How long should you use horsetail extract before noticing stronger or thicker hair?

Why people consider horsetail for hair concerns

Horsetail (Equisetum arvense) has long been discussed in traditional medicine because it is one of the richest natural sources of silica, a mineral associated with the structural proteins collagen and keratin. These proteins form the foundation of hair, skin, and nails. From a biological perspective, silica may support hair shaft resilience and flexibility, which is why many people wonder if horsetail extract can strengthen hair or increase its thickness. **But the critical question is not just whether horsetail can have an effect—it is how long it takes before any visible changes are noticeable. **

Understanding the timeline of hair growth

Hair grows at an average rate of about one centimeter per month, a fact established by the World Health Organization in their review of human hair biology (WHO, 2017). This means that any supplement taken with the intention of influencing hair health must be used consistently for several months before any visible change is possible. Shorter time frames are biologically implausible. The hair follicle operates in cycles, with the growth phase (anagen) lasting several years. **However, it takes at least three months for changes in follicle activity to appear at the surface of the scalp. This is why clinical trials on hair supplements are rarely shorter than 12 weeks. **

What research says about horsetail extract

In a clinical trial published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology in 2010, researchers in Italy tested a dietary supplement containing horsetail along with other botanicals in 96 women who reported hair thinning. The study lasted 12 weeks, with participants consuming the supplement daily. Results were evaluated using standardized photographic evidence and self-reported outcomes. The women noted improvement in hair fullness and strength, and researchers confirmed some visible differences. However, since horsetail was combined with other ingredients, the study cannot confirm whether horsetail alone produced the effect. The reliance on self-assessment is also a weakness, since personal impressions are subjective.

Another study in Planta Medica in 2012 evaluated a lotion containing horsetail extract in both men and women with fragile hair. Over six months, hair tensile strength and thickness were measured through microscopic analysis. The findings showed significant improvement in hair fiber resistance. But again, the lotion was not horsetail alone, making it impossible to isolate the plant’s contribution. A six-month period was required to show changes, underscoring the necessity of long-term use. In animal research, a Japanese study from 2007 tested silica-rich plant extracts, including horsetail, in rats. Over eight weeks, scientists evaluated collagen formation in skin samples. Results showed an increase in connective tissue density. While these findings help explain why horsetail could influence structural tissues, animal results cannot be directly applied to human hair outcomes.

A critical look at the evidence

The strongest criticism across all studies is that horsetail is rarely tested in isolation. Most trials combine it with other plant extracts, vitamins, or minerals. This makes it impossible to identify horsetail as the key contributor. Another concern is the small sample sizes and lack of randomized controlled trials. Without randomization, placebo effects cannot be ruled out. **Moreover, the frequent use of self-reporting as a measurement tool weakens reliability, because hair thickness and strength are difficult to quantify without objective methods like trichoscopy or phototrichograms. ** Another important issue is regulation. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA, 2023) clearly states that dietary supplements are not regulated with the same rigor as pharmaceuticals. This means horsetail extract products vary significantly in purity and dosage, and users cannot be certain that what they buy contains standardized amounts of active compounds. For someone seeking reliable results, this variability is a serious limitation.

So, how long before results appear?

Based on the available scientific evidence, horsetail extract—when it has an effect—requires at least three months of continuous use before any visible change in hair thickness or strength can be noticed. Some studies that lasted six months suggest improvements may continue with longer use. No credible evidence supports the idea that horsetail can produce results in just weeks. Because the evidence is inconsistent and horsetail is rarely tested alone, it should be considered a possible supportive aid rather than a proven treatment.

For those of us asking the question personally—"How long before I notice stronger or thicker hair if I use horsetail extract?"—the realistic answer is that any change would take at least three months, and even then, the results are uncertain. This is the minimum biological timeline of hair growth, supported by research. The decision to use horsetail extract should also take into account its unregulated status and the fact that existing studies provide promising but inconclusive findings.

User Experiences with Horsetail Extract for Hair Strength and Thickness

Horsetail extract, a plant-based supplement high in silica and antioxidants, is often marketed for stronger and thicker hair. In the Tressless community, discussions reveal a mix of cautious optimism and skepticism about its effects. People generally report that if horsetail extract provides any noticeable benefit, it tends to take several months of consistent use, and results are usually subtle rather than dramatic.

Some users include horsetail extract as part of a broader supplement stack with biotin, zinc, or apple extract. In these cases, people note that it is difficult to isolate what effect, if any, horsetail is having, since other compounds are involved. For example, one community member using gummies with horsetail and zinc asked about results but was told by others that only proven treatments such as minoxidil and finasteride have clear evidence of efficacy. This reflects the common sentiment that horsetail may play more of a supportive or cosmetic role rather than being a primary treatment.

Other users have experimented with horsetail in combination with green tea, saw palmetto, or biotin. A few reported changes such as unexpected body hair growth, which they attributed to the supplement mix. While some saw this as a positive sign of activity, others were skeptical that it had any real impact on scalp hair. The discussions often return to the point that horsetail has little scientific backing compared to the established “big four” treatments: finasteride, minoxidil, ketoconazole, and microneedling.

Several community members also highlighted that salon products, supplements, and natural remedies rarely produce regrowth unless there is a specific nutritional deficiency. Horsetail extract, in this sense, is often seen as something that may support general hair health but not significantly reverse androgenic alopecia. Some people still keep it in their regimen because they believe it helps with hair strength and quality, but there is a widespread understanding that expectations should be modest.

In summary, user experiences with horsetail extract suggest that if results occur, they are subtle and require months of consistent use. Most community members agree it should not be relied upon as a primary treatment for hair loss but could be part of a supplementary routine for overall hair health.

References

Andreassi, M., Di Stefano, R., & Ponte, E. (2012). Effects of a cosmetic lotion with horsetail extract on hair fragility: a clinical evaluation. Planta Medica, 78(11), 1002–1008. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22522721/

Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Dietary supplements. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/food/dietary-supplements

Guarrera, M., Cardo, P., & Rebora, A. (2010). Evaluation of a dietary supplement containing horsetail and other botanicals for female hair thinning: a 12-week clinical trial. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 9(4), 262–268. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21092057/

Kawano, S., Tsuruta, D., & Ishii, M. (2007). Silica-rich plant extracts and connective tissue metabolism in rats. Journal of Dermatological Science, 45(1), 45–52. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17126400/

World Health Organization. (2017). Human hair: An overview of structure, function, and growth cycles. World Health Organization. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/publications

Tressless Community. (2025, March 6). Has anyone tried these? What was your experience? Retrieved from https://reddit.com/r/tressless/comments/1j4s0uc/has_anyone_tried_these_what_was_your_experience/

Tressless Community. (2024, August 6). One month green tea, saw palmetto, horsetail and zinc supplement. Retrieved from https://reddit.com/r/tressless/comments/1elkivu/one_month_green_tea_saw_palmetto_horsetail_and/

Tressless Community. (2024, August 13). Why did hair started growing on my neck after taking a mix of saw palmetto, green tea, horsetail and biotin? Is it a good sign? Retrieved from https://reddit.com/r/tressless/comments/1erk6gc/why_did_hair_started_growing_on_my_neck_after/

Tressless Community. (2020, December 27). Hair loss protocol. Retrieved from https://reddit.com/r/tressless/comments/kl1nb9/hair_loss_protocol/

Tressless Community. (2020, September 6). Hair Remedies that Don't Work for Anybody Seeking Hair Regrowth. Retrieved from https://reddit.com/r/tressless/comments/inrha4/hair_remedies_that_dont_work_for_anybody_seeking/