Hair growth products are designed to stimulate hair follicles, strengthen strands, and create thicker, healthier hair. They come in a variety of forms, including serums, shampoos, conditioners, oils, and supplements.
Active ingredients in hair growth products, which can be natural or chemical, include:
Biotin, caffeine, minoxidil, saw palmetto extract, rosemary oil, hyaluronic acid, vitamins E and C, castor oil, redensyl, and procapil
Minoxidil shampoos typically contain 1 to 2 percent minoxidil, but because shampoos rinse out quickly, the minoxidil may not have enough time to penetrate the scalp and effectively stimulate hair growth. Leave-in formulations, such as minoxidil foams or serums, are more effective than shampoos.
EU regulations: Hair growth products are often classified as drugs, not cosmetics
FDA regulations: The FDA considers hair growth claims to be drug claims, meaning that shampoos with hair growth claims must be approved as over-the-counter (OTC) drugs rather than cosmetics.