Ladies and Gentlemen: The Best OTC Products for Thinning Hair

Lifestyle

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By Alva Yaffe

If you have thinning hair, you’re not alone. In fact, on average, it’s normal to lose as much as 50 to 100 hairs every day, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. How much hair you have (and your hair type) is predetermined by your genetics. So what you have is here to stay.

A woman with long flowing blonde hair blowing in the wind

Photo by Iithian / 123rf

Everyone experiences at least some hair loss with age. Before trying anything crazy, try out the over-the-counter products that have proven to help restore some of the volume, strength, and shine of your locks.

Here are a couple of products for both men and women.

For the Ladies: Rogaine’s 5% Minoxidil Foam

Aside from minoxidil, Rogaine uses botanical extracts to maintain a healthy, conditioned scalp. It provides an optimal environment, in your scalp, for the regrowth of your hair. There’s also alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that promotes natural skin exfoliation and keeps your hair follicles open.

Rogaine for women 5% minoxidil foam / A before and after photograph of a woman getting her hair back

Source: Amazon / YouTube

More than 80% of women saw hair growth after using this product, compared to a placebo, during a clinical study. It’s definitely worth the try.

For the Gentlemen: Rogaine’s Extra Strength 5% Minoxidil Topical Solution

Rogaine was actually the first FDA-approved brand to treat hair loss in men and women by stimulating hair follicles to regrow thicker locks. Minoxidil addresses male thinning hair (as well as female androgenetic alopecia).

A men’s Rogaine foam package / A before and after photograph of a man getting his fuller hair back

Source: Pinterest / YouTube

“Minoxidil’s mechanism of action is believed to be due to an effect on the calcium channels in the hair cells,” explained Dendy Engelman, MD, a dermatologist at Manhattan Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery. “It increases the capillary blood flow to the dermis of the skin where the follicle resides to make them stronger and help regrow hair.”