Nothing inspires dread like glancing at the drain to see how much hair you’ve lost
while showering
. Though it’s normal for hair thickness and quantity to change over time, (a person might shed anywhere from
50 to 100 strands
per day) sudden hair loss can signal an underlying
medical condition
. Regardless of the reason behind it, pattern hair loss is not pleasant for anyone, and can cause significant
psychological distress
to those experiencing it.
Though experts say pattern hair loss is dictated by genetics, some products can stimulate growth and work to prevent hair loss in the future. But before you buy some too-good-to-be-true elixir in a panic, it’s crucial to figure out what is causing your hair loss in the first place. I talked to dermatologists and trichologists about what causes thinning hair and hair loss, as well as the best ingredients to combat thinning hair. I also compiled expert-recommended hair thickening shampoos, treatments and more, plus highly rated products with dermatologist-approved hair thickening formulas.
SKIP AHEAD
The best treatments for thinning hair
|
How to treat thinning hair
|
What causes thinning hair?
|
How to prevent hair loss
|
Why trust NBC Select?
Selected.
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Best thickening shampooRevitaLash Thickening Shampoo
$undefined$38.00Amazon
Learn more
-
Best topical foamRogaine 5% Minoxidil Unscented Foam
$59.97$78.19Amazon
Learn more
-
Editor’s pickVegamour Gro Hair Serum
$undefined$64.00Vegamour
Learn more
How I picked the best thinning hair shampoos and treatments
The experts I spoke to agree that the best treatment for thinning hair depends on the cause of that hair loss. Below are a few things our experts recommend keeping in mind to aid regrowth:
-
Ingredients that promote hair growth:
Minoxidil is proven to be the most effective treatment for promoting hair growth in men and women (more below). It is also the active ingredient in OTC products from brands like Rogaine and Minoxidil. -
Ingredients that keep hair healthy:
Beyond using minoxidil-based OTC treatments orprofessional treatments
at the dermatologist’s office, the best one can do is use gentle, hydrating shampoos with ingredients like argan oil and glycerin.
The best treatments and shampoos for thinning hair of 2024
I rounded up dermatologist- and trichologist-approved options to help promote hair growth and keep your strands healthy.
Best overall kit:
Nioxin System Kits
Nioxin Scalp + Hair Thickening System
Nioxin’s System Kits
rely on peppermint oil, niacinamide and biotin to thicken hair and is a favorite among Green’s patients. The kits, which include a therapeutic shampoo, conditioner and scalp treatment, are formulated based on your hair’s unique needs: the System 1 kits target light thinning in
natural hair
,
color treated hair
and bleached hair. The System 2 kits target the same hair types, but for
progressed thinning
. Nioxin sells their
shampoos
,
conditioners
,
leave-in products
and other
styling tools
separately, too. If you prefer a hair growth treatment from the brand that contains minoxidil, consider the
Nioxin Hair Regrowth Kit.
Product type
: Shampoo, conditioner, treatment |
Key ingredients
: Peppermint oil, niacinamide, biotin, minoxidil
Best thickening shampoo:
Revitalash Thickening Shampoo
RevitaLash Thickening Shampoo
This shampoo, an
NBC Select Wellness Awards
winner for best fine hair shampoo, can boost hair volume, improve strength, exfoliate the scalp and hydrate hair, according to the brand. It’s also oil- and paraben-free, which means it’s safe to use on color-treated hair, according to Revitalash. To apply, the brand recommends gently massaging it into the scalp and letting it sit for up to two minutes before rinsing.
NBC Select Wellness Awards
Product type
: Shampoo |
Key ingredients
: Loquat leaf, biotin, willow bark, panthenol
Editor’s pick:
Vegamour Gro Hair Serum
Vegamour Gro Hair Serum
- Dropper application
- Non-greasy
- Strengthens hair
- For light thinning
- Pairs with Vegamour gummies
NBC Select editorial director Lauren Swanson, who describes herself as having a lot of fine hair, has been a big fan of Vegamour, ever since her beauty editor days. “I have these thinner spots on my scalp from when I danced ballet and needed to wear tight buns for hours,” she says. “When I started to use the Vegamour serum many years ago and take the
gummies
, I noticed more hair density.”
