Multiple elements can lead to hair thinning, such as genetics, hormonal shifts, medical conditions, or the natural aging process. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), losing 50–100 hairs per day is standard. However, surpassing this number may result in visible thinning. So, how can we tackle this issue? Hair specialists advise that the first step should be consulting a dermatologist.
Meanwhile, choosing the right shampoo is essential. Fortunately, we caught up with haircare experts who highlighted two exceptional product options, identified two beneficial shampoo ingredients, listed five to avoid that could worsen hair loss, and offered additional tips for anyone struggling with fine, thin, and fragile hair this fall.
Read on for tips, suggestions and insight from dermatologists Dr. Yoram Harth, MD, Medical Director of MDhair, Dr. Elaine Kung, MD, FAAD, founder of Future Bright Dermatology and Dr. Enrizza P. Factor, writer at My Eczema Team.
We also checked in with hair experts and stylists including Ghanima Abdullah, cosmetologist at The Right Hairstyles and Dr. Rebecca Hilton, hair expert at J-Beauty, Lauren Udoh, hairstylist and Hair Creative Director of WigReports, Jean Will, co-founder of NiaWigs Inc. and Shandi Nichelle, founder and CEO of Freewell.
2 Expert-Recommended Shampoos To Address Hair Loss And Thinning This Fall
1. Avalon Organics Thickening Biotin B-Complex
When you have thinning hair and want to encourage hair growth, it's all about finding shampoos that are gentle and nourish, says Casey Simmons, owner of Royal Locks Curl Care. And Allison Gandolfo, who is a designer colorist at Zahir Ziani Salon, went into more detail about some of the ingredients we should be looking out for when purchasing a shampoo for thinner hair.
Some of those are: essential oils, jojoba oil, peppermint, seaweed collagen, aloe vera, shea butter, and biotin. "The ingredients you want to stay away from are: sulfates, triclosan, polyethylene glycols, mineral oil, benzene, parabens, short chain alcohol, formaldehyde, dimethicone, diethanolamine, and artificial dyes," Gandolfo added. The Avalon Organics Thickening Biotin B-Complex shampoo boasts a powerful combination of biotin, saw palmetto, quinoa protein, and vitamin E.
This enriching formula (on sale now via Amazon for $17.69) not only fortifies hair strands but also enhances volume in fine, thinning hair. Additionally, it provides thorough cleansing and nourishment from root to tip, making it an ideal choice for healthier, fuller-looking hair.
2. Oribe Serene Scalp Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
Hair specialists advise opting for sulfate-free shampoos, ideally with a pH of 6 to 7 for straight hair and 4.5 to 5.5 for curly hair. When seeking hair care products that repair, fortify, and hydrate, prioritize ingredients like biotin (Vitamin B7) for promoting follicle growth and Panthenol (Vitamin B5) for reinforcing hair strength. "Hair products with proteins (wheat and soy amino acids) coat the hair shaft acting as bonds to the molecules, promoting the look and feel of thicker hair. A diet or supplements that includes these amino acids can likely add to further hair growth," Simmons said, before telling us why the Oribe shampoo ($52 at Bloomingdale's) gets her vote.
"Oribe is the king of styling products [and] makes a scalp shampoo that helps cleanse the scalp and promote hair growth," Simmons shared. "This sulfate-free shampoo keeps flakiness at bay while supporting optimal moisture balance of the scalp and hair. Salicylic acid gently exfoliates, while bilberry fruit and sugar maple extracts simultaneously soothe the scalp. Salicylic acid has proven to be adept at clearing dead skin cells and other pore-clogging impurities."
2 Essential Shampoo Ingredients That Combat Hair Loss & Dry Tresses
1. Biotin (Vitamin B7)
Biotin (aka vitamin B₇) is an important nutrient often found in foods like eggs, broccoli, bananas and milk. Many people take biotin as a supplement as they age, Abdullah explains, to strengthen their tresses. If also using a shampoo with biotin as a main ingredient, one can really reap the benefits of this vitamin in more ways than one. “Biotin is the ingredient to look for in shampoo if you want thicker, fuller, healthier hair,” Abdullah says.
