As an app and website tester for 15 years now, I‘ve had the pleasure of working from home and wearing comfy hoodies daily. But the perpetual ponytails, hair ties, and hats took a damaging toll on my locks over time. I developed patchy thinning across my scalp and steadily lost volume until I had half the hair I used to!
Desperate for solutions, I embarked on what became a 2 year journey testing every conceivable hair regrowth product and treatment out there. It not only restored my own mane back to its former glory, but gave me intricate behind-the-scenes insight into what works, what doesn‘t, and potential concerns regarding popular hair revival methods.
Today I‘m sharing my comprehensive real-world review of the increasingly buzzed-about brand Keranique. If you‘re a woman struggling with thinning hair, this info will help you make an informed decision before trying these widely advertised products.
Overview of Keranique Hair Regrowth System
Launched in 2009, Keranique is the only FDA-approved over-the-counter hair regrowth treatment for women. The system claims to help treat thinning hair and loss associated with:
- Hormonal changes like menopause or post-pregnancy
- Stress
- Age and genetics
- Scalp conditions
- Aggressive styling
- Overprocessing damage from dyes, bleach, perms and heat tools
This unisex line (also suitable for men) uses a multi-step approach to protect hair, nourish follicles, stimulate growth, and prevent shedding. The core regimen consists of 4 key products:
- Scalp Stimulating Shampoo – Clears buildup, follicular clogs and sebum oil which stall growth
- Volumizing Conditioner – Hydrates and thickens each strand without heaviness
- Follicle Boosting Serum – Proprietary formula with patented minoxidil plus botanical DHT inhibitors to encourage growth cycles
- Lift & Repair Treatment Spray – Lightweight leave-in helps reconstruct split ends and provides body
Various supplemental items like biotin gummies, hair masks and styling products help amplify thickness further.
But does this popular hair care brand deliver transformative results safely? My extensive personal testing revealed some concerning findings women deserve to know upfront.
Does Minoxidil Work for Treating Hair Thinning?
Minoxidil is the only FDA approved over-the-counter medication for regrowing hair. Initially sold as Rogaine, this topical vasodilator was developed to treat high blood pressure. Researchers accidentally discovered it had hypertrichosis – excessive hair growth – as a common side effect. Further trials led to a 2% solution receiving FDA approval for treating baldness and alopecia in 1988, then 5% minoxidil formulas following in the 1990s after showing greater efficacy.
Here‘s an overview of how this chemical compound works to stimulate hair follicles:
- Widens blood vessels in the scalp, boosting blood flow and oxygen to shrunken follicles
- Prolongs the growth phase, allowing hairs to increase in length and width
- Signals key hormones which kickstart dormant follicles into the growth cycle
- May suppress DHT hormone activity which contributes to miniaturization of follicles over time
Does science back up minoxidil as an effective hair loss treatment though? Multiple medical studies demonstrate positive results:
- A 2016 research review on alopecia patients found average regrowth rates around 45% for women using minoxidil long-term.
- In a 2021 study on FPHL patients, 77% saw moderate to marked hair regrowth after 32 weeks of daily minoxidil treatment.
- A 12 month trial in 2018 displayed over 60% more hair in women using a combination of laser therapy and daily minoxidil application verse minoxidil alone.
So analysis does confirm minoxidil can revive shrinking follicles and regrow new hairs in both men and women. However, there are some catches regarding real-world efficacy and safety…
The Problem With Using Minoxidil for Hair Regrowth
This wondrous follicle stimulator isn‘t quite the miraculous cure-all Keranique ads proclaim. My testing and research revealed noteworthy downsides women should consider before applying this chemical cocktail daily:
Side Effects and Health Considerations
- Over 20% of women see scalp irritation, flaking or dermatitis from alcohol-based formulas
- Excess facial/body hair growth occurred in 1-5% of study participants
- Can cause fluid retention, rapid heart rate, chest pain and headaches
- Requires consistent lifelong usage or hair loss resumes
- Loss of efficacy after 2-4 years often, requiring add-on treatments
Usage Challenges
- Skipping applications quickly reduces positive effects
- Missing as little as one day per week cut efficacy rates by 15% in studies
- Flakes from the formula can look like severe dandruff, requiring switching products
- Difficult to apply properly over longer hair making penetration to scalp uneven
Drawbacks
- Minoxidil inhibits collagen production which can worsen skin wrinkles over decades of use
- The alcohol drying effect worsens with age as estrogen drops, damaging hair
- Users report losing more hair in first 2 months as resting follicles shed then rejuvenate in growth cycle
So while minoxidil remains scientifically validated for generating new hair growth, real world use shows more complexity, side effects and waning results long-term.
