Wait, Do Hair-Growth Shampoos *Actually* Work? (2024)

I love this color-safe, sulfate-free clarifying shampoo formula from K18 to help get rid of the gunk and product buildup on my scalp (which, FYI, can lead to inflammation that could potentially stunt hair growth). “Clarifying your scalp and removing product buildup can go a long way toward supporting healthy hair growth,” says board-certified dermatologist Geeta Yadav, MD. It uses a mix of salicylic acid and charcoal powder to chemically and physically exfoliate dead skin and oils that are prone to clogging the scalp.

I started incorporating it into my routine once a week for the last six months, and I’ve experienced the fastest hair growth of my entire life. What was once a chin-length bob in July is now a grown-out lob—and while I’m annoyed about needing to make another haircut appointment, I’m thrilled with how healthy my hair feels. Just note that if you’re prone to dryness, you’ll want to follow with a deep conditioner to keep your ends soft and moisturized.

• Key ingredients: Salicylic acid, charcoal powder
• Sulfate free? Yes* (*but contains other strong surfactants)
• Hair type? All* (*but might be drying if used too often on dry hair)
• Size: 8.5 oz

Glowing customer review: “My hair gets very very oily, and this shampoo completely leaves my hair clean and refreshed! I use this once a week before using my K18 Leave-In Treatment, and I will say, I do notice my hair is softer on days I use this combo.”

I’ve been testing the whole Harklinikken system over the last few months to help temper some recent thinning due to stress (I exist as this 😵‍💫 emoji at all times). And the sleeper hit of my routine has been this shampoo. I visibly notice a difference in how thick and full my hair feels after I use it, prob because it’s filled with strong surfactants that help get rid of all the oil and buildup on my scalp that weighs it down and makes it look stringy and lifeless.

Since I started the whole regimen, I have a bunch of new baby hairs along my hairline. They're noticeable enough that even my mom noticed my new growth when I visited home recently after not seeing her for a few months. And my hairstylist is in awe of how often I have to trim my bangs because they’re growing so fast. And while those results are certainly holistic (no one product or regimen can make your hair grow, unfortunately), I definitely know this has helped.

But keep in mind: Because this contains sulfates, I only massage it in my hair one to two times a week (if I wash my hair more that week, I opt for something sulfate-free, like Briogeo Destined For Density Peptide Shampoo).

• Key ingredient: Amino acids, surfactants
• Sulfate free? No
• Hair type? Oily
• Size: 9.81 oz

Glowing customer review: "It has helped my hair grow back after losing it due to COVID!"

Dermatologist Ife Rodney, MD, recommends this shampoo to her patients experiencing hair loss. Why? Because it’s filled with niacinamide and zinc, both of which are anti-inflammatory and “help improve skin barrier function, which can potentially reduce the inflammation that can lead to hair fall.” I ordered this shampoo the minute she told me about it, and it’s become my new go-to for my oily scalp. It contains sulfates, fyi, which could be drying for some, but it gives my hair a super-deep clean once a week (but if you have a drier hair type, I’d limit to once a month as a “reset” wash, then follow with a moisturizing deep conditioner).

• Key ingredient: Niacinamide, zinc, hydrolyzed soy protein (strengthens)
• Sulfate free? No
• Hair type? Normal, oily
• Size: 6.7 oz

Glowing customer review: “My dermatologist prescribed this shampoo, and I have been using it. This is my second order, and my hair has improved enormously.”

I’ve used this salicylic acid-based shampoo for years to help treat my hairline and scalp acne, but it also has the added bonus of keeping my follicles exfoliated and happy. As a reminder, “congested hair follicles will struggle to produce more hair growth,” says Dr.. So to give my hair the best chance at growing longer, I use this shampoo once a week on my very-oily roots to break down the product buildup, grease, and oils that can lead to an angry scalp. I don’t need much moisture in my hair, but I always tell my friends to pair this with an ultra-hydrating conditioner to avoid dryness.

• Key ingredient: Salicylic acid (exfoliating)
• Sulfate free? Yes* (*but contains some other harsher surfactants)
• Hair type? Oily
• Size: 4.5 oz

Glowing customer review: “​​I have oily, acne-prone skin and was getting folliculitis pretty bad. After switching back and forth between various products, this turned out to be the one that does the job. My hair is always soft and oily, so I don't even need a conditioner.”

Since I started using this shampoo a month ago, I’ve gotten so many compliments on how full my fine hair looks. It’s full of antioxidant-rich caffeine, which can help stimulate blood flow to your scalp, according to Dr. Rodney. I just massage it through my scalp with a silicone scalp massager and then rinse out. As my hair dries, my roots feel lighter and more lifted, and I don’t feel like I need to add as many volumizing products to my routine to get a ~tousled~ look. I haven’t noticed any significant hair growth—and tbh, I don’t expect to—but I’ll take thicker-looking hair any day.

