Are You Looking For The Best Shampoo For Hair Growth?
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Hair loss is one of those things that affects many of us in a variety of different ways, but the results can be equally devastating. For some, it’s genetic; for others it can be stress-related or due to illness.
Whatever the reason, I’ve looked for the best shampoos available for those of you experiencing hair loss. Many brands promise thicker hair, and some target conditions resulting in hair loss.
Be realistic: no shampoo is proven to regrow lost hair. Treatments with real evidence include minoxidil applied to the scalp, and finasteride for men.
This article will cover the best shampoos for hair growth, as well as the best shampoos for hair loss without all the confusion of false advertising.
The products I’ve chosen focus on keeping your hair and scalp in good condition so your hair looks fuller. Hair may seem like a pretty superficial thing to get caught up on, but once you start experiencing hair loss, it can rapidly affect your day to day life.
Hair loss can lead to a massive dip in self-confidence and stop you from living your life in the way that you want. Read on and explore my guide to the best shampoos for hair growth, plus when to see a doctor.
Hair loss occurs at different points in people’s lives, and for a wide range of different reasons. Before we count down the top five shampoos on the market for hair loss, let’s take a look at some of the reasons behind it.
Why Does Hair Loss Occur?
- Male pattern baldness is one of the most well-known forms of hair loss, and a similar pattern can affect women. It is linked to aging, heredity and the hormone testosterone, not a hormone "imbalance" that a shampoo can fix. About 80% of men show signs of it in their lifetime.
- Lifestyle, annoyingly, affects our hair in the same way it affects our skin. Bad diet, lack of sleep and alcohol consumption can all lead to unhealthy hair that is prone to breaking and becoming brittle. Frequent dyeing and harsh styling can also damage hair and cause breakage. A gentle, color-safe shampoo can help with that kind of damage.
- Physical or emotional stress can cause heavy shedding, usually temporary. Alopecia areata causes hair loss in patches when the immune system attacks hair follicles; genes and environment both play a role. Shampoo can’t treat it, so see a dermatologist.
Best Brands
There are lots of brands out there that all claim to have ‘miracle products’ on their line which are designed to transform even the finest hair to voluminous locks. Sadly, many of these products are misleadingly advertised and end in disappointment.
I’ve searched for the most trusted brands offering products that may not give you luscious hair overnight, but can leave your hair and scalp in better condition.
My top 5 hair care brands for reversing the effects of hair loss:
- Art Naturals is a personal favorite, offering organic products that are good for your hair as well as the environment. Their products smell great and leave hair soft, which makes this my favorite shampoo for hair that looks healthier.
- Ultrax Labs is another fantastic brand, proving that caffeine has more uses than simply helping you get through work on a Monday morning! Their caffeine shampoo is popular with people looking for thicker-looking hair, though shampoo-on, rinse-off caffeine isn’t proven to regrow hair.
- Speaking of hormones, the hormone DHT (dihydrotestosterone) drives pattern hair loss in men. Wick & Ström market their shampoo with plant ingredients said to block DHT, but there’s no good evidence a rinse-off shampoo does this. It’s a mid-range pick for men who like the formula.
- Honeydew isn’t a brand name recognized by everyone, but it’s a shining star in the world of hair-loss specialists. Their products are well priced and gentle on colored hair.
- Luxe Natural is another budget brand, with almond, argan and aloe in a shampoo aimed at dry, damaged hair.
Art Naturals Argan Oil Shampoo
First up is my personal favorite, although this time I’m recommending it for the men out there!
This product is aimed at keeping hair healthy and contains several plant ingredients. Art Naturals markets itself as a natural hair care brand.
Rosemary and Thyme give this product a herbal, masculine scent, while the Aloe Vera works to repair broken hair and maintain a healthy scalp. It’s a pleasant everyday shampoo for anyone who wants healthier-looking hair. Don’t expect it to stop pattern hair loss.
