Hair is a feature that's constantly on display, so it can be downright upsetting if you lose more hair than normal. Hair growth problems such as breakage, balding and excessive hair shedding can affect anyone regardless of gender. Luckily, there are many hair growth products available to tackle these problems and help men and women grow long healthy tresses.
We've put together a guide explaining key ingredients and their benefits of hair growth shampoos, supplements and essential oils (like castor oil and peppermint) so you can find an effective treatment online. You can also check out our ranking of the top 10 best hair growth products in the UK, available to buy from Boots, Amazon and eBay!
Quick List - Top Hair Growth Products
Lee Stafford
An Award-Winning Hair Growth Treatment With Vegan Protein Complex
Viviscal
Tried and Tested Protein Supplement to Improve Thinning Hair
Felipe Partarrieu is a dermatologist, who is GMC registered with a full licence to practise in the UK. Specialising in cosmeceuticals, facial skin care, and hair disorders, we worked with Felipe to bring you top quality information to help you make informed buying decisions and understand more about what goes onto your skin.
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Table of Contents
Felipe Partarrieu is a final year dermatology resident, who is GMC registered with a full licence to practise in the UK. Specialising in cosmeceuticals, facial skin care, and hair disorders, we worked with Felipe to bring you top quality information to help you make informed buying decisions and understand more about what goes onto your skin.
Androgenic alopecia, or male and female pattern baldness is the most prevalent cause of hair loss. It means that you've inherited genes that causes your hair follicles (the structures from which hair grows) to shrink and stop growing hair. Shrinking occurs gradually with age, and is more common after puberty. A receding hairline and bald spots is the first sign in men and thinning hair along the crown in women.
As we get older, the rate at which our hair grows naturally slows down until the hair follicles eventually stop producing hair. In women, the hairline gradually recedes with age. The colour of the hair fades as well. If you frequently dye, perm, or relax your hair, you may be further damaging your hair follicles, which also contributes to hair loss over time.
If you've recently had a baby, an illness, or undergone an operation, you may notice an increase in hair fall. Stressful events, such as a divorce or the death of a loved one, are also known triggers for hair loss. Cancer treatments such as radiation and chemotherapy are also known to cause hair loss which happens within a few weeks of starting treatment.
Biotin supplements can help promote normal hair growth in people who have a biotin deficiency. As biotin is needed to produce keratin, this particular deficiency can cause hair loss. By taking supplements, you can increase your biotin levels for healthy hair growth.
Biotin in shampoos and tonics may also make your hair thicker. As with supplements, it can make thinning hair appear fuller by increasing keratin production for smooth and strong strands. Just make sure to consult your doctor first to check if you have a deficiency. Many foods contain biotin, but a deficiency can occur with some medications, or due to extreme long-term dieting and certain intestinal conditions.
If you often use hot tools to style your hair, don't forget to protect it with heat protection spray!
Some empirical evidence shows that biotin might increase hair thickness and volume. However, most of these studies are inconclusive, and the supplementation of biotin in non-deficient individuals has been shown to alter the determination of thyroid hormones and cardiac enzymes.
Therefore, biotin supplementation for 'hair health' is not recommended in patients who are deficient in this vitamin.
If you want to grow long hair, pick a shampoo or mask containing proteins like lupine seed or vegetable proteins. They won't cause you to grow five inches of hair in a day, but they can help you achieve longer lengths. That's because proteins help your hair produce keratin, making it stronger and less prone to breakage.
Some supplements contain a marine protein complex, which is thought to reduce hair loss. In fact, it's been proven to reduce hair shedding in premenopausal women and those with hair loss conditions. A study carried out by Lifes2Good even found it can help fight male pattern balding!
Give your tresses a treat and try out our favourite hair masks for dry hair.
If your diet lacks protein, hair can enter the resting (telogen) phase of the hair growth cycle over time. Ultimately, this can lead to excess shedding during the transition (catagen) phase a few months later. Therefore, an adequate protein intake is necessary to keep your hair healthy.
There is growing evidence on oral marine protein supplements (proteins from oysters, salmon and clams) to increase the growth of terminal and vellus hairs, increase the diameter of the terminal and vellus hairs, and decrease hair loss in both men and women.
If you're looking for a natural solution for hair loss, you could try a product that uses castor oil or a 100% natural essential oil blend. Castor oil is said to help hair grow three to five times faster and can act as a treatment for alopecia.
Unfortunately, there isn't any scientific evidence to back up these claims, but there are many anecdotal accounts of those who have had success. We can't guarantee the treatment will work, but you may still want to give it a go.
If you're still looking for a natural hair growth solution, more data backs up claims that peppermint can promote hair growth during the anagen phase. A study found it increased hair growth in mice, which could have a similar effect on humans.