Product type
: Serum |
Key ingredients
: Turmeric, caffeine, biotin
Best topical foam:
Rogaine 5% Minoxidil Unscented Foam
Rogaine 5% Minoxidil Unscented Foam
- Easy to apply
- Stops early stages of thinning
- No scalp dryness
- Takes a while to see results
“Rogaine is probably one of the few things that’s been actually FDA-approved and worked out to help grow hair,” says
Dr. Michele Green
, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. The active ingredient in Rogaine products, including this foam, is minoxidil, which stimulates hair growth. Both the
men
and
women’s
foams contain 5% of minoxidil, but Rogaine recommends men apply a half capful twice a day directly to the scalp in the hair loss area. For women, the brand recommends applying half a capful just once a day. You can expect to see results in 120 days, but keep in mind that continued use is necessary to maintain results, according to the brand.
Product type
: Foam |
Key ingredients
: Minoxidil
Best topical serum:
Rogaine 5% Minoxidil Solution
(6-month supply)
Rogaine 5% Minoxidil Solution – 4 Month Supply
- Helps hair regrowth
- Improves hair density
- Easy to apply with dropper
- May take a while to work
Similar to Rogaine’s foam product, this topical minoxidil solution is sold separately in
men
and
women
’s versions. The women’s product, however, is less concentrated and contains just 2% minoxidil. You can expect to see results after 120 days of daily use, according to the brand.
Product type
: Serum |
Key ingredients
: Minoxidil
Best with tea tree oil:
Avalon Organics Tea Tree Oil Shampoo
Avalon Organics Scalp Treatment Shampoo
- Soothes scalp irritation
- Softens hair
- Unscented
- Does not help hair growth
While this Avalon Organics shampoo isn’t formulated to spur hair growth, it is a notable favorite among Green’s patients that have an irritated scalp — in our guide to the
best shampoos for head acne
, multiple experts recommend tea tree oil-based products to soothe irritation. Tea tree oil also has antibacterial properties, according to our experts.
Product type
: Shampoo |
Key ingredients
: Tea tree oil
Best for scalp health:
Nutrafol Root Purifier Shampoo
Nutrafol Root Purifier Shampoo
- Improves dry scalp
- Balances oil production
- Adds volume
- Does not help hair growth
Nutrafol, a natural, drug-free shampoo line that makes oral supplements and various hair care products, comes recommended by both King and Green. While it may be best to consult your doctor before taking any supplement, you could start by trying the Root Purifier Shampoo. Swanson tried the shampoo in the past and found it to hydrate the scalp without being overly greasy or weighing hair down, she says. The sulfate-free shampoo is formulated with gentle cleansers like cocamidopropyl betaine that cleanse while optimizing your scalp’s pH levels for improved hair health, according to the brand.
Product type
: Shampoo |
Key ingredients
: Betaine
Best for volume:
Revitalash Volume Enhancing Foam
RevitaLash Volume Enhancing Foam
- Pump application
- Lightweight formula
- Targets specific sections
- Higher price point
An
NBC Select Wellness Awards
winner for best hair treatment, this volume-enhancing foam is great for dry or wet hair to prevent breakage and brittleness, according to Revitalash. For application, Revitalash recommends parting your hair into sections and thoroughly massaging the product into your scalp and on roots.
Product type
: Foam |
Key ingredients
: Lipids, peptides, biotin, panthenol
Best hair growth system:
BosleyMD Revive Volumizing System
BosleyMD Revive Volumizing System
- Three-step system
- Prevents future thinning
- Not for color-treated hair
Apply this three-step system, which includes a shampoo, conditioner and hair thickening treatment, daily to help reduce hair loss and thinning. It is formulated for non color-treated hair and uses botanical DHT inhibitors like rosemary extract, according to the brand.
