The 11 Best Hair Loss Treatments That Actually Promoted Hair Growth During Testing

Best Overall

Advanced Trichology Topical Melatonin Hair Growth Serum

View on Advancedtrichology.com

Type: Leave-on serum | Active Ingredients: Melatonin, DHT blockers, niacin | Dosage: Once daily | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Not only did this product deliver impressive results, but it was also incredibly easy—dare we say pleasant—to use. The serum-like consistency dried incredibly quickly; it felt like it fully absorbed into the scalp and didn’t leave behind any unwanted residue. (We like that it’s meant to be left on overnight so you can just apply it and forget it.)

After three months, our tester noticed more hair growth along her temples and improved thickness as well, particularly while sporting a ponytail. The scent of the product is a bit strong, but that was only upon initial application; it dissipates quickly.

Taylor, tester with fine hair: “I noticed hair growth after about a month. I’m so excited to keep going and see more results because this product is doing what it claims.”

Best for Men

BosleyMD Men's Extra Strength Minoxidil 5% Topical

View on Bosley.com

Type: Leave-on spray | Active Ingredients: Minoxidil | Dosage: Twice daily | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This pick proved to be ideal for men dealing with balding. Our tester noticed a layer of thinner hair covering balding areas (where there had previously been nothing) after 12 weeks—it also helped with thickness and fullness. The leave-on liquid is meant to be sprayed on twice daily; this wasn’t a problem, largely because of how easy it is to use. It is absorbed into the scalp within a few minutes, without causing any kind of irritation. It also didn’t weigh the hair down. The only minor drawback was that, because it is a liquid, it does tend to run a bit, so you may want to keep a tissue handy to wipe off any excess.

Matt, tester with wavy hair, balding on top: “I was pleased with the hair growth I saw, it was fairly thick and uniform and not wispy or weird. My hair did appear thicker and fuller after the testing period.”

Best for Fast Results

hers Minoxidil Foam for Women

$27 at Target View on Forhers.com View on CVS

Type: Leave-on foam | Active Ingredients: Minoxidil | Dosage: Once daily | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Patience is a virtue when it comes to treating hair loss (one big reason these products were tested over 12 weeks). That’s why we were especially impressed when our tester started seeing results just one month after using this minoxidil foam. It helped fill in some sparse spots on the scalp but also improved the overall length, fullness, and general look and feel of the hair.

Big plus: the foam is only used once a day, however, it has to be measured into the product cap, a step that our tester found a bit cumbersome. And, while the foam didn’t weigh down her strands, it left a bit of an unwanted sheen and greasy feel on the scalp.

Alexa, tester with very fine, wavy hair: “My hair looks overall longer, fuller, and healthier, and my scalp has definitely filled in.”

Best Budget

hers Women’s Minoxidil 2% Topical Solution

$16 at Target View on Forhers.com $16 at Revolve

Type: Leave-on liquid | Active Ingredients: Minoxidil | Dosage: Twice daily | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Hair loss treatments aren’t typically cheap, but this was the least expensive of all our winners. Still, it delivered noteworthy results; we noticed a clear difference, especially when looking at before and after pictures, particularly along the part. The dropper applicator was fairly easy to use, but our tester did call out that the liquid formula does tend to run. While it dried quickly on the scalp, it took longer to dry on the hair, leaving it looking a bit wet and greasy until it did. 

Shauna, tester with fine, wavy hair: “My hair definitely filled out more and my part is more dense than it was. I have also noticed some new growth, which is great to see!”

Best for Sensitive Skin

keeps 5% Minoxidil Foam

$49 at Amazon View on Keeps.com

Type: Leave-on foam | Active Ingredients: Minoxidil | Dosage: Twice daily | Cruelty-Free: Unknown

Skin irritation is a common side effect of hair growth treatments, but using this foam twice daily for 12 weeks didn’t cause any. It did, however, result in some hair growth (aka a side effect we’re thrilled to see). Our tester said it didn’t cause any strange scalp tingling either, nor did it have a scent (ideal for reactive skin).

It did take a while for results to kick in, but it did work so much so that it convinced him to keep using it. He didn’t love that it had to be applied twice daily, although the quick-drying foam (which didn’t negatively affect the hair) made it easier to do so.

Robert, tester with coarse hair: “I’ve used Rogaine for years and this seemed just as effective, but less irritating to my scalp.”

Best for Hairline Growth

Keranique Hair Regrowth Treatment

$29 at Amazon View on Ulta $29 at Target

Type: Leave-on spray | Active Ingredients: Minoxidil | Dosage: Twice daily | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Sometimes hair loss or thinning is only noticeable in small, targeted areas, such as along the hairline or on the top of the head. This formula is perfect for addressing those spots. For starters, the targeted nozzle makes precise application a breeze, something our tester greatly appreciated.