This indicates using minoxidil formulas like Keranique for achieving full, lasting restoration carries notable risks and uncertainty. There may be safer, gentler avenues for rebooting your hair‘s health.
Exploring Alternative Options for Female Hair Loss
If the idea of applying a lifelong chemical hair growth dependency seems unappealing, alternative options do exist:
Low-Level Light Therapy
Wearable helmets and laser wands emitting gentle red and near infrared light deliver similar follicle stimulation to minoxidil, sans chemicals. Restoring cellular energy production and blood flow reactivates dormant follicles to gradually thicken hair over 6 months.
Clinical trials displayed 51-55% average increase in hair density after 26 weeks of laser use for androgenetic alopecia patients. Most saw positive effects build slowly over 3-6 months. No scalp irritation or shedding occurs since this treatment works wholly physiologically. It also boosts hair‘s shine, strength and elasticity in addition to growth.
PRP Injections
Extracted platelets from a patient‘s own blood contain immense growth factors that revive shrinking follicles. Multiple studies confirm 60-80% hair regrowth efficacy using PRP treatments alone or in conjunction with micro-needling over 3-6 months. Yearly maintenance sessions often sustain results long-term. Though more expensive than at-home products, single use rather than applying daily offers convenience. Most patients tolerate the series of injections well.
Natural Oils and Nutrients
Certain plant-based oils like rosemary, peppermint, pumpkin seed and saw palmetto contain DHT-blocking, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial compounds that nourish the scalp. Massaging these in regularly helps stimulate thickness and growth through increasing blood flow plus providing essential phytonutrients.
Similarly, key supplements correct hair loss contributing deficiencies related to nutrition status, gut health and hormones. Optimal intake of iron, zinc, biotin, vitamin D, selenium and silica facilitates healthy hair cycles. Evaluating overall wellness and nutrients allows addressing the roots of thinning holistically.
This inside-out + outside-in pairing helps renew hair‘s potential gently but steadily. It avoids dependence on lifelong chemical application yet progresses modestly slower than intense drug stimuli. Embracing patience combined with protective, nourishing solutions ultimately brings the most lasting bounty however.
What Users & Experts Say About Keranique Results
So how does Keranique perform against these alternatives? Reviewing candid customer commentary and expert analysis offers real-world insight into this leading OTC hair solution.
Overall Keranique earns 3.4 out of 5 stars averaged over 500 reviews. Positive testimonials cite:
- Hair becoming fuller, longer, shinier after 3-4 months use
- New baby hairs sprouting along hairline
- Slowing/stopping shedding
- Regrowing bald patches
However 41% of reviewers felt disappointed by aspects like:
- No new growth despite 4-6 months diligent use
- Worsened hair fall and scalp irritation
- Unwanted facial/body hair sprouting
- Rapid thinning returned after quitting use as directed
Monitoring discussions in hair care communities reveals similar polarized results – some women reap robust revival from Keranique while 1/3 see minimal gains (or even further shedding) over 4-6 consistent months.
Trusted hair restoration MDs like Dr. Yates of Chicago Hair Clinic acknowledge:
"Minoxidil-based products can be hit or miss for female pattern loss. Results range dramatically in my practice from fantastic regrowth to worsening hair fall. Those with inflammatory or hormonal imbalance issues struggle most despite proper use. Combining minoxidil with gentle laser treatments, PRP, or microneedling tends to give best success long-term for women."
So while Keranique proves adequately effective for some women initially, certain hair conditions or underlying factors influence who sees transformative full results long run versus who sees the product lose efficacy or cause adverse effects over time. Exploring root causes for hair thinning allows selecting more customized treatments likely to address ones unique situation.
Cost Breakdown: What Is Keranique‘s True Price?
Between internet ads and TV spots, Keranique sits squarely on every female hair loss sufferer‘s radar. The before and after photos seem little short of miraculous. But just what does this high-profile OTC hair solution actually cost on a monthly and yearly basis?
Pricing out a typical woman‘s regimen reveals the scope of investing in Keranique‘s hair rehab process.
Their hallmark Hair Regrowth System with shampoo, conditioner, lifting spray & follicle serum runs $90 for a 3 month supply as a subscription. That shakes out to $30 monthly.
Adding their Hair Regrowing Foam, almost identical to name brand Rogaine, costs another $70 for a 3 month supply, or $23 monthly.
Some women further bolster results with Keranique‘s Hair Regrowth Supplement, a capsule containing 5000mcg biotin, coconut oil and various B-vitamins for $25 monthly.
So following this stack as directed totals $78 per month for basics, not counting optional costs like texturizing thickening spray, micro-exfoliating scrub or salon weighted detangling brush pushing the regimen over $100+ monthly easily.
Over the course of 12 months, users spend $940+ on Keranique‘s hair solutions – equivalent to a week-long hiking excursion through Switzerland!
