Worried About Thinning Hair? These Shampoos Can Help. (2024)

Hair thinning and hair loss can be caused by a number of things: hormones, stress, and genes. Your best bet to address the root cause of your shedding mane is to consult with a dermatologist. But if you need a supplemental product to your doctor-recommended hair growth treatment, these hair thinning shampoos might help.

"Shampoos may be used to address thinning hair," says dermatologist Marisa Garshick, MD. "Though for optimal results, we recommend pairing them with treatments like minoxidil, as well as in-office procedures like Platelet-rich plasma."

According to Dr. Garshick, the best shampoos for thinning hair contain ketoconazole, an antifungal agent that has been shown to address hormonal-related hair loss. Also, look for ingredients like peptides, hyaluronic acid, or glycerin, as they can nourish and strengthen your strands to make your hair appear thicker.

No matter your hair type or the products you use for your hair, shampoo is the one thing everyone uses, so it's important to get familiar with the best shampoos for hair loss if thinning is a concern of yours. That's why we spent the past year testing dozens of top-reviewed hair growth shampoos.

We chose these shampoos based on recommendations from a vetted list of 10 dermatologists and one hair restoration specialist. Then, we got to testing their picks. We evaluated each formula based on their ingredients, who it's best for, and just how well they worked. Then, we narrowed down that list to the 17 options that actually met our standards. Keep reading to shop the best shampoos for hair thinning, per experts and Women's Health testers.

If you've already read through the most recommended products above, you might have an idea (or a few) of which ones you'd like to invest in. But before you do, here are a few things worth considering:

Ingredients

Certain ingredients can go a long way for thinning hair, especially oils. "Things that can help the skin and follicles include topical oils that can be anti-inflammatory like coconut oil, macadamia nut oil, rosemary oil, and tea tree oil" says Dr. Baron. Dr. Graf and Dr. Garshik reiterate that ketoconazole, niacin, saw palmetto, biotin, vitamins E and B3 are also effective for hair growth.

In terms of ingredients to stay away from, "sulfates, phthalates, synthetic fragrances, silicones, parabens, and other preservatives are all good to avoid in your shampoos," says Dr. Graf, who adds that they're hormone disrupting, irritating to the scalp, and keep healthy ingredients from being able to penetrate the hair shaft. DMDM Hydantoin is another one to watch out for, says dermatologist Bobby Buka, MD.

Price point

In some case, you can definitely find quality products at budget-friendly price points. At the end of the day, make sure you and your hair needs are able to meet somewhere in the middle.

Hair type

In short, what works for someone with type 4C curls might not work for someone with straight hair. Different hair has different needs, and the shampoo you choose should reflect that.

For the past few month, Women’s Health editors, including editorial assistant Sabrina Talbert and associate commerce editor Lily Wohlner have been researching the most popular and top-rated shampoos for thinning hair. Our team consulted 10 dermatologists and one hair restoration specialist for the story and sought testers to help narrow down a list of the best products for a wide range of hair types and preferences.

Read more: Everything You Need To Know About Hair Loss

Our testers highly recommend this for curly hair, thanks to its growth-enhancing ingredients like rice, keratin, and amino acids, and the price tag of $14 is just the cherry on top.

"Made for all curl types, this keratin shampoo cleanses and delivers a boost of moisture and hydration," says dermatologist Brendan Camp, MD.

Testers love the smell of this shampoo and note that it leaves their curls defined the whole day. Some users say that it also reduces frizz and increases shine. "It's great for my dry, fine, blonde curls," says one of our testers. "It's moisturizing but not too heavy and doesn't weigh my hair down."

Read more: Best Shampoos For Curly Hair

Several experts kept bringing up how great coconut oil can be for hair growth, and this shampoo puts the ingredient at the forefront. Coils need something that's gentle and clarifying, and this shampoo offers just that.

"I’ve always had thin hair with a lot of shedding," says one tester. "I switched to this after getting a free sample at Sam’s Club and my hair has never been so healthy! I went from washing every day to once a week and my hair is thicker and easier to brush then ever before!"

If you're looking for a super lightweight shampoo that won't weigh your hair down, Pureology's option is a solid choice. First of all, it smells amazing, courtesy of eucalyptus, lavender, and bergamont, but it's tailored for people with dry, fine hair, delivering moisture exactly where it's needed.

