Shampoo plays an important role in scalp health. It helps keep the scalp clean, removes excess oil, and improves the hair’s appearance. Shampoo alone is not usually an adequate cure for hair thinning, though it can play a role in a comprehensive hair loss routine.
Some shampoos contain ingredients that help reduce inflammation or scale on the scalp, while others may improve how the hair looks by making it feel thicker temporarily. A few formulations even contain active ingredients that can support hair growth when used regularly.
It is important to understand the difference between shampoos that help hair look better and shampoos that may help support growth – a distinction that we will proceed to explore and clarify.
Hair Thickening Shampoo vs. Hair Growth Shampoo
Hair thickening shampoos work on the hair shaft. They make the hair appear fuller and smoother. These effects are temporary and go away after washing.
Common thickening ingredients include:
- Hydrolyzed keratin proteins
- Hydrolyzed wheat proteins
- Silicone derivatives (dimethicone, cyclomethicone, trimethicone)
Hair growth shampoos work on the scalp. They contain ingredients that help improve the environment around hair follicles. Some ingredients reduce inflammation, while others may help lower the hormones linked to hair loss.
Common hair growth ingredients include:
- Minoxidil
- Ketoconazole
- Zinc Pyrithione
- Saw Palmetto
- Pumpkin Seed Oil
- Green Tea
- Pro-cyanidins: Apple, Grapeseed, Barley
- Soy, Raspberry, Ketones
- Copper peptides
- Caffeine
- L-carnitine, Taurine
Shampoos That Support Hair Growth
While shampoos will not cause your hair to regrow dramatically, certain active ingredients can improve scalp conditions that contribute to hair loss.
A healthier scalp may help support stronger, longer-lasting hair over time.
Ketoconazole
Ketoconazole is an antifungal ingredient found in certain shampoos. It helps reduce inflammation caused by dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis.
Some studies show that ketoconazole may also lower dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels in the scalp. DHT is a hormone linked to pattern hair loss.
Here at the Limmer Hair Transplant Center, we offer our patients Regenepure shampoo, which contains ketoconazole. Other ketoconazole-containing shampoos include Nizoral, a generic equivalent, or prescription 2% ketoconazole shampoo. The 2% version is often prescribed to patients for seborrheic dermatitis (dandruff) or scalp psoriasis.
Zinc Pyrithione
Zinc pyrithione is another antifungal and anti-inflammatory ingredient. Like ketoconazole, it has also been shown to reduce levels of DHT.
Zinc pyrithione is found in many dandruff shampoos, with common examples being Head & Shoulders and DHS Zinc Shampoo.
Saw Palmetto
The ingredient saw palmetto refers to a supplement derived from berries of the saw palmetto tree. This plant-derived component has been shown to have both anti-inflammatory properties as well as the ability to reduce levels of DHT.
Saw palmetto is available in over-the-counter shampoos, typically marketed toward hair growth. Here at the Limmer Hair Transplant Center, we carry Formula 82S by Hair Science which targets thinning hair through the activity of saw palmetto.
Some patients even take saw palmetto orally, which can be likened to a plant-derived / natural version of finasteride (though likely less effective).
Selenium Sulfide
Selenium sulfide fights fungus and slows down the turnover of skin cells on the scalp.
Selsun Blue is a popular shampoo that contains selenium sulfide.
Salicylic Acid and Tar
Salicylic acid and coal tar are used to treat scalp buildup and chronic flaking. These ingredients are often found in shampoos for scalp psoriasis or severe dandruff.
Shampoos that contain these ingredients include Neutrogena T-Sal (salicylic acid) and T-Gel (tar).
Shampoos We Recommend
Here in the office, we offer two shampoos that may help support scalp and hair health:
- Hair Science’s Formula 82S: This shampoo contains saw palmetto, a plant-based ingredient thought to reduce DHT.
- Regenepure: This product contains ketoconazole to help manage inflammation and dandruff, while simultaneous reducing local DHT levels in the scalp.
These shampoos can be used along with other hair loss treatments like minoxidil to improve upon results.
What to Look for in a Shampoo
When choosing a shampoo for thinning hair or scalp care, it’s important to look for these qualities:
- Cleans the scalp without over-drying the hair shafts
- Helps reduce flakes and irritation
- Makes hair easier to manage
- Supports the overall health of the scalp
While shampoo alone won’t impressively regrow hair, using products with ingredients like ketoconazole, zinc, saw palmetto, selenium sulfide, salicylic acid, or tar can help improve scalp health. These shampoos may support better hair retention and reduce shedding caused by inflammation or dandruff. Additionally, ketoconazole, zinc, and saw palmetto, when used consistently, have the potential to improve hair thinning driven by the action of DHT.
Not all patients will benefit from the same hair growth regimen, so we always advise scheduling a consultation with one of our physicians to discuss everything from shampoo to hair transplantation. We can recommend over-the-counter, prescription, and even procedural solutions for thinning hair tailored specifically to your needs and values.
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