A Bit About Women And Hair Loss
Hair loss can be devastating to many men, but perhaps even more so for women, who have often suffered in silence. But the fact is, women make up nearly 40 percent of hair-loss sufferers in the United States. While male pattern baldness is more common in women, it is also more socially acceptable, and the loss of hair in women can be damaging in more ways than one.
The psychological damage associated with hair loss is, for one hundred percent of many women, extensive, especially in a society where hair-loss in men though usually unwanted is more or less an accepted fact of life.
Whats equally frustrating for women is that their hair loss is not as clearly understood as hair loss in men affecting not only the attitude people have toward it but also the number of product options available for them to deal with.
According to an article from dermentz.org, female pattern baldness presents itself quite differently from the more recognizable male pattern baldness.
The same article also says that its uncommon for women to follow a male pattern unless there is excessive production of androgens in her body.
Some factors that are thought to play a role in female hair loss include high androgen birth control pills, menopause, pregnancy, ovarian cysts, and other factors tied to the actions of hormones.
Read The Instructions & List Of Ingredients
When in doubt, read the usage recommendations found on your hair loss shampoos container.
Those recommendations are there to ensure that you get the best results from your shampoo without causing damage to your scalp or hair.
Also, always pay attention to a products list of ingredients to make sure that it doesnt contain something which may cause an allergic reaction.
Finally, consult with your doctor before using a hair loss shampoo while youre pregnant.
Most hair loss shampoos are safe for expecting mothers because their ingredients arent absorbed into the bloodstream. Nizoral being an exception here as it is unknown if ketoconazole can affect a developing fetus.
Always read the label or follow your healthcare providers advice.
Pro tip:
A healthcare providers recommendation trumps the label. Consult your dermatologist before trying out anything that might have any kind of side effects on you or your baby.
Best Overall: Biolage Advanced Full Density Thickening Shampoo
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Fortifies hair with coconut and argan oils
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Too much product may cause stickiness
Part dry shampoo, part styler, this is an easy way to boost limp locks, fast. Volcanic spring powder coupled with argan and coconut oils gives it its creamy consistency. To use, massage a dime-sized amount into your roots with your fingertips and repeat as needed. Not only will it absorb excess oil, but it also bulks up the hairs for an instantly fuller look.
Sulfate-Free: No | Size: 2 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Yes
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Best Hair Loss Shampoos In 2021
So you want to know what is the best hair loss shampoo out there for your needs?
The below list of dermatologist recommended 10 best hair loss shampoos is applicable for both men and women. Shampoo reviews and ratings for each product that I rank on this page are generally highly favorable and numerous.
A more important issue that you must consider first is: Do hair loss shampoos work? The answer to this important question is that hair thickening and faster hair growth are both possible with most of these over-the-counter products. However, significant hair regrowth from any hair loss shampoo is not very likely.
Also make sure to read my post on the best dandruff shampoo for your scalp needs.
Can You Wash Bald Spots Away
Unfortunately, theres no real miracle shampoo for hair loss. Trust me, Ive tried a lot of these so-called cures, each claiming to be the best shampoo for alopecia.
Some of them work for a while. Others dont work at all. But none of them can guarantee, 100%, that theyll solve shedding. Still, some shampoos have worked for my own alopecia, and other ones are wonderful for women and men with thinning hair in general.
Read on to discover some of my favorite alopecia shampoos, how to use them, and some buying tips to bear in mind.
Emma’s ‘not a doctor’ disclaimer
Hi there, Im an alopecian, Im not a doctor! Any advice I give is based on my own research and personal experiences. This site is however reader-supported. When you buy through external links, I may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more here.
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Phytoworx Organic Shampoo Hair Loss Shampoo For Recovery And Regrowth
The Phytoworx Organic Hair Growth Shampoo utilizes plant-based ingredients like tea tree leaves, peppermint, and eucalyptus, to stimulate your scalp and reverse the effects of hair loss and baldness.
Reportedly, consumers have seen positive results in only a few weeks. This daily shampoo has been effective at relieving dryness. It also claims to prevent hair loss in clumps and promote thicker and stronger hair growth.
