Hair growth shampoos are personal cleansers for the hair and scalp that are specially formulated to stimulate hair growth or regrowth. These products often are advertised as shampoos that promote hair growth. Various ingredients, from synthetic chemicals to all-natural herbs and herbal extracts, are employed in the formulation of hair growth shampoos, which generally are commercially manufactured but also can be made at home.
The cleansing base of hair growth shampoos can be a synthetic detergent or an all-natural, gentle soap to remove dirt, dead skin cells and excess oil. One or more ingredients that are believed to stimulate hair growth are added to the chosen base. Among the ingredients used in this type of shampoo are various oils and fats, herbal extracts, food products and manmade chemicals. Oils that are frequently used in hair growth shampoos include olive oil, jojoba oil, hemp seed oil and coconut oil. Herbs that are believed to stimulate hair growth include sage, jaborandi, burdock, rosemary and marshmallow leaves.
Food products that might be added to shampoos that are formulated for hair regrowth include milk, cayenne pepper and cucumber extract. Olive oil is an effective moisturizer for dry, brittle hair that might be slow to grow because of a lack of moisture. Jojoba oil, which actually is a liquid wax, is known for its ability to cleanse hair follicles that are clogged, another condition that does not favor hair growth. Hemp seed oil, coconut oil and cayenne are believed to have a stimulating effect on hair follicles that have not been damaged. Milk provides vitamins, minerals and protein.
Sage and jaborandi are believed to not only stimulate hair growth, but also to help dark hair retain its natural color. Rosemary and marshmallow leaves might not necessarily stimulate hair growth, but they reportedly help prevent hair from falling out, which is why they are used in hair growth shampoos. Burdock is very nutritious, offering the scalp some of the nutrients it needs to be healthy. These specialty shampoos might be sold in liquid form in a bottle, but some shampoos are in the form of a bar soap. It should be remembered that shampoos that are formulated to stimulate hair growth generally are not effective if not used in conjunction with a healthy diet that is rich in the nutrients needed to grow a healthy head of hair.