BosleyMD
has many options for thinning hair treatments, so you should be able to find the right one for your unique situation.
Product type
: Shampoo, conditioner, treatment |
Key ingredients
: Rosemary extract
Best hydrating:
Art Naturals Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo
ArtNaturals Argan Oil & Keratin Shampoo
- Helps retain moisture
- Gentle formula
- Does not help hair growth
- Adds volume
Many of Green’s patients love this argan oil shampoo. Argan oil (also an ingredient in an NBC Select-favorite
clarifying shampoo
) can help hydrate dry hair and retain moisture. It’s also formulated with the cleanser cocamidopropyl betaine, which is a gentler alternative to harsh detergents and sulfates, according to
Dr. Hadley King
, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City who specializes in medical and cosmetic dermatology.
Product type
: Shampoo |
Key ingredients
: Argan oil, betaine
Best for frizz:
Grown Alchemist Anti-Frizz Shampoo
Grown Alchemist Anti-Frizz Shampoo
- Prevents frizz
- Prevents heat damage
- Gentle formula
- Higher price point
- Does not lather
“Generally, it is best to use a gentle shampoo free from harsh ingredients to ensure you are not contributing to the problem further,” says
Taylor Rose
, a hair health expert and trichologist. She recommends this gentle option from Grown Alchemist, which helps smooth the hair follicle and protects it from heat damage, according to the brand.
Product type
: Shampoo |
Key ingredients
: Ginger, flavonoids
Related
A healthy scalp equals healthy hair. These products will help.
How to treat thinning hair
When treating thinning hair, it’s best to determine the root cause of that hair loss first, according to our experts. “There is no magic button,” says Green, but there are a few things that can help regrow hair, or at least protect the hair you still have.
-
Minoxidil:
Minoxidil is the most proven treatment for both men and women, according to King. Used in shampoos and popular products like Rogaine, it essentially widens the blood cells, allowing “more oxygen, blood and nutrients to reach the follicles,” she says. -
Argan oil and/or tea tree oil:
“Argan oil is rich in fatty acids and will protect your hair,” says Green. Plus, it can help your hair retain moisture. Green says many of her patients also like shampoos that contain tea tree oil, which has antimicrobial and antifungal properties that can soothe an irritated scalp. -
Glycerin-based styling products:
Glycerin-based products are also good for keeping the hair hydrated, says King. “A hair care regimen that allows the protective layer or cuticle to remain intact as long as possible will decrease breakage,” she says.
Products like shampoos and serums can be used in conjunction with oral medication and various dermatology treatments, like
platelet-rich plasma injections
(PRP) or prescription-only laser caps. Most importantly, topical treatments need to remain on your head to work. If you’re washing it in and washing it out, as you would with shampoo, how much benefit you get “is arguable,” says Green. The most important ingredient of all is hard data. “There are many products out there that promise results that aren’t backed by hard science,” says King.
As for what else to avoid, look for shampoos free of harsh detergents, like Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) and Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), according to Rose. Some alcohols may dehydrate the hair too: “The ones to avoid usually have ‘prop’ in their name, like isopropyl or propanol,” she says.
What causes thinning hair?
“The most common cause of hair loss is androgenetic alopecia, which is called male pattern or female pattern baldness,” says Green. With this form of
hair loss
, hair follicles shrink and eventually stop growing. In women, it presents as a gradually widening part. In men, pattern baldness usually brings a receding hairline or bald spot.
But there are other things that can cause hair loss too, like underlying medical issues or stress, says Green. She recommends paying attention to the nature of your hair loss: is it suddenly all over, or is it gradually thinning in the front? Take note of those symptoms and consult a doctor, who will likely request blood work to check if you’re anemic, vitamin D deficient or if you have a thyroid disorder or autoimmune disease, according to Green. A lot of Green’s patients are shocked to learn their hair loss is a symptom of something like lupus, or even a tumor in one bizarre case.
