Dermatologists Say These Are the Shampoos That Strengthen Thinning Hair

Frequently asked questions

Shampoos for thinning hair can help, but only to a certain extent, says Dr. Doshi. They create a healthy scalp environment that supports stronger, fuller-looking hair, but they can’t stop or reverse most types of hair loss on their own.“Some [shampoos] will focus on growing thicker hair,” says Gretchen Friese, a certified trichologist at hair-restoration company BosleyMD. Some increase the diameter of each strand to boost volume; others improve circulation at the follicle level.

For thinning from hormonal changes or pattern baldness, shampoo alone won’t restore hair. The best results come from a plan with a dermatologist or trichologist—often combining targeted treatments, medication, nutrition, and stress management. Still, shampoos can make hair appear thicker by adding volume and removing buildup, says Shab Caspara, a board-certified New York–based trichologist and founder of hair care brand Leona.

The most common cause of thinning hair is androgenetic alopecia, also called male- or female-pattern hair loss, says Brooke Jeffy, MD, a board-certified dermatologist who specializes in hair loss and skin care. “This causes a widening of the part in women and a receding hairline or bald spot in men.” This kind of hair loss is a result of a hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT) attacking the hair follicle, says Friese. “When this happens, the follicle starts to minimize and grow thinner and thinner hair, until it closes and the hair stops growing out of that follicle.”

Other causes of thinning hair include:

• Hormonal imbalances
• Autoimmune disorders
• Nutrition deficiencies
• Ongoing stress
• Pregnancy
• Dandruff
• Rapid weight loss
• Rough handling of hair (as with very tight ponytails)
• Cosmetic treatments
• Shunts (a small patch that might be shaved on the head during a medical procedure)
• Menopause (thinning hair isn’t an “official” menopause symptom since it’s not related to estrogen loss, but it’s commonly reported at the beginning of menopause, and studies show that more than half of postmenopausal women over age 50 will have thinning hair)

You can tell your hair is thinning when it starts to look or feel less dense than usual—your ponytail has less volume, your part looks wider, or you’re seeing more scalp than hair. You might also notice sudden shedding, more strands collecting in your brush or on the shower floor, or new cowlicks forming, says Dr. Doshi. Unlike hair breakage or loss, thinning usually happens gradually as individual hairs lose circumference, explains celebrity hairstylist Mark Townsend. It often starts around the hairline, crown, or nape of the neck, and for many women, it first shows up as a part that’s slowly widening over time.

When shopping for shampoo for hair growth, consider the following:

• The cause of your hair loss. If your loss is genetic, a shampoo will not be the one-stop solution, though it may be helpful if you have dandruff. This cause will be best determined by talking to a dermatologist or trichologist.
• Your hair type and texture. “Fine, thin strands need ultralightweight formulas, while thick, coarse hair can withstand richer hair products,” says Dr. Doshi. If you have curly, coily hair, some shampoos for thinning hair may leave you feeling drier than normal, so look for ones with hydrating ingredients. You should avoid heavy ingredients, which may clog follicles.
• Ingredients. “Gentle cleansing agents are very important in a shampoo specifically for thinning hair, as the scalp needs to be protected with special care,” says Caspara. “Harsher cleansing agents such as sodium laureth/lauryl sulfate can strip the microbiome of healthy bacteria and irritate the scalp, ultimately hindering healthy hair growth. Stimulating ingredients that can increase blood circulation at the scalp can also benefit those who suffer from thinning hair. Thickeners that can instantly plump up the hair shaft and provide a gratifying feeling of thicker and fuller hair can help ease the stress of dealing with hair thinning.”

The key ingredients in shampoo for thinning hair include:

• Ketoconazole: A drug that can help lessen scalp irritation and encourage growth by reducing fungus caused by dandruff and acne.
• Minoxidil: An FDA-approved medication that can potentially reverse hair-follicle miniaturization by increasing blood circulation. It needs to be able to penetrate the scalp in order to be effective, however, which a shampoo can’t do alone, as it’s rinsed off.
• Rogaine: A topical medication licensed by the FDA that has demonstrated efficacy in stimulating hair growth by bringing blood and nutrients to the scalp. It comes in a range of formulations and strengths, says Dr. Doshi.
• Biotin: A B vitamin that potentially “supports keratin production to increase hair volume and density, and strengthen the hair shaft,” says Michele Green, MD, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist in New York City.
• Niacin: An antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties that can strengthen hair follicles and promote overall scalp health.
• Saw palmetto: A natural plant extract that may potentially slow hair loss.
• Rosemary, caffeine, peppermint: Natural ingredients that stimulate blood flow to the scalp.

It typically takes six to eight weeks of consistent use for shampoos for thinning hair to work. Early signs of progress may include less shedding, new growth, slightly fuller-looking hair, and the scalp feeling healthy.

