Thinning hair isn’t the end of the world — these 12 shampoos can help.
There’s a lot of confusion out there when it comes to thinning male hair.
That’s partially because male hair loss is extremely common thanks to androgenetic alopecia, otherwise known as male pattern baldness (MBP).
According to the American Hair Loss Association, MBP is responsible for 95% of hair loss in men. It can also show up early in life — about 25% of guys with MBP begin losing hair before the age of twenty-one.
However, there are other reasons for hair loss that can be trickier to identify. Using harsh products, not getting enough nutrients, and experiencing high levels of stress can all contribute to hair loss.
One way to easily prevent avoidable hair loss is by using the right shampoo.
It’s not that the right shampoo will be able to fix everything — it’s that using the wrong shampoo can worsen hair loss.
Shampoos with abrasive ingredients like sulfates, parabens, phthalates, and alcohol can damage hair and exacerbate thinness. It’s vital to choose a shampoo that nourishes your hair and works for your hair type.
While no product can magically reverse hair loss, the right shampoo will help ensure your hair’s as healthy as possible.
Most guys with thinning hair will benefit from a thickening or volumizing shampoo. This type of shampoo won’t stop MBP, but it will give the appearance of fuller hair.
However, if you’re experiencing severe hair thinning, you’ll want to look for a shampoo with ingredients that encourage hair thickness and growth. Compounds like biotin, pumpkin seed oil, vitamins, and saw palmetto may help promote growth and slow MBP.
Keep in mind that shampoo should be just one part of a bigger strategy for managing hair loss. For best results, consult your doctor to check for underlying conditions before choosing specialized products.
But if you’ve ruled out everything else and are just looking for a shampoo to help you get the most out of your thinning hair, read on for my top picks.
Quick Take
Here are our recommendations from the list:
This anti-thinning shampoo from PURA D’OR protects against thinning while gently rejuvenating the hair.
The Mint Thickening Shampoo, enriched with peppermint oil, honey, menthol, and tea tree oil, calms the scalp, promotes hair growth, and has a delightful aroma.
Maximize thickness with this shampoo infused with vegetable proteins and kelp extract. It features the brand's Bleu Molecule Complex, a blend of performance ingredients to heal and rejuvenate hair.
Read on for more info and the complete list…
The 12 Best Shampoos for Men With Thinning Hair
Here are a dozen of the best shampoos for thinning male hair you can pick up right now. There’s something for everyone here, from volumizing shampoos to products formulated for hair growth.
Hims Thick Fix Thickening Shampoo
The award-winning Thick Fix Thickening Shampoo from men’s health brand Hims pulls double duty by making hair look fuller and encouraging new growth.
Hims teamed up with dermatologists with hair loss expertise to create this squeaky-clean shampoo. It’s made with saw palmetto, which may help prevent a hormone that can contribute to hair loss.
This vegan shampoo is free of sulfates, parabens, silicones, and phthalates, so it’ll go easy on your scalp while stimulating healthy hair growth. The pleasant eucalyptus scent is just the cherry on top.
PURA D’OR Original Gold Label Anti-Thinning Biotin Shampoo
Packed with 17 key ingredients that nourish hair, PURA D’OR’s Original Gold Label Anti-Thinning Biotin Shampoo has a lot going for it.
According to PURA D’OR, the shampoo’s formula “decreases thinning and promotes thickness by reducing breakage.” (It also provides a nice boost in volume.)
This shampoo has every ingredient connected to hair loss prevention. Active ingredients like biotin, pumpkin seed, saw palmetto, and vitamin E oil help strengthen the hair and resist breakage.
Because of its gentle yet effective herbal formula, this product is good for damaged, frizzy, and dyed hair.
Jack Black True Volume Thickening Shampoo
For tried-and-true men’s grooming essentials, Jack Black is a fantastic choice. The brand’s True Volume Thickening Shampoo features a “bodybuilding blend of botanicals” that thickens the hair.
Alongside the ingredients you’d expect from a natural shampoo, there’s creatine, wheat protein, and white lupine protein. While this shampoo won’t help your hair bench more, it will strengthen your strands and soothe your scalp.
Paul Mitchell Scalp Care Regeniplex Shampoo
Paul Mitchell has been making salon-quality hair products since 1980 — in other words, this brand knows how to make a good shampoo. And that’s exactly what the Scalp Care Regeniplex Shampoo is.
With an exotic ingredient list including Kakadu plum, clover, and turmeric, Scalp Care Regeniplex offers something different from other shampoos. But the purpose of these ingredients is the same: to help the hair look and feel fuller.
This shampoo is vegan, color-safe, and paraben-free. (It’s also free of sulfates except sodium sulfate).
Keeps Thickening Shampoo
You’ve probably heard of Keeps before if you have at least one social media account. As its name suggests, the brand was founded to help men keep more hair on their heads.
Keeps’s Thickening Shampoo was designed by hair loss experts to cleanse the hair follicles and thicken strands, which increases fullness. Key ingredients include biotin, caffeine, green tea, and saw palmetto.
