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Dealing with hair loss and thinning isn't easy. The experience can impact your sense of confidence and self-image. It also requires a lot of patience to promote hair growth. While treatment options vary depending on the cause of hair loss and thinning (which can range from autoimmune diseases to poor hair practices), adding a shampoo formula that stimulates hair growth can help, says Isfahan Chambers-Harris, a certified trichologist and founder of Alodia Haircare.
"Shampoos are an important part of the hair growth process because they work externally to nourish and moisturize the scalp and strands and can they contain ingredients that can increase blood flow to the follicle or decrease DHT (the hormone associated with hair loss) on the scalp," she says. Natural ingredients, such as pumpkin seed oil, caffeine, curcumin, rosemary, and saw palmetto all have studies that show that they can improve hair loss, she adds. "Also, studies have shown that ingredients such as minoxidil, finasteride, and procapil can help with hair thinning."
It's important to manage expectations when dealing with hair loss. "Growth shampoos should not be treated as a miracle product but as an important part of a holistic plan that involves your doctor's treatment plan," Harris says. Ahead, keep reading for expert-approved formulas that can help improve the look and feel of your hair.
Why We Love It
- Supports a healthy hair cycle
What to Consider
- Some reviewers say it feels like clarifying shampoo
Not only does this formula have caffeine to help stimulate the scalp and slow hair loss (a must-have ingredient, according to Harris), it also contains biotin and copper peptides to strengthen hair follicles and support a healthy hair life cycle.
Why We Love It
- Safe for color-treated hair
- Microencapsulation technology effectively delivers ingredients to scalp
What to Consider
- Some reviewers don't like the citrus scent
All hair types can reap the benefits of this thickening shampoo. It utilizes microencapsulation technology to deliver ingredients deep into the scalp's surface to promote fuller hair. It contains vegan silk keratin to smooth and strengthen strands and wild harvested marula, baobab, and ximenia oils to nourish and moisturize.
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Why We Love It
- Restores scalp pH level
What to Consider
- Not for color-treated hair
This powerful blend of hyaluronic acid, resveratrol, and echinacea stem cell extracts work to hydrate and fortify hair from root to ends. It's a water-activated treatment that restores your scalp pH levels so it's at a healthy state optimal for hair growth.
Why We Love It
- Gently cleanses strands
What to Consider
- It's a splurge compared to other options
It's important that the hair loss shampoo you choose contains ingredients that target both the root and the strands, says Kerry Yates, a trichologist and founder of Colour Collective. She likes this option because "the vitamin blend nourishes the scalp while the sulfate-free formula gently cleanses."
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Why We Love It
- Lightweight conditioners
What to Consider
- Better suited for fine and medium hair types
"This clean shampoo infuses a blend of strengthening ingredients (quinoa and rice extract) to support fragile strands," says Yates. It also contains coconut and avocado oils to nourish the hair without weighing it down.
Why We Love It
- Adds volume to hair
What to Consider
- Not suited for color-treated hair
Even though it's sulfate-free, this shampoo has a luxurious lather and helps promote thicker, voluminous-looking hair. The formula contains caffeine to stimulate healthy hair growth, aloe leaf juice to hydrate and soothe the scalp, and squalane and hemi-squalane to strengthen hair over time.
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7
Best Protection Against Environment
Dr. Barbara Sturm Anti-Hair Fall Shampoo
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Why We Love It
- Protects against environmental stressors
What to Consider
- It's a splurge compared to other options
Yates says formulas that protect the scalp from environmental exposure helps reduce inflammation and gives hair an optimum chance to grow. This formula contains sunflower sprouts and tara extract to do just that. It protects against heat, pollution, and UV rays while the camellia and larch extract nourish the hair follicles and strengthen the shaft to reduce breakage and falling out.
8
Best Overall
BosleyMD BOSRevive Non Color-Treated Hair Nourishing Shampoo
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Why We Love It
- Reduces scalp inflammation
- Strengthens hair
What to Consider
- Not suitable for color-treated hair
This shampoo reverses the look of thinning hair by reducing scalp inflammation, increasing scalp circulation, and strengthening the hair. It's made with pumpkin seed extract, saw palmetto (a natural DHT-blocker), rosemary extract, and panthenol.
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Why We Love It
- Keratin boosts volume
What to Consider
- Some reviewers say it's best used with the corresponding conditioner
"It was created by a trichologist and delivers instant body and volume plus the added keratin supports fragile thin strands," says Yates.
Why We Love It
- Gently cleanses curly hair without stripping it of moisture
- Affordable
What to Consider
- Not available at popular beauty retailers
Harris recommends this shampoo from her own haircare brand because it's affordable and gently cleanses all curl types. The peppermint oil stimulates healthy hair growth.
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Why We Love It
- Refreshing scalp sensation
- Affordable
What to Consider
- Contains fragrance
Rosemary is a great ingredient to add to your list to help stimulate hair growth, says Harris. Plus, the added mint offers a refreshing scalp sensation.
Why We Love It
- Thickening formula improves look of hair loss and thinning
What to Consider
- Contains fragrance
Consider adding this thickening shampoo into your routine to help remedy thinning hair. The hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and peptides strengthen the hair, increase shine, reduce breakage, and boost moisture.
Genesis Rivas
Genesis Rivas is the Beauty Editor at Oprah Daily, where she covers hair, makeup, skin, nails, and more. Before joining the Oprah Daily team, she wrote for several publications, including InStyle, Real Simple, and Shape. When she’s not testing, researching, and writing fun and educational beauty content, you can find her dancing and eating her way through New York City. Follow her on Instagram or TikTok