The Best Hair Growth Products in South Africa

best hair growth products

We offer a round-up of the best hair growth products in South Africa – ideal for anyone experiencing thinning hair or hair loss.

Thanks to advances in the scientific and cosmetic industries, the right products really can make a difference.

Used regularly, they can promote hair growth, improve the density, texture and volume of hair, and protect against hair breakage and loss.

If you’re looking for hair regrowth treatments that require prescriptions, it’s best to consult a suitably experienced medical specialist. Here, we review the best products for hair growth and thickness that you can get over the counter in South Africa. We also answer common questions and concerns surrounding hair loss in our Q&A.

Best shampoo for hair growth

It’s no surprise that the best shampoo for hair growth comes from Bosley, the industry leader in products for hair loss. This gentle, sulphate-free shampoo is the result of decades of research into treating hair loss and thinning hair.

It reconditions the hair while rejuvenating the scalp, with LifeXtend Complex Plus for promoting the health of hair and hair follicles. The shampoo also helps remove dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is a primary cause of hair thinning and hair loss.

For those with colour-treated hair, try the equivalent Bosley Revive shampoo with added colour protection.

Best conditioner for hair growth

Conditioner not only restores hair, it prevents further damage, so it’s really important if you have thinning, damaged hair.

This conditioner is enriched with the oil of the Japanese hinoki tree. It enriches the scalp, smooths the hair’s cuticles, adds body and essential ingredients, and makes the hair easier to brush when wet to avoid pulling and breakage.

Best starter set for thinning hair

If you want to protect your visibly-thinning hair from further loss, try this starter set from Bosley’s Revive system.

The nourishing shampoo, volumising conditioner and thickening treatment work together to reverse hair loss and revive the hair for a fuller appearance. The scalp is rejuvenated with Bosley’s LifeXtend Complex Plus that uses saw palmetto to remove debris, excess oil and toxins from the scalp. If you have coloured hair, use this starter set.

Best mask for hair growth

A weekly mask should be part of everyone’s healthy hair routine. If your hair is thinning, it’s essential. This mask is formulated to give intense moisture to dry, brittle hair.

Mango and shea butters, with Brazilian palm tree and avocado oils, supply rich hydration and shine. Red wine extract offers antioxidant protection and Bosley’s LifeXtend complex gives added nourishment.

Best oil for hair growth

Massage this lotion daily into your scalp to boost hair growth. Massaging increases blood flow to the scalp and the daily self-care helps relieve the stress that can cause hair loss.

The lotion contains amla extract and seaberry oil, which tone the scalp and help remove irritants that can cause inflammation. Apply a few drops and, starting at the front, work your way back with gentle but firm and consistent pressure.

Best treatment for hair growth

The anti-inflammatory effects of peppermint, lemongrass and cinnamon in this treatment are wonderful if you have an itchy, irritated scalp. These plant-powered botanicals soothe the scalp and stimulate the hair follicle to promote hair growth.

This treatment from vegan company FFØR is formulated with Redensyl™, a biotechnology that combats hair loss, thinning and promotes hair growth using cosmetic active ingredients based on regenerative medicine research. 

Best serum for hair growth

This leave-in serum is powered by biotin and collagen to balance your scalp, reduce irritation and restore over-processed hair that’s brittle and prone to breakage and fallout.

Sensitive follicles that are exposed to heat, chemicals and harmful substances are nourished, so they can grow healthy from roots to ends.

Best scalp treatment for hair growth

Healthy hair starts at the scalp, and these treatment ampoules will shock your scalp into action. A concentrated combination of amino acids, vitamins and plant extracts, including rosemary, hazel leaf and ginger, soothe and rejuvenate the scalp.

The hair is better anchored in the healthier hair follicles, ensuring stronger and thicker hair grows in the future. Massage into the scalp morning and night daily to see and feel the difference.

Best thickening styling gel

This styling gel from Bosley will help create thicker, fuller-looking hair that’s soft, manageable and stays in place.

It’s also packed with ingredients that promote healthy hair and growth. Apple stem-cell extract stimulates hair follicles, vitamin E-rich sunflower seed extract creates volume and shine, and Bosley’s LifeXtend Complex boosts body and strength.

Best volumising dry shampoo

If your hair is thinning, you may prefer to avoid washing it too often. In that case, reach for this volumising dry shampoo. It removes dirt, excess oil and product build-up, leaving hair soft and with lots of volume.

Bosley’s LifeXtend Complex helps strengthen and fortify hair follicles and hair shafts to create thicker, fuller-looking hair. DHT inhibitors help boost scalp health, while powerful ingredients – from saw palmetto and witch hazel to burdock root, chamomile, and apple stem extract – calm scalp irritation and inflammation. What’s more, it never flakes.

Best hair thickening fibres

If you have visibly thinning patches of hair, this cosmetic solution could be the answer to your prayers. These hair thickening fibres are made from keratin, the same protein that hair is built from.

Charged with static electricity, the fibres intertwine and bond with your hair, adding density and creating thicker, fuller-looking hair. Choose from seven shades and use with Non-Aerosol Hairspray & FiberHold Spray.

Best brush for thin hair

Avoid pulling and breaking fine and thinning hair by using this gentle detangling brush.

The WetBrush Thin Hair Detangler is designed with fewer bristles – 78 versus 178 – that are soft, pliable and bend with your hair to avoid tugging and breakage without compromising on detangling.

