With so many options on the market, it can be difficult to choose the best shampoo and conditioner for hair growth. It would be understandable if you took the faster route by choosing a 2-in-1 product which can clean and condition your hair at the same time. However, if you are hoping that it can also stimulate hair growth, some extensive research may be needed.
Fortunately, we have studied this matter so you don’t have to. We made a selection of the best hair growth shampoo-and-conditioner combinations that have a chance of improving your hair thickness or density. You may also be interested in our compiled list of the 15 best hair growth shampoos. However, it is good to keep in mind that there is limited scientific evidence regarding the efficiency of shampoo in promoting hair growth or treating hair loss.
While shampoo and conditioner can keep your hair clean and hydrated, they cannot be expected to do wonders for increasing hair density. If your strands are growing slower than normal or you are experiencing persistent hair shedding, it is best to see a trichologist. They can diagnose your hair thinning, give you the best shampoo advice and recommend evidence-based treatment, such as Minoxidil or Finasteride.
Keep reading this article to find out all you need to know about:
On a basic level, shampoos are designed to clean your hair and scalp, while conditioners are used to moisturise, nourish and protect your strands from hair breakage, while at the same time making them softer and easier to brush. However, oftentimes, manufacturers add a variety of other ingredients to their formulations, which promise a wide range of results, from stimulating hair growth to regenerating, anti-ageing, volumising or strengthening effects.
Some of these ingredients have scientifically demonstrated beneficial qualities for your hair, such as:
However, very few studies have been made to determine whether these substances maintain their demonstrated properties when used in shampoo or conditioner form. During clinical trials, the scalp is exposed to these ingredients for a long time, often hours, but you only keep shampoo in your hair for a few minutes. Short exposure could significantly lower the absorption rate. That doesn’t mean they are necessarily ineffective, just that more research is necessary to identify the circumstances and extent of their effect.
Other ingredients added to hair-care products have no evidence whatsoever behind their purported effects, as is the case of shampoos containing rice water for hair growth. While some may make your hair shinier, softer or more elastic, it is a good idea to remain sceptical of scientifically unsupported claims that they can stimulate hair growth or stop hair loss.
While more evidence is needed to determine their exact effect on your hair, the following 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner formulas are among those with the best chance of contributing to your hair growth and reducing your hair shedding.
Shampoos and conditioners don’t need to be fluid to be effective and this 2-in-1 bar from Willow & Myrtle is the best to prove this point. It contains rosemary oil, a natural dihydrotestosterone (DHT) blocker proven to be as effective as topical Minoxidil for regrowing hair in patients with androgenetic alopecia (however, more evidence is needed that DHT blocking shampoos actually work).
It also has significant antioxidant properties, can increase blood flow to your hair follicles [8] and can be used as an adjuvant in treating other types of alopecia such as alopecia areata [9].
Moreover, this formula also contains argan oil and jojoba oil, which have proven moisturising and regenerating qualities [10], as well as nettle extract, which can strengthen your hair and may reduce scalp inflammation [11].
Main beneficial ingredients for hair: Rosemary oil, peppermint oil, jojoba oil, argan oil, nettle.
Price: Approximately £7.5/2 oz
This formula contains several ingredients that may play a role in improving your hair density. Research shows that caffeine shampoo for hair loss really works to reduce hair shedding and improve density in conditions such as androgenetic alopecia [6][12]. It can also strengthen your hair and stimulate hair growth in telogen effluvium [6].
This effect may be enhanced by a natural active ingredient called capilia longa PPF, which may improve hair regeneration and promote hair growth [13] This is a formulation containing plant growth factors which is claimed to stimulate hair growth by restarting the activity of dermal papilla cells (although independent research is needed to verify this claim.).
Finally, other plant extracts (ginseng, wild nettle) and vitamins (biotin for hair, pro-vitamin B5) can nourish your strands giving them resources to grow and contributing to their health.
