Peptide serums have become a mainstay of skin-care routines for their ability to repair and improve skin—but why should your face exclusively reap those rewards? When applied to the scalp, peptides for hair growth can help hydrate, prevent breakage, alleviate inflammation, and foster new, stronger strands. “Long story short, a healthy scalp leads to healthy hair,” says trichologist Kerry Yates.
Vogue’s Favorite Peptides For Hair Growth
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Peptides are short chains of amino acids, which you may recall (from high school biology) are the building blocks of proteins. Your body naturally makes them, so when you apply peptides to skin, your body recognizes them and responds accordingly. “Our bodies combine peptides in various sequences to function as cellular messengers to help repair, rebuild, or regenerate,” explains board-certified internist and longevity expert Dr. Amanda Kahn. In the case of your scalp, peptides work by telling cells to turn on genes for hair growth and thickness, as well as triggering the release of growth factors, says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Kiran Mian. “They promote elongation of hair, an increase in the hair growth phase, and improve amino acid content of hair, for smoother healthier hair,” she adds.
Best for Hair Thinning and Loss: Vegamour GRO+ Advanced Hair Serum
- Why We Love It: This formula combats hair thinning and loss with a blend of potent ingredients, including two types of encapsulated biomimetic peptides to stimulate and strengthen the hair follicle. “It also contains caffeine to help with circulation and mung bean extract to reduce shedding,” says Kahn. We’re fans of how lightweight this formula is—it absorbs easily and doesn’t leave a greasy residue on fine hair.
- Key Ingredients: Biotinoyl tripeptide-1, acetyl tetrapeptide-3, caffeine, clover extract, caffeine
- Best For: Moderate to severe thinning
- Size: 1 fl. oz.
Best Budget: The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density
- Why We Love It: This budget-friendly, non-greasy serum, packs a punch with multiple peptide complexes and plant extracts. “Key proprietary technologies include Redensyl, which combines plant extracts and peptides to target hair follicle stem cells; Procapil, a blend of peptides and botanical ingredients that strengthen hair follicles and prevent hair thinning; and Capixyl, which contains peptides and red clover extract to support scalp health and improve hair density,” explains board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Babak Azizzadeh.
- Key Ingredients: Redensyl, Procapil, Capixyl, Baicapil, caffeine
- Best For: Reducing hair fall
- Size: 2 fl. oz.
Best Shampoo & Conditioner: Necessaire Rosemary Hair Duo
- Why We Love It: In addition to nourishing ceramides and biomimetic peptides, this duo from Necessaire features the natural hair growth stimulator rosemary in multiple forms, including water, extract, and oil. “Rosemary oil has been shown to stimulate scalp circulation and support follicle activity,” says Dr. Kahn. “It can complement a healthy scalp routine, especially when paired with regular scalp massage.” Rosemary is also one of the predominant fragrance notes in this shampoo and conditioner set, along with mandarin, jasmine, and cedar, making for a bold and botanical unisex scent.
- Key Ingredients: Acetyl tetrapeptide-3, ceramides, rosemary extract, clover extract
- Best For: Breakage, scalp stimulation
- Size: 8.4 fl. oz. per bottle
Best for Flaky Scalps: Divi Scalp Serum
- Why We Love It: This refreshing serum gets its tingle from peppermint and tea tree, which works with caffeine to invigorate the scalp and maximize the absorption of the formula’s peptides. “Copper tripeptide-1 helps extend the growth phase of hair follicles and promote thicker-looking hair and acetyl tetrapeptide-3 help increase the size of hair follicles that have shrunk and improve hair anchoring, which may reduce hair loss effects,” Dr. Azizzadeh says. There’s no oil in the product, so it won’t weigh down your strands.
- Key Ingredients: Acetyl tetrapeptide-3, copper tripeptide-1, caffeine, tea tree oil, hyaluronic acid, amino acids, peppermint oil
- Best For: Flaky, oily scalps
- Size: 3.38 fl. oz.
