Head Scarves For Hair Loss
No Comments
Which Should I Choose?
Viviscal offer a range of thinning hair treatments, plus hair growth supplements for both men and women. I cover more about the brand and these specific products in my full Viviscal review.
But if you’re short on time, you might want a quick answer to a common question people have about this top hair loss brand: What’s the difference between Viviscal vs Viviscal Pro?
With so many hair loss treatments out there – many of them promising a ‘miracle cure’, the search for the right product can get daunting. So this post will dig into two of the top products, looking at their ingredients, benefits and drawbacks…to help you see what might be the better choice, if any, for you.
Emma’s ‘not a doctor’ disclaimer
Hi there, I’m an alopecian, I’m not a doctor! Any advice I give is based on my own research and personal experiences. This site is, however, reader-supported. When you buy through external links, I may earn a tiny affiliate commission. Learn more here.
Although Viviscal have been hair health industry leaders for over 25 years, and make a range of hair growth topical treatments (including a shampoo, a conditioner, a serum and a scalp scrub), they’re best known for their supplements to reduce hair loss.
Viviscal for Women’s Hair Growth supplement, along with Viviscal for Men, are clinically tested treatments, proven in trials to help those with thinning hair to get thicker, fuller hair in as little as 3 months.
One clinical study even showed a significant increase in terminal hairs, vellus hairs and and hair health, plus a large decrease in hair shedding, after only 90 days.
Unlike many topical treatments, which simply sit on the scalp and don’t get a chance to do more than cleanse the surface, Viviscal targets the blood vessels that are attached to hair follicles.
With more essential nutrients and minerals penetrating the dermal layer, plus ingredients known to balance hormones and improve blood flow, you’ve got a much better chance of encouraging hair growth.
Viviscal’s oral marine protein supplements (MPS) are recommended for both women and men with temporary thinning hair. They’re also a safer and more natural alternative to male-focused hair loss treatments, like finasteride, which wouldn’t be safe for women.
One of the most special nutrients in Viviscal is its AminoMar complex. Composed of nutrients like shark cartilage and mollusk powder, this complex is scientifically proven to nourish thinning hair, revitalize existing strands and encourage hair growth.
Alongside key minerals and vitamins like iron, zinc and Vitamin C, Viviscal’s other active ingredients include:
The ingredients list is already pretty impressive. But what’s the difference between Viviscal and Viviscal Pro? Do they share the same ingredients? If not, what would you be missing out on by getting the regular version?
Both versions maintain a healthy scalp and stronger, thicker hair – while helping to correct any deficiencies or external factors that may be triggering hair loss or producing dull, brittle hair. Neither product line contains any hormones or drugs: just a blend of sustainably sourced marine extracts and other natural ingredients to nourish the scalp and hair.
And while both contain similar ingredients, there are three differences between the two product lines worth noting.
One of the main difference is in the dosage. The Viviscal PRO range (which, stands for Viviscal Professional) is focused on “advanced hair health”, with professional strength hair care products and supplements.
For instance, two Viviscal Pro vitamins contain more of the proprietary marine complex AminoMar, more biotin and more Vitamin C than two regular Vivisical supplements. As you’ll see from the comparison chart below though, there isn’t actually that higher a dosage.
Psst… You can also get Viviscal Extra Strength: which, you’ve guessed it, has an even stronger potency.
As you’ll notice from the table, Viviscal PRO offers 3 extra ingredients that you won’t find elsewhere in Viviscal products.
These are:
However, Viviscal PRO actually leaves out a couple of ingredients that are in the regular version: horsetail extract and millet seed extract. As horsetail extract helps to tackle hormone-related hair loss, I wonder if the regular version isn’t actually better.
I couldn’t find the Viviscal PRO range on Viviscal’s own website. They’re supposed to only be sold by licensed professionals, like in physicians’ offices or clinics – although I did find a few on Amazon, too. Where there seems to be quite a difference in terms of price.
The one I found on Amazon, 2 packs of 60 supplements, costs $130 (or $65 per pack). Whereas a single box of the regular hair growth supplements is $40 on Viviscal’s website, or $36 with a subscription.
There’s also PRO versions of the shampoo and conditioner – they’re called Thin to Thick and cost around $17 – plus a Thin to Thick Elixir. They’re a little pricier than Viviscal’s regular thickening shampoo and strengthening conditioner, which are both only $13.
