Start with what has evidence
Hair fall is the category with the widest gap between what is marketed and what works, so it is worth saying plainly where each of these sits.
Minoxidil
Minoxin Plus 5% (Rs 1,500) is the only licensed medicine on this page and the one with the strongest evidence for regrowth in pattern hair loss. Two things to know before starting. It takes three to six months to judge, and hair often sheds more in the first few weeks before it improves, which is when most people quit. And it works for as long as you use it, so stopping returns you to where you started.
The non-medicated route
The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density (Rs 9,999) stacks peptide and caffeine complexes in a leave-on scalp serum. The evidence behind it is real but considerably weaker than minoxidil's. It is the option for people who would rather not use a drug, and some people use both, one in the morning and one at night.
Oils
Rosemary oil (Rs 1,150) has one reasonable trial behind it comparing it to minoxidil over six months, which is more than most oils can claim, though it is a single small study. Castor oil (Rs 610) has effectively none for growth, and the thickness people notice is the oil coating the strand. Saeed Ghani Hair Growth Water (Rs 380) is the traditional herbal option at the lowest price on this page. All of these go on the scalp, not the lengths, and all need months rather than weeks.
Shampoo that helps rather than treats
OGX Thick & Full + Biotin & Collagen (Rs 2,450 and Rs 2,450) makes hair look and feel thicker by coating the strand. That is a cosmetic effect and a useful one while a real treatment is working, and it is not regrowth.
Before spending anything
Sudden hair fall across the whole scalp, rather than thinning at the temples or crown, is usually telling you something: iron deficiency, thyroid, a recent illness, pregnancy, crash dieting or severe stress. A blood test costs less than three months of any product on this page and it is the first thing to do.
Hair Growth & Hair Fall FAQs
How long until I see results?
Three months at the absolute minimum, six to judge properly. Hair grows about a centimetre a month, so nothing meaningful can show sooner, and any product promising faster is selling to your impatience.
Does biotin stop hair fall?
Only if you are deficient in it, which is rare. Biotin supplements do nothing for hair in people with normal levels, and they can distort thyroid blood tests, so mention them before any test.
Is the shedding at the start of minoxidil normal?
Yes. It pushes resting hairs out so new ones can grow, usually in the first two to eight weeks. It settles, and quitting during it is the most common reason people conclude minoxidil did not work.
Can women use minoxidil?
Yes, it is widely used for female pattern hair loss, though the recommended strength can differ. Worth asking a doctor first, especially if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.