10 Best Shampoos for Hair Growth That Dermatologist and Testers Say Really Work
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While there’s no one solution for hair loss, and there is debate around whether over-the-counter products like shampoos for hair growth truly work, experts say the right formulas can help preserve your existing follicles—especially when used in tandem with medical treatments and supplements. “They’re a great starting point,” says Danilo Del Campo, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and partner at Chicago Skin Clinic.
I can personally vouch for their efficacy, as I’ve seen success after two months of testing various formulas. Both our top pick—Vegamor’s Hydr-8 shampoo and the L’Oréal Professionnel Absolut Repair Molecular Shampoo—made my hair lusher and shinier than ever.
Ahead, these are the hair-growth shampoos that our reviewers, hairstylists, trichologists, and dermatologists say yield actual results.
The best shampoos for hair growth, at a glance
- Best Overall: Vegamour Hydr-8 Shampoo, $38
- Best Budget: V&Co. Thickening Shampoo, $8
- Best for Dandruff: Head & Shoulders Bare Soothing Hydration Silicone-Free Dandruff Shampoo (2-Pack), $20
- Best for Hydrating: Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo, $30
- Best for Colored Hair: L’Oréal Professionnel Absolut Repair Molecular Shampoo, $46
Does hair-growth shampoo work?
As mentioned, there’s no strong consensus among experts about whether these hair-growth products actually work. Some doctors, like Michele Green, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in NYC, believe they do make an impact. “Hair-growth shampoos are an excellent way for promoting overall hair health, hair retention, and hair growth,” she says. Others, like Steve Daveluy, MD, associate professor and program director of dermatology at Wayne State University in Detroit, are skeptical, pointing to a lack of scientific proof about their effectiveness.
Still others take a middle-ground approach, believing certain formulas can help as part of a hair care routine, but only to an extent and certainly not for everyone. For instance, Pettis finds hair-growth shampoos to be “hit or miss.” The results, she says, all depend on the underlying cause of someone’s hair loss.
The bottom line: Consider hair-growth shampoos as a potential solution and way to address hair thinning and hair loss at home. Just know it may take some trial and error to find one that helps your situation and that results are never guaranteed.
How does hair-growth shampoo work?
Again, there are mixed opinions here. Joyce Davis, MD, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon in NYC, says hair-growth shampoos “are probably misnamed” and should probably be called “thickening shampoos.” Instead of actually growing new hair, they mostly give the appearance of fuller hair, she says.
However, Dr. Del Campo says hair-growth shampoos can help with overall scalp health and “address the skin health issues to optimize it for best potential growth.” He gives the analogy of the head being like a forest, where your hair is the trees and your skin is the soil. “If the forest is on fire, it doesn’t matter what you are trying to do to promote more tree growth," he says. "First, treat the actual fire by turning off any inflammation to make sure the soil is the best it can be.” A hair-growth shampoo can help “calm things down” and “set the stage” for—hopefully—more regrowth, he explains.
What causes hair loss?
Factors like age, genetics, hormones, medical conditions, and stress can all contribute, says Dr. Green. As we grow older, “our hair follicles’ size decreases, leading to thinner, shorter hairs,” she explains. “This natural aging process can be exacerbated by genetics, as patients can be genetically more prone to thinning and hair-follicle miniaturization.”
Hormonal changes, such as those that happen during pregnancy, postpartum, or menopause, can also play a role, and so can medical conditions, like thyroid and autoimmune disorders. Moreover, chronic stress can be to blame, as it can “trigger an immune response that attacks and damages hair follicles, causing hair loss,” Dr. Green says.
Metabolic problems, such as iron deficiency anemia (a condition whereby you don’t have enough iron in your body), are also issues. “Hair is just a protein, but it’s the least important protein your body produces,” Dr. Davis says. So if your body doesn’t have all the vitamins and amino acid ingredients it needs to create proteins, then hair “is the first thing your body will skimp on.”
What are other hair-loss treatments?
For the most bang for your buck, consider a minoxidil 5% solution, Dr. Daveluy says: “Minoxidil has the best evidence of any over-the-counter hair-loss product.” Originally developed as a medication to lower blood pressure, minoxidil helps your blood vessels relax. “We aren’t 100% sure how it helps hair growth, but we believe it relaxes the blood vessels in the scalp, which allows more blood flow to reach the hairs and nourish their growth,” he says.
You can also try certain prescription medications that either block dihydrotestosterone (or DHT, a hormone that can increase hair-follicle miniaturization) or decrease androgen production. These include propecia, dutasteride, and spironolactone, says Dr. Green.
