11 Best Hair Growth Products for Men, Recommended by Dermatologists

Heralded by dermatologists as a leading hair growth treatment, Rogaine for men uses FDA-approved minoxidil, an OTC ingredient key for combatting hair loss.

The active works by "shortening the resting phase of the hair growth cycle, during which hair falls out and pushes follicles to enter the growth phase," says Shoshanna Marmon, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.A.D., an assistant professor of dermatology at New York Medical College. Thus, more hairs are in the growth phase at once, making your hair appear fuller.

You should start to see visible results in three to six months, as you complete the hair growth cycle. Often recommended for treating male pattern baldness (androgenic alopecia) and telogen effluvium, "it also slows hair loss by increasing blood flow to the hair follicles," Dr. Marmon adds. Many people prefer the foam formulation over the liquid version since it's less drippy. Like any minoxidil product, you must keep up use to see and maintain results. "Stopping minoxidil application will lead to a gradual loss in hair that grew due to the minoxidil," Dr. Green says.

Loaded with ingredients like argan oil, niacin, biotin and antioxidants, Pura D'Or aims to nourish the scalp and promote healthy hair growth — all for under $15. "It also contains DHT blockers and coffee extract to reduce hair loss and thinning," said Dr. Green. The TLDR: Blocking the androgen DHT means you block its ability to shrink follicles.

Note that evidence of topical DHT blockers slowing hair loss is promising but very preliminary, and the research was done on the drug finasteride, which this serum does not contain. Still, if you want to try without spending a ton of money, people do like this product, according to Dr. Green. "There is an inadequacy of clinical studies to back the efficacy of its active ingredients, but anecdotal evidence is promising," she adds.

For years, the haircare brand Nioxin has been widely known among those who struggle with hair loss. Our friends over at Men's Health named this shampoo their top pick for hair growth. It blends salicylic acid and vitamin B peptides to remove dirt and cleanse the scalp, while its peppermint oil delivers a tingly sensation. It also contains the key ingredient minoxidil, which aims to combat hair loss.

According to Men's Health editors, it helps promote overall scalp health, treating a wide range of needs from dry, itchy scalp to oily hair. After trying a handful of shampoos touting hair growth, one online reviewer said: "I've been using it now for about a month, and my shower drain has about a fourth or a third of the hair it used to have ... I can't see myself using any other shampoo now."

Praised by trichologists, rosemary hair oil touts benefits for strands and scalp. A 2015 study showed that the plant-based ingredient may be as effective as 2% minoxidil. Shab Reslan, a trichologist and hair expert in New York City, shares that rosemary oil is one of her favorite oils "to strengthen and protect the hair and scalp."

Mielle said the oil works across hair types, but can deeply nourish types 3A to 4C, both low- and high-porosity hair as well as chemically treated hair, braids and weaves. GH staffer Nikolas Greenwald and his friends love this rosemary oil, sharing that they've "seen new growth while using it over a longer period of time." One shopper reported results in as little as a month: "So far, my hair gets really soft after using the oil, and I am starting to see some new growth." That said, the serum leaves hair greasy, so it's best for overnight use.

Minoxidil is minoxidil, no matter what brand you use, and the FDA-approved concentration is 2% or 5%, which is why that's what you'll see on drugstore shelves. And more is not necessarily better — one 2021 study found that a 5% concentration worked better than a 10% concentration, and the higher concentration (not an FDA-approved dosage) caused more scalp irritation.

Still, some hair loss specialists are formulating products with slightly higher concentrations and combining minoxidil with other ingredients known to help as a double-whammy jumpstart to your follicles. This one contains 6% minoxidil and .3% finasteride, another research-backed FDA-approved hair loss treatment. Finasteride, often taken in pill form, is a DHT blocker. Our friends over at Men’s Health put it atop their list and recommend using it on clean hair after the shower, as it can be slightly greasy.

Note: Finasteride is available only by prescription, which you may obtain after an online consultation with a provider through Hims.

Our editors love The Ordinary for its fuss-free yet effective formulas. Its popular multi-peptide serum is made of antioxidant caffeine, moisturizing glycerin and cell-communicating peptides — all formulated together to promote better hair health. One GH editor reported noticeable results. "Since 2021, I've used The Ordinary's serum in on and off bouts," they said. "Each time, my hair feels much fuller than when I had started. It's worked in as little as a month, even with infrequent uses."

Shoppers online seem to echo that sentiment. "I wish so badly that I took before-and-after photos after using this product. I've been struggling with hair thinning for the past year, and this was the first scalp serum I decided to try out," one wrote on Sephora. "After about two weeks, I started getting new hair growth in [the] problem areas where I had been applying it. I most definitely will be purchasing it again." The formula's consistency is quite thin, though; when applied to the scalp, it can be a bit runny and thus, less precise.