Abdullah highlights the benefits of incorporating biotin-infused shampoo into one's hair care routine, which includes enhancing hair growth, relieving discomfort associated with itchy hair, and mitigating other hair conditions commonly experienced during the winter season. “Not only can it be taken as a supplement, but when used in shampoo the ingredient goes directly into the hair follicles.”
She notes that biotin helps increase circulation to the scalp, which helps the hair follicles produce a better quality of hair and more of it. “It's believed that a deficiency of biotin leads to hair loss,” she adds, so using shampoo with biotin is one of the “easiest ways to help reverse the effects of aging on hair, which can manifest as thinning and brittleness.”
2. Saw Palmetto
Incorporating saw palmetto into your shampoo can prove to be advantageous in reducing hair loss, Hilton says, as it is a highly sought-after ingredient in the realm of hair care. "Saw palmetto is a natural extract from the berries of the Serenoa repens plant and has been used for centuries for the treatment of various conditions including hair loss," she explains.
Hilton adds that "saw palmetto works by blocking the production of DHT," which helps to "reduce hair shedding." Kung concurs, and points out that because saw palmetto is a DHT blocker, it is "helpful in the treatment of female pattern baldness that can become quite apparent when a woman is in her 40s."
5 Shampoo Ingredients That Often Exacerbate Hair Loss And Thinning, Doctors Say
1. Silicones
Silicones, commonly found in shampoos, are often portrayed as beneficial due to their ability to enhance shine and gloss.
However, Factor stresses, their detrimental impact on scalp health should not be ignored as they can stifle its ability to receive necessary nourishment. "Silicones in shampoo can cause hair loss by coating the scalp so that nutrients cannot be absorbed," she warns.
2. Parabens
The presence of parabens in shampoos may lead to a host of hair-related issues, Factor tells us. These include "dryness and scalp irritation" as well as "fading hair color and hair loss."
Since they are "generally unsafe," she says "it is best to avoid parabens until proven otherwise."
3. Sodium Chloride
According to Harth, sodium chloride, a frequent component of mass-produced shampoos, is not recommended for women who are experiencing hair loss or thinning.
Commonly used to thicken shampoos and conditioners, it can "dry the scalp, causing redness and itching," Harth notes, and this scalp irritation can "damage hair follicles and cause more hair loss."
4. Sulfates
Having already thin, fine and delicate hair and adding harsh sulfate-based products can exacerbate or worsen hair loss, Udoh explains. “This harsh detergent, sodium lauryl sulfate [SLS] is a common ingredient in shampoos and conditioners and is known to strip away natural oils, leaving hair feeling dry, brittle, and damaged,” she says. This ingredient in conditioners can “also cause scalp irritation and hair loss.”
Will agrees, and adds that sulfates “are one of the most detrimental” ingredients that may be found in popular conditioners. “Surfactants such as sulfates are used to remove debris and excess oil from the scalp,” she reiterates. “They can make your hair frizzy and trigger an allergic response to your scalp. Furthermore, when used for lengthy periods of time, they can cause hormone disruption,” she adds.
5. Alcohol
When it comes to alcohol as a '"toxic" ingredient for fine, thinning and flat hair, Nichelle notes that this is often found in shampoos and conditioners that advertise volume. "Volume conditioners often contain alcohol to help control or offset the heavier ingredients in a conditioner," she explains.
Still, she notes that the cons outweigh the pros here. "The short-term result may be more volume in your fine hair, but the alcohol dries and damages hair in the long term." She also points out that alcohol "cancels out the benefits of other ingredients in your conditioner."
The Bottom Line
Overall, Kung stresses that choosing the right shampoo for your hair is crucial as "shampoos are not only scalp cleaners, but indubitably act as preventing the hair shaft damage." Many scalp diseases are also "treated by active ingredients that are added to the shampoo's formulations," she says.
She also notes that "shampoos are typically composed of 10–30 ingredients, although products with as few as four ingredients are available." Our experts advise keeping an eye out for shampoo products with biotin and saw palmetto while waiting for an appointment with a doctor to recommend a more specific treatment solution for your scalp and locks!
