thinning hair

Hairmetto Topical Saw Palmetto Serum Review

~ Michele Raiyne ~ Leave a comment

Hairmetto topical serum for thinning hair is a non-greasy gel serum treatment formulated for daytime use that claims to soothe scalp inflammation and stimulate the hair follicle to promote new growth, where regrowth can be visible within 3 to 6 months.

Medicinal ingredients: cornmint essential oil (Mentha arvensis), rosemary essential oil (Rosmarinus offinalis)

Other ingredients: saw palmetto extract, stinging nettle extract, aqua (deionized), gelling agent, sodium polyacrylate, preservative (Germall Plus).

This hair serum is water-based and alcohol free. It is formulated with saw palmetto, a plant that contains essential fatty acids extracted from the berries, and blocks 5-alpha reductase, an enzyme that converts testosterone to DHT, responsible for hair loss. Rosemary oil has antibacterial properties and there have been small studies that have shown rosemary can be effective in the treatment of hair loss. Cornmint essential oil, also known as Japanese peppermint, has a high concentration of menthol. Menthol increases blood circulation to the scalp, delivering oxygen and nutrients to the hair follicles. It also has antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. Stinging nettle extract, in combination with saw palmetto, works against the enzyme causing hair loss, along with anti-inflammatory properties and soothing of the scalp to combat hair loss.

Directions: Can be used day or night. Part the hair and apply to thinning areas. Massage in. Can be air dried or blow dried.

I first noticed thinning hair around age 35 I believe, around the front hairline and front and mids areas. I used The Ordinary’s multipeptide hair serum back in 2018 at age 37 for 6 months, where I did not really notice results. I also used the leave-in root treatment by Alterna Caviar in 2020, hoping for results. I am 42 now. Looking back at 2018, my thinning hair looks relatively the same to now, however, I have noticed, when getting a fringe again maybe about a year ago, the hair was significantly thinner around that area, and the fringe less full than it had been previously. I do not really have any scalp issues; dryness, dandruff, inflammation, etc., but my scalp is very often itchy. I have an oily scalp and dry hair.

Hairmetto topical serum is a lightweight, gel serum that smells strongly of mint. I applied the serum daily in the evening to the hairline and crown, massaging in to the scalp for a minute, then putting on a plastic shower cap, trapping the heat from the scalp, hoping to get a bit longer cooling, tingling sensation from the mint. Without the shower cap, the sensation lasts a few minutes while it dries, maybe a couple more minutes with the shower cap. This is non-greasy, leaving no residue on the hair (I wash my hair every 3 days in the evening). I used this product for 1 year.

In the photos above, I see no results after 1 year of use. I did not notice any difference with scalp itchiness. While Hairmetto Topical Saw Palmetto Serum stimulated the scalp, felt nice with a cooling, tingling sensation, and seems to have the “right” ingredients for hair regrowth, this did not improve my thinning hair. I will not repurchase, and plan to start Rogaine (minoxidil). Rogaine remains the only FDA approved topical ingredient to regrow hair.

Thanks for reading.

Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Densifying Leave-In Root Treatment Review

~ Michele Raiyne ~ 1 Comment

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.

Sevich Hairline Powder Review

~ Michele Raiyne ~ 4 Comments

Sevich hair powder comes in seven colors and claims to be a sweat-proof formula that temporarily covers grey hair and disguises thinning hair. According to the description on Amazon (where I purchased from), this is paraben, sulfate and peroxide free. It contains 4 grams of powder.

Directions state to dip the puff in the powder and tap onto grey roots and along the hairline.

Ingredients: C10-18 triglycerides, ozokerite, beeswax, hydrogenated vegetable oil, polyethylene, caprylic/capric triglyceride, ethylhexyl palmitate, bismuth oxychloride, Cl 77499, Cl 77510, tocopherol, polyparaben

The ingredients are not listed on the website, and I threw away my box before writing down the ingredients; the above is taken from a photo of a customer’s box on Amazon. Ozokerite is a wax. This has polyparaben, though claims to be paraben free.

This comes in portable-type packaging for touch ups on the go with a mirror on the top and a puff on the bottom for easy application. My hair is colored dark brown/dark auburn (naturally dark, dark brown that is about 30% grey) and is thinning.

I got the dark brown color hair powder to cover grey between salon visits and to disguise my thinning hair.

In the top photo, I had to use quite a bit of powder to cover the grey; some still shows through and it gives quite a matte finish. The powder does a good job filling in sparse hair. I could have put more powder for the bottom after photo.

The puff it comes with is good for large areas and grey coverage. For more precise application, a stiff makeup brush could be used.

There is transfer on running my fingers or a comb/brush through my hair. I went to the gym with the powder on and it is sweat proof (not water proof), though I imagine if there is a lot of sweat along the edges of the hair, the powder might run. It washes out easily with shampoo. This product could probably be used as an eyebrow powder as well, but since it transfers, it likely wouldn’t stay put all day.