Finasteride (which is also sold under the brand name Propecia) is a prescription drug. It's an oral daily tablet made for men, which works by blocking DHT, an androgen responsible for shrinking hair follicles so they can no longer produce thick (or any) strands. "Finasteride has been studied in thousands of patients and now we have over 20 years of experience with it," said Barry Goldman, M.D., a dermatologist in New York City and a clinical instructor at NY Cornell Presbyterian Hospital. "Studies showed more success with the vertex (back top of the scalp) than the frontal hairline."

Oral finasteride isn't without its issues, though: It must be taken indefinitely, or you will lose the hair it helped you retain or regrow, said Dr. Green (the same is true for topical finasteride). The prescription also has some potential side effects, including sexual side effects, decreased fertility, breast tenderness or swelling and depression, and it may interact with other meds. It can also up your risk of developing a serious form of prostate cancer. And if you're partnered with a woman who is pregnant or wants to be, she should not handle a broken tablet (and she should not use the medication). Bottom line: This is a prescription drug, and if you order it through Keeps, you can use one of their online physicians.

Note: Finasteride is available only by prescription, which you may obtain after an online consultation with a provider through Keeps.

As any reader of Good Housekeeping knows, supplements aren't well regulated by the FDA and don't need clinical trials like drugs do to be legally sold. They also aren't usually recommended by derms as the primary treatment for hair loss. "Oral nutraceuticals … are often recommended as adjunctive interventions for hair loss," said Dr. Marmon. "More data is needed to truly support their efficacy in treating hair loss."

Still, Viviscal, which has been around for more than 25 years, has lots of happy users. There have been a few smaller placebo-controlled trials showing it can help. "After 180 days, significant increases were observed for total hair count, total hair density and terminal hair density," per one trial on men. The oral supplement contains a blend of iron, zinc and a long list of other minerals and ingredients; the study's authors theorize that it helps by supporting the user's health overall and correcting nutritional deficiencies. A shopper with thinning hair wrote online: "I started noticing a difference in my hair after the second month. My hair is so much thicker, and I am very happy."

If minoxidil doesn't agree with you (it causes scalp irritation for some) this system — oral supplements and a plant-based serum — purports to target both the root causes of hair thinning as well as restore scalp health. Speaking about the serum, Dr. Green said its ingredients, which include Ashwagandha exomes, Irish moss peptides and pea sprout extract, support hair thickness, help reduce breakage and nourish the scalp.

One satisfied user wrote on Amazon that they observed the biggest changes when implementing it along with a healthier diet and lifestyle. As for the supplements, there isn't much research on men, but one open-label study (meaning participants knew what they were taking) of men and women from different racial and ethnic backgrounds showed significant improvement in all measures (thickness, less shedding, etc.) after six months. Some of the ingredients in the supplement variously help reduce DHT, the androgen that shrinks follicles (saw palmetto); balances stress hormones (Ashwagandha); and help reduce inflammation (curcumin).

Legions of folks (including Nicole Kidman) swear by this vegan hair serum made with biotin, citrus oil and caffeine. It notably does not contain minoxidil, finasteride or other ingredients some might want to avoid for personal preference. "This is the best overall when it comes to hair growth for thinning hair as it can work on any hair type," said dermatologist Jeannette Graf, M.D., an Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine.

The before-and-after photos are impressive, but remember that it takes a few months to see best results with any hair growth treatment. On its website, the brand states that users see up to 76% less shedding and up to 52% more density, although the company, through a representative, declined to make research available to Good Housekeeping. Also, note that some reviewers reported it made hair oily.

Yes, it's an investment, but red light therapy has been shown to promote hair growth when used regularly. "Red light therapy, or low-level light therapy, applies a visible red-light laser to the scalp," says Dr. Green. "The body absorbs the light and turns it into cellular energy to stimulate the natural healing process, potentially promoting hair regrowth. Furthermore, red light therapy can facilitate the creation of new capillaries, helping to deliver essential nutrients and oxygen to cells and hair follicles."

We appreciate this helmet (rather than a comb or brush) because you can just pop it on and watch TV while it does its thing, plus there's a 6-month money back guarantee if you don’t notice any improvement in that time. It can also be used along with minoxidil or other hair growth methods. "My hair has had such a positive reaction to this device. I almost cannot believe what I am witnessing," a shopper wrote. "My hair is thicker and is growing in areas — my crown and my receding front hairline — for the first time in over a decade."