Best for Dry Scalps: Better Not Younger Superpower+ Advanced Densifying Serum
- Why We Love It: The active ingredient in this formula is Procapil, a patented ingredient that combines apigenin, oleanolic acid, and a high concentration of the biomimetic peptide biotinoyl tripeptide-1, says Dr. Azizzadeh. “This patented ingredient enhances the appearance of hair thickness by strengthening hair follicles and reducing signs of thinning,” he explains. It also contains keratin-boosting biotin and niacinamide, which helps support the skin barrier and improves microcirculation. Though the dropper is easy to use, the brand also sells a massaging applicator, which maximizes distribution and blood flow.
- Key Ingredients: Procapil™, niacinamide, biotin, rosemary extract, apple cider vinegar
- Best For: Dry scalp; brittle hair
- Size: 2 fl. oz.
Best Mask: Virtue Flourish Mask for Thinning Hair
- Why We Love It: This nourishing mask has long been a staple on our shower shelf—it infuses strands with serious hydration to make hair softer and more elastic, yet doesn’t weigh down our thinning strands. “The Virtue Flourish Mask for Thinning Hair uses keratin technology to strengthen fragile strands and improve hydration, helping reduce breakage,” says Dr. Kahn. “Protecting hair fibers is key to minimizing shedding and making thinning less noticeable.”
- Key Ingredients: Acetyl tetrapeptide-3, beet root extract, biotin, keratin, caffeine, shea butter
- Best For: Breakage, loss of volume, brittle hair
- Size: 5 oz.
Best for Breakage: Nutrafol Women Hair Serum
- Why We Love It: This formula uses peptides derived from Irish moss and protein-rich pea sprout extracts to support new growth, while tea tree helps reduce scalp inflammation that can harm the hair follicle. “I appreciate that it has ashwagandha exosomes which is an interesting addition to address hormonal or stress-related hair thinning,” adds Dr. Kahn.
- Key Ingredients: Irish moss peptides, pea sprout extract, tea tree, ashwagandha exosomes
- Best For: Breakage, loss of volume
- Size: 1.7 fl. oz.
Best for Volume: LolaVie Plumping Volume Spray
- Why We Love It: This lightweight heat protectant and styling spray adds instant volume without any crunchy or sticky feel, making it ideal for those with finer hair that tends to fall flat when enhanced with heavier formulas. “The LolaVie Plumping Volume Spray works more on hair’s appearance than follicle metabolism, coating and conditioning strands to create instant fullness,” explains Dr. Kahn of the pea peptide-packed product. That said, it’s a nice addition to a routine designed to support healthier hair growth.
- Key Ingredients: Pea peptides, peppermint extract, green tea extract
- Best For: Loss of volume
- Size: 5 fl. oz.
Everything You Need to Know
Do peptides actually work for hair growth?
Yes, peptides can actually support healthy hair growth, though there are some caveats. “The right peptides can help with hair growth by stimulating blood flow to the scalp, reducing inflammation to protect follicles, stimulating collagen and extracellular matrix production around the follicle and signaling hair follicles to stay in the growth phase,” says Dr. Azizzadeh. But hair growth—and hair loss—are complex, and peptides alone may not be your answer to stronger strands. “Peptides support active follicles only,” Yates reminds us. “If the follicle is no longer active, then peptides or any ingredients (topical or ingestible) cannot reanimate a follicle that is essentially ‘dead.’”
There are many reasons why hair growth could be inhibited, including genetic, hormonal, environmental, and systemic factors, so it’s important to consider a multi-pronged treatment approach. That could include in-office or at-home topical exosomes, oral supplements for hair growth, and other options—it’s best to see a dermatologist, trichologist, or other hair expert for a customized plan.
What types of peptides promote hair growth?