Main beneficial ingredients for hair: Caffeine, capilia longa PPF, biotin, pro-vitamin B5, Ginseng and wild nettle extract
Price: Approximately £20/10 ounces
This product contains saw palmetto, a plant extract which is believed to act in a similar way (though with poorer results) as Finasteride against male pattern baldness or female pattern baldness [14]. Studies found it to be effective in increasing hair count, quality and density both in patients with androgenetic alopecia and in those with telogen effluvium.
While biotin and panthenol contained by this shampoo and conditioner have no proven efficacy in stimulating hair growth, they can moisturise your hair and improve its softness and shine.
Main beneficial ingredients for hair: Saw palmetto, biotin and panthenol
Price: Approximately £26/12 oz
While biotin is highlighted as the most important ingredient in this formulation, it is the caffeine, saw palmetto and peppermint oil for hair [15] that have been proven to actually help stimulate your hair growth. Moreover, both peppermint and tea tree oils have been found efficient in soothing the scalp and relieving the symptoms of common scalp problems such as dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis [15][16][17].
Vitamin E for hair has demonstrated efficiency in improving hair growth in patients with alopecia areata [18] and it can provide valuable antioxidants that help protect your hair from oxidative stress. The essential oils contained, such as jojoba or coconut, can nourish and protect your hair, while at the same time, making it soft, shiny and easy to detangle. And the keratin for hair can help strengthen your strands and make them more manageable, reducing frizz.
The only proven hair benefits of biotin have been observed in patients who had a vitamin B7 deficiency or uncombable hair syndrome [19]. The fact that this vitamin is showcased as the most important ingredient in this shampoo and conditioner, as well as the high number of other beneficial substances for a relatively low price, can suggest that the other ingredients may be present in small doses.
Main beneficial ingredients for hair: Caffeine, saw palmetto, keratin, tea tree oil, peppermint oil, coconut oil, jojoba oil, vitamin E, biotin
Price: Approximately £12/ 16 oz
The black seed oil contained by this formula has been proven efficient in curbing telogen effluvium and improving hair density and thickness. Moreover, it is also known to regulate the hair growth cycle, keeping your hair follicles in the growth phase for longer [20].
While more evidence is needed that lavender oil can also promote hair growth [21], it has been proven that it has a soothing effect, alleviating stress and anxiety that can cause hair loss.
Furthermore, tea tree oil can soothe your scalp and reduce itchiness, while the argan and jojoba oils will nourish and moisturise your strands.
Main beneficial ingredients for hair: black seed oil, lavender oil, tea tree oil, lavender oil, jojoba oil
Price: Approximately £10/ 10 oz
Nizoral is one of the best-known brands for relieving the symptoms of yeast infections on the scalp, such as dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis. That is because it contains ketoconazole, a very efficient antifungal. However, it is less commonly known that Nizoral can also treat hair loss. Ketoconazole can disrupt the DHT pathways to the scalp, reducing pattern baldness.
This formula, specifically designed to treat scalp psoriasis, also contains another substance which has demonstrated properties in preventing hair loss associated with androgenetic alopecia: salicylic acid [4].
The added tea tree oil can enhance the effect of the other ingredients in soothing an irritated scalp, while the vitamins (vitamin E, vitamin B5 and vitamin C for hair) can nourish your strands and provide precious antioxidants.
Main beneficial ingredients for hair: Ketoconazole, salicylic acid, tea tree oil, vitamins E, C and B5
Price: Approximately £14/ 11 oz
This formula contains zinc, which plays a very important role in hair production. It helps synthesize DNA and RNA, aiding cell division needed for hair growth. It also plays a part in the production and regulation of keratin, a type of protein that lays the structural foundation of the hair fibre. Thus, zinc deficiency can lead to excessive hair shedding, dry, brittle hair and disruptions of your hair growth cycle [22]
Furthermore, sage possesses soothing qualities and animal studies have revealed that it may also promote hair growth (though more evidence is needed [23]. And the shampoo and conditioner also contain aloe vera, which is known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties [24].
