The simply answer is yes and no. It is not a primary solution for controlling hair loss. Hair loss shampoos will work on initial hair loss but if you are hoping for it solve severe hair loss concerns, that is a hope that will leave you disappointed. That said, hair loss shampoos are an extremely useful and necessary aspect of the hair loss treatment process.
Hair loss will always be the worst nightmare for both men and women. Hair loss in women rarely leads towards complete baldness, but a little bit of hair loss can also unbearable.
The most common type of hair loss in both men and women is androgenic alopecia. Androgenic alopecia is also known as pattern baldness or pattern hair loss. People of all ages can get affected by this.
Genetics play an important role in this type of hair fall alongside diet, stress, and age.
How effective are hair loss shampoos?
The effectiveness of a hair loss shampoo depends on the type and stage of hair loss you are having. There are no miracle shampoos available on the market which will grow your hair back completely.
If you are totally bald, you would be asking for a miracle, if you think this would work. It is impossible to have hair on a completely bald scalp, with the help of a hair loss shampoo.
Hair loss shampoos help in treating hair loss in earlier stages. If you’re almost bald, then you should look into a more aggressive treatment for slowing or curing the balding.
Using a shampoo with the name, “hair growth” shampoo, it not enough to determine efficacy as it depends on the ingredients used. Most companies today sell their products in this way, by simply having hair loss shampoo in the name. This can cause harm to the consumer instead of being cure.
There are two types of hair growth shampoos available, prescriptive and non-prescriptive. In general, they have the same ingredients but with different dosages of the main/active ingredient.
Helpful Ingredients
Generally, the major factor which plays an important role in making the best hair loss shampoo, are ingredients. Some of the important hair loss shampoo ingredients are listed below.
- Ketoconazole
Ketoconazole is an active ingredient many hair loss shampoos. It is designed to treat the fungal infection affecting the scalp. It is used for controlling dandruff, skin rash and of course hair fall.
The biggest advantages of Ketoconazole are that it stops the process of conversion from testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the hormone that inhibits hair growth. Ketoconazole, works on the same receptors that are responsible for male patterned hair loss.
- Salicylic Acid
Salicylic Acid is a naturally occurring substance, which is used to reduce the level of sebum in your scalp. It does not play an active role in stopping DHT that blocks hair loss, however, it prevents DHT from building up over time. As far as sebum is concerned, it is a substance produced by the skin. Sebum is a waxy and oily substance, which can contain a large amount of DHT. By reducing the amount of sebum, it will definately reduce the amount of DHT in the scalp.
- Caffeine
According to studies, caffeine tries to block the suppression of hair follicle production by testosterone. Caffeine helps in increasing the length of hair shafts, prolong the active growth phase of the hair follicle and stimulate keratinocyte growth. Now, let’s be clear. Excessive drinking of coffee will not help in bring your hair back on the scalp.
- Biotin
Biotin plays an important role in growing hair back. It also makes hair healthier, thicker and stronger. Although it does not produce new hair, it helps you to grow new hair much quicker. Using biotin along side Minoxidil and Ketoconazole, will help to regrow hair faster. It is also available in oral medication, like our Advanced Essentials Bitoin Supplement, to boost the biotin level in the body for the prevention of further hair loss.
- Niacin
Niacin or otherwised called, Vitamin B3 or nicotinic acid, is commonly found in every hair loss shampoo. Niacin does not block DHT, it will not help you keep hairline in its place or prevent thinning of the hair. However, it has the potential to grow new hair with very quickly and it also helps to make hair thicker and stronger, alongside with Minoxidil and Ketoconzole.
Harmful Hair Loss Shampoo Ingredients
Some of the common and most used ingredients are given below which can make a problem for hair.
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
Sodium lauryl sulfate creates problems for hair follicles. It has toxic effects on the human body. Sodium lauryl sulfate, can fade hair color and strip your strands of natural oils, dry hair should definitely avoid it.
This sulfate creates lathering foam, some people love to play with that but it’s not good for your hair.
- Parabens
Parabens are used to prevent the growing number of bacteria in shampoos and cosmetics. Parabens have been linked to increasing the growth of cells which cause breast cancer.
- Sodium Chloride
Sodium chloride is also known as salt, which we mostly used in cooking. Companies also use sodium chloride in shampoos and conditioners to make them thicker, but it is already been proven that salt makes sensitive scalps dry and itchy, which will eventually lead to hair loss.
- Fragrances and Colors
Most of the companies who use fragrance and color in their shampoo, do so to make them look and smell great. When you see ingredients like these on labels, keep in mind it contains thousands of hidden chemicals. Some of the ingredients are very harmful, not only for your hair but also for your general health. Some ingredients in fragranced cosmetic products are even linked to issues with the reproductive system, asthma and cancer.
- Dimethicone
Dimethicone acts as a protective layer on the surface of the hair, it stops the nutrients and moisture from coming in. It also blocks the pores on the scalp and can cause skin irritation. Companies use dimethicone in their shampoo to make your hair appear more greasy or more moisturize.
The fact is, that yes, there are many hair loss shampoos on the market who falsely advertise the benefits of their products. But for every bad shampoo out there, there are also good ones, like our Doctor Recommended Hair and Scalp treatment and our Nourishing Treatment Shampoo. Regrowth Club shampoos are free of harsh chemicals and ingredients like parabens and sulfates and contain restorative ingredients like Ketoconazole, Niacin, Biotin just to name a few.
Ready to try the real deal in hair loss shampoo? Order through Regrowth Club today and start seeing the benefits of a high efficacy, high quality ingredient, hair loss shampoo.