As someone with super dry, fine hair, I can attest to the fact that this shampoo adds a gorgeous gloss and shine. Plus, it leaves my scalp feeling super fresh and clean with no oil in sight. On those days where my hair is feeling suuuper greasy, I'll wash my hair twice with this shampoo to feel super fresh and rejuvenated.

Read more: Best Shampoos For Dry Hair

Itching to get all that buildup off your scalp? We've found your perfect place to start. This Micro Exfoliating Shampoo from Briogeo uses dissolvable granules and charcoal to slough off unwanted oil, dirt, and congested hair follicles to clear the scalp and help your other products to sink deeper. While you may associate exfoliating products with dry skin, think again. This one features coconut, tea tree, and mint oils to leave your scalp feeling clean and your hair bouncy and rejuvenated.

"This product works well and cleans my hair of product buildup without feeling too drying," reports one happy tester.

Dermatologist Brandon Kirsch, MD recommends Living Proof's Full Shampoo to any of his clients who have thinning hair and want the instant gratification of some volume.

"This is formulated to add fullness and volume," says Dr. Camp. "It's color-safe, sulfate and paraben-free, and safe for chemically-treated hair." Testers with oily hair say that this shampoo is especially good for cleansing while still leaving strands moisturized and full of volume.

The ingredients behind the results? "Amaranth peptides, which can help plump hair fibers to increase volume and fullness, and hemisqualane to protect the hair cuticles," says dermatologist Jeanette Graff, MD.

"This shampoo is the first that I have tried that actually works on my fine, limp hair," says one of our testers, who adds that it gives them the perfect amount of volume. "It's not a miracle worker, but I definitely notice a difference. It's expensive but it works."

Dermatologist Marie Jihn, MD is a fan of Pantene's purple shampoo for grey hair. It's paraben and silicone-free, and is totally affordable at under $20. You'll love that it's infused with lotus flowers that'll make your hair smell divine.

Testers say this product allows them to embrace their grey hair, noting that it adds shine and brightness. Many of them like the way the shampoo eliminates brassy tones from the sun. They also love the smell and consistency.

"I've been getting tons of compliments about my hair since using this shampoo," says one of our testers. "It's no longer dingy grey, but bright and shiny."

Read more: Best Shampoos for Gray Hair

Longing for glossy, healthy hair? Look no further than this strengthening, splurge-worthy formula that testers love. "I tend to reach for this shampoo the night before a big occasion or when I want to leave a lasting impression," says WH contributor Dana Parra. "Unlike other shampoos that only provide the same ‘wash-day’ volume, this color-safe hair cleanser allows me to wake up the next morning with the same shape and volume I had the night before! No touch-ups required." She adds that while the bottle is pricey, the high-quality formula goes a long way.

Many users think that, unlike some other volumizing products, this one is especially gentle on the scalp. Some also note that their hair feels fuller and thicker after a few uses. "The ‘magnificent volume’ on the label does not lie," says one user. "My hair felt way thicker immediately upon using this shampoo. It stays feeling thicker until the next wash—seven to 10 days later."

Dr. Camp says this formula is infused with all sorts of strengthening ingredients like biotin, keratin, and chia seed oil.

And, testers have noticed these strengthening results for themselves. Those with oily hair say that Ouai's shampoo allows them to go more days without the oiliness, which translates to less buildup. They also note that it leaves their hair feeling clean, soft, and voluminous, making it worth the buy.

Although it's pricey, our tester says this shampoo is worth it. "I’ve tried so many different types of shampoo for fine, oily hair and nothing has worked for me until now," they say. "Absolutely love this shampoo! My hair looks and feels clean and smells great!"

This paraben-free formula, which comes recommended by hair restoration specialist and facial plastic surgeon Patrick Davis, MD, has hundreds of five-star reviews by people who swear by it for treating hair loss.

In fact, many testers who deal with thinning hair mention that this shampoo helped make their mane appear fuller. They also share that their hair feels less dry and a lot softer after multiple uses. "I’ve only used this about five times and I already feel my hair is less dry and has a smoother finish," says one of our testers. "Plus, my scalp has less buildup."

52,000 five-star reviewers love the Olaplex No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo. Many of them even say this product made their hair grow both thicker and longer.

After just a few uses, our testers noticed improvements to their damaged hair. Some say their hair appeared to have more shine and less frizz. Plus, they found it especially handy after a lot of heat styling, noting it added moisture and shine back into their strands.