She used it to address hair loss along the hairline and temples and about eight or nine weeks into the testing period she saw new baby hairs start to crop up. She didn’t love that you have to use six sprays of the product at each application (and you have to apply twice a day to see results), but the treatment did dry quickly without ever weighing down the hair.

Allison, tester with fine, straight hair: “I have more baby hairs in the formerly sparse areas along my hairline and temples. They look like flyaways in photos, but it’s new growth.”

Best Foam

Rogaine Men's 5% Minoxidil Unscented Foam

$61 at Target View on Rogaine.com View on CVS

Type: Leave-on foam | Active Ingredients: Minoxidil | Dosage: Twice daily | Cruelty-Free: No

We’re big fans of this fast-drying foam for how quickly it absorbs and that it never interfered with how our tester’s hair looked or felt. He didn’t see a ton of new hair growth, but definitely noticed that it made his existing hair thicker and fuller. It also slowed hair shedding (he saw way fewer hairs falling out in the sink).

There were just a few things that threw us about the application process. The foam can melt quickly (which is why the instructions say to apply with cold hands). He also found it a bit challenging to work directly into the scalp rather than the hair. It does require some planning when you use it too, given that hair should be dry before application.

Peter, tester with coarse, straight hair: “My hairline never got worse and I had dramatically fewer hairs falling out.”

Best Preventative

Nioxin 5% Minoxidil Hair Regrowth Treatment For Men

View on Ulta

Type: Leave-on liquid | Active Ingredients: Minoxidil | Dosage: Twice daily | Cruelty-Free: No

The best way to address hair loss is by starting preventative measures as soon as you notice mild symptoms, such as a spot of thinning hair. This treatment from Nioxin is perfect for that. Our tester saw new growth in a bald spot after about two months of use. Despite being a liquid it dried fast and the recommended dosage was perfectly sufficient to cover affected areas.

That being said, there were some things we weren’t super crazy about, namely that the liquid tended to drip and get messy (although this was also the case with other liquid formulas we tested). It did cause some flaking on the scalp as well, although no inflammation or redness.

Cory, tester with coarse, fine, wavy hair: “The product does what it claims to do. It’s not a night-and-day difference, but there is noticeable growth where I previously had lost hair.”

Best Kit

Virtue Minoxidil 5% Hair Growth Treatment

$134 at Amazon $65 at Sephora $65 at Ulta

Type: Shampoo, conditioner, leave-on foam | Active Ingredients: Minoxidil | Dosage: Once daily | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Consider this your one-stop shop for hair loss; it comes with a shampoo, conditioner, and leave-on minoxidil foam. The latter is easy to use and easily rubs into the skin; it was truly undetectable on the scalp. And it also delivered real results. Not only was our tester’s hair thicker and fuller, but she could also see improved growth, particularly along the edges.

There was no irritation or unwanted scent (great for our sensitive-skinned friends). Just keep in mind: if you’re not going to wash your hair regularly, purchasing this kit may not be the best use of funds.

Chantia, tester with thick, kinky hair: “I have been avoiding doing ponytails for over a year now because my hair was heat damaged and my edges kept decreasing. However, I was able to get a ponytail two weeks ago and even my stylist complimented the way I’ve been taking care of my hair; my edges are growing back thicker.”

Best for Fullness

Rogaine Women's 2% Minoxidil Topical Solution Hair Regrowth Treatment

View on Rogaine.com $75 at Walgreens View on CVS

Type: Leave-on liquid | Active Ingredients: Minoxidil | Dosage: Twice daily | Cruelty-Free: No

Loss of hair volume and fullness can be especially frustrating—no one wants to have to pile on the texturizing sprays all the time. Thankfully, this product seems to bring back that fullness without all that product buildup. Our tester noticed a change in her hair about six weeks after starting this minoxidil-based leave-on. Some sparse patches began filling in and she noticed more fullness and length.

While it did cause a bit of tingling upon application, there was never any irritation. One caveat though: It’s not ideal for colored hair. Our tester noticed her color fading and grays starting to re-emerge within a week.

Alisa, tester with thick, curly hair: “You have to be diligent in applying twice a day, but the results for me were worth it. My hair is fuller in the areas it was receding.”

Best for Hair Shedding

Rogaine Women's 5% Minoxidil Foam

$48 at Amazon $59 at Target $69 at Riteaid.com

Type: Leave-on foam | Active Ingredients: Minoxidil | Dosage: Once daily | Cruelty-Free: No

While our tester did see some new hair growth, she was more impressed by how this curtailed her existing hair loss and hair shedding during the testing period. The foam only has to be used once a day, at night, another attribute she appreciated, and it’s fragrance-free. However, as with many of the other winning foam formulas, it works best when applied with cold hands, and it does have a propensity to get stuck in the hair before you can really work it into the scalp.

Brenda, tester with fine, straight hair: “I liked that this is a once-a-day application, and I’m not losing as much hair daily as I was prior to using this product.”