If you are searching for the best shampoo for thinning hair, you may be one of the 85% of men or 55% of women who experience hair loss during their lifetime [1][2]. Or perhaps you are not even sure whether your hair is thinning or you are being paranoid, but still believe a good hair growth shampoo cannot hurt. And you are probably right.
If you are experiencing hair loss, it is best to see a trichologist, to help determine its cause and most effective treatment. That is because many commercially available shampoos for thinning hair have not been proven to work and may not be effective against all types of hair shedding or hair loss.
However, until you get the chance to get your hair and scalp professionally assessed and get to the root of why your hair is falling out, you can get the best shampoo advice for thinning hair, that can help treat each of the main causes of hair loss.
Keep reading this article to discover more about:
There are several reasons your hair might be thinning, here are the most common:
Since your hair thinning can be caused by a variety of conditions, the best shampoo to help treat it and regrow your thin hair must address the root of the problem. Here are the best shampoos to use for each of the main causes of hair thinning:
This shampoo is best for fine and thinning hair due to natural ageing. This may include the following symptoms:
This volumizing shampoo for fine or thinning hair contains rosemary oil for hair, which has been found to be as effective as topical Minoxidil in stimulating hair growth [8]. This shampoo also contains peppermint oil, which can soothe scalp irritation and encourage healthy hair growth [9] along with aloe vera for hair, which has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties to aid in scalp health [10].
Approximately £26/8 oz
Formulas which contain stemoxydine for hair to help regulate the hair growth cycle [11], such as Redken Stemoxydine 5% Thickening Treatment Shampoo, can also be helpful in making your thin or fine hair thicker.
If you may be experiencing male pattern baldness or female pattern baldness, you may want to try an advanced, medicated hair growth shampoo:
This hair loss shampoo contains 2% Minoxidil, one of the world’s most prescribed hair growth medications for hair loss. While this substance takes longer to absorb in shampoo form and is likely less effective than the topical Minoxidil, the shampoo also contains Trioxidil, a plant-based proprietary formula which moisturises and nourishes your hair, preventing hair breakage.
Approximately £30/8 oz
Caffeine shampoos for hair loss, such as Plantur 39 Phyto-Caffeine Shampoo for Fine, Brittle Hair, are a frequently used alternative to Minoxidil, as they have also been found effective in improving androgenetic alopecia hair loss after several months of regular use [12].
This shampoo is effective for individuals suffering from telogen effluvium. Symptoms for this hair loss condition include the following:
While telogen effluvium normally resolves on its own in a few months, you can benefit from a relaxing shampoo meant to boost hair volume.
Research has shown that black seed oil for hair can be effective in stopping telogen effluvium hair shedding, increasing both your hair density and strand diameter [13].
It has also been shown to regulate your hair growth cycle [14] and to possess antimicrobial and antioxidant qualities [15].
However, further research is needed to tell how efficient black seed oil is in shampoo form.
Approximately £18/ 25 oz
A stemoxydine shampoo can also help regulate your hair growth cycle, so you can use a formula such as Kérastase Densifique Femme, Thickening & Volumising Shampoo, For Fine Hair, which also contains nourishing and strengthening acids.
No shampoo formula has been proven specifically efficient in alopecia areata. However, if any formula has a chance to help, it could be this one. Symptoms for alopecia areata include the following:
One study shows that a blend of rosemary oil, lavender oil and cedarwood oil can bring some improvement to alopecia areata [16]. While further research is necessary to replicate this result and to test whether the same effect can be obtained when the oils are in shampoo form, it may be worth trying it.
Even if they don’t benefit your alopecia areata, rosemary and lavender oil have proven hair growth properties and lavender aroma is known to reduce stress and anxiety that can cause hair loss [17]
Approximately £24/16 oz
Since inflammation plays a significant role in alopecia areata, a shampoo with tea tree oil, which has anti-inflammatory properties, may benefit your scalp [18]. One good option is Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Special Shampoo. It can also help with scalp problems, such as dandruff or psoriasis.
