This article provides an overview of the various shampoos available for treating hair loss and how they work. Check out all the details below. DHT (dihydrotestosterone) is a hormone that is known to shrink hair follicles, resulting in thinning hair (1). Another common component used in hair loss shampoos is panthenol, which is known for its fortifying properties. Ingredients such as caffeine that boost blood circulation are also used in hair loss shampoos to promote hair growth. Few examples of hair loss shampoos include Nioxin, SIMFORT Carbonic Acid Shampoo, and Ultrax Hair Surge Hair Loss Shampoo. Keep reading to find out if these shampoos really work!
Does Hair Loss Shampoo Really Work To Stop Hair Loss?
No, hair loss shampoos cannot prevent hair loss. However, they may help in promoting hair growth and adding thickness and volume. If your hair loss is associated with a scalp condition such as seborrheic dermatitis or psoriasis, then using shampoos with antifungal or anti-inflammatory agents may help reverse it. According to anecdotal evidence, both ketoconazole and hydrocortisone help in boosting hair growth to some extent. You can find the best ketoconazole shampoos here. Keep in mind that ketoconazole is not approved by FDA for treating hair loss. Similarly, shampoos with DHT blockers are said to suppress DHT, a hormone that is known to shrink the hair follicles. So, there is a slight chance that using these shampoos may help in minimizing hair thinning. Finally, shampoos with panthenol are claimed to add thickness to the hair. Thus, they are known as hair-thickening shampoos. This derivative of vitamin B2 is claimed to help in attracting moisture to the hair strands, which makes the hair look thicker, healthier, and shiner. However, there is no scientific evidence to prove the same. Thus, there is no conclusive evidence regarding the efficacy of hair loss shampoos. Find out what are the alternative treatments to fight hair loss in the next section.
Treatments Options Currently Available
Drugs: The most popular drugs used to treat hair loss, especially male pattern baldness, are finasteride and minoxidil. These drugs have shown promising results in clinical trials (3), (4).
Hair Transplant: Hair transplant offers the best long-term results despite being on the more expensive side. In most cases, hair transplants can help manage hair loss successfully with little to no maintenance. Apart from the cost and recovery time, hair transplants are a great option to treat chronic hair loss.
What shampoos are causing your hair to fall out? Shampoos with SLES, SLS, parabens, phthalates, and mineral oil may cause hair fall. If your shampoo has a high pH level, it could also lead to hair damage and hair fall. Using the wrong shampoo for your hair type may cause hair fall as well. Is biotin shampoo good for hair loss? Anecdotal evidence suggests that using biotin shampoo may improve hair health, in turn reducing hair loss. But it is better to try biotin supplementation over a biotin shampoo.
References:
Cause of Androgenic Alopecia: Crux of the Matter,https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4174066/ Female pattern hair loss: Current treatment concepts,https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2684510/ Evaluation of efficacy and safety of finasteride 1 mg in 3177 Japanese men with androgenetic alopecia,https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21980923/ An open, randomized, comparative study of oral finasteride and 5% topical minoxidil in male androgenetic alopecia,https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15316165/