"I have very fine, thin, and dry hair, and this works great," writes one tester. "My hair feels so soft and smells good after using it. I’m very impressed with this product and highly recommended it!"

Many volumizing shampoos can strip hair of everything—including moisture—so your hair may feel fuller, but it's also left to be super dry and brittle. This affordable pick by Shea Moisture uses honey to keep strands silky smooth without the weight so you can have your volume and healthy hair, too.

"Honey, shea butter, and aloe leaf juice are featured in this hydrating, sulfate-free shampoo made to soften and revitalize your hair," says Dr. Camp. Testers rave about the quality of this shampoo, noting that the consistency and ingredients lead to improved results over time.

"This is the best shampoo ever because it leaves my hair soft and hydrated," says a tester. "I will continue to buy this product."

Read more: Best Dandruff Shampoos

This formula was created to remove build up using key ingredients such as alpha and gamma keratin proteins, plant extracts, and rice-based humectants. The result? A flake-free scalp minus the irritation. It also works in increase elasticity and improve overall hair strength.

"Two weeks into using this shampoo, I already noticed less shedding while showering and styling my hair," says Parra. "[The ingredients] provide moisture to the follicle to keep them plump and smooth, while biomimetic signal peptides calm and nourish the scalp to help encourage new growth." If you end up loving this shampoo just as much, know that you can get double the benefits using the brands conditioner for thinning hair.

According to Dr. Jhin, hair thinning can be caused by a number of factors, including (but not limited to):

• aging
• genetics
• diet
• hormones
• trauma and stress

Stress-caused hair loss can even take place up to six months following a stressful event, due to the hair cycle, dermatologist Michelle Green, MD, says.

That said, all the dermatologists our team spoke to noted that the most common type of hair loss is pattern hair loss—and it's totally natural. Dr. Jhin says that this type of hair thinning affects more than 80 percent of males (!!) and 50 percent of females in their lifetime. "Your hair follicles begin to shrink with every growth cycle, causing hair strands to become thinner and more fragile over time," she says. "The truth is, change is an inevitable part of aging and your hair is no different."

Yes, you can grow thicker hair through your shampoo choice. As for which shampoos to look for, it's really relative to your hair. Dr. Green reiterates that hydrating shampoos with lightweight oils like jojoba, avocado, argan, and coconut oils can help. "These ingredients help restore shine to the hair and provide hydration for both the hair shafts and scalp," she says.

But, it’s important to remember the limitations of regrowing lost hair. "If hair loss or thinning is happening because of hormone shifts like postpartum, aging, or genetics, there is only so much that shampoos can do without getting to the root cause of the problem," says Dr. Graf. "And sometimes, like in the case of of aging, hair loss can be inevitable for some people."

If you want to fully restore your hair after it has fallen out, Dr. Davis and Dr. Graf recommend opting for in-office procedures. "I recommend scheduling a consultation with a hair restoration professional to discuss oral and topical prescription medications, scalp treatments, or hair transplantation procedures that can further restore the appearance of healthy hair," says Dr. Davis.

Truthfully, Dr. Jhin actually says there's technically no medical cure for patterned hair loss, but the good news is that you can definitely take preventative measures that'll help keep thinning to a minimum. Firstly, she says to avoid certain hairstyles like tight braids and ponytails, but it's also super important that you monitor your overall scalp health. "Dandruff or residue buildup can cause inflammation and increase the likelihood of hair loss," she says. "It’s extremely important to start considering your scalp as part of your anti-aging routine. Consistent, ongoing treatment is essential."

And, of course, that's why it's necessary to use a good shampoo. Because you likely use one at least twice a week, prioritize using a shampoo that really takes care of your scalp.

• Brendan Camp, MD, double-board certified dermatologist with MDCS Dermatology
  
• Jennifer Baron, MD, board-certified dermatologist
• Brandon Kirsch, MD, board-certified dermatologist at Kirsch Dermatology
• Bobby Buka, MD, board-certified dermatologist and co-founder of The Dermatology Specialists
• Michelle Green, MD, board-certified dermatologist
• Marie Jhin, MD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Premier Aesthetic Dermatology
• Marisa Garshick, MD, board-certified dermatologist of MDCS Dermatology
• Deanne Mraz, MD, board-certified dermatologist and Co-Founder of Modern Dermatology
• Jeanette Graff, MD, board-certified dermatologist at Mount Sinai School Of Medicine
• Patrick Davis, MD, hair restoration specialist and facial plastic surgeon

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