Hair Loss Products Review Methodology

How we research and test hair growth products

Hair loss is common, and there are a lot of treatments available, from topical serums to oral medications and scalp massagers. Our Reviews Team has spent hundreds of hours researching and reviewing hair loss products and treatments. We work to make sure our reviews can help readers make informed decisions about their hair health.

We researched 11 online platforms for hair loss treatments and signed up to test products and subscriptions from seven of them ourselves. We also purchased and tested over-the-counter treatments such as shampoos and hair vitamins. We compared the ingredients of each product and tested how easy they were to use and add to daily routines.

We surveyed 235 adults age 45 and older who use hair loss products to learn about the pros and cons of different treatments. To learn about their personal experiences, we conducted a focus group interview with seven people who used online hair loss treatments. We also interviewed trichologists 1 and dermatologists about the science of hair loss and hair care, particularly for older adults. In addition to reading published articles about treatments for hair loss, we looked at the guidance from the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). And we identified key factors for comparing treatments through independent research and expert advice, and read real customer reviews from third-party sources like Trustpilot.

Finally, all of our content is medically reviewed by dermatologists or trichologists to make sure our information is correct and our recommendations are appropriate for our readers.

How we rank and review hair growth products

To guide our recommendations, we conducted surveys, read the latest research, interviewed dermatologists, and reviewed customer reviews to get a full picture of hair loss products. These insights helped us highlight what matters most to users when choosing and sticking with a hair loss treatment. Here are the factors we used to review online hair loss treatments and products:

Types of treatment (30%): We looked at brands that offer prescription hair loss medications, OTC hair loss treatments, or both.

Proven and safe ingredients (30%): For prescription medications, we talked to dermatologists and hair loss experts to learn which medications they recommend for different types of hair loss and which ones are the safest. We also looked for medications backed by research and approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat hair loss. For supplements and OTC options, we looked for brands that offer a full list of all the ingredients.

Cost (15%): We compared the costs for each type of treatment and the price for subscriptions. Many hair loss treatments are meant to be used for three months to a year, so it is important to make sure they are affordable for long-term use.

Medical assessments and intake (10%): We went through the sign up process for each of the brands to see what questions they asked and how they made sure any medicated treatments were safe for users.

Professional support (10%): For brands that offer prescription treatments, we reviewed them to see how users can contact their prescribers, through messaging or video calls, and how quickly they respond.

Ease of use (5%): Since you will need to use most hair loss treatments every day, they should be easy to make part of your daily routine so you are more likely to stick with them. We tested many of the products ourselves and read customer reviews to learn what real users thought about the treatments.

Sources:

NCOA Hair Loss Survey. 235 respondents. Conducted using Pollfish. Launched August 5, 2024.