Which Men’s Hair Loss Shampoo Is Right for You?
At the first signs of thinning hair or an expanding bald spot, you may start searching for products to help regrow your hair — or at least halt any more fall-out. But what should you look for in a men’s hair loss shampoo?
Certain active ingredients can help strengthen and improve overall hair health, though if you’re dealing with actual hair loss, shampoo alone might not save you.
We’re rounding up some of the best shampoos for thinning hair, plus other hair loss treatments to consider.
What Causes Hair Loss?
While there are several causes of hair loss, most men with thinning hair have a common condition called androgenetic alopecia, the clinical term for male pattern baldness.
Male pattern hair loss is linked to dihydrotestosterone — you can just call it DHT — an androgen (male sex hormone) the body produces as a byproduct of testosterone. DHT can damage hair follicles and cause hair to gradually become thinner by miniaturising (essentially shrinking) hair follicles.
Of course, there are other possible causes of hair loss or hair thinning to be aware of. Certain medical conditions, medications, harsh styling habits, lifestyle choices, and the natural ageing process can all cause hair to fall out.
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The 6 Best Men’s Shampoos for Hair Growth
What qualifies as “best“ depends on the cause of your hair loss and which shampoo ingredients are best suited to treat your condition.
Most active ingredients in men’s hair loss shampoos can be sorted into two categories:
DHT blockers
Ingredients that stimulate hair growth — either by accelerating the hair growth cycle or increasing blood flow to the scalp
The best hair loss shampoos for men typically contain:
Ketoconazole
Salicylic acid
Saw palmetto
Biotin
Pumpkin seed oil
Other natural oils
Figure out the best men’s hair loss shampoo for your specific needs and add it to your hair care routine.
1. Ketoconazole Shampoo
Although it’s an active ingredient in many anti-dandruff shampoos, ketoconazole is also a common ingredient in hair loss shampoo.
With the ability to control fungal growth and treat skin infections such as tinea capitis, ketoconazole is widely used to control dandruff and skin rashes, which can make the scalp more susceptible to hair loss.
In a small pilot study, patients experiencing hair loss saw improved hair growth using a product containing ketoconazole. Anecdotal reports have also suggested that higher doses of ketoconazole shampoos help with hair loss.
However, the product used in the study also contained several other ingredients, including common hair loss medications.
Though limited studies are available on ketoconazole’s effects on hair loss, some research suggests it could target DHT. For example, research from 2004 concluded that ketoconazole could disrupt DHT activity in the scalp, making it a potentially useful adjunct to treatment with finasteride (more on this ahead).
We should note that ketoconazole can be overly drying on strands. With that in mind, it’s not ideal for people with certain hair types, like curly or color-treated hair. At the very least, use a hydrating conditioner after lathering up.
2. Salicylic Acid Shampoo
Salicylic acid is a popular active ingredient in acne treatments, but it’s also known for its effects on hair loss.
As an exfoliant, salicylic acid is used to wash away excess sebum — the waxy, oil-like substance secreted by sebaceous glands in the scalp — for a healthy scalp.
But beyond scalp health, how does salicylic acid shampoo help with hair loss?
Hair loss may be caused by scalp conditions like dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis, as they can limit the production of healthy hair.
Interestingly, several studies have found a connection between acne and higher testosterone production, including higher levels of DHT.
Though salicylic acid doesn’t affect DHT like ketoconazole, it may help to reduce hair loss by getting rid of sebum buildup.
3. Saw Palmetto Shampoo
Saw palmetto is a natural extract of the saw palmetto fruit, which grows in the Southeastern United States. Research on whether saw palmetto works to treat hair loss and thinning hair is limited but promising.
One study suggests that saw palmetto may help block the activity of 5-alpha reductase — as noted, this is the enzyme that converts testosterone into DHT.
Saw palmetto might also reduce the uptake of DHT in hair follicles, decreasing DHT’s ability to bind to specific hormone receptors.
A review of seven studies found that oral and topical supplements containing saw palmetto:
Improved hair quality by 60 percent
increased hair density by 83 percent
Raised total hair count by 27 percent
Want to know more about this extract’s ability to target reduced hair volume? Our guide to saw palmetto for hair loss goes into detail about its potential benefits for hair health.
4. Biotin Shampoo
Biotin (vitamin B7) is a coenzyme that plays a key role in helping you grow thick, healthy, and strong hair.
Biotin doesn’t prevent hair loss, but research suggests it may have a significant effect on the speed at which you can grow new hair when using other hair loss treatments (which we’ll talk about in a bit).
It’s worth pointing out that biotin is a water-soluble vitamin (meaning you pee most of it out), and there’s currently no scientific evidence that the body can absorb it through the scalp. As such, you’ll likely get more hair-fortifying results from a biotin supplement than you would from a shampoo containing the B vitamin.
