There are many hair loss shampoos on the market, targeted at both men and women. The sheer number of options can be overwhelming, but there are several factors that need to be considered when choosing a shampoo for hair loss.
The quality of the shampoo
All hair loss shampoos claim to be the best, but some are bound to base their claims on unsubstantiated research or even outright untruths. It’s important to read about the active ingredients in the product and the concentration of these ingredients. Some ingredients work at higher concentrations but are not as effective or entirely ineffective at lower concentrations.
The reason behind your hair loss
Depending on the cause of your alopecia, you may find certain shampoos more or less effective. While practically all shampoos will contain ingredients aimed at stimulating the follicles to produce hairs, if your hair is falling out because of genetic, hormonal or emotional reasons, it may take more than a shampoo to fix the problem. While some people may well see results from some products, others may not.
Your personal reaction to the product’s ingredients
Even those products that are said to work for most people suffering from a particular hair loss problem may not work for everyone. Giving the shampoo a chance for a duration of time and then changing to a different one can help you find the best one for you. Recommendations from family or friends are usually pretty helpful too.
Whether you are a man or a woman
Different shampoos are marketed to treat the loss of hair in men and women, but as long as the shampoo does not contain minoxidil, women can use the same shampoos as men. This is great news, as men have spent years researching and trying to find solutions for male pattern baldness (androgenic alopecia) and science has come a long way in treating many of the causes of hair thinning and baldness.
Reaching for a hair loss shampoo for men can be the best option for women experiencing thinning hair, but it’s important to read the list of ingredients and get some reviews from people who have tried the product.
Hair loss shampoos can slow down thinning hair and help prevent or reverse some types of hair loss, but it’s important to look at the overall causes of hair loss as well if you want to slow down or stop the condition for good. While some types of alopecia are hereditary or genetic, others can be reversed by a change of diet or lifestyle, as is the case in traction alopecia.
Whatever the cause, don’t expect recovery to be immediate. Hair takes times to grow and follicles take time to heal.