• Key ingredients: Coffee seed oil, biotin
• Sulfate free? Yes* (*but still contains some strong surfactants)
• Hair type? Dry, normal
• Size: 8 oz

Glowing customer review: “I have been using this shampoo for a few months and love the way that my hair feels fuller. As someone who has noticed their hair has been thinning over the years, this has been a positive experience. The smell is also very pleasant too!”

An itchy, dry, dandruff-prone scalp does not make for the happiest environment for hair growth. To help calm the irritation, massage this dandruff shampoo into your roots every time you wash until your flakes subside, then cut back to once every three washes. And no, this won’t just mask symptoms—the formula actually helps treat dandruff with pyrithione zinc (a prescription-level antifungal), along with a mix of moisturizing oils (see: safflower seed oil, coconut oil, and squalane) to help reduce dryness.

• Key ingredients: Zinc pyrithione (anti-fungal), coconut oil
• Sulfate free? Yes
• Hair type? All
• Size: 9.5 oz

Glowing customer review: “After the first use, my scalp stopped itching. It’s crazy how fast it calmed my irritated skin. My scalp is beyond sensitive, and I have tried so many products, but this one truly does what it says!”

If you’re hoping to grow longer, thicker, fuller hair, look for a shampoo filled with ingredients that’ll soothe an irritated scalp (because, again: hair growth cannot start with angry hair follicles). One of my favorites? This shampoo from Grow Gorgeous that contains caffeine and niacinamide, two ingredients with anti-inflammatory properties to help reduce irritation that can lead to flakes and clogged follicles. Plus, it’s spiked with a bit of moisturizing arginine and urea to mitigate dryness.

• Key ingredients: Caffeine, niacinamide
• Sulfate free? Yes
• Hair type? All
• Size: 8.4 oz

Glowing customer review: “This product line is fabulous. This shampoo leaves my scalp and hair feeling ultra clean without over-drying. It's the perfect blend of moisturizing and clarifying. I would recommend it!”

A burning, itching scalp is no way to embark on a hair-growth journey, which I learned after a gnarly scalp sunburn (I'm now someone that spritzes spray sunscreen on my part constantly). While in the depths of sunburn hell, Amazon led me to this highly rated shampoo from Pura D’or (over 17,000 five-star reviews) that’s filled with soothing aloe vera and lactobacillus ferment, a probiotic known for calming inflammation, which help reduce irritation from dry scalp or dandruff. Plus, it’s got antibacterial tea tree oil to help tackle some of the itch and flaking.

• Key ingredients: Tea tree oil, aloe vera, lactobacillus ferment (probiotic)
• Sulfate free? Yes
• Hair type? All
• Size: 16 oz

Glowing customer review: “I gave it several weeks of use, washing my hair three times a week. I noticed results after just two weeks, and those results have been consistent. There has been considerably less hair loss, and my hair still feels clean and not weighed down. It works!”

Okay, yes, technically this is a scalp scrub, but if you're looking to stimulate hair growth even a tiny bit, Dr Yadav says that “​​studies show that four minutes of scalp massaging a day can help thicken your hair follicles.” So, I’ll be loading up my roots once a week with this salt-based scrub to maybe—maybe!—encourage some growth while also smoothing bumps and flakes.

• Key ingredients: Salt (exfoliates); ginger root extract, amla (soothes)
• Sulfate free? Yes
• Hair type? All* (*but might be drying if used too often on coarse, dry hair)
• Size: 8 oz

Glowing customer review: “Loving this scrub. It is the first one I’ve tried that isn’t too drying and actually has a decent smell. Fable and Mane knocked it out of the park with this creamy-yet-hard-working scrub that left my scalp feeling like a baby’s bottom when it is typically scaly and dry.”

If you’ve got curly hair (or a thing for DIY beauty), you’re probably no stranger to castor oil and its hair-growth claims. And while there’s no real scientific evidence to support the hype, that doesn’t mean it’s not still a worthwhile ingredient to use in your shampoo, especially if you’ve got dry or coarse hair. Why? Because castor oil is one of the richest and thickest oils, making it great for reducing moisture loss that could lead to dry scalp and hair (and possibly hinder hair growth down the line). This one from Shea Moisture is beloved on Amazon (hi, 24,000 five-star reviews) because it incorporates shea butter to add hella moisture to your hair at the same time.

