The first time I noticed hair loss was in 2016. The company I worked for announced they were shuttering and I was laid off. Then, in the winter of 2019, I went through a brutal breakup, followed by another layoff due to COVID-19 in March 2020. Unsurprisingly, my hairline once again thinned out. After seeing a doctor and doing a few blood tests to rule out any health issues, I discovered my hair loss was stress-induced.
Now, it’s 2025 and I’m happier than ever, but to my horror, I recently noticed my hair shedding irregularly again in my shower. My stressor this time? Wedding planning. But since I absolutely cannot have my hair looking sparse on my big day, I knew I needed fast-acting solutions.
Luckily, my job allows me to test a lot of products, and eventually, I found my holy grail — well, it's a combination of three products, and according to Dr. Bradley Glodny, a board-certified dermatologist in NYC, that’s the best way to approach hair loss. “Regimens [involving] multiple mechanisms of action will always work better than using only one ingredient or treatment,” he explains. The first successful product I tried? The Nioxin Hair Fall Defense Shampoo.
Nioxin Hair Fall Defense Shampoo
- Removes buildup
- Stimulating ingredients
- Focus on hairline
- Massage for 2 minutes
Size(s): 8.1, 16 and 33.8 oz. options available | Key ingredients: Lauric acid, niacinamide, caffeine
My hair type
I have a lot of hair, albeit it has an ultra-fine texture, which gives it a thinner appearance. While I’ve always loved my hair type, it’s been prone to breakage from heat damage and tight hairstyles. After years of this, my hair naturally looks thinner than it did in my younger years.
Nivea Skin Firming and Toning Gel Cream
This cream promises to improve firmness in as little as two weeks.
$13.98
Amazon
Bio-Oil Skincare Body Oil Serum
Our editors love this oil for hydration without a greasy feel.
$21.54
$23.49
Amazon
Nail-Aid Keratin 3 Day Growth Nail Treatment & Strengthener
This treatment can be used as both a base and top coat.
$4.48
Amazon
Essence Lash Princess Mascara
We love this affordable formula that doesn’t compromise lift.
$4.99
Amazon
$4.99
Ulta
$4.99
Target
Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey
One editor has been wearing this classic shade for over 20 years.
$18.75
$25.00
Amazon
$25.00
QVC
$25.00
Nordstrom
Rizos Curls Curl Defining Cream
Define curls and tame frizz with this nourishing cream.
$15.39
$21.99
Amazon
Resurfacing Retinol Serum
This affordable find is an easy introduction to retinol.
$18.68
$21.99
Amazon
$21.99
Ulta
$18.68
$23.73
Walmart
Laura Geller Color Correcting Powder Foundation
This foundation builds effortlessly to achieve a chic makeup look.
$17.99
$37.00
Amazon
$14.40
$36.00
Laura Geller
L’Oréal Paris Infallible 3-Second Setting Spray Mist
This spray promises to lock in makeup for up to 36 hours.
$10.98
$13.99
Amazon
$10.99
Target
Mielle Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil
Experts say that rosemary oil can help with hair growth.
$9.97
Walmart
$7.69
$10.99
Ulta
$9.57
Amazon
How I treated my hair
As mentioned, I took a three-pronged approach when treating my hairline. First, I began by using this Nioxin shampoo every day, which utilizes niacinamide, caffeine and lauric acid to help stimulate the hair follicles and support stronger hair growth from the root. It also deeply cleanses the scalp to remove buildup and create the optimal environment for hair to grow.
According to the brand, a clinical study found that 93% of users saw less hair fall out after using this product for 12 weeks. For testing, I used this product for the same amount of time, lathering up my hair once per day, focusing on my hairline area.
