11 best shampoos for hair growth, according to dermatologists
If you’re wrestling with hair loss, you’re likely curious about hair-growth products and whether solutions like the best shampoos for hair growth can be your ticket to healthier strands. Anyone who’s dealt with hair loss knows it can be a mentally taxing experience. “It’s really very emotional for people,” says Joyce Davis, MD, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon. Often, hair-loss patients come into her office and start crying from the toll of it all, she says.
The thing that’s especially tough about watching your hair fall out (or one day noticing you have less hair than you used to) is there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. What helps one person regrow luscious tresses may do nothing for another. There’s also debate among experts about whether over-the-counter products, like hair-growth shampoos, actually work. Still, some people swear by them, so they may be worth adding to your hair care routine if you’re looking for a potential at-home solution for healthy, faster hair growth — just be sure to keep your expectations in check.
Hair-growth shampoos are “a great starting point for most people,” says Danilo Del Campo, MD, a board-certified dermatologist. With that in mind, we tapped experts for recommendations on which hair-growth shampoos you should consider (many of which are available on Amazon), plus answers to common hair-loss questions.
SKIP TO: Does hair growth shampoo actually work? | What ingredients should you be looking for in a hair loss shampoo? | Our full reviews
Best shampoos for hair growth at a glance:
- Best shampoo for fuller-looking locks: Grow Gorgeous Intense Thickening Shampoo
- Best shampoo for hard water areas: Hello Klean Hard Water Shampoo
- Best shampoo for heat-damaged hair: ArtNaturals Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo
- Best shampoo for itchy scalps: Neutrogena T/Gel Therapeutic Shampoo
.png)
Meet the experts:
- Joyce Davis, MD, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon in NYC.
- Michele Green, MD, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist in NYC.
- Danilo Del Campo, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and partner at Chicago Skin Clinic.
- Steve Daveluy, MD, associate professor and program director of dermatology at Wayne State University.
- Jalia Pettis, a hairstylist and makeup artist based in Phoenix.
Does hair growth shampoo actually work?
As mentioned, there’s no strong consensus among experts about whether hair-growth shampoos actually work. Some doctors, like Dr Green, believe they do make an impact. “Hair-growth shampoos are an excellent way for promoting overall hair health, hair retention, and hair growth,” she says. Others, like Steve Daveluy, MD, associate professor and program director of dermatology at Wayne State University, are skeptical, pointing to a lack of scientific proof about their effectiveness.
Still others take a middle-ground approach, believing certain ones can help as part of a hair care routine, but only to an extent and certainly not for everyone. For instance, Pettis finds hair-growth shampoos to be “hit or miss.” The results, she says, all depend on the underlying cause of someone’s hair loss.
So how can you make sense of the conflicting opinions? Consider hair-growth shampoos as a potential solution. If you’re looking for a way to address hair thinning and loss at home, they may be worth a shot. Just know it may take some trial and error to find one that helps your situation and that results are never guaranteed.
What ingredients should you be looking for in a shampoo for hair growth?
If you decide to try a hair-growth shampoo, Dr Green advises picking products made with the following ingredients:
- Minoxidil: This is an FDA-approved topical medication for reversing hair-follicle miniaturisation. However, for minoxidil to be effective, it needs to penetrate the scalp, which may not happen if applied and rinsed off via a shampoo, explains Dr. Davis. In that case, a dermatologists can prescribe Minoxidil medications that can help.
- Biotin: This vitamin can support keratin production to increase hair volume and density and strengthen the hair shaft. (More on biotin below.)
- Niacin: This antioxidant packs anti-inflammatory properties and strengthens hair follicles to promote overall scalp and hair health.
- Coconut oil and argan oil: These oils contain fatty acids to deeply moisturise and protect hair. Additionally, argan oil has antioxidants to guard hair from free radical damage, while coconut oil contains lauric acid, a fatty acid, to protect the scalp from bacteria and irritants.
- Saw palmetto: This is a natural plant extract that may potentially slow hair loss, and panthenol, a vitamin B that can help hair grow thicker and stronger.