Pricier potential solutions for hair loss include laser treatments, which can help regrow hair, as well as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatments, which involve a doctor drawing your blood, spinning it down, extracting the platelets, and injecting them into your scalp to help stimulate growth, Dr. Davis says.
“PRP injections require minimal downtime and are incredibly safe, as the PRP is taken from the patient’s own blood supply,” says Dr. Green. “Typically, an initial series of treatments is recommended, followed by regular maintenance sessions, to achieve the best restoration results.”
Meet our experts
- Joyce Davis, MD, board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon in NYC
- Michele Green, MD, board-certified cosmetic dermatologist in NYC
- Rahi Sarbaziha, MD, double board-certified integrative aesthetics doctor in Beverly Hills, California
- Danilo Del Campo, MD, board-certified dermatologist and partner at the Chicago Skin Clinic
- Melanie Palm, MD, board-certified dermatologist at Art of Skin in Solana Beach, California
- Steve Daveluy, MD, associate professor and program director of dermatology at Wayne State University in Detroit
- Brooke Jeffy, MD, board-certified dermatologist in Scottsdale, Arizona
- Candace Spann, MD, board-certified dermatologist and hair-loss specialist in Las Vegas
- Elizabeth Geddes-Bruce, MD, board-certified dermatologist at Westlake Dermatology in Austin, Texas
- Jalia Pettis, hairstylist and makeup artist based in Phoenix
Best Overall: Vegamour Hydr-8 Shampoo
- Courtesy of brand
- Original photo from Candice Cameron testing Vegamour Hydr-8 Shampoo
- Original photo from Brigitt Earley testing Vegamour Hydr-8 Shampoo
1/10Vegamour Hydr-8 Shampoo
This shampoo’s ingredients include a vegan keratin protein (called karmatin) that bonds with your hair strands to help strengthen them and prevent further hair loss and encourage healthy hair growth, says Rahi Sarbaziha, MD, a double board-certified integrative aesthetics doctor in Beverly Hills, noting it’s a great shampoo for postpartum hair loss—especially when paired with the company’s conditioner.
“I suffered a huge amount of hair loss because of stress and also damage from years of coloring it, and Vegamour’s Hydr8 shampoo completely transformed my natural hair,” says Glamour reviewer Candice Cameron. “I haven’t been losing my hair like I once did. I naturally have fine hair, but it looks the best it’s looked in a long time.”
- What we love: Hydrating; effectively thickens
- What could improve: Strong scent is polarizing
- Hair type: Best for all hair types, especially dry and damaged
- Key ingredients: Karmatin, aloe vera, magnolia bark
- Scent: Lightly floral (geranium, jasmine, vanilla)
- Safe for color-treated hair: Yes
- Size: 8 ounces
Best for Hydrating: Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo
- Original photo from Brigitt Earley testing Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo
2/10Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo
Olaplex’s products are cult favorites for hair hydration, fullness, and shine, and multiple Glamour editors praise No. 4 for their own hair transformations. The shampoo is safe for all hair types, too, says celebrity hair colorist Bianca Hillier. Its formulation gently removes buildup while resisting dryness, she says.
“I’ll be honest, as a Black woman, I didn’t think Olaplex would work for my hair,” says Glamour reviewer Francesca Simmons. “But I decided to dye and bleach my hair last summer, and the Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo has been my saving grace. I’ve been using it consistently for nearly a year now, and my hair isn’t only thicker and longer, it’s honestly stronger than it was precolor, which is pretty wild.”
- What we love: Hydrating; shine-boosting; safe for color-treated hair
- What could improve: Some users with fine hair say it’s too heavy
- Hair type: Best for all hair types
- Key ingredients: Coconut oil, glycerin
- Scent: Lightly floral
- Safe for color-treated hair: Yes
- Size: 8.5 ounces
Best for Dandruff: Head & Shoulders Bare Dandruff Shampoo
- Courtesy of brand
- Original photo from Brigitt Earley testing Head & Shoulders Bare Soothing Hydration Silicone-Free Dandruff Shampoo
3/10Head & Shoulders Bare Dandruff Shampoo
Dandruff can actually lead to thinning hair, and if this problem plagues you, dandruff shampoos like this one with zinc pyrithione (ZPT) in them can help, says Brooke Jeffy, MD, a board-certified dermatologist. The ingredient prevents the growth of yeast and kills bacteria that can lead to a itchy, flaky scalp.