At the end of the day I didn’t see any powder on my face, but swept a cotton round on the skin; the cotton round was covered in the hair powder, likely from my forehead mostly from sweeping my bangs off my face; so apparently I touch my hair and face a lot; something to be aware of.

I apply in the morning and it lasts all day. Into the next day, the powder stayed better on the top of my head and not so much on the edges, with some powder on my pillow the next morning. I generally wear a silk bonnet to sleep and this helps the powder stay put.

My hair gets oily a couple days after washing and because the product provides a matte finish, my hair doesn’t look as oily throughout the day.

While the greys are not completely covered and it gives a matte look to the hair, the Sevich hair powder does a good job of subduing the grey and from a distance the grey hair isn’t noticeable. This disguises sparse hair quite well and it is not really noticeable that it is a powder. I feel so much better about wearing my hair up with the thinning edges covered. I will definitely repurchase.

Thank you for reading.

Six Month Results – The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density

~ Michele Raiyne ~ 9 Comments

I’ve been using the Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density from Deciem’s The Ordinary for 6 months now. I first noticed thinning hair toward the front of my head probably about 4 or 5 years ago and used the system from Stemm, (shampoo, conditioner and hair serum) when they launched, I believe, in 2016. Stemm was discontinued and “replaced” with The Ordinary hair serum. Please read my first impressions, product claims, my use and information about The Ordinary’s hair serum here, and my 3-month results here.

Below are photos from before, 3 months and 6 months of use of The Ordinary hair serum.

Below are before and 6 months of use.

A couple of other photos after 6 months.

I saw some initial improvement in the 3-month photos and it looks like more improvement in hair density at the center part of my hair, but as far as the edges of the hair, general thickness and growth especially at the front of my head, I hoped for more improvement.

Here is a photo before and after using Stemm for comparison (which is why I had higher hopes for The Ordinary hair serum).

The above is the only photo I have of my Stemm use, but didn’t post a review as it was being discontinued. I wish I took photos from other angles as well. I think the results are quite good especially for only 3 months of use.

The time lapse between my use of Stemm and The Ordinary hair serum was about 2 years, and I can only assume that the cause of my thinning hair is the same as it was 2 years ago (though I am not sure what that is), so I would also assume that I would have gotten similar, if not better, results when using The Ordinary. If the cause of the thinning hair is hormonal or autoimmune, a hair serum may not work. I should also take into consideration the fact that I had been getting my hair bleached and then colored while using The Ordinary hair serum and perhaps that is why it may not have worked as well as it could.

I had been using the serum on my eyebrows to 3 months and forgot to continue use (apologies). I didn’t notice any results on my eyebrows in my 3-month update, and actually haven’t gotten results on my eyebrows with lash and brow growth serums thus far either.

While I can’t say for sure, I should also add that this hair serum may have stained my bleached hair a bit yellow. Here are a couple photos of my newly bleached and toned hair after one week’s use of the hair serum. While this is a scalp treatment, it is unavoidable to get some on the hair as it is massaged in.

As it stands now (while I got some result), I don’t think I would repurchase The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density, however, I got another bottle during their 50% off sale and will finish that. If I find that there are significant improvements in hair thickness and density, I will post an update.

I was able to disguise my thinning hair a bit by getting an ombre balayage with dark brown roots fading to blonde ends and got bangs/a fringe so now my hair is not parted in the center where the thinning is noticeable.

Thank you for reading.

Three Month Results – The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density

~ Michele Raiyne ~ 10 Comments
20180613_1333008402756878716784672.jpg

I’ve been using The Ordinary Hair Density serum for thicker, fuller, healthier hair (and eyebrows) for 3 months. Over the summer I got my hair colored blonde and while I like to change as few variables as possible while reviewing products (I had been using the hair serum for 3 weeks before going blonde), I also wanted to see how my hair grows and let my roots grow in a bit so it is easier to see the results. You can read about the hair serum ingredients and use in this post. I’ve used about half the bottle so far and will post the 6-month after photos in the coming months.

incollage_20180909_1102478772879639870689962865.jpg
incollage_20180909_1104516425666818248765758768.jpg

I kept forgetting to apply the serum to my eyebrows, so I probably used about every second evening. I don’t think there is much difference in growth or thickness.

incollage_20180908_1317263832522889254227725648.jpg
incollage_20180908_1327069153799080197703327528.jpg

Looking at the front of my hair, I think I can see a bit less of my scalp in the after photo. Toward my forehead in the next photo there is definite hair growth.

incollage_20180908_1527109215349825202921130805.jpg
incollage_20180908_1530139665643466779118031006.jpg

The edges of my hair have shown some growth and thickening as well. Looking at the root grow out, the edges and front of my hair seem to grow slower than more towards the back (or there is just such thin hair the grow out is not seen as well).

I was surprised to see that I got results with hair growth after 3 months, as I definitely did not notice any results in the mirror. I will continue for another 3 months and write an update at that time, so keep an eye out in December for those photos. Click here for the 6-month results.

Thank you for reading.