- Rosemary oil and peppermint oil: These antioxidants help reduce stress on the surface of the scalp.
Ahead, the best shampoos for hair growth if you're suffering with fine or thinning tresses.
Best shampoo for fuller-looking locks
Grow Gorgeous Intense Thickening Shampoo
Giving your roots more lift and volume is an instant and impactful way to make your locks look more luscious. This richly nourishing shampoo from Grow Gorgeous does just that for lacklustre strands — waking your hair up at the root, and making it appear far fuller. The clever formula contains classic thickening and stimulating ingredients like biotin and caffeine — as well as rice protein which visibly enhances volume and shine, and ProVitamin B5 for improved manageability.
- Ingredient highlights: Vegan and free from parabens, sulphates and silicones.
- Smells like: Doesn't say.
- Safe for colour-treated hair: Doesn't say.
- Size: 250ml.
- Hair type: Best for fine and flat hair.
- Courtesy of brand
Best shampoo for heat-damaged hair
ArtNaturals Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo
Dr Green praises this product, a great option for repairing thin, brittle, and damaged hair, for its powerful combination of ingredients. It contains argan oil, which helps moisture and soothe a dry scalp and strands; vitamin E, “a powerful antioxidant to protect the hair from free radical damage”; rosemary, which calms an irritated scalp; aloe vera, which revitalises and strengthens hair; and saw palmetto, which can combat hair loss by decreasing the conversion of testosterone to DHT, she says.
- Ingredient highlights: Paraben-free, vegan.
- Smells like: 3 options available: avocado, aloe vera, and rosemary.
- Safe for colour-treated hair: Yes.
- Size: 473ml.
- Hair type: Best for all hair types.
Best shampoo for hard water areas
Hello Klean Hard Water Shampoo
As well as coating your hair in a build-up of unwanted minerals that leave it feeling dry, coarse, and dull, hard water makes your strands far more prone to breakage — and can therefore really inhibit growth. The Hello Klean Purifying Shower Head is your best option for filtering out those nasties — but the brand's Hard Water Shampoo will also massively help. Enriched with Bamboo Charcoal and Vitamin C to draw out any minerals and metals in the hair shaft, liquorice root for stimulating growth, hydration-boosting lactic acid, and oat protein for maximum softness and shine, it's the perfect formula for combatting the damage caused by hard water.
- Ingredient highlights: Paraben and phthalates-free.
- Smells like: Doesn't specify.
- Safe for colour-treated hair: Yes.
- Size: 350ml.
- Hair type: Best for all hair types.
Best shampoo for fine hair
Aveda Pure Abundance Volumising Shampoo
Designed specifically with fine and limp tresses in mind, this plant-based shampoo has been made with clever volumising acacia gum — which helps fill out the appearance of fine strands, and leaves your mane looking far more abundant. But arguably the best thing about this shampoo is its gorgeous fresh scent of peppermint and ylang ylang. Stunning!
- Ingredient highlights: Vegan.
- Smells like: Peppermint, ylang ylang, palmarosa, and jasmine.
- Safe for colour-treated hair: Yes.
- Size: 250ml.
- Hair type: Best for fine hair.
.png)
- EntertainmentWho is the real Martha from Baby Reindeer?
Best shampoo for curly hair
Adwoa Beauty Blue Tansy Clarifying Gel Shampoo
As someone with curly hair herself (a hair type that can be dry and brittle), Jalia Pettis, a hairstylist and makeup artist based in Phoenix, appreciates how this shampoo clarifies strands, stripping them of buildup, and then moisturises them with natural ingredients, like sea kelp and blue tansy flower oil. Moisturising dry, frizz-prone hair helps with hair growth by combatting the impact of a flaky scalp and fortifying brittle follicles so they’re less prone to breakage, she explains.
Expert tip: Consider buying this shampoo in a set with a matching conditioner and hair oil. “What turned me on to [this brand] was actually the oil,” Pettis says. “I really like how it felt on the scalp without weighing it down.”
- Ingredient highlights: Paraben-free, vegan.
- Smells like: Floral.
- Safe for colour-treated hair: yes.
- Size: 414ml.
