Menopause causes lots of different symptoms, from hot flushes to night sweats to extreme tiredness. Compounding all these issues is one of the most visible and distressing symptoms: menopause-related hair loss.
It’s very normal for your hair to get thinner as you get older. But if you feel your hair is thinning more than it should be, it might be time to try a new shampoo for menopausal hair.
Here, we’ll explore what causes hair loss and damage throughout menopause, and how switching to one of the best shampoos for menopausal hair could help you sustain your tresses for a little longer.
Lots of factors can contribute to menopausal hair loss, but often the main culprit is hormone changes.
Throughout menopause, your oestrogen and progesterone levels drop. Because oestrogen helps your hair stay in the anagen (growth) phase of the hair growth cycle for longer, this reduction can force your follicles to move into the telogen (shedding) phase and lead to the development of female pattern hair loss (FPHL) [1-2]:
Women with female pattern hair loss at stages 1, 2, and 3 on the Ludwig Scale [3].
Other contributing factors include:
Shampoo hasn’t been linked with hair loss in menopause, so it’s unlikely that ingredients in your current shampoo are contributing to any menopausal hair thinning.
However, there’s some evidence that certain shampoo ingredients can damage your hair, including DMDM hydantoin, and selenium sulphide [6-8]. Other antimicrobial agents, surfactants, and preservatives may also impair hair health [9].
So switching your shampoo may limit damage and offer other benefits to your menopausal hair.
Below, we’ve ranked the best shampoos for hair loss that often occurs during or after the menopause. With ingredients proven to treat conditions like female pattern hair loss, thinning hair, and scalp conditions, compare the 10 best shampoos for menopausal hair in the table below:
Stemoxydine is a shampoo ingredient that’s been shown to induce the growth phase of the hair growth cycle [19]. It decreases the number of shedding hairs, boosting hair density so it appears thicker.
Redken Stemoxydine 5% Thickening Treatment Shampoo harnesses this ingredient to create a product that’s ideal for keeping menopausal hair clean, fresh, and voluminous.
Aminexil is a chemical compound that has been shown to slow down the process of ageing within hair roots [20]. It fastens the hair root within the scalp, preventing premature hair loss.
L’Oréal Elvive Full Resist Reinforcing Shampoo with Aminexil also contains salicylic acid, which has been shown to prevent hair loss as part of a hair loss prevention shampoo, and also has anti-dandruff properties [21].
One of the best-known shampoos for hair loss, Plantur 39 contains caffeine for hair loss, an ingredient that’s proven to stimulate hair growth [22]. It can reduce hair loss intensity and boost hair strength.
Plantur 39 Phyto-Caffeine Shampoo is good for menopausal hair that’s prone to thinning and breakage at the crown and around the hairline.
The active ingredient in Nizoral shampoo is ketoconazole, an antifungal treatment with anti-androgenic properties. While it’s mainly formulated for treating dandruff, evidence suggests ketoconazole can also reduce hair loss symptoms associated with female pattern hair loss [12].
Nizoral shampoo for hair loss is a great option for promoting regrowth in menopausal hair, as well as treating any dandruff or flaking on your scalp, as well as controlling scalp sebum to fight greasiness.
Like Redken’s thickening treatment shampoo, Kérastase Densifique Femme contains Stemoxydine to reduce hair shedding and boost hair density. Promoted as a “bodifying” shampoo, it’s said to increase hair volume in those with thinning hair.
Kérastase Densifique Femme also contains hyaluronic acid, which can promote the formulation of hydrogen bonds within your hair keratin, helping your hair retain moisture [23]. So it’s a great option if your menopausal hair feels brittle or frizzy.
Black seed oil for hair is a natural way to regrow hair that works through multiple mechanisms [13]. It can fight oxidative stress, reduce signs of ageing within your hair, and promote hair growth.
Vatika Black Seed Complete Care Shampoo also contains a vitamin blend and a soybean extract. While vitamin supplements for hair growth aren’t always effective, soybean extract has been shown to promote hair growth in postmenopausal women [24].
Alice England products are exclusively vegan, so this is a great option for older women who want to stick with natural yet proven products. The Alice England Lengthen & Strengthen Shampoo contains rosemary oil for hair, which acts as a natural DHT blocker [14].
This hair loss shampoo is also free from parabens, which may have toxic side effects, and comes in fully recyclable packaging [25].
Niacin and caffeine are both proven to boost hair growth, which is why the OGX Anti-Hair Fallout Niacin + Caffeine Shampoo makes our list [16, 22]. With glycerin and lactic acid, it’s also great for hydrating your hair.
This menopause hair loss shampoo formula also contains saw palmetto for hair, which may help block DHT.
Learn more about how safe and efficient saw palmetto is for women with hair loss.
Pantene has specially formulated this shampoo for hair loss that gets worse with age. With niacin and panthenol, this shampoo can make your hair look fuller while actively promoting hair follicle cell growth [16-17].
This shampoo moisturises your hair without weighing it down, allowing you to maintain and maximise hair volume.
Developed by Jonathan Van Ness, this volumising shampoo contains caffeine and aloe leaf extract, both of which can help with hair loss [16, 18].
Like Alice England’s range, this shampoo is fully vegan and cruelty-free. It’s also silicone- and sulphate-free, so it’s great for people with sensitive scalps and those who are keen to use ethical hair products.
Here’s a rundown of our top-ranked shampoos for different menopausal hair types:
Using a volumising or hair growth shampoo for menopausal hair is a good first step to tackling your hair loss. But if your hair has started to thin more substantially, you might need a stronger solution.
The following hair loss treatments are proven to improve symptoms of female pattern hair loss and other menopause or perimenopause hair loss conditions:
Female hair loss is often difficult to diagnose and treat, especially as you get older. Book a consultation with the Wimpole Clinic’s doctor-led trichology team to find the best hair loss treatment for women.
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