hair serums can hydrate your scalp and prompt follicles to produce thicker and shinier strands, but they cannot increase their growth rate as this is determined genetically. Visible results may take longer to appear, so monitor the quality of your strands to ascertain whether your serum is working. Some practical options available are:
Biotin
Biotin is one of the mainstays in hair regrowth serums, often recommended by dermatologists for helping with hair thinning and balding. Biotin, also known as vitamin B7, is integral in turning food into energy and maintaining hair, skin, and nail health. You can find biotin in various food sources or as nutritional supplements. This product combines natural and plant-powered ingredients to nourish the scalp, strengthen follicles, and promote visibly thicker hair. Gentle enough for daily use on all hair types; results typically take four months or so to be visible. It can be applied to dry or damp hair, and color-treated locks are safe with this treatment option.
Pumpkin Seed Extract
Pumpkin seed oil and extract are gentle yet effective hair-regrowth ingredients that strengthen follicles, supply your scalp with nutrients, increase circulation, and naturally moisturize hair follicles. It is also renowned for its anti-inflammatory properties and moisture retention properties. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine published a recent study that suggests pumpkin seed oil can prevent and reverse male pattern baldness by inhibiting the 5-alpha reductase enzyme. While the research is promising, further investigation is required before verifying this claim. Use shampoo, conditioner, or hair growth serum containing pumpkin seed as part of a regular scalp massage, or combine pumpkin seed hair serum with microneedling (creating small holes with tools such as dermastamp or dermaroller and then applying pumpkin seed hair serum).
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has long been touted for its health benefits, though few studies support its claims. Produced by fermenting crushed or crushed apple pulp, pasteurized or raw versions may contain “mother,” an organism with beneficial bacteria and yeasts that may offer medicinal advantages. ACV can help balance the pH levels in both your scalp and hair. In other words, its acidity helps balance pH levels, which prevents the buildup of products or residues that lead to dandruff, dryness, or itching. Furthermore, ACV helps increase blood flow to the scalp, which promotes hair growth. Unfortunately, ACV is acidic, so you should always dilute it before using it on hair or scalp, and it is best used with shampoo/conditioner explicitly tailored for your type.
Peptides
Deciem has revolutionized AM and PM routines with complexion-centric products but now has expanded into haircare with their Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density ($18). Not only does the serum boost thickness and density, but it also protects strands against thermal styling, UV exposure, and pollution damage. This serum features biomimetic copper peptides (which mimic naturally occurring peptides) to address signs of aging and help prevent hair loss by encouraging existing follicles to produce stronger, healthier strands. Maleedy suggests those with oily scalps add 4-6 drops of lemon, peppermint, or geranium essential oils to the mix to help control oiliness. Peptides alone won’t do much but may increase the quality of new strands.
Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is a popular skincare ingredient known for its ultra-hydrating and anti-aging benefits. Additionally, it can help alleviate dryness, itching, flaking, and flaking through its ability to hydrate hair follicles – something certified trichologist Gretchen Friese of BosleyMD highlights as being especially helpful when dealing with dry scalp conditions such as flakiness. Furthermore, its humectant property allows it to attract and seal in moisture – particularly effective against dry hair and flakiness! Since your scalp is technically skin and your body naturally produces hyaluronic acid (HA), applying a serum containing HA directly to it is perfectly safe. We highly recommend using it after towel-dried hair or dry scalp for maximum benefit, and we especially like these two cult favorites with added panthenol!