The evidence for castor oil’s effectiveness as more than a laxative is only anecdotal. That includes its alleged properties for the treatment of hair loss.
Castor oil itself is loaded with vitamin E, fatty acids, and ricinoleic acid, all ingredients that help to lock in moisture whilst promoting a clean and healthy scalp—all of which are essential to hair growth. However, no studies or scientific evidence proves castor oil increases hair growth rate.
Look out for Procapil or caffeine if you're looking for a natural alternative to minoxidil, to help reduce hair loss. These ingredients found in shampoos and tonics are used to block DHT, a hormone that causes hair loss by damaging follicles. DHT hair loss can affect both men and women and is more prominent in middle-aged adults.
It's also thought that pea sprout extract in shampoos and beauty products is beneficial for hair growth. It strengthens hair roots to prevent hair shedding and breakage by making the telogen phase of the hair growth cycle shorter.
Procapil is a combination of a vitaminated matrikine with apigenin and oleanolic acid from olive tree leaves. Cosmetically, this product is used in hair strengthening and anti-hair loss treatments such as lotions, conditioners and leave-on products.
However, the evidence sustaining its use in hair loss is inconsistent: it seems that when the combination of Procapil with topical minoxidil gives better results than minoxidil alone, and procapil has many hair-growing effects in-vitro. However, these results are not always replicated.
It's important to ensure that you are using the product correctly in order to get the best possible results. For example, supplements will list the recommended daily dosage on the bottle. It's best to take supplements with water and after food as this reduces the risk of an upset stomach.
When using massage-in beauty treatments like shampoos, masks and tonics, follow the application method. Some of them are designed to be rinsed out straight away, whilst others need to be left in for longer. Tonics should always be left in, and you shouldn't rinse them out at all.
Finally, essential oils should be diluted before they're massaged in. It's important to dilute the oil as it can cause an allergic reaction if directly applied to the skin - especially as you need to leave them on for a longer period of time.
Some products are meant to be used daily, whilst others only need one take/application per week or month. All this information should be provided with each product.
Regarding essential oils, they should always be diluted in a "carrier" oil, such as grapeseed, coconut and olive oils, to create a solution that only has a little bit -- 1% to 5% -- of the essential oil. Otherwise, you increase the risk of having an adverse reaction.
Hair loss can leave you feeling less confident, so it's normal to want a quick fix. Sadly, you usually only start to see the results from supplements and hair growth treatments over some time with continued use.
Some brands state how long you should use the product to see the optimal results, based on clinical trials. You may start to see some results before this, but it's better to continue over the recommended time to reap the best rewards.
You should stop using the product if you haven't noticed a difference at the end of the recommended period. It's safe to assume that the product won't work, and you should consult a doctor to check for any underlying medical conditions preventing hair growth.
Check out the best vegan shampoos in the UK!
Treatment for hair loss requires patience as results are never immediate. Any product that claims the opposite is bogus. At least six months of treatment are needed to prevent further hair loss and start hair regrowth, and it may take a few more months to tell whether the treatment is working for you.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Lee Stafford Hair Growth Activation Treatment | ![]() | An Award-Winning Hair Growth Treatment With Vegan Protein Complex | |
2 | Charles Worthington Grow Strong Activating Shampoo | ![]() | Reduces Breakage by 90% For Longer Hair | |
3 | Viviscal Maximum Strength Hair Growth Supplements | ![]() | Tried and Tested Protein Supplement to Improve Thinning Hair | |
4 | Mark Hill Strengthening Growth Tonic | ![]() | A Natural Hair Tonic to Fight Pattern Baldness | |
5 | Roots Double Effect Sensitive Care Shampoo | ![]() | PH Neutral Shampoo That Blocks DHT | |
6 | Plantur 39 Phtyo Caffeine Tonic | ![]() | Leave-in Caffeine and Castor Oil Hair Loss Treatment | |
7 | Gya Labs Peppermint Essential Oil for Hair Growth | ![]() | Peppermint Essential Oil to Help Stimulate Hair Growth | |
8 | Watermans Hair Growth Shampoo | ![]() | Biotin Shampoo for Thicker Hair | |
9 | VitaBright Biotin Hair Growth Supplement | ![]() | High Strength Supplement for Treating Hair Loss Caused by Biotin Deficiency | |
10 | GoldWorld Growth Serum | ![]() | Serum With Vitamins and Antioxidants to Help Hair Grow |
This mask from Lee Stafford is the original hair growth treatment in the UK. It's an award-winning product and a best seller that effectively uses vegan proteins to help hair grow longer. It works to improve scalp health and conditions lengths, keeping your mane strong from root to tip.
