Thinning Hair? An Expert Says These 8 Shampoos Can Help

Hair thinning can be frustrating and, quite frankly, a little terrifying if you consider your locks a precious commodity. While it's not fun to deal with, trichologist and founder of Colour Collective Kerry E. Yates says hair thinning is, unfortunately, common, and there is an array of factors that can contribute to it (ugh).

If you are experiencing any kind of hair thinning, you should always talk to your primary care physician or a dermatologist, but we're also here to help! Below, we've put together a list of the best shampoos for thinning hair that can help your scalp become happy and healthy again. For more information from Yates on what can cause hair thinning and the best ingredients to look for, scroll on down to our FAQ section at the end of this article. For the best formulas to try, read on below.

The Best Shampoos for Thinning Hair

FAQs

What causes hair thinning?

Yates says hair thinning can have many underlying causes. You should, of course, always talk to your dermatologist or doctor to uncover the root cause for you, but Yates shared a few of the main culprits. "Hormonal changes can disrupt the hair life cycle, decreasing the growth cycle while extending the resting cycle," she explains. "The result is hair looks thinner, and the condition is negatively impacted."

Yates also told me about another surprising reason you could be experiencing hair loss. According to her, an aggressive diet can cause the body to shut down support for nonessential functions (like the hair follicle). The follicle then goes into the resting phase, causing an aggressive fallout with no new regrowth.

The last main reason folks deal with hair thinning is, you guessed it, extreme stress. "Extreme stress like losing a loved one, divorce, or even an illness can cause hair loss," says Yates. Similar to aggressive dieting, stress promotes high cortisol levels, which can cause the body to shut down your hair follicles in favor of supporting your other more essential functions. The end result is thin hair. Additionally, you also can't rule out topical challenges like clogged hair follicles due to your wash routine, overuse of dry shampoo, or styling product buildup—all of these can also lead to hair thinning if you're not careful.

Do shampoos and conditioners for hair thinning really help?

While there aren't shampoos and conditioners out there that will cure your hair loss, there are options out there that will support a healthy scalp. Yates says, "They can 100% create a better environment for the hair to be healthier, flourish, and encourage hair growth and a healthy scalp, which also in turn helps with thinning hair."

You should definitely be wary of products that claim to stop hair loss altogether, but there are certain ingredients on the market that work best for thinning hair. I'll get into those below.

What shampoo and conditioner ingredients should you look for if you're experiencing hair thinning?

Yates tends to favor natural ingredients in hair products designed to support those experiencing hair thinning. She broke down a few key ones she always suggests below.

Aloe vera: This natural ingredient helps to calm the scalp, instantly hydrates, and can offer support for sufferers of dermatitis.

Tea tree oil: A medicinal oil that is both antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory. It also acts as the perfect supplement to traditional dandruff remedies.

Peppermint oil: Helps reduce itchiness and also invigorates the scalp. It's also good for aromatherapy.

Witch hazel: A natural astringent that helps to reduce irritation, supports proper follicle health, helps alleviate product buildup, and excess sebum for proper scalp health.

Salicylic acid: It gently exfoliates while maintaining moisture balance. It also helps with dandruff support.

Rosemary oil: Rosemary in oil form helps to alleviate inflammation and fight against free radicals. When a rosemary blend is massaged directly on the skin/scalp, the user can improve blood circulation, feed the follicle, and eliminate inflammation. By improving blood circulation, you can improve the anagen hair cycle phase.

Bhringraj oil: A natural herb used in Ayurvedic medicine. It has antifungal and antibacterial ingredients supporting ultimate scalp health. Good scalp health leads to perfect follicle fitness, providing support for hair growth. Bhringraj can actually “stain” the hair. If using on lighter strands, do not it leave on for an extended period of time. You should see some positive effects over 90 to 120 days. It's another great supplement for anti-dandruff haircare.