Shampoos for Hair Loss: Can They Help?

The writing is on the wall and down your shower drain: You’re losing more hair than usual, and you want it to stop. You have a friend that swears by a trendy shampoo line, but can any shampoo help with hair loss?

Dermatologist Melissa Piliang, MD, says don’t believe the hype. “You can buy shampoos that are better or worse for your hair, but none treat hair loss. Shampoo companies may make that claim, but there have been at least two big class-action lawsuits against those that have.”

Dr. Piliang explains what you should do if you’re experiencing hair loss, which shampoo ingredients may have an impact and which ingredients to avoid.

How much hair loss is normal?

“It’s normal to lose 100 to 200 hairs each day,” Dr. Piliang explains. “But if you notice you’re losing more, your first step should be calling your healthcare provider.”

When hair loss is significant, you may also notice your:

• Hair is everywhere (for example, all over your clothes, in your food and dishwasher, on the floor or trapped in your vacuum cleaner brush).
• Hairline is receding.
• Hair part is widening.
• Ponytail is less dense (looks and feels smaller).

“When you experience hair and scalp problems, dermatologists have the knowledge and training to help,” she continues. “Waiting for a new shampoo to kick in will just delay care. You want to get a good workup from your provider so you can identify the problem and the best treatment options.”

You could be losing too much hair for many reasons, including:

• Aging.
• Certain health conditions like thyroid disease.
• Genetics.
• Medication side effects, like those from injectable weight loss medications.
• Significant weight loss over a short period of time.

Best kinds of shampoo for hair loss

While there aren’t any shampoos that will treat the cause of your hair loss, there are shampoos you can choose that won’t intensify the problem. If you’re experiencing hair loss, pick a shampoo that’s moisturizing and includes the ingredient ketoconazole.

Moisturizing shampoos

While it may not save every strand, shampoo does impact your overall hair and scalp health. “I commonly see people who think their hair is shedding when it’s really breaking. That breakage is often related to their hair care regimen. For example, harsh shampoos can cause damage,” notes Dr. Piliang. “That’s why you should wash your hair with a moisturizing shampoo. And if you’re using a lot of hot rollers, straightening or curling irons, or a super-hot hair dryer, stop.”

She adds that a good shampoo doesn’t have to break the bank either. There are many cost-effective choices at your local drugstore. Just look for a reputable brand that includes moisture-promoting ingredients. These ingredients include humectants like glycerin, and oils like argan oil and jojoba oil.

And don’t skimp on conditioner, especially if you have hair past your ears. “Conditioner protects your hair from all the things that you do to it, including brushing, using heat on it and exposing it to wind and sun,” she says.

Ketoconazole shampoo for hair loss

Some anti-dandruff shampoos include ingredients like ketoconazole, zinc pyrithione and piroctone olamine. Healthcare providers often recommend these shampoos to treat dandruff and scalp psoriasis. But they could be pulling double duty for your hair.

“While ingredients like ketoconazole may not prevent hair loss, some evidence suggests that using them may help improve hair health,” explains Dr. Piliang. “These kinds of shampoos help prevent and treat inflammation. They also kill a dandruff-causing yeast that lives on the scalp called pityrosporum (Malassezia). Hair loss isn’t just about your hair fibers. It’s about scalp health, too. If your scalp isn’t healthy, it can’t produce healthy hair.”

Shampoo ingredients to avoid when you have hair loss

When hair loss is a concern, Dr. Piliang recommends avoiding shampoos with these ingredients:

• Isopropyl alcohol: This ingredient can dry out your hair and cause irritation.
• Parabens: Parabens are preservatives with antibacterial and antifungal properties. But many people are allergic to them, Dr. Piliang says.
• Sulfates: Sulfates clean your hair by attracting oil and dirt. But they can make your hair more prone to breakage and irritate your scalp.
• Triclosan: Triclosan is a human-made chemical that kills bacteria. But Dr. Piliang warns that it could also irritate your scalp. Another strike against triclosan: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned it in some consumer products in 2016.

The bottom line

You have to think long term when it comes to hair health. While some shedding is inevitable, using a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner can strengthen your hair. But when hair loss seems to accelerate, team up with a dermatologist to understand why — and what you can do about it.