Main beneficial ingredients for hair: Zinc, sage, aloe vera
Price: Approximately £20/ 8 oz
While this product is marketed to men, both genders may benefit from using it, especially if they also have dandruff, an itchy or irritated scalp. That is because peppermint oil doesn’t only possess calming and cooling properties, it can also increase your hair density and diameter.
At the same time, the tea tree oil in this product has anti-inflammatory properties and can regulate the amount of natural oil produced by your scalp.
Main beneficial ingredients for hair: Tea tree oil, peppermint oil
Price: Approximately £13/ 17 oz
This shampoo and conditioner combination harnesses the scientifically proven hair growth properties of rosemary oil, which have proven beneficial in treating the symptoms of several types of alopecia.
This formulation will leave your hair soft, smooth and silky and has a chance to improve its thickness and density.
Main beneficial ingredients for hair: Rosemary oil, biotin
Price: Approximately £20/ 16 oz
The lavender oil in this formulation provides a soothing and relaxing experience, lowering your anxiety levels and thus reducing the chance of developing stress-induced telogen effluvium. Furthermore, preliminary testing performed on mice shows promise that lavender oil may also stimulate hair growth [21].
Moreover, the vitamins contained by this shampoo and conditioner provide nutrients and antioxidants to your hair, protecting it and keeping it strong, healthy and beautiful.
Main beneficial ingredients for hair: Lavender, provitamin B5, Vitamin E
Price: Approximately £15/ 8.5 ounces
Neither shampoos nor conditioners have specific hair growth-stimulating properties. They can both help keep your hair and scalp clean and healthy, which plays a role in maintaining a well-regulated hair growth cycle.
Conditioners can reduce strand breakage from dryness or friction, which can lead to fuller, healthier-looking hair. However, in the absence of ingredients added specifically for hair growth or hair loss-preventing purposes, neither can likely make your strands grow denser, thicker or faster.
Ingredients that stimulate hair growth can be added to both shampoos and conditioners and it is best for your hair health to use them both (either as 2-in-1 products or separately).
The most important substances in shampoos are detergents that clean your scalp and hair, removing dust, dirt, excess natural oil (sebum) and hair product buildup.
While some shampoos contain ingredients that can also treat scalp conditions, volumize your strands or better serve certain hair types, their main purpose is to ensure cleanliness.
Conditioners contain a substance which gives them a positive electric charge, allowing them to become attached to hair strands and reduce static electricity. This prevents them from rubbing against each other and splitting or breaking.
Moreover, they flatten hair cuticles, making your strands smoother, shinier, and easier to detangle and further reducing friction.
Most conditioners also contain hydrating and moisturising ingredients, which can prevent dry, brittle hair.
If you would like to achieve more consistent hair growth, you can try some of the following proven treatments and therapies alongside using your shampoo and conditioner:
Some hair loss is normal in the shower or while brushing your hair – people naturally lose between 50 and 100 hairs every day. However, if you regularly shed more than this amount, it is a good idea to see a trichologist from the first signs of hair thinning and balding.
That is because while certain types of alopecia are temporary and often resolve themselves without treatment (e.g. telogen effluvium, traction alopecia), others can advance to the point where they can no longer be treated non-surgically and require a hair transplant (e.g. androgenetic alopecia).
If your hair loss is advanced and/or does not respond to hair growth treatment, your trichologist may recommend medications specific to your condition, such as Finasteride or steroid creams. However, don’t despair if they don’t have the desired effect either. You may still be a good candidate for a natural-looking hair transplant.
Hair transplants are permanent and effective procedures that can be completed within a few hours. The surgeon will use a special tool to harvest healthy hair follicles from an area of your scalp where your hair is dense and implant them in your thinning spots. The Wimpole Clinic has been voted one of the best hair transplant clinics in the UK and has a 97-100% success rate.
To get a better idea of whether hair transplants are worth it, check out the kind of results you can expect from your hair transplant after 10 years.
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