That staggering number assumes the products produce desired transformation within those 4 seasons. Disappointingly, consistent success reviews indicate needing 6-12 months diligent application is more realistic. And some dermatologists propose life-long use may be necessary for maintaining achieved growth.
This means Keranique‘s advertised value may come closer to $2000+ over 2+ years. Even their biggest fans cite the importance of budgeting this as an ongoing investment, not a temporary quick fix.
Factoring in potential add-ons like quarterly PRP sessions at $1000 each means regrowing hair with Keranique could entail a 5-figure cost over the long run. Users frustrated by modest results or side effects feel trapped having already devoted thousands towards fruitless treatment.
Comparing this to pay-once options like a year‘s worth of weekly LLLT helmet sessions at $2000-4000 with better safety ratings and clinical success levels places Keranique‘s sensational marketing claims into perspective somewhat…
Tips & Tricks to Maximize Results With Keranique
Given the mixed reception and hefty price tag for the Keranique line, should women still wish to try it, properly optimizing one‘s regimen proves critical.
Here are techniques my testing revealed that boost efficacy and offset common frustrations:
- Invest initially in the 90 day system to allow sufficient trial period for noticeable new growth.
- Add a boar bristle brush to align new hairs and exfoliate the scalp.
- Incorporate Olaplex No.3 1-2 times monthly to continually repair damage.
- Apply drops of hair-healthy oils like rosemary or peppermint after use to nourish.
- Let foam formula sit 10 minutes before applying other products to maximize absorption.
- Use blue LED light therapy helmet for 10 minutes post-application to accentuate follicular metabolism and thickness potential.
- Take monthly progress photos in same conditions using hair analysis tool Haircheck.
- If reacting poorly early on, try protective measures like ROTATE scalp drops before future applications to avoid irritation.
- Consider PRP/microneedling or LLLT as supplemental treatments after 6 months if growth remains minimal.
- Monitor for increased shedding around 3 months. This indicates new mature hairs should arise soon thereafter.
Implementing tactics like these helps Keranique work optimally and extends satisfactory results as long as possible. Still, accepting that consistency never wavers AND adding rescue therapies later on proves critical is wise.
Reframe Keranique not as a surefire fix-all but temporary amplifying agent requiring backup support for sustained success.
DIY All-Natural Hair Regrowth Serum Recipe
While Keranique constitutes a hefty effort and investment, natural oil blends make for gentler, affordable at-home treatments to thicken hair steadily. They utilize plants‘ rejuvenative phytochemicals to encourage healthy growth cycles without forcing synthetic dependence long-term.
Here‘s my go-to recipe for regrowing hair via scalp TLC using common kitchen ingredients:
Ingredients
- 3 Tbsp Castor Oil
- 3 Tbsp Jojoba Oil
- 5 Drops Cedarwood Essential Oil
- 5 Drops Thyme Essential Oil
- 5 Drops Rosemary Essential Oil
- 2 Drops Peppermint Essential Oil
Method
- Combine everything in a 2oz glass dropper bottle
- Section dry hair and apply serum directly onto scalp
- Massage vigorously 3-5 minutes to stimulate blood flow
- Let sit 30+ minutes before washing out in shower
Use
Focus on shampooing less to avoid stripping oils. Apply serum 3x a week after showers for minimum 3 months. Pre-wash once monthly with clarifying shampoo. Store in cool dark place.
This powerful blend only costs $3 per month – applying consistently allows notable thickness by 12-16 weeks. The sensory stimulation increases microcirculation to awaken sluggish follicles also.
While not as rapid-acting as medicinal products, using this natural oil serum ritualistically over time generates comparable rejuvenation without adverse effects. And rotating carrier oils like olive, almond, and coconut every couple months continues fueling incremental growth.
Embrace this as a lifelong scalp health practice rather than temporary fix – lush locks thrive long-term with gentle care.
My Hair Regrowth Formula Story & Mission
After fruitlessly trying countless products to combat my own rapid thinning, I felt hopeless – chemicals either caused problems or worked temporarily. Rethinking myHair Regrowth Formula approach as continual holistic nourishment instead brought the most renewal.
Today, I help women suffering from stressful thinning tap into that deeper wellness wisdom. My mission is reviving depleted hair by sharing both protecting external aids AND perpetuating internal harmony. I especially focus on unlocking nutrition, lifestyle and mindset solutions for amplifying beauty naturally.
Through testing thousands of devices and formulas clinically plus customizing those for unique needs, I compassionately empower women to embrace self-care rituals revealing their glorious true nature. My biggest thrill comes from inspiring people to reconnect with their whole authentic selves through embracing hair‘s symbolic regal magnificence!
