Do Shampoos Really Help with Thinning Hair?

By Leah Williams •  Updated: 08/27/22

I hate to break the news, but shampoos aren’t clinically proven to cause hair growth. If you’re using shampoo to jumpstart the growth of hair follicles due to thinning hair, then it’s going to be a long shot. 

In reality, you won’t be able to achieve massive hair growth just by setting something on your scalp for a few seconds. But wait, if your hair thinning is due to scalp conditions such as dandruff, dryness, or psoriasis, then yes, hair loss shampoos can help create a healthier scalp condition that can boost hair growth.

Anyways, if shampoos are designed to magically regrow your thin hair, I think hair transplants and other expensive hair loss treatments would be out of the picture.

So, if you’re asking, do shampoos really help with thinning hair, this article is for you!

Does any shampoo work for thinning hair?

The only way to address your hair thinning problems is to see a dermatologist or trichologist to get a diagnosis and hook you up with an effective treatment.

However, that doesn’t mean you can’t kickstart your treatment journey with expert-approved shampoos that can help with hair thinning. Amongst the best shampoos for thinning hair are:

Bear in mind before using any of these shampoos, you have to make sure your hair and scalp are super strong and healthy.

Nevertheless, these products are designed to volumize and make your strands stronger to minimize hair thinning and keep your hair healthy.

How to choose the best shampoo for hair thinning?

Find out how much hair you’re losing.

Before you freak out, you’re losing about 50 to 100 strands of hair per day. So, don’t go crazy when you notice a few strands on your pillow as you get up in the morning. However, if you notice the shedding is tripling the amount, then it’s time to consult the dermatologist, especially when you’re losing hair a lot and seeing a receding hairline and bald spots.

Assess your genetics, age, and changes in lifestyle.

Hair thins naturally as you age. There’s a huge difference in hair density from when you’re in your thirties, forties, fifties, and so on. Genetics and lifestyle can also predetermine how and when your hair can go thin. 

Determine if you have a scalp condition.  

Inflammatory scalp conditions can result in hair thinning or hair loss. Over-the-counter treatment, serums, and scalp oil treatment can help treat scalp conditions. You should look for a gentle and moisturizing shampoo with anti-inflammatory properties to help heal your scalp quickly. 

Which shampoo should you avoid?

Not all shampoos are good for your hair. Some of them contain harmful ingredients that can be detrimental to your hair’s health. 

Shampoos that contain sulfur, herbs, and caffeine are harmful to your hair follicles and scalp. 

Sulfur can worsen hair loss. It strips the oil from your scalp resulting in dry hair that is prone to breakage. 

In addition, caffeine and herbs sound like natural ingredients, but they may not be good for someone suffering from potential hair loss.

The reason is that caffeine is vasoconstriction which limits the blood flow in the scalp and in turn triggers poor hair health resulting in strands that are prone to thinning or hair loss.

That said, it is important to stay away from components and properties that hinder blood flow in the roots of the hair. That way, oxygen, and nutrients are delivered to your hair. 

In addition, as much as you want to achieve thicker hair with a nice and natural volume, you shouldn’t overdo thickening shampoos. This can clog pores and limit the flow of oxygen into the hair which leads to increased inflammation. 

How to Treat Thinning Hair with Shampoo

First off, the volumizing shampoo alone is not the cure for thinning hair. For that reason, you should seek professional advice before anything else.

It is important to determine the root cause of the problem and make sure your hair and scalp are in good condition.

And that’s where shampoos come in…

Be sure to choose something that hydrates the scalp, ensures good hair cuticle health, and unclogs hair follicles. However, it’s no guarantee shampoo can stimulate hair growth. Still, it can help create a healthy environment for your scalp while boosting hair growth at the same time. 

And if you’re not seeing any improvement, it is best to work with your dermatologist for other treatment options or even consider getting a hair transplant.

Keep your hopes up. Science has come a very long way. There’s always a cure for everything now. 

Key Takeaways

In some ways, a hair loss shampoo can help with hair thinning, but you shouldn’t rely on it fully. It promotes better scalp condition resulting in improved blood and oxygen flow to the hair which can boost hair growth.

Still, shampoo alone cannot treat hair loss. It is important to consult an expert to address your hair and scalp’s condition and to get the right treatment.

If you’re on the search for the best shampoo for thinning hair, read this article!  

Leah Williams

Leah Williams is the founder of Lucky Curl and has been in the hair care and styling industry for the last 15 years. Since then, she has developed incredible expertise and a deep understanding of how to treat and style the most difficult hair types and is passionate about sharing her knowledge with the readers of Lucky Curl.

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