9 Best shampoos to prevent hair loss in 2023
Looking for something to combat hair loss? See our top pick that has reviewers claiming they will “never use any other shampoo again”.
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While every shampoo ad might feature models flicking around full heads of luscious and healthy hair, the reality is that about 50 per cent of men and 36 per cent of women in Australia suffer from hair loss or thinning.
Whether caused by hormones, scalp irritation, or other causes, there are fortunately a number of highly-rated shampoos and treatments readily available for those wanting to thicken their hair, slow thinning, or prevent hair loss.
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OUR TOP PICKS
In this article
BEST SHAMPOO FOR HAIR LOSS: EDITOR’S PICK
KEVIN. MURPHY Plumping Wash, $50.95 at Adore Beauty
What You Need To Know
Matching conditioner: KEVIN. MURPHY Plumping Rinse, Adore Beauty, $51.95
According to award-winning Australian hairdresser, stylist, and creator of the iconic self-titled haircare brand, Kevin Murphy, the shampoo uses “technology from the eyelash lengthening industry … a tripeptide called Biotin GHK which removes the testosterone from the hair bulb, allowing it to grow freely”.
Free from sulfates and parabens, it thickens the hair while nourishing follicles, adding softness and shine, accelerating hair growth and preventing further loss.
One five-star reviewer wrote, “I suffer from thinning hair and this gives that extra volume … It also smells amazing, like a perfume! You also don’t need a lot so it lasts longer than you think it would”.
Another happy customer said, “I got it in a set and this wash is the best for your hair. I have colour treated and very fragile hair and this gave them a new life. Smells so good, I would never use any other shampoo again.”
BEST SHAMPOO FOR HAIR LOSS FOR MEN
Pura D’or Anti-Hair Thinning Shampoo, $41.41 at iHerb
What You Need To Know
Matching conditioner: Pura D’or Anti-Hair Thinning Conditioner, $29.90 at iHerb
The shampoo contains 17 proprietary herbal blends that includes red Korean seaweed, nettle leaf extract, biotin, he shou wu, pygeum bark extract, black cumin seed oil, saw palmetto, argan oil and amla oil.
Five star reviews praise the shampoo’s “nice and light orange smell” and while being on the expensive side, the bottle lasts a long time.
BEST CHEAP SHAMPOO FOR HAIR LOSS: UNDER $30
Avalon Organics Biotin B-Complex Thickening Shampoo, $24.35 at iHerb
What You Need To Know
Matching conditioner: Avalon Organics Biotin B-Complex Thickening Conditioner, 424.14 at iHerb
It contains organic ingredients like strengthening biotin, anti-inflammatory saw palmetto, and scalp health-boosting vitamin E for a natural therapeutic solution to thinning hair.
Five star reviews praise the “very refreshing” shampoo, with one shopper saying they “always get compliments on my thick and healthy looking hair”.
OGX Biotin Collagen Shampoo, $23 at Amazon Australia
What You Need To Know
Matching conditioner:OGX Biotin Collagen Conditioner, $23 at Amazon Australia
Infused with vitamin B7 biotin, collagen and hydrolysed wheat protein, this OGX shampoo practically pours nutrients into your hair to make it thicker, fuller and healthier.
It’s racked up close to 6000 five-star ratings on Amazon with many happy customers commenting it is “worth trying”.
“I was losing my hair quite a lot and made an appointment with a hair specialist before I discovered this shampoo,” wrote another five-star reviewers.
BEST HAIR LOSS SHAMPOO FOR COLOURED HAIR
What You Need To Know
This NIOXIN System Pack works by simultaneously creating denser-looking hair, restoring moisture, removing sebum and other residue, and improving general hair health. Those with natural, uncoloured hair can use the System 2 Duo Pack.
Reviewers praise its efficacy and value for money, with one commenting they “wouldn’t be without it now”.
BEST SHAMPOO FOR POST-PARTUM HAIR LOSS
DS Laboratories Revita Hair Growth Density Shampoo, $45.75 at Oz Hair & Beauty
What You Need To Know
Matching conditioner:DS Laboratories Revita Hair Growth Stimulating Conditioner, $206.45 at Oz Hair & Beauty (only the bigger size is currently in stock)
The DS Laboratories shampoo uses a unique combination of active ingredients designed to maintain scalp health and counteract follicle dysfunctions. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory ingredients work together to stimulate hair growth, boost moisture, improve strength, and fight the hormones that cause hair loss.
