Want Stronger, Fuller Hair? This Doctor-Developed Scalp Serum Was Created For That Very Purpose

Throughout my 10-plus years as a beauty editor, I’ve heard dermatologists repeat that the skin on your scalp is really just an extension of the skin on your face. And yet, it took us all a while (and a lot of bottles of dry shampoo!) to give the area the attention it deserves, recognizing that a healthy scalp sets the foundation for healthy hair. Spurred on with the help of TikTok and Instagram posts from beauty pros and influencers alike, scalp care has never been more popular. If you’re looking for a way to optimize scalp health while preventing — and even treating — hair loss, there’s a doctor-created serum that can help you out. Founded by Dr. James Kilgour, M.D., who served as a resident physician at the University of Oxford before heading to Stanford University for his residency training in dermatology, KilgourMD currently consists of just two serums that were formulated with non-irritating botanical ingredients backed by peer-reviewed, scientific evidence.

Fast Facts:

• Key benefits: decreases hair fall, stimulates hair follicle growth, encourages healthier hair
• Key ingredients: Procapil®, Capixyl®, Anagain®, RootBioTec®, Redensyl®, vitamin C, caffeine, rosemary leaf extract, green tea leaf extract, turmeric root extract, ginseng root extract
• Suitable for all hair types
• Fragrance-free
• Minoxidil-free
• Cruelty-free

It goes without saying that if you’re experiencing hair loss, it’s always worth checking in with your dermatologist or primary care doctor, as it may be due to a medical condition. But if you’re searching for something to complement your current regimen for fuller hair, or you’re just looking to improve the overall health of your scalp and hair, KilgourMD’s serums are worth taking a closer look at. The two-product line was developed by Dr. Kilgour following a 2020 study that confirmed the long-held belief that the health of the scalp helps to determine hair growth. Though you can purchase the Prevention Scalp Serum and the Treatment Scalp Serum separately, the duo was created to complement one another using clinically proven actives and botanical ingredients that address hormonal, environmental, and age-related threats to your overall scalp health. In a randomized controlled trial, the KilgourMD system was also shown to outperform minoxidil without causing any side effects. Separately, the serums cost $89 each, but when you buy them in the KilgourMD Bundle, you’ll get the duo for 15% less at $150.

Diving more into each serum and the ingredients that power them, KilgourMD describes its Prevention Scalp Serum as “sunscreen for the scalp.” The daily formula is suitable for all ages and hair types, whether you’re simply looking to maintain the health of your scalp or you’re currently experiencing hair thinning. As its name suggests, the prevention serum aims to protect your scalp from damage and bolster your hair follicles by nourishing the scalp and hair. Antioxidant ingredients like vitamin C, piroctone olamine, ferulic acid, vitamin E, and pea sprout extract help to combat the oxidative stress that occurs simply from existing (think exposure to pollution and sun and even consuming alcohol), and which contributes to signs of scalp aging (and by extension, hair thinning). Additionally, pea sprout extract, which is found in the patented hair growth ingredient Anagain®, has been clinically shown to both prevent hair loss and stimulate hair growth by extending the anagen phase (or the active growth phase) of the hair follicle and restarting dormant growth cycles. The serum also contains soothing ingredients like bisabolol, panthenol, and zinc, as well as patented ingredients to support hair growth like Procapil®, Capixyl®, and RootBioTec®, which contain peptides and botanical extracts that help to strengthen the hair follicles.

Then, there’s the Treatment Scalp Serum, which targets hair that’s already thinning, but can still be used daily by those who are looking to maintain thicker hair by improving its strength. Redensyl®, Capixyl®, and Procapil® are key ingredients in this serum, which have been shown to be more effective for hair growth than a 5% concentration of minoxidil in a comparative study. Redensyl® in particular has been included because it encourages hair growth by boosting circulation to the scalp and fortifying the hair follicles from the stem cells. There are also plenty of botanical ingredients in the serum, which were each selected for their abilities to improve the hair’s appearance and thickness. Most notably are saw palmetto and pumpkin seed extract, which are thought to help decrease hair shedding and stress-related hair loss by blocking the hormone that causes hair thinning called dihydrotestosterone (aka DHT).

As mentioned earlier, you’ll want to use both serums to achieve the best results, starting with the Prevention Scalp Serum and following up with the Treatment Scalp Serum. You’ll want to apply each serum once daily, but they can be applied on dry hair or freshly washed hair (make sure to towel dry your hair first if you’re going the latter route). For the best results, you’ll want to take three to four drops of your serum and lightly spread it across your fingertips before running the product evenly over your scalp. You can apply the treatment serum immediately after the prevention serum, and because they have a light gel texture that’s fast-absorbing, you don’t have to worry about them leaving you with weighed-down or greasy hair.