Hair loss and hair thinning are a part of everyday life, but this doesn’t have to take your confidence. There are numerous products on the market aimed at supporting healthy hair growth and filling nutritional gaps. Plus, the right products can fit seamlessly into your busy work-life routine.
Our team at Fortune has put a wide range of hair loss products to the test. In addition to interviewing experts, we get hands-on experience with every supplement, topical, shampoo, and conditioner. Keep reading to see how we test our hair loss products and use that data to craft informed product recommendations.
Our Testing Standards
All of our reviews lead with our hands-on testing experience. We access each product as if we were the consumer, trying it for the first time. Our team uses a variety of testing methods to give us a comprehensive view of hair growth products.
Availability and Accessibility
In an age when hair loss products are advertised at every turn, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed when shopping. Plus, with a flooded market, not every hair topical has easily accessible information and supplement facts. So, when narrowing down our favorite hair loss products, we prioritized trusted brands that are readily available online or at major retailers.
Our Hair Loss Testing Protocols
Here is everything you need to know about our hair loss testing protocols. After we finish our assessments, we rate each product on a scale of 1 to 5 for each of the following factors.
Formulation
Our team assesses each product’s formula and carefully reviews the ingredients list. We look for safe, research-backed ingredients and, as best we can, avoid vague proprietary blends or unclear dosing.
With the help of medical experts, our testers also ensure products provide clinically-effective doses, so you’re actually getting enough to notice a difference.
First-Person Trials
Before trying a hair growth product, we want our readers to have as much testing insight as possible. Our first-person testing protocols vary a little depending on the product category. Generally, though, we look at:
- Form. Our team tries everything from pills to shampoos, because we know that preferences vary. Each product is then evaluated on how well its form (pill, serum, spray, solution) matches its intended use.
- Ease of Use. We judge how easy hair growth products are to use day to day and how naturally they can fit into a routine. Testers also rate factors such as texture, scent, and residue, and products that were simpler and more comfortable to use consistently scored higher.
- Results. Hair growth products take time, but testers track early changes such as shedding, thickness, coverage, and how their scalp and hair felt over weeks to months.
- Side Effects. After using a hair loss product, our testers pay close attention to their scalp, noting any negative (or positive) side effects.
- Convenience. Our testers focus on how practical each product feels for long-term consistency, especially for those with busy work lives.
Medical Review
While we do have experts on our team, including a certified nutrition coach, certified personal trainers, and registered dietitians, we often have an extra set of medical eyes on all of our content. We prioritize medical review for hair loss content to ensure we’re offering the safest, most accurate information possible.
Value
Hair loss products can be expensive. That being said, our team weighs overall price when comparing and reviewing products. We want you to not only find the best product for you and your hair, but the best product for your money, too. Our team breaks down the price for each treatment (or serving) to help you make the most educated decision.