Q&A

A. Hair loss and hair thinning can be caused by a number of factors. These include genetics, hormones, medical conditions, pregnancy, lifestyle influences like stress and diet, scalp disorders, heat and over styling.

You may have hair loss and thinning as a result of one or more of these factors. To know the best way to treat hair loss and thinning, you must establish the cause.

In men – but also in women – genetics and changing hormones can lead to hair loss called male (or female) pattern baldness. This is when hair is lost along a typical pattern, usually a receding hairline and thinning on the crown.

A. Hair growth products and supplements help maintain healthy hair and boost the hair-growth cycle (see next question). They improve scalp and hair health, which help combat hair loss and promote hair growth, and hair is strengthened and thickened.

The best products for hair growth include shampoos, conditioners, targeted treatments like masks and oils, and supplements. Remember, a product that works for one person might not work for another. Usually, a combination of products used over time brings the best results.

A. Skip if this is too much science for you, but it helps to understand how hair grows when treating hair loss and thinning.

There are four stages of hair growth: anagen, catagen, telogen and exogen. During the first three stages, a hair grows and matures. The exogen stage is when the hair is shed.

During the anagen phase, a hair follicle pushes out hair that continues to grow. As much as 90% of your hair is in this stage, which can last up to seven years, depending on your hair length.

The catagen is a transition phase when the hair follicle shrinks and growth slows. It lasts about 10 days. The hair separates from the follicle but stays in place. About 5% of all hairs are in this stage.

The telogen phase is when hair rests. They don’t grow but don’t fall out. When a hair is in the telogen phase, a new hair begins to grow in the follicle that released it.

The exogen phase is the latter part of the telogen stage and hair is shed. This is often during brushing or washing. It’s normal for around 50 to 100 hairs to shed each day.

A. Hair health starts with a healthy scalp. If you have dandruff, scalp psoriasis, an itchy scalp or any other scalp condition, you should address this with a doctor.

Hair-growth products work by helping to promote scalp and hair health, improving blood circulation to the scalp and stimulating the hair follicles.

A. Hair growth products contain natural extracts, vitamins, minerals and herbs that stimulate and promote hair growth.

Look for products that contain the best ingredients to stimulate hair growth, such as saw palmetto, horsetail and vitamin B3.

A. A number of oils work well to promote hair growth and thickness. This is because they’re full of nutrients like vitamins, fatty acids, minerals and proteins that nourish the scalp and promote the growth of thicker hair.

Look for products that contain argan, lavender, rosemary, thyme, tea tree and cedarwood oils. Carrier oils like jojoba, castor, coconut, avocado, olive and almond also improve scalp and hair health.

A. The hair growth products at Hairhouse Warehouse are over-the-counter products that promote healthy scalp and hair.

Minoxidil (solution or pill) and other medications, such as finasteride, are used to treat male pattern baldness. They can have strong side-effects and vary in their success. Some of these treatments require prescriptions from a doctor. Others are found in smaller doses in OTC products.

A. Male pattern baldness (androgenic alopecia) is a hereditary form of hair loss that happens on the top and frontal regions of the scalp, causing the hairline to recede over time. For every five men it impacts, three women suffer from female pattern baldness too.

As well as genetic factors, increased levels of the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT) play a part in this type of hair loss. High levels of DHT can shrink the hair follicles and shorten the hair-growth cycle, resulting in hair loss. New hairs grow finer until there’s no hair and the follicles become dormant.

A. The causes of hair thinning and loss are complex but deficiencies in vitamins A, B, C, D and E, as well as zinc, iron, selenium and folic acid, have been associated with hair loss. A protein and amino acid deficiency can also lead to hair loss.

Speak to your doctor if you fear you may have a vitamin deficiency. Blood tests could confirm this.

A. If hair loss and thinning is caused by a deficiency, your doctor may recommend a supplement. Many supplements for hair health contain biotin, a B vitamin. Biotin is a water-soluble vitamin that supports the growth of hair by helping to break down fats and carbohydrates.

Supplements that directly target hair growth also contain combinations of biotin, zinc, folate and vitamins A, B, C, D and E.

While many supplements are formulated to promote hair health, it’s always wise to speak to a doctor before starting a new supplement or vitamin regimen.

A. Rosemary is used in many cultures as a topical application to promote hair growth, which is why it’s found in many hair growth products. But does it actually work?

It might, depending on the cause of your hair loss. The essential oil’s anti-inflammatory properties are thought to improve and strengthen circulation, which could prevent hair follicles from being starved of blood supply, dying and falling out. Some studies have shown its properties can possibly restore hair growth.

As an added ingredient in hair products, it can also help a dry, itchy scalp, another cause of hair loss.

A. Folic acid (vitamin B9) is one of many nutrients that are thought to promote hair growth and volume. A deficiency is often associated with anaemia, which can cause thinning hair.

While there aren’t studies that unequivocally prove it promotes hair growth, folic acid is associated with new cell production (it’s prescribed during pregnancy to promote the development of a baby’s nervous system) and thus contributes to the growth of hair and nails.

A. Bleaching doesn’t cause permanent hair loss. However, it can and usually does cause permanent damage to your hair. It makes hair more porous and dry, which increases the chance of breakage.

Also, the bleach can seep into your hair follicles, which causes inflammation that can lead to hair loss. So, if you do have any hair loss as a result of bleaching, it won’t be permanent. The hair will grow back.

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