
Hair loss continues to be a major concern for beauty consumers. Searches for hair growth products and hair growth vitamins, for example, have exploded within the past year, per Google Trends — thus far reaching peak popularity between Dec. 29, 2024-Jan. 4, 2025. Also, the global market for anti-hair loss and hair growth products is projected to reach US $5.66 billion by 2032, expanding at CAGR of 5.8% from 2024, per Business Research Insights. Recent approaches to hair loss have focused on reducing stress, improving scalp health and even balancing the scalp microbiome, giving product developers new targets; although the more traditional tactics of improving hair anchoring and thinning, and manipulating hair growth cycles remain prominent. The Hers brand 5% minoxidil hair regrowth treatment foam provides an example of the latter.
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Hair loss continues to be a major concern for beauty consumers. Searches for hair growth products and hair growth vitamins, for example, have exploded within the past year, per Google Trends — thus far reaching peak popularity between Dec. 29, 2024-Jan. 4, 2025. Also, the global market for anti-hair loss and hair growth products is projected to reach US $5.66 billion by 2032, expanding at CAGR of 5.8% from 2024, per Business Research Insights. Recent approaches to hair loss have focused on reducing stress, improving scalp health and even balancing the scalp microbiome, giving product developers new targets; although the more traditional tactics of improving hair anchoring and thinning, and manipulating hair growth cycles remain prominent. The Hers brand 5% minoxidil hair regrowth treatment foam provides an example of the latter.
Biologically Targeting Hair Loss
To understand the Hers product mechanism of action, it helps to understand the hair growth cycle. Suzuki explained how hair repeatedly grows and falls out in accordance with the hair cycle; in a normal scalp, 85% to 90% of all follicles will be in anagen phase and 10% in telogen phase at any given time. The total number of scalp hairs maintained is estimated to be about 100,000.
However, several factors can disrupt the phases of the normal hair cycle. If these shorten the anagen phase, they can cause the hair to become more fine, thus turning what was terminal hair into vellus hair. This is the case in male pattern baldness where large hair follicles become smaller and the change from terminal hair to vellus hair is accelerated.
When the telogen phase becomes longer, the ratio of hair in the telogen stage increases. As a result, a considerable amount of hair falls out without immediate replacement. As this situation continues, the scalp hair becomes thin and noticeable balding results. Female pattern baldness, or so-called diffuse baldness, also shows this pattern.
Balding may also show up as a phenomenon that accompanies aging, whereby terminal hair changes to vellus hair. Possible reasons for this disruption to the hair cycle, which hair growth products commonly target, include:
- Decreased function of hair matrix cells that produce hair, resulting in hair follicle atrophy and very fine hair;
- Decline in blood flow that carries nutrients to follicles, resulting in decreased metabolic function of hair matrix cells;
- Increased sensitivity of androgenic hormones resulting in male pattern baldness that develops due to blockage of hair growth;
- Activation of sebaceous gland functioning that deteriorates the scalp and hair follicle environment;
- Dietary imbalance resulting in the lack of nutrients to the hair follicle that adversely affect sebaceous gland functioning; and
- Other factors such as heredity or extreme mental stress.
To counter these factors, hair growth products have been developed that incorporate active agents to increase cell viability, accelerate blood flow, act as antiandrogenic agents and inhibit sebum secretion.
Why it's so Difficult to Develop Hair Growth Products
We asked hair growth expert Gillian Westgate, Ph.D., to weigh in on why it's so difficult to create effective hair growth products. She gave us the short answer.
"Basically because hair biology is complex and hair loss is multifactorial. Translating research to finished products and generating high quality proof is very costly," she wrote.
"However, there are already very many hair loss products (which suggests it's not difficult at all!), so I suggest what is hard is to develop products/treatments that are clinically effective to meet the varying needs of each person without a detailed clinical assessment and diagnosis before purchase.
"There is also the separation into drug and cosmetic classification, which impacts claims and marketing, allowing opportunism and misinformation."
Hers Hair Regrowth Treatment
Hers hair growth treatment ingredient disclosure and back label
The Hers minoxidil foam for women is said to give hair follicles a wake-up call by helping to increase blood flow, extending the hair growth phase for for thicker, fuller hair. Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), this 5% minoxidil treatment has been clinically proven to act within 3-6 months, per the company.
The airy foam is formulated so that upon contact with the scalp, it absorbs and dries quickly. The product is said to leave no trace, so hair does not feel greasy or tacky and can be styled as normal. The foam is also safe for color-treated or chemically treated hair.
The Hers products are available as single purchases or as a subscription, to help users maintain regular use to achieve the desired results.
Ingredients: Hers Hair Regrowth Treatment
Minoxidil (5.0%), Alcohol, Propylene Glycol, Purified Water (Aqua)
User Feedback: Hers Hair Regrowth Treatment
Following are example user reviews (edited for style), selected for their anecdotal insights on product form and function.
- This is just as good as Rogaine but will save you some money. It's fragrance free and does not irritate the scalp. It's easy to use and really lasts about 2 months. It has made a huge difference in my hair shedding. Just use it once a day. It does not make the scalp greasy.
- No drying, no greasiness or tackiness, just hair finally getting thicker in the temple area.
- These products made my hair feel thick and soft. I have curly hair and the conditioner worked well with my curls. I also enjoyed the products' fragrances.
- I loved the applicator, so you can apply product directly to the area where it's needed. It doesn't weigh the hair down, or make it look greasy. It smells nice, clean and fresh.
- I use this twice a day as directed and it works! I put it on the top of my head and target my hair line and notice baby hairs growing. The key is consistency. I highly recommend if you are noticing thinning on your head or hairline. It does take a couple weeks to see new growth but the patience is worth the payoff.