No one likes dealing with hair issues, whether it be hair loss from pregnancy or hair thinning due to chemicals and dyes. It can feel incredibly overwhelming at times when you don't know where to start, especially as your ponytail starts to feel lighter and less luxurious over time.
No need to fret, though! Instead of shuddering every time you take a shower — we've all watched fair too many follicles fall down the drain — let's start at the root of it all and find the best shampoos for thinning hair. In order to better understand what we're working with and what you should use, I connected with hair experts Dr. Ross Kopelman (Kopelman Hair Restoration), Elina Fedotova (Chief Formulator & CEO & Celebrity Aesthetician at Elina Organics), Nicolas Malabett Pineda(NYC-based hairstylist), and Dr. Simon Pimstone (internal medicine specialist and co-founder and CEO of XYON Health).
So without further ado, here are the best shampoos for hair thinning, according to the experts!
What causes hair thinning?
Photo by Katie Kingsley
There are many factors that can contribute to hair loss or hair thinning. Some of those being stress, genetics, medication, pregnancy, childbirth — the list goes on and on. Some ways to prevent this from getting excessive are to:
- Stop doing tight hairstyles (slicked back buns and tight ponytails).This is really quite aggressive on the hair and causes it to lose it's volume thus thinning out from damage.
- Try to not use as much heat on your hair. This can really damage the hair and make it lose its fullness or thickness.
- Refrain from dying your hair or using harmful chemicals on it that could promote hair loss.
These can all help your hair so that, with the right shampoos and other products, it can grow into healthy and luscious locks once again!
Are there vitamins that can help with hair thinning?
Photo by Himesh Mehta
Dr. Kopelman gave us the low down on what we can take to help prevent hair thinning or make our hair grow thicker. He says, "Biotin, also known as vitamin B7, is essential for hair health as it strengthens the hair shaft and can improve the overall thickness and appearance of thinning hair. Keratin helps strengthen and fortify hair strands, reducing breakage and promoting a fuller look." He explains, "Niacin, or vitamin B3, can improve blood circulation to the scalp, which helps deliver essential nutrients to the hair follicles, promoting healthier growth. Saw palmetto is a natural ingredient that can block DHT, a hormone linked to hair loss, making it useful in preventing further thinning."
And lastly, he says that aloe has incredible properties for maintenance and making sure your hair stays moisturized. He says, "Aloe vera is known for its soothing and moisturizing properties, maintaining a healthy scalp environment, which is crucial for hair growth. Peppermint oil can stimulate blood circulation in the scalp, promoting hair growth and giving a refreshing sensation. Caffeine can stimulate hair follicles and encourage new growth, making hair appear thicker and fuller." That's exactly what we're looking for!
What are the best ingredients to look out for?
Photo by cottonbro studio/Pexels
There are a lot of ingredients to look for in order to keep the hair healthy and prevent it from thinning. Fedotova suggests:
- Birch Bark: Rich in vitamin C which builds collagen to thicken and strengthen hair fibers, encourages hair growth, source of lupeol betulinic acid which improves keratin absorption and reduces hair loss.
- Silk Peptides: Penetrate hair bulb and nourish from the roots, reinforce weakened strands, form a protective shield around the scalp, and help maintain shiny hair.
- Sea Buckthorn: Contains a unique blend of essential vitamins such as beta keratin, vitamin E, vitamin A, and fatty acids which support a healthy scalp, promotes scalp microcirculation which stimulates hair growth and conditions hair.
- Nettle Leaf: Rich in antioxidants that protect the scalp from damage and stimulate hair growth, and contains essential minerals (iron, magnesium, zinc) for hair follicles.
These are just some of the ingredients to look for when shopping for shampoos, because they all help to promote hair growth and thickness.
Should I buy shampoo for my hair type?