Between its science-backed formula and subtle scent, this shampoo is a nice option.
R+Co Bleu Ingenious Thickening Shampoo
R+Co created its Bleu product line to take a more sustainable approach to luxury hair care.
This premium collection includes the Ingenious Thickening Shampoo, which uses vegetable proteins and kelp extract for maximum thickness. This shampoo contains the brand’s Bleu Molecule Complex which is a combination of performance ingredients that aims to heal and restore hair.
Vegan and paraben-free, the Ingenious Thickening Shampoo is a good choice if you want to invest in a higher-end thickening option — and help the environment a little at the same time.
Living Proof Full Shampoo
Thinning hair isn’t the same as thin hair, but it’s possible to have both. And increasing thickness and fullness can be a real pain if you do.
That’s the problem Living Proof’s Full Shampoo was designed to solve. The formula helps thin and flat hair behave more like thick and full hair by targeting buildup and adding volume.
It’s free from parabens, silicones, and phthalates, and it’s also vegan and color safe.
Patricks SH1 Daily Thickening Shampoo
If you’re after a clinically proven product that tackles both thinness and hair loss, Patricks SH1 Daily Thickening Shampoo should be on your radar.
Featuring ingredients like clary, rosemary, coffee, and clover, SH1 aims to increase hair density and fullness. It’s specifically formulated for men in the beginning stages of hair loss and experiencing mild to moderate loss.
As a nice touch, SH1 has vetiver and Baltic amber cologne for a pleasant woodsy aroma.
Kérastase Bain De Masse Epaississant Shampoo
Thankfully, you don’t need to speak French to understand the benefits of the Bain De Masse Epaississant Shampoo from the Parisian brand Kérastase.
This thickening shampoo uses creatine and ginger root to fortify hair strands and protect against damage. The salon-level formula focuses on removing impurities and providing volume.
Paraben- and silicone-free (though not sulfate-free), Bain De Masse Epaississant is a solid choice for a thickening shampoo.
SACHAJUAN Thickening Shampoo
If you want to invest in your hair, go for the Thickening Shampoo from SACHAJUAN.
This is undoubtedly a premium product with a premium price tag. Still, it’s for a good reason — the expertly designed formula uses what SACHAJUAN calls Ocean Silk Technology, which uses algae to strengthen and nourish hair.
The Thickening Shampoo also offers heat and UV protection, and it’s vegan and paraben-free.
Bumble and Bumble Thickening Volume Shampoo
For a shampoo that focuses on adding volume to thinning hair, consider the Thickening Volume Shampoo from Bumble and Bumble.
This shampoo formula provides volume while hydrating and softening hair. And since it’s a lightweight formula, it won’t clog up your scalp.
The Thickening Volume shampoo is an especially good choice if you have fine hair and want to inject some substantial thickness to counteract mild hair loss.
GO24·7 Mint Thickening Shampoo
After an affordable way to add thickness to your hair? Check out the Mint Thickening Shampoo from GO24·7.
Made with peppermint oil, honey, menthol, and tea tree oil, the Mint Thickening Shampoo soothes the scalp and stimulates hair growth. (Plus, it smells fantastic.)
While it is sulfate-free, this shampoo doesn’t have the most natural formula, so it may not be the best choice for guys with sensitive skin. If sensitivity isn’t an issue for you, the Mint Thickening Shampoo should do the trick.
Thinning Hair FAQ
Need some quick answers to your questions about thinning hair? We’ve got you. Here are a few frequently asked questions about thinning hair for men.
How can men reduce thinning hair?
The best way to reduce thinning hair depends on the underlying cause. Consider treatment options like minoxidil and finasteride if you have male pattern baldness. A thickening shampoo alone or as part of a treatment program can also help mitigate hair loss.
Does shampoo for thinning hair actually work?
While shampoo can’t reverse or counteract hair loss, it can help promote hair growth and ensure your hair is healthy. Male pattern baldness and hair loss can be especially bad with unhealthy hair, so using a good shampoo is crucial.
Do hair transplants work?
Hair transplants for men are usually successful, but they’re costly. The average price is around $10,000, so unless you’ve got a trust fund-collecting dust, you’re better off seeking other options like topical treatments.
What’s the best shampoo for male pattern baldness?
To fight male pattern baldness, use an anti-hair loss shampoo to encourage hair growth and stimulate the strands and follicles. Look out for key ingredients like biotin, saw palmetto, and pumpkin seed oil.
Take Action: Use the Right Shampoo for Your Hair
These shampoos for thinning men’s hair can go a long way toward reviving your mane.
For most men, a certain level of hair loss is normal, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do anything about it.
Anti-hair loss technology has made great strides in the last few decades, and the products available today are more effective than the options you had just fifteen years ago.
Depending on the level of severity you’re experiencing, you may want to consult a doctor. A doctor can help you to find out what you can do to combat thinning hair and discover what might be causing the issue.
Hair-thickening shampoos won’t fix the problem, but they certainly won’t hurt. Make sure you pick one that works for your hair and skin type, and you’ll be good to go.
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