Growing Season completed an independent controlled usage study in October 2025. After 50 days, subjects showed an average 48.61% reduction in hair shedding, measured by hair count.
Advanced Science Laboratories, Inc., a third-party facility in New City, New York, performed the testing. An Institutional Review Board reviewed the protocol. The study ran from August 27 through October 17, 2025.
Growing Season is a cosmetic treatment for scalp health and hair condition, not a treatment for medical hair loss. Anyone experiencing sudden or patchy thinning hair should consult a board-certified dermatologist or hair restoration specialist.
Here is what was tested, how it was measured, and what the numbers do and do not say.
Why Clinically Tested Hair Care Is Rare
Most hair products point to research on a single ingredient rather than on the finished formula. That research is useful, but it does not tell you how a product performs on real scalps over real time.
A controlled usage study does. Real participants, a set protocol, and an independent evaluator counting the results.
What the Study Measured
The study set out to see how the Growing Season Botanical Hair Treatment performed over 50 days of normal use.
The measurement was hair shedding, assessed through the Maibach Hair Pull Test. This noninvasive clinical method quantifies how many strands release from the scalp under gentle, standardized traction.
Shedding is one of the clearest objective signals in hair and scalp assessment. Fewer hairs leaving the scalp means more strands staying anchored in their hair follicles through the growth cycle, which is what builds fuller-looking hair over time.
How the Maibach Hair Pull Test Works
A trained evaluator parts the hair, runs their fingers across the scalp, and collects any strands that release. The same four areas are checked every time, and the collected hairs are counted.
Because the technique is standardized, the count on day one and the count on day 50 can be compared directly. The method comes from research by H. I. Maibach published in 1973 and has been used in hair studies since.
The Panel
Thirty-three subjects enrolled. Thirty-two completed the study.
|
Study Detail |
Result |
|---|---|
|
Subjects enrolled |
33 |
|
Subjects completing |
32 |
|
Age range |
21 to 71 |
|
Sex |
32 female |
|
Study duration |
50 days |
|
Measurement points |
Baseline and day 50 |
One subject was discontinued for protocol noncompliance, a reason unrelated to the test product.
The panel was all women across a wide age range, including participants with gray hair and age-related thinning.
Inclusion required generally good health and the absence of neurologic, dermatologic, or systemic disorders. Exclusion criteria covered chronic skin allergies, known allergies to cosmetic ingredients, and recent pregnancy.
Every participant read and signed an informed consent form.
The Protocol Subjects Followed
A three-day washout phase preceded the study. Subjects abstained from all other hair serums, moisturizing products, lotions, creams, and gels for the entire study period.
Only the assigned hair product was permitted. Each bottle was weighed before and after to establish a use determination.
The application instructions were specific:
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Use at least twice per week
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Apply three to four droppers to the scalp
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Apply two to four droppers to the lengths
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Massage gently, then brush through
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Leave on for two or more hours, or overnight
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Wash out with shampoo
Subjects with fine hair were advised to double-wash. A sulfate-free shampoo was recommended.
The Results
Average hair count at baseline was 3.92. Average hair count at day 50 was 2.02.
|
Hair Shedding, Maibach Hair Pull Technique |
Value |
|---|---|
|
Baseline average |
3.92 hairs |
|
Day 50 average |
2.02 hairs |
|
Average difference |
about 49% fewer hairs shed |
Study detail: 32 participants completed a 50-day controlled usage study at Advanced Science Laboratories, Inc. Results were statistically significant at p<0.05 using a two-tailed t-test. The full report is available on request.
Participants shed roughly half as many hairs on day 50 as they did on day one, and the result was strong enough that chance is an unlikely explanation. Strands that stay anchored are strands that keep growing.
Safety Observations
No reactions were reported during the study.
That matters if you have sensitive skin or a scalp that reacts easily. The formula is free from sulfates, parabens, and synthetic fragrances.
What the Study Does Not Claim
Here is what the data does not cover.