Do Shampoos For Female Hair Loss Work
Sudden hair loss can be alarming and if you do find yourself losing hair quickly you should visit your doctor.
Currently, hair loss shampoos are not endorsed as a hair loss treatment by the NHS. This is because there is very limited evidence to suggest that they can halt hair loss and promote hair growth.
Some studies have found that caffeine shampoos can stimulate the hair follicles, helping to prevent loss and promote growth, however more research needs to be carried out to confirm whether this is true.
Read Also: Does Aveda Shampoo Cause Hair Loss
Reasons To Try An Alopecia Shampoo
- Clear excess sebum, which can block pores and prevent growth
- Boost circulation, allowing nutrients to get to the follicles that need them
So even if you mightnt see miraculous results right away, the benefits of using a cleanser for alopecia are definitely there.
Full disclosure: Ive only used three of the products in the following list. I had some success with two of them keep reading to find out which! The other shampoos get great reviews and contain many of the key ingredients for growth. Maybe its time for me to try them out, too!
And now, without further ado
Just Natural Organic Hair Loss Shampoo
The main ingredients in the Just Natural Organic Hair Loss Shampoo are Aloe Vera, silk proteins, and saw palmetto.
The nutrients provided to the hair follicles stimulate growth and cleanses at the same time. After using the product a few times users have gone on to notice cleaner, healthier, and stronger-feeling hair.
The product is effective at reducing hair loss in clumps.
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How Often Should You Wash Your Hair
Dr. William D. Yates, a leader in the hair loss industry, is very clear about his recommendation on how often to wash your hair.
If you have normal to dry hair, you should not be washing your hair more than twice a week, Dr. Yates advises.
If you have oily hair, he says you may wash it up to three times a week or a bit more often as long as you use a very mild shampoo.
In no case, however, you should be washing your hair every day.
Hair Loss Shampoo Buyers Guide
Before comparing the best hair loss shampoos, weve assembled a list of things to check first to get the right product for your hair type.
- Find the root cause for your hair thinning with your doctor. Have you been under stress? Is it dandruff? Is it another condition? Is it a hormonal issue or deficiency?
- Already using a shampoo or product that makes your hair feel and look great? Then look at the ingredients to see if it contains biotin, keratin, or ketoconazole. You may need a stronger product.
- Look at reviews for all products that you are interested in and check the ratings. If a product has over 400 reviews with a 4- to 5-star rating, then its likely to produce results. Its always best to check for before and after pictures, as well as ingredients.
- Pick shampoos and products with ketoconazole. Its the best at treating hair thinning and blocking DHT.
- If you have a flakey scalp from dandruff or dry skin, you may want to try a shampoo with zinc. Relieving dandruff and dry scalp itch can reduce hair thinning immensely.
For male pattern baldness or alopecia, these shampoos may not be as effective as a topical treatment such as Rogaine or finasteride. These medicated treatments require a doctors prescription.
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Ultrax Labs Hair Surge
Ingredients: ketoconazole, saw palmetto, caffeine
Hair Surge is quite popular for hair thinning treatment. It contains three of the best ingredients to fight hair loss causes as well.
In addition, Ultrax Labs offers a 90-day money-back guarantee. So, if it doesnt work, you can get a full refund. Another key reason this shampoo works so well is that it remains on your hair until absorbed. Whereas most shampoos tend to wash off immediately, thus reducing their strength.
Best Vegan Formula: Seed Phytonutrients Volume Shampoo
Grapefruit seed oil acts like a toner for your scalp to help remove impurities and keep oil production in check. Meanwhile, rice protein helps build up strands to look fuller while also making them stronger over time. Another bonus: The patchouli and orange peel scent.
This shampoo “addresses the factors that contribute to progressive and reactional hair thinning in men and women,” Hill says. Hair will be visibly thicker, denser, and more resilient thanks to encapsulated essential oils like orange, lavender, and rosemary in the formula. “It promotes microcirculation when massaged in,” she adds.
