Some hair growth tools work, others are gimmicks — here’s how to tell the difference

Yes, some viral hair growth tools actually work. I spoke to dermatologists and scalp experts about which ones will actually help hair grow and prevent hair loss.

If you’re like most people experiencing hair loss and shedding, you’ll notice that treatment takes a lot of trial and error to get your hair back on track. Tools like dermarolling, red light therapy and scalp massagers have come up time and time again on social media promising healthy hair growth, but do those viral products actually work? I spoke to board-certified dermatologists and trichologists to narrow down the best at-home tools you can use to help your hair grow, and how to separate them from the gimmicks. Want more from NBC Selected? Sign up for our newsletter, The Selection, and shop smarter. What hair growth tools actually work? The telltale sign a hair growth tool isn’t reliable is dramatic claims.

“Anything claiming instant regrowth or dramatic results in a week is unrealistic,” says board-certified trichologist Aga Tompkins. “Hair grows in cycles. No tool overrides biology.” To separate the tools that actually work and those that are simply gimmicks or shams, I narrowed down the most popular tools on the market today and consulted with dermatologists and trichologists. Keep in mind that the most effective treatments for hair loss with proven results are oral and topical medications, specifically minoxidil, which you can get as a prescription from your doctor or over-the-counter from hair care brand Rogaine. Red light therapy Red