Head & Shoulders’ shampoo is also free of parabens and phthalates, two preservatives known to interfere with your endocrine system, Dr. Del Campo explains. “There’s a concern [these ingredients] might do more harm than actual good,” he says, which is why he recommends shampoos made without them. Formulated with just nine ingredients and dermatologically accredited by the Skin Health Alliance (an organization that independently reviews products for safety and efficacy), this product “does promote some new growth,” Dr. Del Campo says. For optimal results, use at least twice a week, per the brand.
- What we love: Widely available and affordable; also improves symptoms of dandruff; great scent
- What could improve: Not fragrance-free
- Hair type: Best for all hair types
- Key ingredients: Zinc pyrithione
- Scent: Aloe, orchid
- Safe for color-treated hair: Yes
- Size: 13.5 ounces
Best for Split Ends: Davines OI Shampoo
- Courtesy of brand
- Original photo from Loreen Hwang testing Davines OI Shampoo
- Original photo from Brigitt Earley testing Davines OI Shampoo
4/10Davines OI Shampoo
Davines’s formula includes beta-carotene, which is known to boost production of progesterone, a hormone that declines with age and contributes to hair loss. This fine-hair-friendly shampoo is lightweight enough even for the thinnest of strands, adding volume but not weight.
Our tester praised the way Davines’s shampoo softened her hair and left it feeling silky and clean. “After I started dying my hair and styling with hot tools consistently, I noticed a lot of breakage with my typically long, thick, mermaid hair,” says Glamour reviewer Loreen Hwang, who says she noticed significant improvement using Davines OI Shampoo for three months. “It has a milky consistency that doesn’t dry out my hair after repeated use (the way other shampoos do), but it still leaves everything feeling really clean. I don’t need to apply a lot of conditioner after using it, either.”
- What we love: Natural ingredients; a little goes a long way; shine-boosting
- What could improve: Some users complain the smell is chemical-y
- Hair type: Best for all hair types, especially fine hair
- Key ingredients: Natural oils, glycerin, beta-carotene
- Scent: Floral
- Safe for color-treated hair: Yes
- Size: 9.46 ounces
Best Shampoo & Conditioner Set: Pura D’or Anti-Thinning Advanced Therapy Biotin Shampoo & Conditioner
- Courtesy of brand
- Original photo from Brigitt Earley testing Pura D’or Anti-Thinning Advanced Therapy Biotin Shampoo & Conditioner Set
5/10Pura D’or Anti-Thinning Advanced Therapy Biotin Shampoo & Conditioner Set
If you’re looking to double down on your hair-growth efforts, Dr. Del Campo says he often recommends this widely available brand to patients since it incorporates ingredients like biotin as well as saw palmetto, which is a “natural plant extract that may potentially slow hair loss,” he says. It also contains antioxidants like rosemary oil, which is good for calming an irritated scalp. Just note: Both the shampoo and conditioner are formulated at 1.5x strength, so use a very small amount to start.
- What we love: Sulfate-free; safe for color-treated hair; also addresses symptoms associated with dandruff
- What could improve: Some users complain about the scent.
- Hair type: Best for thin, fine hair
- Key ingredients: Biotin, rosemary oil, saw palmetto, niacin
- Scent: Natural scent
- Safe for color-treated hair: Yes
- Size: 16 ounces
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Best for Colored Hair: L’Oréal Professionnel Absolut Repair Molecular Shampoo
- Original photo from Brigitt Earley testing L'Oreal Professionnel Absolut Repair Molecular Shampoo
6/10L'Oreal Professionnel Absolut Repair Molecular Shampoo
Jalia Pettis, a hairstylist and makeup artist based in Phoenix, started using this color-safe product on clients about a year ago and has “quickly fallen in love with it.” Besides smelling really good (it has an earthy, perfume undertone, she says), it contains a peptides bonder and amino acids that repair the molecular structure of the hair, restoring its strength and elasticity, she explains.
While this strengthening shampoo is safe for all hair types, it’s best for those with extremely brittle or damaged hair. I myself test out a lot of hair tools, and it's done a number on my long, medium-textured hair. After a month of testing, I found this shampoo helped with hair density overall, but was particularly useful for split ends caused by excess heat styling.
- What we love: Lathers well; a little goes a long way; hydrating
- What could improve: Pricey
- Hair type: Best for extremely dry, damaged hair
- Key ingredients: Peptides
- Smells like: Vanilla, floral
- Safe for color-treated hair: Yes
- Size: 16.9 ounces
Best for Scalp Health: Nizoral Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
- Courtesy of brand
- Original photo from Jenifer Calle testing Nizoral Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
7/10Nizoral Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
The hero ingredient in this Nizoral shampoo is ketoconazole, an antifungal medication that reduces the overgrowth of that yeast that causes dandruff. But studies have shown that this ingredient can also block the effects of an enzyme that converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone that attacks the hair follicle and can lead to androgentic alopecia (also known as male- and female-pattern hair loss,” says Brooke Jeffy, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Scottsdale, Arizona, who specializes in hair loss and skin care.
