Walk through any beauty store and you’ll see dozens of products promising thicker, fuller hair. Most of them won’t deliver. The hair growth market is full of hope and hype—but if you know which ingredients actually have evidence behind them, you can find products that work.
Let’s cut through the marketing.
Ingredients That Actually Work for Hair Regrowth
Copper Peptides (GHK-Cu)
Copper peptides are emerging as one of the most promising ingredients for hair regrowth. Here’s why they work:
Extends growth phase: Hair follicles cycle through growth (anagen), transition (catagen), and rest (telogen) phases. Copper peptides help keep follicles in the growth phase longer.
Increases follicle size: Miniaturized follicles produce thin, weak hairs. Copper peptides signal follicles to enlarge, producing thicker strands.
Anti-inflammatory: Scalp inflammation contributes to hair loss. Copper peptides reduce inflammatory markers.
Stimulates blood flow: Better circulation means more nutrients reaching follicles.
This is why the Glow Hair Kit features copper peptides as a primary active—they’re specifically effective for follicle health.
Minoxidil
The FDA-approved gold standard with decades of research. It works by increasing blood flow to follicles and extending the growth phase. Available over-the-counter at 2% and 5% concentrations.
Limitations: Can cause scalp irritation, must be used indefinitely to maintain results, and doesn’t work for everyone.
Caffeine
Caffeine stimulates hair follicles and may counteract the effects of DHT (the hormone that causes male pattern baldness). Research shows it can extend the hair growth phase and stimulate the hair shaft.
It’s often included in growth serums as a supporting ingredient.
Saw Palmetto
A natural DHT blocker. DHT causes follicle miniaturization in androgenetic alopecia. Saw palmetto extract can reduce DHT’s effects on follicles without the side effects of prescription DHT blockers.
Biotin
Essential for keratin production (what hair is made of). However, biotin deficiency is rare—supplementing won’t help if you’re not deficient. Most useful as part of a complete formula rather than a standalone solution.
Redensyl
A newer ingredient targeting hair follicle stem cells. Early research is promising, showing it may reactivate dormant follicles. Often combined with other proven ingredients.
| Ingredient | Primary Mechanism | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Copper peptides | Multiple pathways; follicle health | General thinning; overall hair quality |
| Minoxidil | Blood flow; growth phase extension | Androgenetic alopecia |
| Caffeine | Follicle stimulation; anti-DHT | Supporting ingredient; pattern baldness |
| Saw palmetto | DHT blocking | Hormonal hair loss |
| Redensyl | Stem cell activation | Dormant follicles |
Red Flags: Ingredients That Don’t Work
Watch out for products that rely primarily on:
Biotin alone: Unless you’re deficient (rare), biotin supplements won’t regrow hair.
Keratin: Keratin treatments coat existing hair but don’t affect growth.
“Proprietary blends” with no named actives: If they can’t tell you what’s in it, it probably doesn’t work.
Oils alone: Castor oil, rosemary oil, etc. may support scalp health but aren’t proven to regrow hair as standalone treatments.
Collagen supplements: Your body doesn’t direct supplemental collagen to your scalp.
Why Delivery Method Matters
The best ingredients in the world don’t help if they can’t reach your follicles. This is why scalp microneedling has become so popular—it dramatically increases how deep active ingredients penetrate.
Look for serums formulated for scalp use (not just “hair” products that sit on the strand). Even better, use them with microneedling for maximum absorption.
How to Choose a Hair Growth Serum
Check the active ingredients: Look for copper peptides, minoxidil, caffeine, saw palmetto, or growth factors in meaningful concentrations.
Consider your type of hair loss: Hormonal/pattern baldness responds to DHT blockers. General thinning may respond better to growth stimulators like copper peptides.
Think about your routine: Will you microneedle? Choose a serum formulated to work with that. Just want daily application? Look for leave-in formulas.
Check concentration: Active ingredients should be listed in the first half of the ingredient list. If they’re at the bottom, there’s probably not enough to work.
The Glow Hair Kit Approach
The Glow Hair Kit takes a comprehensive approach:
Copper peptide serum: Targets follicle health through multiple mechanisms.
Microneedling device: Enhances serum absorption and triggers growth factor release.
Complete system: Everything you need for the clinically-supported microneedling + topical combination approach.
This combination addresses the research showing that microneedling plus quality topicals produces the best results for hair regrowth.
Using Your Hair Growth Serum Effectively
Consistency is everything: Daily serum application (or as directed) plus weekly microneedling. Skipping undermines results.
Apply to scalp, not hair: Part your hair and apply serum directly to the scalp in thinning areas. Hair strands don’t need the product.
Don’t wash out immediately: Leave serum on for several hours or overnight if possible. Give ingredients time to absorb.
Be patient: Hair growth cycles take months. Expect 3-6 months minimum before judging whether a product works.
Timeline for Results
Month 1: Building foundation—follicles being stimulated but no visible change yet. Possible shedding (normal).
Months 2-3: Early signs—baby hairs may appear, existing hair may feel stronger.
Months 4-6: Visible improvement—noticeable increase in density and coverage.
Months 6-12: Continued improvement—full results developing.
If you see zero improvement by month 6 with consistent use, the product or approach may not be right for your type of hair loss.
The Bottom Line
The best hair growth serums contain proven ingredients like copper peptides, minoxidil, caffeine, or saw palmetto—not just marketing buzzwords. They’re formulated for scalp absorption and work best when combined with scalp microneedling for enhanced delivery.
Skip the hype. Look for evidence-backed ingredients, use them consistently, and give your hair the time it needs to respond.
Your follicles can produce thicker, stronger hair—they just need the right signals.
