5 dermatologist recommended hair growth products – introduction
It’s important to get a diagnosis if you are experiencing hair loss. These dermatologist recommended hair growth products, however, can be helpful for people with many types of hair loss as well as those who don’t have alopecia but who want more vitality to their hair. We often recommend these products to our patients with a variety of hair loss problems as part of their treatment plan. This list does not take the place of a doctor’s advice.
Related: dermatologist hair loss
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Medically Reviewed by board-certified dermatologist Dr. Dina Strachan We cut through the marketing hype to bring you products with proven active ingredients. Every item is reviewed by our clinical team for safety and efficacy—we strictly recommend products we would prescribe to our own patients.
Note: This content is for education and does not replace a medical evaluation. Aglow Dermatology may earn a commission if you purchase through our links, which supports our free educational content. Updated January 21, 2026
| Product | Best For | Key Mechanism | Dr. Strachan’s Verdict & Value Note |
|
Revian Red Cap
(Medical Device) |
Androgenetic Alopecia (On-label)
Chronic Hair Loss (Off-label)
Scalp Inflammation & CCCA |
Dual-Color LED Therapy
Uses specific wavelengths of light to reduce inflammation and stimulate nitric oxide production (better blood flow) at the follicle level. |
Top Non-Drug Alternative: An excellent substitute or adjunct to Minoxidil. While the upfront cost is higher, it offers up to 60,000 treatments, making it cheaper than monthly Minoxidil refills in the long run. Risk-Free Trial: Includes a 100% money-back guarantee at 6 months (terms apply).
Bonus: Cleared for scalp inflammation and specifically studied in scarring alopecia types like CCCA. |
|
Phyto 7
(Cosmetic Cream) |
Hair Breakage & Dryness
(Not for root hair loss) |
Plant-Based Hydration
A leave-in conditioner that mimics the hair’s natural moisture to prevent the shaft from snapping. |
The “False Alarm” Fix: Essential for patients who think they are “losing” hair but are actually experiencing breakage due to dryness. Excellent for maintenance and length retention. |
|
Nutrafol
(Supplement) |
Multi-Factorial Hair Loss
(Stress, Hormones, Nutrition) |
Medical-Grade Nutraceuticals
Targets root causes like cortisol (stress) and DHT using Ashwagandha, Curcumin, and Marine Collagen. |
Holistic Support: A robust option for internal support. Note: Contains fish products (not vegan). Best used as a foundation alongside topical treatments or devices. |
|
Vegamour
(Serum/Foam) |
Mild Thinning & Vegans
(Plant-Based Preference) |
Phyto-Actives
Uses mung bean and red clover to inhibit DHT and stimulate follicles without animal byproducts. |
The Vegan Alternative: A gentle, plant-based option for those who cannot take Nutrafol or want to avoid harsh chemicals. Great for early intervention. |
|
Rogaine (Minoxidil)
(FDA Medication) |
Genetic Hair Loss
(Androgenetic Alopecia) |
Vasodilator
Widens blood vessels to deliver more oxygen/nutrients to hair follicles and extends the growth phase. |
The Gold Standard: The most proven OTC treatment. While effective, it can cause scalp irritation and requires indefinite daily use. Revian Red is often recommended for patients looking to avoid these side effects or the daily “mess” of topical applications. |
1. Revian Red
Revian Red is an FDA-cleared medical device clinically proven to stimulate hair growth in people with androgenetic alopecia. It works using LED (light emitting diode therapy) or red light light therapy. LED also helps with wound healing and skin aging. The Revian Red cap works by targeting 3 pathological factors in pattern hair loss:
- decreased blood flow
- inflammation
- DHT production
These factors may play a role in other types of hair loss. The Revian Red hair growth system can be helpful in combination with other therapies for other types of hair loss as well. Again, if you are not certain that you have male or female pattern hair loss, we do recommend getting a diagnosis first before using this product. Users control the device with an app on a smartphone. Because it is rated for 60,000 treatments, it is often cheaper than monthly Minoxidil in the long run. It comes with a money-back guarantee.
SHOP: Use code GROWMEÂ to Save $550 on Revian Red
Read next: dermatologist hair loss
2. Phyto 7 botanical hydrating day cream
One of our favorite products for patients who come in with hair loss or hair growth problems secondary to brittle hair is Phyto 7. Aggressive heat, drying products, relaxers and hair dyes can damage and dry the hair. Like the skin, the hair can get dry. Dry hair is more likely to break — which prevents growth. Phyto is a French botanical brand that is derived from plant extracts. Just apply a quarter sized amount to the hair– especially the ends. People with severely dry hair might prefer Phyto 9 which has additional oils.
