This root treatment by Alterna Haircare is a daily leave-in scalp spray for thinning, fine and fragile hair. This product claims to stimulate the scalp and create a natural defense against DHT build-up and excess sebum, allowing healthy, thicker-looking hair to grow.

Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Butylene Glycol, Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract, Paullinia Cupana Seed Extract, Propylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Oleth-20, Polysorbate 20, Rice Amino Acids, Disodium EDTA, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Taurine, Hexyl Cinnamal, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil, Menthol, Limonene, Azelaic Acid, Calcium Pantothenate, Calphostin C, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Magnesium Salicylate, n-Carboxyethyl Butyric Acid, Niacin, Ornithine Decarboxylase, Phosphorus, Retinyl Palmitate, Threonine, Tocopheryl Acetate, Zinc Gluconate, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Linalool, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cinchona Succirubra Bark Extract, Coptis Japonica Extract, Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Extract, Gastrodia Elata Root Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Nasturtium Officinale Flower/Leaf Extract, Polygonum Multiflorum Extract, Robinia Pseudacacia Flower Extract, Royal Jelly Extract, Methylisothiazolinone, Geraniol, Dextran, Citral, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Glycerin, Trifolium Pratense (Clover) Flower Extract, Panthenol, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3, Apigenin, Oleanolic Acid, Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1, Keratin Amino Acids, Hydrolyzed Algae Extract, Polysilicone-15, Wasabia Japonica Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Urtica Dioica (Nettle) Extract, Saccharomyces/Magnesium Ferment, Pikea Robusta Extract, Polyquaternium-10, Silanetriol Melaninate, Superoxide Dismutase, Bromelain, Glycine Max (Soybean) Symbiosome Extract, Papain, Saccharomyces/Iron Ferment, Saccharomyces/Copper Ferment, Adenosine Triphosphate, Hexapeptide-11, Niacinamide/Yeast Polypeptide, Saccharomyces/Silicon Ferment, Saccharomyces/Zinc Ferment, Caviar Extract, Phospholipids, Ascorbic Acid Polypeptide, Pantothenic Acid/Yeast Polypeptide, Soy Amino Acids, Fragrance.

The third ingredient, serenoa serrulata fruit extract, also known as saw palmetto, is believed to block the conversion of testosterone into DHT (dihydrotestosterone) which can bind to receptors in the hair follicles and cause them to shrink, weaken and eventually die, causing hair loss. The fourth ingredient, paullinia cupana (guarana) seed extract contains caffeine, which is also said to suppress DHT. This spray contains castor oil, amino acids, proteins, vitamins and minerals. Mint leaf extract and menthol can stimulate and soothe the scalp. Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate is a form of vitamin C. Red clover growth complex is said to help improve blood circulation, soothe irritated skin and eliminate buildup of DHT on the scalp, encouraging thicker, fuller hair that looks and feels denser. Fragrance is the last ingredient.

Directions state to spray on scalp in sections on clean, towel-dried hair and massage in twice daily. Do not rinse.

I have had thinning hair for a years now. My hair type is fine and wavy (though I had a keratin straightening treatment a few months ago). My scalp gets oily rather quickly. About a year ago I finished using The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density with some results, and wanted to try something else in hopes to increase growth and thickness of the hair, particularly at the edges.

Alterna Haircare’s leave-in root spray has a fresh, clean scent that fades once it dries. I used the root spray twice a day, not always on damp hair, as I wash my hair twice a week or so. I parted my hair into four sections, spraying directly on the scalp and massaging in, concentrating towards the front and edges of the scalp, as this is where my hair is thinning. It has a concentrated spray nozzle that doesn’t spread too much; good for getting the spray right on the scalp. One bottle lasted about 2 months; I got two bottles. This doesn’t leave a residue on the hair nor weigh the hair down. It doesn’t leave the hair feeling dry or textured.

Above is the center part and middle of the scalp. After 4 months, I do not see or feel any difference in thickness or growth of the hair.

This is the front hairline, also no change.

The above photo shows a before and after of the edges of my hair that shows no change.

The root spray didn’t increase the thickness, growth or density of the hair, nor did the hair feel any healthier or softer. I have a generally oily scalp that can get itchy and this helped with soothing a bit of the itchiness, but didn’t seem to help with elimination of oil buildup.

The Caviar Anti-Aging Densifying Leave-In Root Treatment has good ingredients, but gave no results in terms of thicker or stronger hair, and I would not repurchase. At this point, I’ll be focusing on the health of the scalp.

Thank you for reading.