Photo via Amazon
It's especially important to buy shampoos based on your specific hair type and density. You want to look out for those things when buying. NYC-based stylist, Pineda has the following suggestions for each hair type:
- For fine hair with low density due to genetics: Davines' Volu Shampoo is an excellent choice for adding volume without heaviness.
- For thinning fine hair due to hair loss: A gentle, scalp-stimulating shampoo like Davines' Energizing Shampoo can be very effective.
- For naturally thick hair that is thinning: Davines' Dede Shampoomaintains softness without weighing hair down, making it ideal for high-density hair.
What are some of the best shampoos for thinning hair?
Photo by Karolina Kaboompics
Dr. Pimstone says, "When it comes to shampoo for thinning hair, shoppers should look for ingredients with antioxidizing and anti-inflammatory properties that work to improve the strength of hairs and repair damage from things like heat, styling, and environmental exposures. These include ingredients like keratin, biotin, amino acids, silk peptides, and lighter oils such as argan and jojoba."
He goes on to say, "In terms of products to recommend, the Rejuvenate Performance DHT-Blocking Shampoo for Men and Activate Performance DHT-Blocking Shampoo for Womeneach contain contain multiple natural ingredients, including rosemary extract and saw palmetto, to help to combat signs of thinning hair while working to repairing damage to the scalp skin."
These suggestions, while surely fabulous products, are both from Dr. Pimstone's company, XYON. Here are a handful of other best shampoos for thinning hair to consider, if you're in the market!
Some More Recommendations For Shampoo Thinning Hair
Amazon
Crown Affair The Ritual Shampoo
Having been someone myself who struggles with thin hair and my hair constantly losing its thickness, I've been using this shampoo for weeks, and it's been elite for me! It got rid of any buildup, while also giving my hair a bounce and fullness that I haven't had in a long time. Highly recommend this one!
Nordstrom
Briogeo Destined for Density Shampoo
This one is so good because it not has only caffeine, but also Biotin which is key for promoting hair growth! I love this brand for so many of their products, they're just 10/10! This shampoo is designed to directly help you see results in your hair density and thickness.
Vegamour
Vegamour Gro Advanced Shampoo
This is an extremely popular shampoo on social media at the moment, with people crediting it for helping them with hair growth immensely! It's also great for hydration, which is often what you need if you struggle with hair thinning! This one sounds like a great option to me!
Nordstrom
Briogeo Don't Despair Repair Shampoo
I've also tried and tested this shampoo, and can say that it's phenomenal! This shampoo is truly a repairing shampoo that will target your hair thinning directly. It's filled with so many great vitamins and ingredients that are necessary to repair your hair. Plus, it's Black-owned and founded as well, which we love to see!
Amazon
Kerastase Densifique Shampoo
This shampoo has over 6,000 4.5 star reviews on Amazon, many of which claim it's one of the best to promote hair thickness! That's quite the reputation! The product specifically says that it targets "fine, thin, or thinning hair" which sounds like it fits the bill perfectly!
Elina Organics
Elina Organics Photo-Nourish Shampoo
Fedotova says, "It is free of harsh sulfates, chemicals, and fragrances that strip healthy proteins away from your hair. This moisturizing formula will strengthen and protect your hair 100% naturally, while also stimulating the scalp to lengthen hair." We love the sound of that! The good thing about this shampoo? You only need a nickel size amount for each wash to cover your whole head!
This recommendation comes from Fedotova's company, Elina Organics.
Vitabrid
Vitabrid C12 Scalp+ Shampoo
This shampoo is doctor recommended and is incredible for revitalizing your hair! It has many peptides that will help your thinned hair, as well as Salicylic Acid which cleanses the hair and promotes hair thickness. This is a great one to invest in for its many nourishing ingredients!
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Header image via Cora Pursley
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Kayla Walden is a content creator and writer who spends most of her free time either shopping the latest trends, reading fantasy novels, or binging new tv shows. You can find her various musings on all things fashion, pop culture, and travel on Brit + Co or her blog, Kayla's Newsletter.