There’s a LOT of hair loss supplements out there. Viviscal’s biggest competition is Nutrafol, and you can read my comparison post between the two for more. But instead of including Nutrafol as an alternative here (because I just find it waaaay too expensive, and there’s lots of complaints around a scammy autoship policy), here are alternatives from two trusted brands.
Since writing about Folexin, I’ve had numerous Lady Alopecia readers contact me, saying how it’s helped to improve the condition of their hair, reduced shedding and has improved their mood/energy levels, too!
Folexin contains great natural hair growth promoters like saw palmetto, biotin and caffeine. It’s also a DHT blocker with no reported side effects that I could find…and it’s the cheapest option, too, at just $25 a bottle!
All-natural supplements that focus on full body wellness to balance hormones and blood sugar levels: reducing inflammation and oxidative stress in the body, while providing the optimal conditions for a healthy scalp and hair.
They’re a little more expensive, but they’ve been developed by a team of dermatologists and scientists and have undergone rigorous testing to ensure maximum efficacy of every ingredient. Wellbel also contains very low levels of biotin, so it’s safer for those with a biotin deficiency.
Yes, Viviscal Professional supplements also include apple extract, plus two amino acids – L-Cysteine and L-Methionine – that aren’t in the regular version.
Although there’s just a few dollars’ difference between the haircare range, Viviscal regular supplements are around $20 cheaper per month than Viviscal PRO.
While I don’t think either treatment will bring miracle results, both are designed to support a healthy scalp environment and in doing do, help reduce hair loss. Viviscal PRO is probably more effective as it contains additional ingredients to build hair proteins and strengthen follicles.
It’s a tough call but if you’ve just got light hair thinning and you’d like healthier, thicker hair, I’d recommend sticking to regular Viviscal vitamins. At least, in the beginning – give their haircare products and supplements at least 3 months, or 6 months for the best results.
If you like the regular version, then you don’t need to change anything! But if you’re willing to spend a little more, you could always try Viviscal Pro to see if the higher dosages and extra ingredients make a difference.
If you have a biotin sensitivity, you shouldn’t take extra. Viviscal regular supplements have a really low dose of biotin, so this would be a better option for you.
Also, it looks like Viviscal PRO is only available from one or two sellers on Amazon (it should really only be sold by licensed professionals), so maybe you wouldn’t be getting a genuine product. To stay safe, I’d buy from Viviscal PRO from a clinic instead!
To recap, regular Viviscal supplements might be perfectly fine for those with light hair thinning. While those with excessive or long-term hair loss might prefer something a little stronger – in which case, if they can afford the slight price bump, they might like to try Viviscal Pro.
I hope this comparison post has proved helpful! And as always, feel free to share your experiences with any of the products I’ve mentioned (or your own favorites!) in the comments box.
Love & hugs,
Get free, semi-regular alopecia-related news things and musings.
Psst… If no welcome email shows up, check your spam.
Alopecian. Yoga Teacher. Copywriter. Here to share information, offer support and show people the adventures that can lie in hair loss. I’m proud to have alopecia and I want to help others embrace their baldness, too!
Every month, thousands with hair woes visit my site. The more the merrier! But it takes AGES to write posts and reply to emails. Don’t get me wrong, I love it! But running a website isn’t free. So I’m trying something new: I’m asking for your support. If Lady Alopecia has helped you, please consider buying me a (virtual) coffee or even become a patron of the site. Thanks!
I’m Emma. I’ve had alopecia for 24 years and I’m here to inform/hopefully empower people like me! Read my full story here. But I’m not a doctor, so any advice here is based on my own research and experience. I’m also in a few affiliate programs – see my disclaimer page for more. Or contact me here. Also, why not join a thousand fellow alopecians and get my-semi regular hair about life with irregular hair?
Psst… If no welcome email shows up, check your spam.
Small print time: Ladyalopecia.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
Copyright © 2023, Lady Alopecia. All rights reserved. Important – By using this website, you promise not to steal stuff. Thank you kindly.
Just stick in your email to join the gang.
If no welcome email appears, please check your spam. Oh, and don’t worry, I won’t give your details to Zuckerberg and you are free to unsubscribe at any time.
Join the gang and receive semi-regular news and joy from someone with very irregular hair.