Bonus: We recommend use of deep conditioners weekly for people with brittle hair. Our favorites are Redken All Soft Heavy Cream, PHYTO NOURISHMENT Ultra-nourishing Mask , or Phytojojoba moisturizing mask
SHOP: Dry and Brittle Hair Solutions
3. Nutrafol
This dermatologist recommended hair growth product, Nutrafol, is a medical-grade supplement clinically proven to increase hair growth. It contains many nutrients which address the effects of stress, environment and nutrition on hair growth. It contains fish so it is not appropriate for vegetarians and vegans. We often recommend Nutrafol for a few months, like changing the soil for a plant, for better hair growth for people with the without alopecia. There are formulations for women, women in peri- and menopause, and men.
Related: Alma TED hair restoration
4. Vegamour
For people who want a plant-based option, Vegamour is a vegan supplement that can be helpful for hair growth. The supplement contains nutrients such as zinc, vit D, and the B-vitamins that can be harder to get on plant-based diets. These are important for hair growth.
Before and after: Perimenopausal hair loss
5. Rogaine | Dermatologist recommended hair growth product
The original brand for minoxidil, Rogaine, a seminal ingredients in hair growth. Rogaine foam is FDA approved for androgenetic alopecia. Dermatologists commonly recommend it as an additional tool for patients with other types of hair loss. Ironically, Rogaine often gets a bad reputation for the hair falling out when one stops using it. This is a misconception about what is going on. Indeed, this drug is not a cure, but a treatment, for hair loss. The effects wear off over two years when the drug is discontinued. Studies have shown that the foam is less irritating. There are formulations for both women and men. The men’s formulation is stronger and can be used by women as well. Now higher concentration minoxidil and oral minoxidil for hair loss are available by prescription.
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READ: Rogaine vs. Revian Red
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is Revian Red worth the high upfront cost compared to Minoxidil (Rogaine)?
While the initial price of the Revian Red cap is higher than a bottle of Minoxidil, it is often more cost-effective in the long run. Minoxidil is a monthly recurring cost that adds up over years of use. In contrast, the Revian device is a one-time purchase rated for 60,000 treatments, making the cost-per-use significantly lower over time. Additionally, Revian offers a 100% money-back guarantee if you do not see results after 6 months (terms apply), offering a level of risk protection that drugstore products do not.
2. Can I use Revian Red instead of Minoxidil?
Yes. Dr. Strachan often recommends Revian Red as a substitute for patients who want to avoid the daily “mess,” scalp irritation, or texture issues associated with topical Minoxidil foams and liquids. Additionally, some people complain of unwanted facial hair, headaches, and irritaiton with minoxidil which isn’t a concern with the Revian Red cap. While it is FDA-cleared specifically for Androgenetic Alopecia, Dr. Strachan may also recommend it “off-label” as part of a broader treatment plan for chronic hair loss where improving blood flow and reducing inflammation is beneficial.
3. Does Red Light Therapy help with scalp inflammation or scarring alopecia (CCCA)?
Emerging data suggests it can be very beneficial. Unlike standard topical growth stimulants, the Revian Red system uses dual-color LED technology that modulates the body’s inflammatory response. The device has been cleared for treating scalp inflammation and has been specifically studied in Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia (CCCA)—a scarring hair loss condition common in women of color—making it a unique tool in a dermatologist’s arsenal beyond just genetic hair loss.
4. How long does it take to see results from these products?
Hair growth is a slow process due to the natural hair cycle. Whether you are using Nutrafol, Minoxidil, or Revian Red, you typically need to commit to 3 to 6 months of consistent use before seeing visible improvements in density or coverage. This is why the money-back guarantee on medical devices like Revian is set at the 6-month mark—to ensure you have given the hair follicles enough time to cycle from the resting phase back into the growth phase.
5. What is the difference between hair loss and hair breakage?
Hair loss (alopecia) occurs at the root/follicle level, often caused by genetics, hormones, or inflammation. This requires treatments like Revian, Minoxidil, or Nutrafol. Hair breakage, however, happens when the hair shaft becomes dry and snaps off. If you are seeing short, broken pieces of hair rather than full strands with a bulb, you likely need a breakage solution like Phyto 7, which hydrates brittle hair, rather than a growth stimulant.
Dermatologist recommended hair growth products- conclusion
There are many hair growth products on the market. Here are just a few. These are some of the science-backed products that we recommend. We’ve seen great results in our practice.