- Hair type: Best for natural hair types (wavy, curly, kinky, coily).
- Courtesy of brand
Best budget shampoo for hair growth
Head & Shoulders Bare Soothing Hydration Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
This product is free of parabens and phthalates, two preservatives known to interfere with your endocrine system, Dr. Del Campo explains. “There's a concern [these ingredients] might do more harm than actual good,” he says, which is why he recommends shampoos made without them. Formulated with just nine ingredients and dermatologically accredited by the Skin Health Alliance (an organisation that independently reviews products for safety and efficacy), this product is “meant for basic stuff that does promote some hair growth,” Dr. Del Campo says.
- Ingredient highlights: Paraben- and phthalates-free.
- Smells like: Aloe, orchid.
- Safe for colour-treated hair: Yes.
- Size: 400ml.
- Hair type: Best for all hair types.
- Courtesy of brand
Best shampoo and conditioner set for hair growth
PURA D'OR Gold Label Anti-Thinning Deep Moisturizing Therapy Shampoo & Conditioner Set
If you’re looking to double down on your hair-growth efforts, consider this shampoo-conditioner set from Pura D’or. Dr. Del Campo often recommends this brand to patients as it’s widely available and incorporates a lot of what he looks for in a hair-growth shampoo, including ingredients like biotin and saw palmetto, a “natural plant extract that may potentially slow hair loss,” he says. Plus, it contains antioxidants like rosemary oil, which are good for calming an irritated scalp.
Expert tip: Both the shampoo and conditioner are formulated at 1.5x strength, so use a small amount to start.
- Ingredient highlights: Paraben-free.
- Smells like: Natural scent.
- Safe for colour-treated hair: Yes.
- Size: 473ml per bottle.
- Hair type: Best for all hair types.
- Courtesy of brand
Best shampoo for itchy scalps
Neutrogena T/Gel Therapeutic Shampoo
Dr. Davis finds that tar-based shampoos, like this one from Neutrogena, often provide extra body to the hair, making it seem thicker. On top of that, the product is designed to combat dandruff, scaling, and itchy scalp (typically due to conditions like seborrhea and psoriasis that impact scalp health), so it may be a good bet if you’re plagued by those issues in addition to hair loss.
Expert tip: This product also comes in an extra-strength formulation, which may be appropriate if you’re dealing with severe scalp health issues.
- Ingredient highlights: Coal tar.
- Smells like: Citrus.
- Safe for colour-treated hair: Unknown.
- Size: 250ml.
- Hair type: Best for dry hair and damaged hair.
- EntertainmentWho is the real Martha from Baby Reindeer?
- Courtesy of brand
Best hair growth shampoo for coloured hair
K18 Peptide Prep Detox Shampoo
This professional-grade product is great if you’re looking to target and remove scalp flakiness and also balance the pH of your hair—the latter of which can improve the size of the hair follicle and promote thickness, Pettis says. Plus, it’s suitable for all types of hair textures, she adds.
Expert tip: This shampoo is another with a really good lather, says Pettis, so it suds up easily.
- Ingredient highlights: Silicone-free.
- Smells like: Clean citrus.
- Safe for colour-treated hair: Yes.
- Size: 250ml.
- Hair type: Best for all hair textures.
Best shampoo for super clean strands
Mielle Rosemary Mint Strengthening Shampoo
Getting rid of any product build-up is key if you want to kickstart your hair growth journey. This bestselling shampoo gently cleanses the hair — while also infusing each strand with strengthening biotin, and key certified organic ingredients like coconut and babassu seed oil. It brings brittle hair back from the brink of breakage, and leaves it soft and far easy to manage.
- Ingredient highlights: Certified organic ingredients.
- Smells like: Rosemary and mint.
- Safe for colour-treated hair: Yes.
- Size: 355ml.
- Hair type: Best for all hair types.
Best hair growth shampoo for soft and silky locks
L'Oréal Professionnel Serié Expert Absolut Repair Molecular Shampoo
Pettis recently started using this colour-safe product on clients and has “quickly fallen in love with it.” Besides smelling really good (it has an earthy, perfume undertone, she says), it contains a peptides bonder and amino acids that repair the molecular structure of the hair, restoring its strength and elasticity, she explains. Pettis used this strengthening shampoo on a client with colour-treated hair, who “just kept raving” about how soft it left her hair feeling.