It comes as part of a larger range, so you can use multiple products to give your hair an extra boost. Plus, it has a nice subtle and natural scent, so you're sure to get a few compliments for your soft and beautifully fragranced hair.
An important component to growing long and healthy hair is reducing breakage. If the hair keeps snapping off, it'll never grow past a certain length. This shampoo claims to reduce breakage by 90%, which can help you grow long, thick hair.
It also contains pea sprout extract, known to shorten the telogen phase of your hair growth cycle for fuller locks. As it's a shampoo, you can use it as part of your normal hair care routine without having to add extra products. There's no wait time, and it's easy to apply - massage it in, rinse out and you're good to go!
Viviscal's marine protein complex is specially formulated to help reduce hair thinning in women and fight the early signs of male pattern baldness. A great choice for busy people, there's no messing around with wait times for conditioning masks or messy tonics as you can take these supplements in tablet form twice a day.
These supplements work for all hair types and textures. Just make sure to follow the treatment regimen for the recommended period of time. By sticking to Viviscal's advice, you should see the best results!
This strengthening growth tonic from Mark Hill doesn't contain any artificial fragrances or synthetic colours that could irritate the scalp. Instead, you get a formula that includes caffeine, biotin and natural oils.
Made to promote both a healthy scalp and hair, the majority of users report positive results. The caffeine stimulates blood flow to help fight pattern baldness, whilst biotin can make hair appear thicker and fuller.
Pick this hair growth shampoo if you have a sensitive scalp, as it's formulated specifically for sensitive skin. It's pH neutral and has been proven to not cause irritation for 90% of people in a trial conducted by the brand.
The formula uses Procapil, which is said to block the hormone DHT. But that's not all, this shampoo is also free from any nasties, like sulphates, salt, silicones and gluten, and can be used by everyone, even those with hair extensions!
This caffeine tonic aims to protect against premature hair growth disruptions by supposedly blocking the sex hormone DHT that can damage follicles and lead to both female and male pattern hair loss. We particularly like that it's a leave-in product, so you don't have to spend extra time rinsing it out.
Sadly, Plantur 39 isn't suitable for those looking to buy cruelty-free brands as they sell their products in mainland China, which requires animal testing by law. On a positive note, you can use the product daily, so it can give your hair an extra boost between washes.
Peppermint oil has lots of uses, like relieving sinus congestion and muscle pain, but did you know it can also reduce hair loss? Peppermint oil is thought to improve blood flow, and for many people, reduced blood flow to the hair follicles is the root cause of baldness.
It has a great minty scent that will keep your hair and scalp smelling fresh. However, you should be aware that peppermint oil can cause side effects like allergic reactions and irritation, so always dilute it to reduce the risk.
Here's a pH neutral shampoo that's good for your scalp. Your scalp is the base for your hair, so a healthy scalp will help promote normal hair growth. It also contains caffeine, which reduces hair loss in people who have male or female pattern baldness, by blocking the hormone DHT.
Unfortunately, it may make hair greasy as it does contain a lot of oil, so it might not be the best choice for people who already have oily hair. It will, however, moisturise dry hair, helping to add body and shine.
These convenient supplements are easy to swallow, with each tablet containing 12,000 MCG of B7, which is twice the dose of other supplements. As you will only need to take one per day, they won't get in the way of daily life.
It's important to note that you should only take these supplements if your doctor has diagnosed you with a biotin deficiency. If you get enough biotin in your diet, these supplements won't promote hair growth.
Castor oil is rich in fatty acid and Vitamin E, which has antioxidants that could help with hair growth. Don't worry if you've never used it before, when you buy this product, you get access to an eBook that contains twenty ways to use castor oil effectively and safely.
We're sorry to burst your bubble, but there's a lack of scientific evidence backing up any hair growth claims. That said, many people swear by it as a miracle treatment, so you might still want to give it a go!
Yes, there are products and ingredients on the market that can help to delay or even reverse the hair thinning process. When searching for products for hair loss, it’s a good idea to start with finding out the root cause of your hair loss either with a doctor or a dermatologist, and then seek out the ingredients required to combat it.
Essential oils are highly concentrated, so it is crucial to dilute them with a carrier oil such as olive, jojoba, or grapeseed oil. Mix 2 or 3 drops of essential oil with 1 tablespoon of carrier oil, dip your fingertips in the mixture and massage the entire scalp in a circular motion to stimulate blood flow.
Written and researched by Rosa Fairfield
No. 1: Lee Stafford|Hair Growth Activation Treatment
No. 2: Charles Worthington|Grow Strong Activating Shampoo
No. 3: Viviscal|Maximum Strength Hair Growth Supplements
No. 4: Mark Hill |Strengthening Growth Tonic
No. 5: Roots|Double Effect Sensitive Care Shampoo
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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