Women will like the added argan oil, which leaves hair soft.
Ultrax Labs Hair Surge
Next up is Ultrax Labs’ ‘Hair Surge’ – a caffeine-based shampoo that provides the ultimate nutrition for your hair.
Caffeine has been studied for hair growth in lab and small human studies, but it isn’t proven to regrow hair as a shampoo. It made my list because users like how it leaves their hair.
It’s one of the pricier options here. Be patient, and judge it on how your hair looks and feels rather than expecting regrowth.
Wick and Ström Apex Crown
Wick & Ström have cooked up a storm with this revitalizing blend that promises to invigorate your hair whilst maintaining a healthy scalp.
This product also contains saw palmetto extract. Evidence that saw palmetto helps hair growth is limited, especially in a rinse-off shampoo.
Vitamins in shampoo can’t make up for a poor diet. If you think you have a deficiency, ask your doctor about a blood test.
Well reviewed by users, ‘Apex Crown’ earns its place in my top five shampoos for hair growth. My top tip with this one: it may not lather up the way you’re used to with other shampoos.
Honeydew Hair Loss Shampoo
Honeydew – sweet by name; even sweeter by nature. This value shampoo uses a variety of plant ingredients.
Evening primrose and rosemary in this product are meant to soothe the scalp and add shine. They aren’t proven to restore lost hair.
It’s gentle enough for colored hair, and fans say their hair feels thicker and healthier.
Don’t let its low price put you off.
Luxe Natural Argan Oil Shampoo
You can never have too much Argan Oil, proven by Luxe Natural’s ‘Hair Growth Therapy’ shampoo. Another value product, this shampoo is loaded with only the best that Mother Nature has to offer.
Aloe Vera, Argan Oil and Almond Oil all vie for your attention as soon as you open the bottle. Smells good; does good, too! This shampoo adds volume and helps a dry scalp hold moisture.
Another treat for colored hair, the nourishing ingredients repair the damage done by home-dyes. A little goes a long way.
The Best of the Rest:
- Pura D’or just missed out on making our list. It’s a top seller marketed for thinning hair, but it wasn’t my favorite.
- Pure Body Naturals’ ‘Anti Hair Loss Shampoo’ is a decent everyday shampoo; it just didn’t quite have the ‘wow’ factor I was after.
- Biotin Shampoo gets a look-in on my ‘one to watch’ list, specifically for its anti-dandruff properties. Worth checking out if you have a combination of hair-issues.
- Vitamins offers another product marketed for hair loss; it just didn’t quite hit the spot.
In Summary
So, now that I’ve gone through my top five shampoos for hair growth, and four more on the reserve bench, it’s time for some more general advice.
It can be hard to pick out the best hair products for ‘normal’ hair, let alone when you have a specific hair-related condition. Hair loss can be deeply upsetting.
Everyone is different, but I’ve looked for gentle shampoos, since hair loss often comes with other issues such as dandruff and scalp sensitivity. "Natural" ingredients can still irritate, so patch test if your scalp is sensitive.
Things I Consider…
Argan oil will always be at the top of my list for softness. Aloe vera is a great all-rounder, and almond oil smells great. Biotin only helps hair if you are actually deficient, which is rare.
I’m also a big fan of eco-friendly products – a shampoo with the equivalent impact of taking a bus instead of a cab is always going to be winner in my eyes.
Vegan, cruelty-free products will also clamber to the top of my list with ease, and for good reason. Your doctor or a dermatologist can be a big help. See one if your hair loss is sudden, patchy or early, or comes with an itchy or scaly scalp, fatigue, weight changes or irregular periods.
Although these products are my personal favorites, we’re all different and we all have individual needs, expectations and tastes.
Shop around, ask for advice and never be ashamed of what you’re going through. Hair loss affects more people than you’d think, and proven treatments are available.
Sources
- Hair loss, MedlinePlus
- Alopecia Areata, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIH)