“Biotin is an important factor in hair growth,” says Knox Beasley, MD, a board-certified dermatologist specialising in hair loss. “For patients who have a deficiency, this can be a simple and very effective treatment.”
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Before/after images shared by customers who have purchased varying products, including prescription-based products. Customers were compensated for their testimonials. These customers’ results have not been independently verified. Individual results will vary.
5. Pumpkin Seed Oil Shampoo
If you’re interested in natural ingredients for men’s hair loss shampoo, look to pumpkin seed oil.
In one study, researchers found that men with male pattern baldness who used a pumpkin seed oil supplement showed a 40 percent improvement in hair growth after 24 weeks — compared to just 10 percent of those who used a placebo.
This plant seed oil is also rich in nutrients such as zinc and manganese, as well as antioxidants like vitamin E, amino acids, and linoleic acid — all of which may contribute to healthy hair.
As with saw palmetto and biotin, most scientific research into the effects of pumpkin seed oil focuses on oral consumption, not topical use in the form of shampoo.
6. Shampoo With Natural Oils
Various other natural oils — like rosemary, peppermint, and jojoba — are common nourishing ingredients in hair loss shampoos. Many are also easy to find as essential oils, making them a simple addition to any shampoo formula if you’re aiming to fight hair loss from every angle.
One study found that a mixture of natural oils (rosemary oil, lavender oil, and several others) was effective at treating a form of hair loss called alopecia areata.
Meanwhile, another study found that lavender oil applied topically to mice once a day for four weeks increased the number of hair follicles.
Peppermint oil may also increase hair count and hair thickness, according to studies performed on mice.
“There is limited data on natural or alternative remedies for hair loss,“ Dr. Beasley notes. “If a patient of mine tells me they are using a natural remedy and it’s helping their hair grow, I tell them to keep using it! In general, I do recommend using an evidence-based treatment regimen in addition.“
At the very least, adding rosemary, lavender, or peppermint oil to your shampoo can make your hair smell great and may help nourish damaged hair.
What to Know Before You Buy Men’s Hair Loss Shampoo
Before buying the best shampoo for men’s hair loss, double-check the label.
When it comes to shampoos and other hair products, ingredients almost always make more of an impact than brand names — plus, many have other additives that may or may not be beneficial.
So, look at the ingredients list to see if anything in there can actually stop shedding, stimulate growth, or improve scalp health.
Are Sulfate-Free Shampoos Good for Hair Growth?
Which ingredients in shampoos cause hair loss? Should you avoid sulfates in shampoo?
Certain sulfates, such as sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), help cleanse the hair while giving shampoo a rich, foamy lather.
It depends on how much is in the formula, but these ingredients have been associated with transepidermal water loss (moisture loss in the outermost layer of skin) in research. This can cause breakage, more hair fall-out, or just dry hair.
When looking for shampoos that gently cleanse and won’t worsen hair loss, sulfate-free formulas are ideal.
Other Men’s Hair Loss Treatments to Consider
The best men’s shampoo for hair growth will only go so far in stopping hair loss or hair thinning. Pairing these shampoos with other hair loss treatments may increase hair growth.
Currently, the two most effective medications for treating and preventing hair loss are FDA-approved minoxidil and finasteride.
Minoxidil
Minoxidil (generic Rogaine®) is a topical medication that comes as a liquid solution. It promotes regrowth by increasing blood flow to the scalp and moving hairs into the anagen (growth) phase of the hair growth cycle.
Like all powerful medications, minoxidil requires careful use. “There are written steps along with videos that show the proper application of minoxidil,” says Dr. Beasley. “I recommend to my patients to only apply minoxidil where they want hair to grow and do your best to avoid drippage.”
Finasteride
Finasteride (generic Propecia®) is an oral medication that works by stopping the body from creating DHT.
If you’d like to use minoxidil and finasteride together, you can combine them with our topical finasteride & minoxidil spray.
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The Bottom Line on Men’s Hair Loss Shampoos
Dealing with hair loss or a receding hairline can be a stressful experience, especially if it worsens quickly and makes certain hairstyles off-limits. But can shampoos or cleansers actually help hair loss?
Here’s what to keep in mind about men’s hair loss shampoo:
Male pattern baldness (genetic hair loss) is caused by testosterone being converted into the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT) that shrinks hair follicles and slows down growth.
When it comes to hair loss shampoos, it’s better to look for active ingredients like saw palmetto, ketoconazole, salicylic acid, and biotin than particular brand names.
Although these ingredients can be effective, combining them with medications like minoxidil or finasteride can improve hair growth even more.
There’s not really one best men’s hair loss shampoo. But you can combine certain ingredients and hair loss treatments to get the best results for your unique needs.
If you’re interested in exploring more options for hair growth, Hims offers a wide range of hair loss treatments. Take our free hair quiz to get started.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment or medication.