8 Thickening Shampoos to Have on Your Radar If You're Experiencing Hair Loss
If you have noticed that your hair is falling out at a faster rate than usual, please know that you are not alone. In fact, new research from Philip Kingsley shows that 75% of British women are worried about hair loss, with 42% currently experiencing loss or thinning. And the truth is, hair loss needn't always be such a scary thing. There are wide-ranging factors that can contribute to hair thinning including, breakage, stress, age, genetics, hormonal imbalances, and other illnesses just to name a few. Having said that, before we go any further it is worth saying that if you are feeling as though your hair loss is a worsening issue, we highly recommend booking in to see your GP.
The good news though is that for most, hair loss isn't anything to be majorly concerned about—sometimes it's just part and parcel of life. But despite the fact it's a common issue, we totally understand that hair loss is a situation that many people want to rectify. And luckily, there are some things you can do to thicken things up.
The best starting point when attempting to deal with hair loss is to take a look at the shampoo you are using. If your hair loss is scalp-related, it's likely that swapping your current shampoo out for a specialist product aimed at hair loss will make a difference. "The health of your scalp plays a vital role in hair growth. Everything from scalp inflammation and microbial imbalances to genetics and hormonal sensitivities can impact the health of your hair follicles, and the hairs that emerge from them. Use daily topical products to help stimulate and protect your scalp from both internal and external aggressors, " says consultant trichologist Anabel Kingsley.
With that in mind, though, it's important to know the limitations of topical products. "Know what your hair loss products are doing and what you can realistically expect from them. Leave-on topical products can make a lasting difference to your hair growth cycle, the rate of hair shedding, and the health of your hair follicles. Wash-off formulas such as shampoos, conditioners and sprays will help with instant aesthetics and breakage," she adds.
If you're experiencing hair fall, hair loss or just want to thicken up your lengths a little, keep scrolling to shop the eight best shampoos for hair loss.
1. Philip Kingsley Density Thickening Shampoo
Utilising the power of hydrolysed pea peptides (who knew?!), this trichologist-approved shampoo helps to increase strand thickness, as well as hydrate and smooth hair for improved strength. It also contains high-tech hyper-branched polymers which spring into a hexagonal shape once the hair is dry to help boost volume. Oh, and as if that isn't enough, there's also some exfoliating salicylic acid in there to create a healthy growing environment on your scalp. All in all, this one's a winner.
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If your hair is fine and prone to breakage, this protein spray will help to protect fragile strands against heat damage and deliver an extra dose of those pea peptides to help strengthen, condition, and boost volume.
2. Virtue Flourish Shampoo For Thinning Hair
Virtue is, if you're asking us, a totally underrated brand when it comes to hair health. All of the brand's products are formulated around a high-tech protein called Alpha Keratin 60ku—a protein that is identical to the keratin found in human hair. It binds to the hair and fills in areas of damage for stronger, healthier strands (that are less prone to breakage as a result). Ask any major hairstylist out there, and they will attest that Virtue's protein technology is considered to be the best in the business. The brand's Flourish range is specially formulated for thinning hair, ensuring that every new strand that starts to grow is nourished and strengthened adequately—ensuring it stays put in the scalp.
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Like the shampoo, this booster is jam-packed with growth-boosting ingredients. With scalp-calming peptides, irritation-reducing probiotics, and larch wood extract to help encourage growth, this booster can be used alongside the shampoo to help thicken hair. Just spray onto the scalp after washing and massage in.
3. Kérastase Genesis Bain Hydra-Fortifiant Shampoo
Genesis from Kérastase is, if you ask us, one of the most luxurious anti–hair-fall fortifying ranges around. This shampoo works to strengthen hair so that it is less likely to succumb to breakage and fall. It uses a combination of edelweiss native cells, ginger root extract, and aminexil to gently cleanse the scalp and fortify strands. On top of that though, it feels absolutely wonderful to use, working into a thick, rich lather that leaves hair smelling expensive all day long.
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When it comes to hair loss, it's more important than ever to ensure you're protecting strands against any sort of damage that could leave them more susceptible to breakage. This heat-protecting mist should be sprayed onto hair and scalp before blow drying to help prevent any heat-induced hair loss. It leaves hair looking and feeling silky-smooth, too.