The study measured hair shedding. It did not measure hair density, hair regrowth, or new hair growth. Claims of visibly thicker hair, improved hair density, or new baby hairs are outside what this test was designed to evaluate.
The study did not test for hair growth, so we will not claim it.
The panel was 32 women, aged 21 to 71. Results in a larger or more varied panel could differ.
The measurement window was 50 days. Longer-term outcomes were not assessed.
What Is Inside the Formula
Burdock root and nettle make up 50% of the blend, cold-pressed and infused into an olive oil base. These two do most of the work.
Burdock enriches the scalp and supports stronger hair follicles. Nettle adds nourishment, helps prevent breakage, and strengthens strands along the hair shaft.
Bakuchiol, a plant-based retinol alternative, balances the scalp and supports a clean, healthy scalp environment.
Every ingredient is natural or naturally derived, and nine are certified organic, including the olive oil base and the burdock and nettle at the heart of the blend. The formula is vegan, Leaping Bunny certified cruelty-free, and designed for all hair types from 1a to 4c.
Read the full breakdown on our super ingredients page.
How to Build the Hair Care Routine
We recommend the same routine the study used.
Apply the oil to dry hair before shampooing. Massage into the scalp, then work through from root to tip. Leave on for 2+ hours, or overnight. Shampoo and condition as normal.
Twice weekly is the tested frequency. Once weekly maintains results for those with less shedding or oily hair, where excess oil is already a concern.
Follow with a gentle cleanse. Our shampoo builds a rich lather without sulfates and gently cleanses without stripping natural oils. The conditioner restores moisture with jojoba oil and plant proteins for stronger hair.
Pair the treatment with the derma roller to support absorption, or explore our full scalp treatment guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is BUR BUR clinically tested hair care?
Yes. Growing Season Botanical Hair Treatment underwent an independent controlled usage study at Advanced Science Laboratories, Inc., reviewed by an Institutional Review Board. The study ran 50 days and measured hair shedding using the Maibach Hair Pull Test. Results showed a 48.61% average reduction, statistically significant at p<0.05, with no adverse reactions observed.
What is the Maibach Hair Pull Test?
It is a noninvasive clinical method that quantifies hair shedding. A trained evaluator applies gentle, standardized traction across four scalp quadrants, collects the released hairs, and counts them under magnification. Because the technique is standardized, baseline and follow-up counts can be compared directly. It has long been used in clinical hair assessment.
Does the study prove hair growth?
No. It measured shedding only. Fewer hairs leaving the scalp means more strands staying put, which supports fuller hair over time, but that is not the same as measured regrowth, and we do not present it that way. If you are dealing with significant loss, talk to a dermatologist.
How long before I see visible improvement?
The study measured at day 50. Softness and shine typically appear sooner, within two to four weeks of consistent use. Reduced shedding and overall hair condition build gradually. Consistency matters more than quantity, which is why a twice-weekly treatment is easier to sustain than daily hair growth products.
Should I apply it to dry or damp hair?
Dry hair. The protocol calls for application to dry hair before shampooing, which allows the botanical oils to penetrate the hair shaft without water competing for absorption. Damp hair dilutes the treatment and reduces contact time.
Is it suitable for color-treated, fine, or brittle hair?
Yes. Growing Season is formulated for all hair types, from fine to coarse and straight to coily. Color-treated and brittle hair benefit from the bonding and conditioning properties. For fine hair, apply a lighter amount to the lengths and double-wash with a sulfate-free shampoo.
Is the formula fragrance-free?
The formula contains no synthetic fragrances, sulfates, or parabens. The scent comes from the botanicals themselves and is light. Anyone with sensitive skin or ongoing scalp concerns should patch test first.
Where can I see the full report?
The complete report, including panel demographics, protocol, and per-subject data tables, is available on request. Contact us at hello@burburcare.com.
Why We Bothered
Making a claim is easy. Testing one is slow and expensive. We ran the study because we wanted to know too, and because you should be able to see the numbers before you commit 50 days to a bottle.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.