Nutrafol Review: Does This Stuff Actually Work?
Still, I think most guys are set if they are orally supplementing themselves with anti-inflammatories like ashwagandha (found in the brand’s core men’s supplement). So, while I would slot this serum into “top of its class,” it would act as more of a cherry-on-top than a first line of defense against hair loss. And, while its $49 standalone price tag isn’t outrageous for a standalone product, it’s a steep add-on when purchased alongside the core supplement. But, hey, if you can swing it, I say go for it.
Nutrafol 2-in-1 Shampoo & Conditioner
Nutrafol’s latest product ushers the brand into new (hair care) territory. And it’s a terrific option for guys with short hair. Anything longer than a couple inches would benefit from a dedicated conditioner, but as a recent buzz-cut recipient, I’ve found this one quite satisfactory as a nourishing, non-drying shampoo.
As for a remedy for hair loss, I am grateful that Nutrafol isn’t making hollow promises here—which many other brands tend to do. You’ll always hear me say: No shampoo itself will fight hair loss—except maybe one with dandruff-busting ketoconazole. “Shampoos are tough,” Dr. Saami Khalifian, double board certified dermatologist and founder of SOM Aesthetics, says. “Their brief contact time limits efficacy, though some with ketoconazole can reduce inflammation if you have dandruff. For serious loss, serums and prescriptions pack the punch; shampoos are supporting players.” That’s why you’ll see the messaging about this product focusing in on “scalp support” and “microbiome friendly”—all the things that are within a shampoo’s potential, as opposed having any actual impact on DHT mitigation or hair growth-cycle regulation.
If you don’t require a dedicated conditioner (as in, you’ve got short enough hair that a conditioner feels somewhat inconsequential), then consider this a fantastic hydrating shampoo that doesn’t cause your scalp any grief. I do acknowledge that $44 can be steep for a shampoo, so again, I think everything plays a supporting role to those core men’s supplements. Those are the bread and butter here, and everything else is a nice-to-have.
What Causes Hair Loss?
“Hair loss is driven by several key factors. Genetics play the biggest role, with androgenetic alopecia (male or female pattern hair loss) being the most common cause,” Khalifian says. “Hormones, particularly DHT, can shrink hair follicles over time, leading to gradual thinning. Chronic stress can trigger telogen effluvium, a condition where more hairs enter the shedding phase. Nutritional deficiencies, such as low iron, vitamin D, or protein, can also slow hair growth.”
How to Actually Keep Your Hair
We have a whole article on the best methods for preventing hair loss, and according to board-certified Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Dr. Daniel Gould, “a [hair-loss product] should have active ingredients like minoxidil, finasteride, growth factors or exosomes. All of these will help regulate and improve the hair follicle life cycle.” Minoxidil and finasteride can make necessary biological impact to help you retain your hair—minoxidil by regulating and extending hair growth cycles as well as improving circulation and nutrient delivery to the follicles; finasteride by inhibiting the conversion of testosterone into DHT (dihydrotestosterone). There are oral and topical versions of both of these drugs, and only one (topical minoxidil) is available over the counter.
Anything outside of those two medicines, including hair supplements, scalp serums, laser caps, plasma injections… those are all supplementary efforts. It is finasteride and minoxidil that move the needle above all. (You can easily get prescriptions from brands like Hims and Ro, through their telemedicine platforms with at-home delivery, and with doctors on demand who can help educate you ahead of use, monitor progress, and assess any side effects.) That said, if you insist on a drug-free approach to hair loss, your journey starts with a nutraceutical—and thus Nutrafol’s would be a wise investment.
However, if you are relying on Nutrafol as your sole effort against hair loss then, well, you aren’t really playing the game with a full deck of cards. And that’s no knock on Nutrafol; I put them at the forefront of the hair supplement conversation, always. And I even think of these supplements as a close bronze medalist behind those other two medicines—it’s just that nothing can compete with the results of those prescription-grade treatments, so I’m not about to suggest otherwise.