This shampoo is best for helping the hair regrowth process in individuals who are suffering from traction alopecia. Traction alopecia normally resolves on its own once you stop wearing tight hairstyles or heavy hair extensions which cause hair loss. Symptoms of traction alopecia include the following:
The core substances in this shampoo are copper peptides, which are hypothesised to help your scalp and hair follicles regenerate [19] (however, clinical trials in humans are needed to confirm this effect). It also contains biotin for hair, which can reduce hair shedding from a Vitamin B7 deficiency and menthol, which is soothing and can reduce itching and inflammation [20].
Approximately £40/ 10 oz
If your scalp has been under a lot of pressure, you may want to moisturise and nourish it with shampoos containing fatty acids, such as Sevi’s Pumpkin Seed Moisture Shampoo. Pumpkin seed oil for hair will not only hydrate your locks, it may also promote hair growth and regeneration [21].
If you suspect you might have a common scalp problem, but are not sure what it is, it is a good idea to see a trichologist. But until you have a chance to do so, this medicated shampoo provides the most versatile option to help improve your scalp health. Some of the symptoms of some common scalp problems include the following:
Zinc pyrithione, one of the main components in this shampoo, can help treat the symptoms of a number of conditions.
It is one of the recommended treatments for yeast infections on the scalp (dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis) [22] and at the same time, it can reduce scalp inflammation.
It has also been proven to be efficient in treating scalp psoriasis, alongside topical corticosteroids [23], and also possesses some antibacterial properties [24] which might help treat scalp folliculitis (although more research is needed)
Approximately £15/ 8 oz
Ketoconazole for hair is also very effective in treating dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis or ringworm. Furthermore, it may also help with hair growth in male pattern baldness [25] The best ketoconazole shampoo to treat hair loss is Nizoral 2%.
If your hair is thin, dry, brittle and lacklustre due to over-styling and you need a nourishing shampoo formula to treat your chemically treated hair then you might want to consider this one. This repair shampoo can help moisturise and nourish your damaged hair.
While lifestyle causes may differ, the hair and scalp symptoms are usually similar:
This repair and strengthening shampoo contains a mixture of algae, which are filled with nutrients and antioxidants, vitamin B which nourishes your hair, and panthenol for increased elasticity.
More importantly, it contains rosehip oil for hair, which is known to moisturise and strengthen your hair fibre, reduce mechanic breakage and split ends [26] and may even have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties [27] (though more research is needed).
Approximately £33/16 oz
One of the clinically proven best shampoos for dry hair, which has been damaged and breaks off easily is Second Chance Repairing Shampoo for Dry or Damaged Hair. It contains argan oil which is beneficial for hair health with its significant moisturising and regenerating properties [28].
Oftentimes, it will take more than hair growth shampoos for hair thinning to effectively stop or reverse your hair loss, especially if it is more advanced.
That is why it is best to see a trichologist from the first signs of hair thinning and balding. They will perform a thorough examination of your scalp and will prescribe you the best hair loss treatment available for your specific diagnosis. This may be one or a combination of the following:
Finasteride is the most prescribed hair loss medication, which is very effective against androgenetic alopecia, by inhibiting your excessive DHT production. It is, however, not recommended to premenopausal women.
Minoxidil is one of the most effective hair growth medicines, which can treat a number of conditions that cause hair thinning by widening the blood vessels in your scalp so more nourishment can reach your hair follicles.
Dutasteride is a treatment which may be even more effective than Finasteride in blocking excessive DHT production, but is not yet FDA approved for treating hair thinning (and it is also not recommended to premenopausal women).
Steroid creams help reduce inflammation, so they are commonly used in alleviating the symptoms of alopecia areata and sometimes, other conditions such as scalp psoriasis.
Low-level laser therapy is a popular therapy for many health problems, it has also been found effective to stimulate hair growth by increasing cell metabolism and bringing more energy to your hair follicles.
Dermarolling for hair growth involves creating microscopic puncture wounds in your scalp in order to trigger a local healing response. It has also been found to help topical hair growth medications be absorbed more easily through the skin.
A hair transplant is a very effective and safe way to quickly solve all kinds of hair problems, from fixing a messed up hairline to reversing extensive baldness. While hair transplant costs are higher than those of other hair growth treatments, they are worth the investment, because while you have to keep taking medication, a hair transplant is permanent.
So if you are considering getting hair restoration surgery, be sure to book a consultation at one of the best hair transplant clinics in the UK, which have a 97-100% success rate and results which speak for themselves in their before and after hair transplant gallery.
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