Higher Dose Red Light Hat
- Cordless, easy to wear
- Consistent use for results
- Hat might feel big for some
Features: Cordless, 10-minute process | Hair type: All
My next course of action was to try a red light cap. Red light has a ton of beauty benefits — and boosting hair growth is one of them — so I was excited to try this cap by HigherDose (which is currently 25% off when you use the code TODAY at checkout!). It looks like a regular baseball hat but has 120 diodes of red light bulbs that use FDA-cleared technology to stimulate hair growth. The brand recommends using it once per day for ten minutes. Since it’s cordless, it’s super easy to use while watching TV, cleaning or even while cooking each night. According to the brand, you should start to see some slight hair growth at the three-month mark, and more visible results with continued use after that.
Dr. Dhaval G. Bhanusali, a board-certified dermatologist in NYC, confirms that red light can be potentially beneficial for hair loss: “While the specific mechanism is not known, it’s believed that at specific wavelengths, the red light can stimulate hair follicles and stimulate cellular function.” Studies agree, and according to the brand, red light therapy works by stimulating blood flow to the scalp, helping to promote a strong environment for potential hair growth.
SickScience PowerCycle Scalp Treatment Serum
- Can use on wet or damp hair
- Use daily, consistently
- May leave residue on dry hair
Size(s): 60 ml | Key ingredients: Rosemary leaf extract, biotin
Finally, the last product that yielded results was a scalp serum by SickScience, a biotech brand founded by two molecular scientists whom I met at a PR event last year. I was excited to try this one out after knowing the scientific background of the two founders, and I was not disappointed.
This serum uses garlic and wheat-derived plant exosome technology (which the brand patented in their NX35 formula) to support hair growth and strengthen hair structure while also increasing hair diameter and thickness. The brand says to use this serum once a day on damp or dry hair and then apply it to areas of concern while massaging in with fingertips. Admittedly, I wasn’t as rigid in my usage of this serum, only using it about two to three times per week. The liquid-serum texture was easy to apply and, when massaged into damp hair, didn’t leave a residue.
According to the brand, a clinical study found that 100% of volunteers experienced an improvement in hair thickness after eight weeks. Plus, it’s hypoallergenic, which, for those who have tried scalp treatments before, know is a big deal (there’s nothing worse than an itchy reaction on your scalp!).
What to consider
Hair loss isn’t the same for everyone
Hair loss is extremely nuanced, so what works for one person might not work for the next. The important thing to remember is to find out the root cause of your hair loss so that you can appropriately treat it.
“It’s important to note that losing up to 100 hairs per day is normal, and only if there is a sudden increase, you should be worried,” explains Dr. Bhanusali. “If you are noticing more hair loss than normal, we recommend seeing a board-certified dermatologist as soon as you can. From there, they can rule out potential medical causes, where specific conditions or even internal issues may be evident on lab testing.”
Focus on the health of your hair and preventing breakage
This should come as no surprise, but healthy hair will naturally appear thicker, and breakage will give your hair a thinner look. “Healthy hair starts with preventing damage rather than trying to fix it later,” explains Rogerio Cavalcante, my go-to hairstylist and owner of The Second Floor Salon in NYC. “Limit chemical treatments and heat styling, as over-processing and daily heat use are major causes of breakage. Avoid consistently tight hairstyles like sleek buns, which put stress on the hair shaft, and always use a leave-in conditioner or detangler before brushing wet hair to prevent snapping.”
Cavalcante also emphasizes the importance of keeping the scalp clean by using high-quality products and not going too long between washes because this could exacerbate buildup around the hair follicle, which could inhibit hair growth.
More hair products to shop
How we chose
We spoke to experts about the causes, risk factors and proven solutions for hair loss. From there, we tried various hair loss products, testing their efficacy and ease of use. Then, we pulled previous expert recommendations for the best products for thinning hair. Julie Ricevuto is the commerce editor and producer for Shop TODAY, with over a decade of experience covering beauty, health, fitness and lifestyle content.
Meet our experts
- Dr. Dhaval G. Bhanusali, MD FAAD, founder of Hudson Dermatology & Laser Surgery
- Dr. Bradley Glodny, board-certified dermatologist at Park Avenue Dermatology.
- Rogerio Cavalcante, stylist and owner of The Second Floor Salon.