While there are numerous peptides found in topical formulas, our experts agree there are two main types of peptides for hair growth:
- Copper peptides (GHK-Cu): You likely recognize copper peptides from their use in skin-care formulas; they’re efficacious in scalp products, too. “Copper peptides work in multiple ways, such as stimulating blood flow to the scalp, increasing the size of the hair follicle, extending the anagen or growth phase on the hair cycle, having anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties, and boosting collagen,” says Dr. Azizzadeh. This ingredient is actually a popular choice in clinical settings, where providers can administer copper peptides via injection, or apply them to the scalp after microneedling.
- Biomimetic peptides: These are synthetic peptides designed to mimic naturally-occurring peptides, explains Yates, who notes that they can help improve blood flow to support healthier hair growth as well as strengthen the hair follicle. A stronger follicle acts as a better “anchor” for the hair, reducing shedding and extending the hair’s longevity. There are a handful of commonly-used peptides that fall into this category, including acetyl tetrapeptide, biotinoyl tripeptide-1, and oligopeptide-41 (and they’re often often found in trademarked ingredient complexes, such as Procapil and Capixyl).
How to Apply Peptides to Hair
The best foundation for hair growth is a clean scalp, says Yates. “Would you ever go days and days without washing your face? You wouldn’t, because the results would be horrific,” she says. “But that is what you do when you fail to wash your hair.” Not all hair types can handle being washed daily, making scalp rinses extra important for those who wear protective styles. Just don’t be too reliant on dry shampoo, as it can clog the follicle and lead to hair loss over time.
Remember that any product you apply to your scalp will penetrate more effectively if there’s no grime in the way. Ideally, you’d wash your hair a minimum of two to three times a week, says Yates, spending extra time massaging your scalp when shampooing. This helps promote blood flow (great for promoting hair growth!) and ensures all product, excess sebum, and dead skin cells are removed. Don’t feel the need to use a scalp scrub, as these can often be too harsh and damage the follicle—that extra massage when cleansing is enough.
While you should always follow the product’s instructions for use, most hair growth formulas will recommend daily or even twice daily application for at least eight to 12 weeks to see results, says Dr. Azizzadeh. You’ll want to apply it once your hair is clean and dry, possibly after dermarolling your scalp. “This can be helpful for penetration,” says Dr. Mian. Make sure you’re applying the peptide serum not to your hair, but to the root at the scalp, massaging it in. Increasing circulation as you massage will not only improve distribution, but increase absorption. “Several studies have shown simple daily scalp massage has helped to improve scalp health and helps to decrease hair fall,” adds Yates. Once you’re done, don’t wash your hair for at least several hours—and if you have nowhere to be, consider slapping on a plastic shower cap. “Covering the head in plastic adds warmth to further promote scalp circulation,” explains Dr. Kahn.
What to Consider When Buying Peptides for Hair Growth
First, consider the format. Our experts generally recommend peptides for hair growth in a serum rather than a shampoo as these formulas are left on rather than washed off, giving your follicles more time to absorb them. Then, examine the ingredients. The best products will contain a blend of peptides, says Dr. Mian. “Peptides show synergy and work well together, so I would look for a serum with a combination of peptides,” she explains.
While peptides are the stars here, the supporting cast of ingredients is also important in promoting a healthier scalp. “Good scalp health leads to perfect follicle fitness, which provides support for hair growth,” says Yates. Kahn recommends caffeine and peppermint, both of which have invigorating properties that can stimulate blood circulation. Tea tree has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory benefits, making it ideal for flaky scalps, while rosemary oil has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that protect against stress on the follicle. If you have a dry or dehydrated scalp, consider looking for a formula that contains hydrating hyaluronic acid and soothing aloe vera; those prone to oily scalps can seek out witch hazel (which helps break break down product buildup) and sebum-regulating zinc.
Lastly, make sure the product is one you like enough to use daily. “Consistency is key as it can take several weeks to months to see results,” Kahn reminds us. Trust the process!