Hair loss can be a distressing experience, whether it’s due to postpartum changes, menopause, dietary shifts, stress, or other factors. While experts may not universally agree that hair growth shampoos can stop hair loss completely, they can create an optimal environment for healthy hair growth. Many beauty editors and hair experts swear by finding the right shampoo to support their hair growth journey.
“I’ve seen so much progress in my hair growth journey by switching out sulfate-heavy shampoos for those that don’t strip my strands of moisture – and much less hair fall as a result,” says Vogue beauty writer Tracy Achonwa. Choosing the right hair growth shampoo is crucial, as there are many ingredients and formulations available. Fortunately, we’ve consulted experts to understand what truly works and what’s better left on the shelf.
Consistency is key when it comes to hair growth, along with proper hair care practices like scalp massages, heat protection, and avoiding products that cause buildup on the scalp. Read on for 12 of the best hair growth shampoos, according to the pros.
Best for thinning hair: Fable & Mane Volumising Shampoo
This shampoo draws inspiration from South Asia’s rich traditions and natural hair growth remedies, incorporating ingredients like amla and fenugreek. These ingredients work together to increase strand thickness, reduce graying, and stimulate blood circulation at the follicles to promote new hair growth.
“Not only are the antifungal herbs in this shampoo excellent at cleaning dandruff from the scalp, but it is super gentle on your strands, leaving hair looking and feeling stronger after each wash. Free from hormone disruptors, it’s one of my favourites for a natural hair growth boost, and thanks to its sulfate-free formula, my hair doesn’t feel brittle after use.” – Tracy Achonwa, beauty writer
Best for heat damage: Vegamour GRO Revitalising Shampoo
If you frequently use hot styling tools, your hair may be experiencing heat damage. Vegamour GRO offers a solution with its proprietary ingredient Karmatin, a microencapsulated vegan B-silk protein that bonds with hair, aiding in repair and protection against damage. With consistent use, you’ll notice your hair looking fuller and glossier.
Best for sensitive scalps: Maria Nila Head & Hair Heal Shampoo
Maria Nila is a popular clean hair care brand in Sweden, known for its gentle and effective products. This particular shampoo is designed to balance both hair and scalp, featuring aloe vera which can help soothe an irritated scalp. It also boasts a delightful fragrance with allergen-free jasmine and linden blossom, making it suitable for sensitive skin types.
Best for split ends: Olaplex Bond Maintenance Shampoo
Split ends are a major obstacle to healthy hair growth. Olaplex Bond Maintenance Shampoo features Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate, a smart polymer that repairs broken bonds in hair. This results in smoother strands with sealed cuticles, preventing further snagging and breakage, ultimately reducing hair fall. It also includes follicle stimulators like rosemary oil and gentle cleansers that remove buildup from pores, promoting optimal hair growth.
Best for dry hair: Augustinus Bader The Rich Shampoo
This luxurious shampoo is packed with Dr. Augustinus Bader’s proprietary blend of vitamins, peptides, and lipids, known as TFC8®. This powerful combination acts as a fertilizer for weakened strands, stimulating growth from within. The rich lather clarifies without stripping, and the brand’s patented technology transports nutrients into follicular cells to promote growth.
Best affordable: OGX Thick & Full Biotin & Collagen Shampoo
This budget-friendly option is ideal for those seeking to thicken their hair without spending a fortune. It’s packed with biotin and collagen, known for promoting hair volume and overall health. It also contains wheat protein to strengthen hair and reduce breakage. It’s free of sulfates and parabens, making it gentle on hair and boasting a pleasant, slightly sweet fragrance.
Best for thin curls and coils: Curlsmith Full Body Weightless Cleanser
Finding the right shampoo for thinning curls can be tricky. Too clarifying, and you risk dry, lifeless strands; too nourishing, and you might experience buildup that weighs down sparse hair. Curlsmith’s cleanser strikes the perfect balance, thoroughly cleansing build-up while using a plant stem cell complex to volumize strands from within. It seals the cuticle with lightweight linden bud, which also encourages growth, resulting in glossy, detangled, and defined curls.
Best for all hair types: Living Proof Full Shampoo
This shampoo is highly recommended by Dr. LoGerfo for its ability to clean the scalp and volumize hair. A clean scalp is crucial for hair growth, and this shampoo also adds volume, a common concern for those with thin hair. “If your hair is thinning, flat, and fine, this shampoo helps to texturise it and give it some volume,” she adds.
Best for fine hair: Nexxus Diametress Shampoo
This shampoo contains a protein-rich formula that strengthens and adds fullness, effectively reduces static, and maintains a fresh scent with ginseng and flaxseed. It’s formulated with gentle cleansing agents and vitamin B5 nourishment to lift hair from the roots, ensuring it remains lightweight. A little goes a long way for fuller, fresher hair.