“Nizoral has been the only product that’s actually helped my flaky scalp,” says Glamour senior commerce editor Jenifer Calle, who has been using the product for almost a year. “It lathers really well, which is nice because I feel like my hair is actually getting cleaned,” she says. “I wash my hair with it once a week, and make sure to add scalp serum afterward to fight any stripping.”
- What we love: Lathers easily; cooling sensation; fresh scent
- What could improve: Can be drying
- Hair type: All hair types
- Key ingredients: Ketoconazole
- Smells like: Mint
- Safe for color-treated hair: Yes
- Size: 7 ounces
Best for Curly Hair: Nécessaire Rosemary Shampoo
- Courtesy of brand
- Original photo from Jade Brito testing Necessaire Rosemary Shampoo
8/10Nécessaire Rosemary Shampoo
Rosemary shampoo helps reduce shedding and promote thicker, full hair, because it helps DHT and stimulate blood flow to the scalp, says Candace Spann, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and hair-loss specialist in Las Vegas. In addition to rosemary oil, this formula also contains plant proteins that strengthen the hair (leading to less breakage—something that can make your hair appear thinner) and hydrating ceramides.
“Though not specifically marketed for curly hair, this shampoo has really enhanced the volume and texture of my curls,” says Glamour contributor Jade Brito, who likes the shampoo’s refreshing gel-like consistency and scent. “The mix of rosemary, mandarin, jasmine, and cedarwood almost creates a spa-like experience as I’m in the shower,” she says. “This shampoo addresses thinning and color-safety concerns. My curls feel clean, hydrated, and bouncier.”
- What we love: Great scent; soothing sensation; defines and defrizzes curls
- What could improve: Can be drying if used frequently
- Hair type: All hair types
- Key ingredients: Rosemary oil, peptide plant proteins, ceramides
- Smells like: Rosemary, mandarin, jasmine, cedar
- Safe for color-treated hair: Yes
- Size: 8.4 ounces
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Best Budget: V&Co. Thickening Shampoo
- Courtesy of brand
- Original photo from Gianna Cesa testing V&Co. Thickening Shampoo
9/10V&Co. Thickening Shampoo
This thickening shampoo contains biotin, which supports keratin amino acid production (the protein found in hair) to improve both volume and density over time. It also contains peptides and coconut oil to hydrate and strengthen, ultimately decreasing brittleness and breakage, says Elizabeth Geddes-Bruce, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Westlake Dermatology in Austin.
“The V&Co. peptide-infused shampoos and conditioners are super lightweight, so they don’t weigh down my hair, and over time I’ve noticed a ton of volume and growth,” says Glamour reviewer Gianna Cesa. She also likes the under-$10 price tag of the shampoo and of its matcing conditioner—especially considering how soft they make her hair feel. “They’re both great at keeping my hair hydrated and healthy,” she says.
- What we love: Adds volume and thickens; great for oily hair; affordable
- What could improve: Scent is polarizing
- Hair type: All hair types
- Key ingredients: Biotin, coconut oil, peptides
- Smells like: Floral, tropical
- Safe for color-treated hair: Yes
- Size: 12 ounces
Best for Fine Hair: Kérastase Densifique Thickening Shampoo for Thinning Hair
- Courtesy of brand
- Original photo from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Kerastase Densifique Thickening Shampoo for Thinning Hair
10/10Kérastase Densifique Thickening Shampoo for Thinning Hair
This shampoo is rich in hyaluronic acid, an ingredient that amps up hydration and helps with overall scalp health, says board-certified dermatologist Melanie Palm, MD. Meanwhile, gluco-peptides help repair hair and improve density.
After a little under a year of use, our tester says she saw significant changes in the volume and thickness of her fine, thinning hair. “This thickening shampoo was one of my holy grails during a period of time where my hair was thinning around the crown of my head,” says Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary. “After about three weeks, I did see some fullness in areas that once looked sparse, and I also found my hair to generally be smoother, bouncier, and softer.”
- What we love: A little goes a long way; lathers well; shine-boosting
- What could improve: Pricey
- Hair type: Best for all hair types
- Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, gluco-peptides, ceramides
- Scent: Clean, fresh
- Safe for color-treated hair: Yes
- Size: 8.5 ounces