The best shampoo for thinning hair for men includes ingredients like ketoconazole, caffeine, and saw palmetto. One tester who experiences male-pattern hair loss tried various hair-loss shampoos for men and liked Rogaine’s 2-in-1 Thickening Shampoo + Conditioner for its simplicity and noticeable results after consistent use.

“People sometimes assume that washing your hair too often might make your hair thinner,” says Brooke Jeffy, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Arizona. She assures us that this is not in fact the case. Washing hair less is not the move either. “Washing your hair infrequently can actually worsen other factors like dandruff, dirt, and oil buildup, which can hinder growth,” she says. The sweet spot? About three times per week, and daily is fine if you have greasy hair.

There’s some evidence that Alpecin shampoo works to help support scalp and hair health—especially in the early stages of thinning. Its caffeine-infused formula may stimulate hair follicles and reduce shedding, says Dendy Engelman, MD, FACMS, FAAD, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and Mohs surgeon at the Shafer Clinic in New York City.

“Caffeine has been shown in some lab studies to stimulate hair follicles and potentially help with hair shedding,” she explains. However, research on caffeine shampoos is still limited, and they’re best used as part of a broader hair-loss routine rather than a stand-alone treatment. For more advanced or persistent thinning, Dr. Engelman recommends consulting a dermatologist about proven options like minoxidil or prescription therapies.

Other hair-loss treatments include both over-the-counter and professional options, depending on what’s causing your thinning. For starters, minoxidil 5% solution is one of the most proven and accessible choices. “Minoxidil has the best evidence of any over-the-counter hair-loss product,” says Steve Daveluy, MD, associate professor and program director of dermatology at Wayne State University in Detroit, noting that it’s thought to improve blood flow to the scalp and help nourish hair follicles.

Prescription medications can also target hormone-related hair loss. “Drugs like finasteride [sold as Propecia], dutasteride, and spironolactone work by blocking DHT—a hormone that can shrink hair follicles—or by reducing androgen production,” says Dr. Green.

For more advanced cases, in-office treatments such as low-level laser therapy or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections may help stimulate regrowth. “PRP injections use platelets from your own blood to encourage new hair growth,” says Dr. Green. “An initial series of treatments followed by maintenance sessions typically delivers the best results.”

Steer clear of shampoos with harsh sulfates, which can strip natural oils and leave strands brittle. Avoid heavy silicones or intensely hydrating conditioners that weigh down fine hair and make sparse areas more noticeable. Strong fragrances or drying alcohols can irritate the scalp, and frequent use of clarifying shampoos can zap moisture and weaken fragile hair. Instead, opt for gentle, sulfate-free formulas that cleanse without stripping and keep hair healthy and lightweight.

When hair is thinning, how you wash it can make a difference. Use a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo and avoid hot water, which can dry out strands and make breakage worse. Focus on massaging the scalp lightly rather than scrubbing vigorously. “The act of massaging shampoo into the scalp can encourage blood flow, which can be helpful for hair regrowth,” says Dr. Jeffy.

Rinse thoroughly to remove all product, and follow with a lightweight conditioner applied mainly to the midlengths and ends to keep hair nourished without weighing it down. Gently blot hair with a terry hair towel instead of rubbing, let hair air dry when possible to minimize breakage and stress on thinning strands, and avoid tight hairstyles that pull on the follicles.

To create this list, we started by compiling and consolidating a roster of dermatologist-recommended formulas and best-selling shampoos targeted at thinning hair. We assigned the shampoos to 30 Glamour testers, including both men and women, with a wide range of hair types, textures, and concerns. This included testers experiencing postpartum shedding, stress-related loss, or general density changes.

Each reviewer used their assigned shampoo consistently for at least six weeks—the minimum time frame experts told us is needed to begin seeing meaningful results. Reviewers were asked to follow the product’s directions and track changes in shedding, overall fullness, and density (especially around the hairline and crown). They also evaluated the shampoo’s fragrance (pleasant or overpowering?), how well it lathered and rinsed out, and overall value—factoring in how much product they needed per wash and whether the results justified the price. Their feedback helped us determine which shampoos made the final list—and how we categorized each one.

• Hardik Doshi, MD, FACS, double board-certified lead surgeon at hair-restoration studio Ample
• Brooke Jeffy, MD, board-certified dermatologist in Arizona specializing in hair loss and skin care
• Dendy Engelman, MD, FACMS, FAAD, board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and Mohs surgeon at the Shafer Clinic in New York City
• Gretchen Friese, certified trichologist at hair-restoration company BosleyMD
• Shab Caspara, board-certified trichologist in New York and founder of hair care brand Leona
• Michele Green, MD, board-certified cosmetic dermatologist in New York
• Mark Townsend, celebrity hairstylist
• Steve Daveluy, MD, associate professor and program director of dermatology at Wayne State University in Detroit
• Brooke Jeffy, MD, board-certified dermatologist in Arizona