4. Dr. Barbara Sturm Anti-Hair Fall Shampoo
Beauty insiders tend to be sceptical of skincare brands that venture into haircare—and even more so when the price tags are hefty. But when it comes to hair loss, there's no denying that skincare (of the scalp) plays a huge part, which is why this shampoo from Dr. Barbara Sturm makes sense. Enriched with camellia extract and larch to nourish the hair follicle, as well as pro-vitamin B5 to prevent splitting and damage to existing strands, this shampoo really does work wonders.
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This hair serum is expensive, and we don't recommend forking out for this unless you already have the money to spend and want a particularly luxurious experience. As Kingsley mentioned, it's important to remember that products can only do so much for hair loss. Having said that, this is a great scalp serum. Apply after the aforementioned shampoo and expect silky-soft, stronger-feeling hair.
5. Aveda Invati Advanced Exfoliating Light Shampoo
We've said it once, but we'll say it again: Healthy hair growth starts at the scalp. And that's exactly why this exfoliating shampoo is so great. Ideal for thinner hair types, it helps to rid the scalp of buildup that makes for a bad growing environment for healthy strands. After one use, it's hard not to notice just how much softer, bouncier and full of volume your hair is.
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This leave-in formula uses Japanese knotweed and tangerine peel to help support the hair's natural keratin supply for super-strong strands. The best bit though is that it also helps to lift hair at the root, creating the illusion of a thicker scalp, just without any crispiness.
6. Viviscal Densifying Shampoo
Viviscal is widely considered to be the best affordable brand out there to help target hair loss and hair fall. This shampoo uses biotin, keratin and zinc to help aid hair growth, and we know heaps of people that swear by it.
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Perhaps Viviscal's best-known product, Maximum Strength, is a supplement programme specially designed for women who are experiencing hair thinning. As the number one hair supplement in the U.S., it's safe to say that those that use Maximum Strength agree with the claims that it helps to aid healthy hair growth from the inside out.
7. Klorane Strengthening Shampoo
bbIf you haven't guessed already, edelweiss is considered to be a gold-standard ingredient when it comes to hair growth thanks to its abilities to strengthen hair and build up its resistance to breakage. When combined with quinine, caffeine and vitamin B, as it is in this shampoo, you're onto a winner.
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As with most anti-hair-fall shampoos, best results are seen when paired with a leave-in treatment like this one. Simply spray onto hair and scalp two or three times a week for three months and behold stronger, thicker lengths.
8. Pantene Grow Strong Shampoo
Pantene is famed for its famous pro-v ingredients (something you will find championed in a lot of other hair-growth formulas X20 its price), which are known to strengthen strands and help prevent breakage. This formula is also infused with bamboo and biotin to help reduce hair loss even further. And did we mention it's £2?
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With added caffeine, when sprayed and massaged onto the scalp after washing, this treatment helps to treat the hair follicle and give roots a weightless, fuller-looking lift.
Next up, the right scalp treatment can do wonders for hair growth—here are 12 we love.
Shannon Lawlor is a renowned beauty journalist and has contributed to Who What Wear’s beauty content since 2020. As a leading beauty editor, expert and brand consultant, she has over eight years of experience working for some of the industry’s most esteemed titles, including Who What Wear (of course), Glamour UK, Stylist, Refinery29 and Fabulous.
Having also worked behind the scenes with some of the industry’s biggest brands and retailers, Shannon has a unique insight into what people really want from their beauty routines. Understanding that beauty lovers seek honest, open and responsible advice, she has it made her mission to demystify the intimidating world of beauty, taking a no-frills approach to the most relatable topics.
While Shannon is the first to admit she doesn’t hold the answer to every beauty question out there, she is dedicated to sharing her expert insights in a bid to help. As a self-proclaimed lazy girl, Shannon has an affinity for easy-to-use, foolproof beauty products and has made it her mission to scope out the best of the best.
When she’s not working, Shannon is likely soaking in the bath or giving no-holds-barred beauty reviews on Instagram from her bathroom floor.
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