Best for color treated hair: ColorWow Colour Security Shampoo
This shampoo is specially formulated to rinse out cleanly, leaving no residue that can weigh down hair or clog follicles, potentially impeding hair growth. “I’ve lost count of the times I’ve stepped out of the shower only to realise my shampoo didn’t rinse out properly. Thankfully, this one is specifically formulated to rinse out cleanly, leaving no residue that can weigh down your hair or clog your follicles, which can ultimately impede hair growth. Just a coin-sized amount is all it takes for everyone to start asking you about your secret to frizz-free , shiny hair.” – Iman Balagam, contributing beauty writer
Best for volume: Virtue Labs Volumising Full Shampoo
If you have fine hair, consider Virtue Labs Volumising Full Shampoo. It features Alpha Keratin 60ku, a healing protein that is identical to the keratin found in our hair. Consistent use can lead to shampoo-commercial volume and improve the overall health of your hair. It also contains hydrating lipids to soothe and smooth frizzy hair.
Best for scalp exfoliation: Philip Kingsley Density Thickening Shampoo
The Kingsley family is known for its trichological clinics, establishing them as experts in scalp care. This formula contains salicylic acid to gently exfoliate and stimulate the scalp, creating a healthy environment for hair growth. It also includes strengthening molecules that penetrate deep into the cortex to minimize hair breakage.
Best for conditioning: Fekkai Super Strength+ Shampoo
This super strength shampoo combats broken and damaged hair. Clinical studies show that it can leave hair three times stronger and can repair up to 56 per cent of split ends after just one use. Packed with jojoba oil, an excellent hair conditioner, it also features vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) and vitamin E, which gives hair a shiny, sleek look.
Does hair-growth shampoo work?
Hair loss can have various causes, and hair growth shampoos may not be equally effective for everyone. According to Dr. Hardik Doshi, lead surgeon in hair restoration at Ample, “Hair loss can have various causes, and a dermatologist or hair transplant surgeon can help diagnose the underlying cause and recommend the most effective treatment options for your specific situation.”
While hair growth shampoos may not be a miracle cure, certain ingredients have shown promise in scientific studies, including ketoconazole, saw palmetto, biotin, and minoxidil. However, the effectiveness of a hair growth shampoo depends on the ingredients used and the underlying cause of hair loss.
Trichologist William Gaunitz explains, “Hair growth shampoo can work under very specific circumstances; however, the vast majority of the time, shampoo is the low man on the totem pole as far as efficacy when trying to regrow hair.” It’s primarily used as a support for a hair growth serum or medications that address the underlying cause of hair loss.
Hair growth shampoos work by supporting a healthy scalp microbiome, reducing oil, fungus, bacteria, and parasites, and decreasing inflammation. They often include ingredients like saw palmetto, arnica, tea tree oil, and other natural anti-inflammatory or antiseptic ingredients beneficial for the scalp.
For hair growth shampoos to be effective, the active ingredients must penetrate the skin and enter the hair follicles. “This is why many hair development treatments are typically left on the scalp for a specific period before rinsing for more effective absorption,” says Dr. Doshi.
When shopping for a hair growth shampoo, Gaunitz recommends seeking natural active ingredients that minimize inflammation and reduce microbial overgrowth on the scalp. “Ingredients such as tea tree oil, rosemary oil, green tea extract, saw palmetto, aloe, and arnica are all fantastic ingredients to look for,” he says. Typically, the first five ingredients make up 97 per cent of the product, so ensure they lean toward the natural side and do not contain harsh surfactants or parabens.
Biotin, also known as vitamin B7, is a water-soluble vitamin that plays a crucial role in human metabolic processes, including energy synthesis, genetic control, and cell signalling. It’s essential for the efficient functioning of enzymes and contributes to the formation of keratin, a protein found in hair, skin, and nails. Although biotin is naturally found in foods like egg yolks, nuts, seeds, and vegetables, its bioavailability can vary. While considering a supplement, it’s important to note that the effectiveness of biotin intake for hair and nail growth is currently under investigation, and outcomes may vary.
Causes of Hair Loss
There are numerous reasons why you might experience hair loss, ranging from genetic predispositions to medical conditions, stress, dietary deficiencies, and hormonal changes. Gaunitz breaks it down into three main components: genetic sensitivity, nutritional hair loss, and inflammation.
Genetic sensitivity to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) can lead to hair loss referred to as androgenetic alopecia or male and female pattern hair loss. Nutritional hair loss occurs due to insufficient levels of vitamin D3, zinc, ferritin, folate, B12, and iron in the bloodstream. Inflammation contributes to various types of hair loss, including scarring alopecia, alopecia areata, and inflammatory scalp conditions.
Treatment Options for Hair Loss
In addition to hair growth shampoos, medical professionals may recommend a variety of other treatment options for hair loss, including:
*
Minoxidil and finasteride:
These are frequently suggested for hair loss.*
Low-level laser therapy:
Promotes hair growth.*
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy:
Involves injecting the individual’s plasma with growth hormones.*
Hair transplant surgery:
For severe cases.*
Unapproved drugs like spironolactone or dutasteride:
For hormonal imbalances.Success varies by individual, so consulting with a medical expert to devise a personalized treatment plan is crucial.
