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Health

How do I Choose the Best Shampoo for Thinning Hair?

Anna T.
By
Updated May 17, 2024
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The best shampoo for thinning hair is likely one that contains ingredients such as finasteride or minoxidil, which both have been researched and may successfully prevent thinning hair and help to regrow lost hair. There are also some other shampoos that contain essential oils, such as peppermint, that may stimulate blood flow to your scalp. This increase in blood flow might promote hair growth. Other types of shampoo for thinning hair act as thickeners, which should help to improve the appearance of your existing hair strands. This will likely make what hair you do have look thicker, which might help to camouflage the fact that your hair is actually thinning.

Finasteride and minoxidil are ingredients in many popular hair thinning shampoos. Minoxidil can help to dilate blood vessels in your scalp, promoting hair growth. Finasteride can also slow down hair loss and promote new hair growth. Shampoos containing these two ingredients may be either prescribed by your doctor or purchased over the counter, although the prescription versions are normally stronger. Women are not advised to use any shampoo for thinning hair or other product containing finasteride because it can cause severe birth defects in babies and other problems relating to the female reproductive system.

If you do not want to use any shampoos containing finasteride or minoxidil, you can try adding an essential oil to your existing shampoo or purchase a shampoo that contains essential oils. Peppermint, basil, and rosemary essential oils may all help to promote hair growth. If you add any of these oils to your shampoo, you should put about 20 drops into the bottle and then shake it up. After adding the oil, be sure to thoroughly massage the shampoo into your scalp when you wash to help stimulate the blood vessels. This may make the essential oils work better for regrowing your hair.

While you are trying to regrow your hair, you might also want to consider thickening shampoo for thinning hair. While these shampoos may not do much to help your hair grow back, they should aid in making it look thicker. Using thickening shampoos might be a good way for you to cover up your thinning hair until it starts to regrow. The price of thickening shampoos varies greatly depending on the brand. Almost all drug stores carry very inexpensive brands as well as more popular name brands. You may additionally be able to order a thickening shampoo online if your local drugstore does not carry the brand you want to try.

WiseGEEK is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Anna T.
By Anna T.
Anna Thurman is a skilled writer who lends her talents to WiseGEEK. Her ability to research and present information in an engaging and accessible manner allows her to create content that resonates with readers across a wide range of subjects.
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Discussion Comments

By w00dchuck41 — On Aug 02, 2011

@tanner182 - Using plain old soap on your hair can also cause thinning. A lot of hand soaps have all kinds of creepy chemicals in them. Never use hand soap on your hair, even if you're out camping and forgot your shampoo!

Moisturizing your hair might also help with thinning. Try using coconut oil or avocado for half an hour before you wash your hair. The fatty oils in them can really help skin heal and grow healthy hair. Just comb it into your hair with your fingers and let it sit. Rinse it out before you shampoo and condition.

By tanner182 — On Aug 01, 2011

Another thing that can cause hair loss is tying your hair up before it dries. Having the wet hair stay wet for a long time against your scalp can cause fungus growth on your scalp -- which in turn causes hair thinning. Let your hair dry out before you tie it back.

Also, taking vitamins is important to having a healthy scalp. You should be taking a multivitamin every day at the very least.

Changing to a mild shampoo might help. The strong chemicals in most shampoos can be too hard on your hair. Using the same type of shampoo for too long can irritate your scalp -- so change it up every month.

Anna T.

Anna T.

Anna Thurman is a skilled writer who lends her talents to WiseGEEK. Her ability to research and present information in an engaging and accessible manner allows her to create content that resonates with readers across a wide range of subjects.
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