Overview

Hair loss or alopecia is a common concern millions face worldwide regardless of age and gender. You can develop hair loss due to various reasons, such as genetics, hormonal changes, medical conditions, and lifestyle choices. Many people do not know the exact underlying cause of their hair loss and may try different hair care products to improve the health of their hair and prevent further hair loss. In this article, we explore the effectiveness of shampoos in reversing hair loss.¹

What is hair loss?

During the normal hair growth cycle, every individual loses some hair. In the normal course of hair loss, the growth and fall of hairs are averaged between 50 and 100 hairs daily, which is usually unnoticeable.

Every individual loses some hair every day as part of a normal hair growth cycle. 

Whereas, people experiencing hair loss lose more hair than usual and the regrowth of the shedding hair is slow and often grows back very thin. If you have alopecia (the medical term for hair loss), you may experience different types of hair loss.¹

Hair loss can be due to various causes and can happen quickly or slowly, depending on the cause. 

Causes of hair loss

• Genetics
• Hormonal imbalances
• Stress
• Poor diet
• Vitamin and mineral deficiencies 
• Hair growth disorders
• Cosmetic factors (e.g. use of harsh hair care products)

What does shampoo do to your hair?

Shampoos are essential hair care products that primarily act as cleansing agents by removing dirt, oil, and sweat. They also clean the scalp and hair from chemical build-up.²

Other benefits 

• Shampoos prevent hair shaft damage
• Many shampoos have different active ingredients that specifically help to treat dermatitis, seborrhoea (seborrhoeic dermatitis), alopecia, and psoriasis
• Shampoos contain conditioning agents that provide shine, softness, and reduce tangles^1,2

Drawbacks of harsh shampoos

• It can strip the hair of its natural oils, leading to dryness and frizziness
• It can damage the hair shaft, manifesting brittleness and breakage
• It can irritate the scalp, causing dryness, itching, and sensitivity^1,2

Risk of allergic reaction due to shampoos

Shampoos can cause contact dermatitis in some individuals due to the presence of certain ingredients.² 

These ingredients include:

• Cocamidopropyl betaine
• Methylchloroisothiazolinone
• Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives
• Propylene glycol
• Vitamin E (tocopherol)
• Parabens
• Benzophenones

People with contact dermatitis may experience:³

• Allergic reactions
• Redness
• Itching
• Further hair loss 

How shampoos claim to reverse hair loss

Some of the shampoos in the market claim to help with hair loss. The common claims made by these products are:

• Stimulating hair growth: they claim to help your hair grow by stimulating the hair follicles
• Strengthening hair: The companies claim to strengthen your hair
• Improving scalp health: some shampoos claim to focus on keeping your scalp healthy, as is important for promoting hair growth

Just keep in mind that not all shampoos may stand on these promises, so it's always good to do some research before making a decision.

Seek out products that incorporate beneficial ingredients

Understanding the beneficial ingredients in shampoo is important as it helps to choose the right product. Certain ingredients help in the growth of healthy hair which also provides clean, soft, shiny hair.

Beneficial ingredients help promote thick hair strands and stimulate the regrowth of new hair follicles. Its active ingredients work to strengthen existing hair while encouraging the growth of new healthier strands.⁵

Essential ingredients

• Argan oil
• Keratin
• Rosemary oil
• Biotin
• Tea tree Oil
• Aloe vera
• Coconut oil
• Chamomile
• Peppermint oil
• Vitamin E
• Jojoba oil

Ingredients to avoid

• Sulfates sodium laureth sulfate
• Parabens 
• Formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing agents 
• Phthalates
• Synthetic fragrances and colours
• Triclosan
• Polyethylene glycols
• Alcohol 
• Silicones
• Quaternium-15
• DEA, MEA, and TEA (Diethanolamine, Monoethanolamine, Triethanolamine)

Effect of nutritional deficiency on hair loss

Hair growth is affected by nutritional and micro-nutrition deficiency, which significantly impacts both hair structure and growth, eventually leading to hair loss.⁶

Here are some important nutritional deficiencies that can cause hair loss:

• Acute telogen effluvium: sudden weight loss or decreased protein intake which causes hair loss
• Iron deficiency
• Protein malnutrition 
• Vitamin B deficiency
• Vitamin D deficiency
• Biotin (vitamin B7) deficiency 
• Vitamin A deficiency
• Vitamin E deficiency
• Vitamin C deficiency (scurvy)
• Folic Acid (vitamin B9) deficiency
• Omega-3 fatty acids deficiency
• Zinc deficiency

Steps to prevent hair loss

Preventing hair loss requires a combination of proper hair care, nutrition and lifestyle choices that can help prevent hair loss and maintain healthy hair.⁷

• A healthy diet, rich in essential micro and macronutrients, can significantly impact hair health
• Use gentle hair care products, hair care products have harsh chemicals and sulfates that can cause severe damage to the scalp and hair, hence using products which are free from chemicals and sulfates can help in maintaining healthy hair
• Avoid excessive heat and chemical treatments like hair dryers, and straighteners as excessive heat can cause hair damage and cause breakage
• Stress can also contribute to hair loss. Practising a routine like yoga, exercise, and meditation can help reduce the stress level which will have an overall positive impact on health and also reduce hair loss
• Be gentle with your hair, by combing it every day and keeping it tangle-free

Treatment for hair loss

Various hair types may require specific care to stay healthy and promote growth. Several factors can increase your risk of hair damage. These may include:

• External factors (e.g. exposure to the sun and smoking)
• Dietary factors (e.g. low intake of essential fatty acids and vitamins)
• Chemical factors (e.g. harsh chemicals applied to the hair and scalp)

A particular type of chemicals found in many shampoos, such as antibiotic cell factors and preservatives can negatively affect various aspects of hair health.^7,8

Different treatment plans may include:

• Medications: minoxidil, finasteride, spironolactone
• Hair transplantation surgery: follicular unit transplantation or follicular unit extraction
• Laser therapy: low-level laser therapy
• Platelet-rich plasma
• Dietary changes and supplements

FAQs

Can shampoo reverse balding?

No shampoo can entirely prevent hair loss by itself especially if the underlying reason is genetic.

Does DHT-blocking shampoos really work?

There is no substantial evidence to indicate that DHT-blocking shampoos are highly effective. Nevertheless, the ingredients present in a DHT inhibitor shampoo may be sufficient to promote some hair growth gradually.

Should I wash my hair if it is thinning?

Cleaning your thinning hair would not automatically mean more of it will end up in the drain. Certain shampoos can make it stronger. Steer clear of products that contain strong detergents.

How often should I shampoo if I have hair loss?

The frequency of shampooing hair during hair loss differs for each person, but keeping the scalp clean is usually recommended. Washing your hair every 2 to 3 days can be a beneficial guideline.

Does new hair grow every day?

The typical hair strand grows at an average pace of approximately 0.3 to 0.4 mm daily. Therefore, in a week, it can grow up to one-tenth of an inch or slightly more. However, the growth differs from one person to another.

Summary

Although shampoos on their own are not effective in reversing hair loss, a combination of treatments can help in the regrowth of your hair. You can also prevent hair loss by adopting a healthy lifestyle, this may involve eating a healthier, balanced diet, ensuring proper water intake, and taking dietary supplements. In addition to that, the use of oils and serums would be beneficial as it helps in reducing major damage to the scalps. Some studies have also found that minoxidil and finasteride may help prevent and reverse hair loss. Timely consultation with the healthcare professional can provide valuable insight into the underlying causes of hair loss and assist you in developing an effective treatment plan.