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Vegamour Gro Revitalizing Shampoo For Thinning Hair
If you didn’t guess from the name, this product is vegan. Vegamour’s GRO Revitalizing Shampoo for Thinning Hair contains B-silk, which restores and protects the hair from heat and environmental damage. Phytoactives in the formula also go to work to boost fuller hair and reduce the signs of hair shedding.
What Is Androgenetic Alopecia
Almost every woman eventually develops some degree of female pattern hair loss. It can start any time after the onset of puberty, but women tend to first notice it around menopause, when hair loss typically increases. The risk rises with age, and it’s higher for women with a history of hair loss on either side of the family.
As the name suggests, androgenetic alopecia involves the action of the hormones called androgens, which are essential for normal male sexual development and have other important functions in both sexes, including sex drive and regulation of hair growth. The condition may be inherited and involve several different genes. It can also result from an underlying endocrine condition, such as overproduction of androgen or an androgen-secreting tumor on the ovary, pituitary, or adrenal gland. In either case, the alopecia is likely related to increased androgen activity. But unlike androgenetic alopecia in men, in women the precise role of androgens is harder to determine. On the chance that an androgen-secreting tumor is involved, it’s important to measure androgen levels in women with clear female pattern hair loss.
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Will Any Of These Shampoos Really Reduce Or Stop My Hair Loss
First things first. Hair loss shampoos cannot and will not make your hair grow back on their own and they will not stop alopecia once and for all.
I know this is not what you want to hear but it is reality.
It does not mean that the best shampoos in the market wont help you in your process of preventing further shedding, for example. Some of them will help you grow new hairs too, if you use them as part of a comprehensive hair loss treatment.
Hair regrowth shampoos are designed to help you:
- Clean the scalp and unclog your pores: this is very important because excess residue and sebum blocks hair follicles and prevents hair growth.
- Strengthen the hair strands: this will prevent further shedding due to hair breakage.
- Reinvigorate hair follicles to help keep them alive: this is essential! It means, these shampoos will make sure your existing hair follicles keep producing hair. A dead follicle stops growing hair for good, so you want to make sure you take care of the ones that are doing their job, even if they have become a tad lazy lately.
- Block substances involved in hair shedding: such as Dihydrotestosterone , which is an androgen hormone that is directly involved in hair loss.
The key here is to address hair loss from different angles and to choose the right products. What does this mean?
How Can Shampoo Give You Thicker Locks
The best thickening shampoos for women are ones that address more than just flat hair, so when shopping for a shampoo, look for lightweight, nutrient-rich formulas designed to aid in proper hair production and health, while also providing a volumizing effect. Luckily for you, we already did the hard part and scoured beauty shelves everywhere ins search of the best picks for every hair type. Keep scrolling for Womans World picks for the 20 best thickening shampoos on the market today.
This post originally appeared on our sister site,First for Women. We write about products we think our readers will like. If you buy them, we get a small share of the revenue from the supplier.
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Pura Dor Organic Shampoo For Hair Growth
This is another best organic shampoo for hair loss by PURA DOR because the ingredients are twice as concentrated, working more effectively and aiming to strengthen and thicken hair. More than that, its underpinned by 17 active DHT blockers that aim to nourish and revitalize the hair. This includes Pygeum bark extract, rosemary, red Korean seaweed, saw palmetto, nettle extracts, and He Shou Wu. All these elements are in addition to natural extracts like tea tree, black cumin seed oil, hibiscus, clary sage, cedarwood, and argan oil. Professional grade and USDA-approved, it uses natural preservatives to maintain the ingredients in their peak and most potent state over time.
Enjoy the intense moisture that leaves your hair smooth, lush, and soft with this organic shampoo for thinning hair. It lathers the hair in rich hydration, and it works for both color-treated and keratin-treated hair. Plus, Moroccan argan oil penetrates and strengthens the hair shaft, making it thicker and stronger. Youll be glad to know that its got thermal protectant and UV defense locked in for additional shield against external aggressors. Free from all phthalates, sodium, parabens, sulfates, gluten, or chloride, Pure Natures product is suitable for most hair types, including fine, wavy, curly, and frizzy hair.