Or, a patient might have
telogen effluvium
, a form of hair loss caused by stress to the body or mind. A loss of a loved one or job, a high fever, pregnancy or having surgery could all cause sudden hair loss.
“Hairs are usually found at all different stages of the hair cycle,” says King. But during an intense stress, the hair can become synchronized, leading many to fall out at the same time. “The good news is that this kind of hair loss is reversible,” says King. “It does grow back.” During the early stages of the pandemic, for example, many of Green’s patients’ hair loss worsened, not necessarily from infection, but the stress of isolation. (You can learn more on the causes behind hair loss at this fact sheet from the
American Academy of Dermatology
).
How to prevent hair loss
Frustratingly, genetics play a huge role in hair loss, but tackling the problem sooner rather than later can help: “You’ll want to stop it before it gets bad because once you lose your hair, and those hair follicles are dead, they’re not growing back,” says Green.
But you need not despair; there are multiple ways to stall the seemingly inevitable and some simple hair care tips and tricks to prevent hair loss in the first place:
-
A healthy lifestyle:
Practice habits that reduce stress and are good for your physical health, like meditation, yoga, journaling and eating a diet of whole foods, says Rose. “Make sure you are eating enough protein in your diet, as hair is made up of protein,” she says. Avoid alcohol and cigarettes as much as possible, too: “They definitely weaken hair and they are just bad for you in general. No crash dieting either,” says King. -
Protect your remaining hair:
Wearing a really tight bun day after day pulls on your hair and can cause permanent damage, says Green. So can frequent use of heated hair styling tools. “A hair-care regimen that allows the protective layer, or cuticle, to remain intact for as long as possible will decrease breakage and drying out of the hair strands,” says King. -
Use gentle fabrics:
Hair is very fragile when it’s wet. Rose recommends using a microfiber towel after showering and sleeping on a satin pillowcase or in a satin bonnet.
If you notice your hair thinning, don’t hesitate to see a specialist and advocate for yourself during your appointment. “One of the most frustrating things is how many women get dismissed,” says Green. Don’t be afraid to speak up — a good doctor will make time to chat and assess your unique situation.
Frequently asked questions
Losing your hair can be traumatic, so it’s unsurprising that a wealth of hair growth oils have arrived on the scene. While minoxidil remains the most proven topical option for hair growth, there have been some noteworthy studies on the efficacy of various oils, like rosemary,
pumpkin seed
, castor oil or ginseng root (even two smaller tests conducted on mice have linked
lavender oil
and
peppermint oil
to hair growth), according to King. One
2015 study
compared minoxidil and rosemary for hair growth, and both test groups saw significant increases in hair growth after six months.
While the studies indicate potential scientific advancements in the future, the data just isn’t there yet: “The bottom line is we need bigger, better studies in order to evaluate whether or not these ingredients help with hair growth,” says King.
Rose, on the other hand, has seen real results amongst her clients who employ rosemary oil: “It doesn’t really matter what brand of oil you use, as long as it is 100% pure rosemary essential oil,” she says. If you give it a try, add five drops to your palm full of shampoo, massaging it into your scalp and letting it sit for three minutes before washing off, says Rose. Just don’t add it directly to the bottle, she says.
Here at NBC Select, we recommend contacting a board-certified dermatologist or your general practitioner for more information about prescriptions and oral supplements.
If OTC options are not producing satisfactory results, ask your doctor about prescription options like spironolactone, finasteride and oral minoxidil, according to both King and Green.
Meet the experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure that all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and with no undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
-
Dr. Hadley King
is a board-certified dermatologist in New York City who specializes in medical and cosmetic dermatology.
-
Dr. Michele Green
is a board-certified dermatologist in New York City who specializes in cosmetic dermatology. -
Taylor Rose
is a hair health expert and trichologist who runs the
@thehealthyhur
TikTok account.
Why trust NBC Select?
Christina Colizza
is a former editor at NBC Select and has been a product reviewer since 2018.
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