“Feels amazing on my scalp,” wrote a happy reviewer.
BEST HAIR LOSS SHAMPOO FOR OILY SCALPS
invati advanced exfoliating shampoo light, $59 at aveda
What You Need To Know
Matching conditioner: invati advanced™ thickening conditioner, $67 at Aveda
This 95 per cent naturally derived, lightweight shampoo gently exfoliates and purifiers your scalp to create the perfect foundation for thicker and fuller hair.
“I’ve tried a lot of products and this is hands down the best product I’ve used,” one satisfied reviewer said. “I’ve had a itchy and irritated scalp and this helped immensely. Worth the money! It seems so nice and my hair feels so soft and thick.”
BEST HAIR LOSS SHAMPOO FOR SHINY HAIR
Kérastase Densifique Bodifying Shampoo, $55 at Adore Beauty
What You Need To Know
Matching conditioner: Kérastase Densifique Fondant Densité Conditioner, $56.50 at Adore Beauty
This Kérastase shampoo is formulated with hyaluronic acid for hydration and plumpness, gluco-peptides to improve the hair cuticle, and ceramides to strengthen.
Reviewers say it really works, with one commenting: “From the first few uses I can definitely say it feels ‘full bodied’, disciplined and has that nice shine and soft touch you see and feel when you leave a salon.”
Virtue Labs Shampoo For Thinning Hair, $63 at Sephora
What You Need To Know
Matching conditioner: Virtue Labs Conditioner For Thinning Hair, $67 at Sephora
This shampoo is designed to remove scalp build-up to clear debris from follicle openings to help encourage healthy new hair growth.
It’s racked up an average rating of 4.6 out of five on the Sephora website, with happy Virtue Labs noting it has “changed my hair” and “works so well for thin hair”.
WHAT CAUSES HAIR LOSS?
According to Kevin Murphy, hair loss can be caused by any number of factors.
”Hair loss comes down to lots of contributing factors. Hormones, diet, stress, illness, age, all of these things can cause hair to thin so the healthier you are on the outside, the healthier your scalp and hair is going to be on the outside,” says Kevin Murphy.
But there is one cause of hair loss that seems to be the most common – and it’s from a hormone called testosterone.
“This hormone builds up in the hair bulb and dwarfs it, preventing healthy growth and disturbing the natural growth cycles of the hair.”
But, as Murphy explains, this type of hair loss is not something you have to panic over, as there’s a simple solution: “You need to stop the build-up of testosterone on the hair roots by using a tripeptide that keeps the hair in the growing phase.”
“Each individual hair has three phases: a growth phase, a resting phase and a falling phase. As we grow older these phases can lengthen or shorten over time. For example, your falling phase might be longer as you mature and if testosterone disrupts the phases by dwarfing the hair bulb (which make it harder to grow) this may seem like your hair is stuck in the falling phase for longer. This attributes to less hair in the growing phase and makes it seem like your hair is thinning.”
HOW CAN I THICKEN MY THIN HAIR?
“It’s quite easy to create the look of thicker hair,” says Kevin. “We have a hardworking thickening lotion called FULL. AGAIN that uses tiny rayon particles that adhere to the outside of the hair shaft creating density to make your hair feel thicker and fuller.”
“I’d recommend using FULL. AGAIN or a similar thickening cream on the mid-lengths and ends and use a lightweight volumising spray on the roots like our ANTI. GRAVITY SPRAY,” Kevin advises.
“These products are different and need to be applied differently. Volumisers lift the roots so they should only be applied at the roots and thickeners provide density and should only be applied to the mid-lengths and ends.”
HOW CAN I STOP MY HAIR LOSS?
If you’re struggling with serious hair loss, it’s always ideal to visit a specialist, however there are certain at-home remedies like the above mentioned shampoos and serums.
“While there are great products which can help, I’d also recommend giving a big detox and definitely focus on your scalp with our SCALP. SCRUB and SCALP. WASH,” adds Kevin.
More Coverage
“In terms of products, always look for strengthening ingredients like Amino acid, Ginger Extracts and Bamboo Extracts, we also have a hair loss treatment that has a good dose of tripeptides called BODY. MASS. As the name implies, this is BODY in a bottle. Created using eyelash thickening and lengthening technology, BODY. MASS helps strengthen the hair, while imparting a fullness and thickness that gives you beautiful body and bounce. Richly formulated with Oleanolic Acid, this leave-in plumping treatment helps fortify and strengthen at the roots to help prevent hair ageing.”
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