By Daniel Markey

(Men's Health) - When we hit 30 and above, hair thinning and graying become more noticeable. Sadly, I’ve been battling this problem since my early 20s. I must have gone through 2 boxed dyes a month just to cover my salt-and-pepper hair. And I’ll always be in a hat to cover bald spots.

But recently, I’ve been thinking about ditching the instant, temporary solutions. I started researching for products that would give me continuous results without complicating my daily routine. 

I discovered so many brands of shampoos and conditioners claiming to boost regrowth and reverse graying. Since I’m skeptical and curious at the same time, I had my best product reviewers test which brands will show real results.

Today, we’re sharing our journey in finding the top hair care products for thinning and graying.

Effectiveness: 95%

Safety: 100%

Price: $

Overall: A+

This is by far our favorite set of products for activating the roots to stimulate hair growth and restore melanocytes in the follicles to restore hair’s original color. Mane’s Starter Kit uses a science-backed formula to deliver essential nutrients most men lack and prepare your hair for regrowth and re-pigmentation. We found out about Mane when they offered us a secret 50% discount link. For six weeks, we consistently used the Root Activator Shampoo, Root Reactivator Conditioner, Gray Reverse Shampoo Bar, and Gray Reverse Conditioner Bar from the Mane Starter Kit. Several of our reviewers noticed fullness and length and the gray hairs are going back to their original color. This is our top recommendation, and we encourage anyone who wants fuller, longer, and healthier hair to order this immediately!

SAVE 50% with SECRET LINK

Effectiveness: 80%

Safety: 100%

Price: $$$$

Overall Value: B+

Zain is an Italian luxury brand of hair growth and hair treatment products for men and women. While they provide a great shampoo that can help hydrate and help regrow hair, they provide exactly what luxury brands tend to provide: the same results as more affordable brands. While we love the feel of Zain and the essential oils and nutrients in the shampoo do show results, it’s nothing better than Mane’s Starter Kit, expect about double the price.

Effectiveness: 80%

Safety: 85%

Price: $$

Overall Value: B+

To be fair, Dr. Groot does not guarantee hair growth, only prevention from hair loss. However, it’s so nice, that if you’re more concerned with thickening your thinning hair and keeping what you have on your head healthy… this is a great choice. Plant-based and natural, it feels great and keeps your hair from looking dried out and thin. Definitely a recommendation for anyone looking to keep rather than grow.

Effectiveness: 75%

Safety: 80%

Price: $$$

Overall Value: C

Believe it or not, Onion Shampoo isn't the worst idea! Onion is a natural source of biotin which is great for hair growth. To be honest, it's not the best smelling shampoo, so maybe only use it when you're staying in for the night. But it definitely can help!

Effectiveness: 85%

Safety: 85%

Price: $$

Overall Value: B

Just like onion, ginger is a great natural ingredient for hair growth. This odd bottle of shampoo, Ginger Wang, is surprisingly good! It's fresh and helps stimulate blood flow to the scalp. We'd give this one a shot if you can find it. If you can't, Mane has similar ingredients, plus more for best results.

All of the products we recommended showed promise for length, re-pigmentation, and hydration. But we believe Mane’s Starter Kit is the absolute best option and bang for your buck. To give you more insight, we asked our investigative reporter Mark Herring about how he discovered the greatness that is Mane.

There are only 2 items in my shower caddy, a generic-brand shampoo and a regular bar of soap (which I also use for my face). I don’t like complicated routines and I rarely believe the claims of most products I research and write about (I know an overstatement when I read one). So even though I struggle with thinning and graying hair, I haven’t experienced enough results to stick with them. 

I was sure I wouldn’t find products that would work for me. 

That said, I still try stuff out (it’s my job, after all). So when I was assigned to find products for hair thinning and graying, I was skeptical. 

One night while out with my buddies, I noticed my best friend looking different, younger, even. We were all teasing him about what he’s done to look this great, that he must have undergone some expensive treatment or hair dye. The moment he confessed he’d been using Mane’s Starter Kit for a few weeks now, my body jolted. 

I pulled him aside and went into investigator mode.

I told him about my assignment, and that Mane’s Starter Kit was actually part of my list. He said he was also skeptical when his older brother recommended it but caved in since he gave him a secret 50% off link. He shared how shocked he was when he saw his hair grow fuller and the graying started to fade! I tried the link myself, and it worked! So I got two Starter Kits immediately.

I received the package two days later and used as instructed. Use about a quarter-sized amount of shampoo and work into hair. Make sure to scrub onto your scalp and the root activation happens on the skin vs. the hair.

Obviously, I was expecting to see my receding hairline filled in and my grays darker. However, I had to resist my judgment, knowing that these products need consistent use for at least six weeks before noticeable results. 

For now, let me share what makes the Mane Starter Kit work, and why it’s our top choice.

Age, stress, and genetics all play a part in men’s hair loss and graying. It’s almost inevitable (at least to most of us). From my research and testing, I learned that the key is to make sure that our scalp and hair follicles receive the right nutrients that will trigger hair growth and re-pigmentation. While yes, it doesn’t happen overnight. But Mane’s Starter Kit is formulated to work fast.

Phase 1

Licorice Root Extract and Bamboo Charcoal detoxify your hair, removing buildup and preparing your roots to receive nutrients for renewal.

Phase 2

Sesame Seed Extract and Cocoa Seed Butter moisturize and protect, while Ginger Root Powder stimulates the scalp for new hair growth.

Phase 3

As hair receives nutrients and maintains healthy pH levels, hair stays manageable and reaches its full, natural color.

This process, along with the right combination of ingredients, kickstarts our hair’s transformation. Some of those essential ingredients include:

Licorice Root Extract

This is a super powerful growth extract that many forget about. If the mission is to stimulate the scalp to activate growth, this is the ingredient to do it. Bringing blood flow and oxygen to the scalp to help thicken while introducing new hair to your head. 

Bamboo Charcoal

Rich in minerals and antioxidants, Bamboo Charcoal detoxes your hair, absorbing toxins and impurities without stripping natural oils. It also brightens and tones graying or white hairs, bringing your hair back to its original color.

Citric Acid

Of course, it also has Citric Acid, which is great for bringing the pH balance of your hair down while reducing frizz and tangles. It also conditions and strengthens, helping prevent fading and dryness.

The Mane Starter Kit also includes Sesame Seed Extract, Olive Fruit Oil, and other natural ingredients that help stimulate growth and lock in moisture. Basically, it’s a science-backed formula enhanced with amazing ingredients from nature.

After 6 weeks of continuous use, I decided to take a closer look. Boy, did my jaws drop! My sparse areas were definitely fuller, and my hair was a lot stronger and darker! I looked back at some photos a couple of months back, and I’m wowed by how great (and younger) I look and feel now.