loss. They also make a fast hair growth formula, as well as formulas for beards, eyebrows, and eyelashes, and vitamin supplements that encourage hair growth.