Expert tip: This shampoo lathers really well, says Pettis, so start with a small amount. “A little goes a long way,” she says.
- Ingredient highlights: Peptides bonder and amino acids.
- Smells like: Vanilla, floral.
- Safe for colour-treated hair: Yes.
- Size: 250ml.
- Hair type: Best for extremely dry, damaged hair.
How does hair-growth shampoo work?
Again, there are mixed opinions here. Dr. Davis says hair-growth shampoos “are probably misnamed.” Instead of actually growing new hair, “mostly they make the hair seem thicker,” she explains. Perhaps the term “thickening shampoo” would be more apt.
Dr. Del Campo says hair-growth shampoos can help “address the skin health issues to optimize it for best potential growth.” He gives the analogy of the head being like a forest, where the trees are your hair and the soil is your skin. “If the forest is on fire, it doesn't matter what you are trying to do to promote more tree growth—you gotta first treat the actual fire, turn off any inflammation, and make sure the soil is the best it can be.” This is where shampoos fit in: They can “calm things down” and “set the stage” for hopefully more regrowth, he explains.
%2520COPY.jpg)
- EntertainmentWho is the real Martha from Baby Reindeer?
Are there any biotin side effects?
There shouldn’t be any side effects of taking topical biotin via a shampoo, Dr. Davis says. But biotin supplements are a different story. They can affect the results of some blood tests, including one for your thyroid and one for your heart, Dr. Daveluy says. That’s why he advises against using them but warns that, if you do, “make sure you tell all your doctors.”
What causes hair loss?
There are lots of different reasons behind hair loss. Factors like age, genetics, hormones, medical conditions, and stress can all contribute, Dr. Green says. Regarding age, as we grow older, “our hair follicles’ size decreases, leading to thinner, shorter hairs,” she explains. “This natural aging process can be exacerbated by genetics, as patients can be genetically more prone to thinning and hair-follicle miniaturisation.”
Hormonal changes, like those that happen during pregnancy, postpartum, or menopause, can also play a role, and so can medical conditions, like thyroid and autoimmune disorders, she says.
Moreover, chronic stress can be to blame, as it can “trigger an immune response that attacks and damages hair follicles, causing hair loss,” Dr. Green says.
Another culprit: Metabolic problems, like iron deficiency anemia (a condition whereby you don’t have enough iron in your body), adds Dr. Davis. “Hair is just a protein, but it's the least important protein your body produces,” she says. So if your body doesn’t have all the vitamins and amino acid ingredients it needs to produce proteins, then hair “is the first thing your body will skimp on.” Additionally, COVID-19 infection can be another cause of hair shedding and loss. “This typically occurs after recovering from the illness,” Dr. Davis says.
What are other hair-loss treatments?
For the most bang for your buck, consider a minoxidil 5% solution, Dr. Daveluy says: “Minoxidil has the best evidence of any over-the-counter hair-loss product.” Originally developed as a medication to lower blood pressure, minoxidil helps your blood vessels relax. “We aren't 100% sure how it helps hair growth, but we believe it relaxes the blood vessels in the scalp, which allows more blood flow to reach the hairs and nourish their growth,” he says.
You can also try certain prescription medications that either block DHT (a male hormone that can increase hair-follicle miniaturization) or decrease androgen production. These include propecia, dutasteride, and spironolactone, says Dr. Green.
Pricier potential solutions for hair loss include laser treatments, which can help regrow hair, as well as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatments, which involve a doctor drawing your blood, spinning it down, extracting the platelets, and injecting them into your scalp to help stimulate growth, Dr. Davis says.
“PRP injections require minimal downtime and are incredibly safe, as the PRP is taken from the patient’s own blood supply,” says Dr. Green. “Typically, an initial series of treatments is recommended, followed by regular maintenance sessions, to achieve the best restoration results.”
A version of this article originally appeared on GLAMOUR US.