• Key ingredients: Jamaican black castor oil, shea butter
• Sulfate free? Yes
• Hair type? Very dry, dry, normal
• Size: 13 oz

Glowing customer review: "This stuff has worked wonders for my hair. I've been using it for a little over a year, and my hair is long, silky, buoyant, and full of volume. I used to struggle with dryness and breakage, but this combined with better hair care and protective practices have turned that around for me.”

This Maple Holistics shampoo is legit filled with some of the best proteins (like hydrolyzed wheat, corn, and soy proteins) to help strengthen hair and repair mechanical, heat, and chemical damage. No, it won’t necessarily grow your hair—womp—but can make your hair feel stronger and thicker over time, as well as softer and more moisturized, thanks to olive, argan, and rosemary oils.

• Key ingredients: Hydrolyzed wheat protein, corn protein, soy protein
• Sulfate free? Yes
• Hair type? Very dry, dry, normal
• Size: 8 fl oz

Glowing customer review: “I've been using this shampoo for a little over two years now, and I absolutely love it. It's helped with my thinning spots and improved hair growth.”

For less than a few spicy margs, grab yourself this volumizing shampoo to help get healthier, stronger hair with each use. It’s spiked with wheat protein to help repair cracks and holes in your hair strands, along with biotin and collagen to lightly moisturize. You won't miraculously wake up with longer hair, but you can eventually have stronger, more hydrated hair, which is a great starting point.

• Key ingredients: Biotin, hydrolyzed collagen
• Sulfate free? Yes* (*but contains other strong surfactants)
• Hair type? All
• Size: 13 oz

Glowing customer review: “I have searched high and low to find a good, reasonably priced volumizing shampoo. Light enough to not hold my hair down but also good enough to see improvement. There are plenty who cost a fortune, but this gives me both! I can't say enough good things!”

Regardless of your hair type, you’ve gotta keep your scalp moisturized if you want your hair to grow. Enter: This oil-filled pre-poo treatment from Ceremonia. Before shampooing, massage a dollop through your scalp to help moisture your skin, break down buildup, and speed up detangling, thanks to its meadowfoam, chia, and babassu seed oils that add major slip. Leave it on for around 30 minutes, then shampoo it off in the shower.

• Key ingredients: Meadowfoam seed oil, chia seed oil (moisturizers)
• Sulfate free? Yes
• Hair type? All* (*oily hair might need to use with a clarifying shampoo)
• Size: 2 oz

Glowing customer review: “I love this oil. It’s not too heavy but not too light either. It has a nice fragrance to it and leaves my hair really soft. I notice my hair really drinks this up, and it doesn’t just sit on top of my strands.”

If you’re experiencing hair thinning from color or chemical damage, try this protein-packed shampoo from Vegamour. It uses vegan keratin to strengthen your hair, along with peptides, aloe, and mannitol (a humectant that helps attract and maintain moisture, according to Dr. Rodney), to moisturize your scalp and help reduce breakage from dryness. But if you’re noticing major hair loss—and your doctor has already given you a clean bill of health—talk to your dermatologist about trying topical minoxidil or oral finasteride, which are proven to help trigger hair regrowth.

• Key ingredients: Panthenol, mannitol (moisturizers)
• Sulfate free? Yes
• Hair type? All
• Size: 8 oz

Glowing customer review: “I started using this shampoo because I was concerned about my hair being too dry in addition to being heat damaged. Since using it, my hair has started to look more vibrant. It helps lock in moisture without weighing my hair down.”

Prefer a shower full of all-natural skincare products and hair products? Grab this clean shampoo from Ranavat. With a mix of vitamins and botanical extracts—like lotus flower, hibiscus, amla, and Ashwagandha—this antioxidant-rich shampoo helps moisturize your hair and calm irritation, which is the number-one requirement for getting healthier hair growth.

• Key ingredients: Lotus flower water, amla extract (soothing)
• Sulfate free? Yes
• Hair type? All
• Size: 8 oz

Glowing customer review: “Whether used after an oil treatment or just a typical wash, this formula has everything I look for in a shampoo. My scalp and hair feel refreshed and nourished with lasting results.”

Sadly, no, shampoo alone can’t help your hair grow faster. The only factors that actually impact hair growth or prevent hair loss are genetics, hormones, health, and age, as trichologist Bridgette Hill previously told Cosmo—not a cleanser you massage into your scalp and immediately rinse off.

In fact, the only topical product Dr. Yada, recommends for hair growth is minoxidil, the active ingredient in Rogaine and other hair-growth treatments, “But it must be used daily, often for the rest of your life, to deliver and maintain results,” she says. Still, that doesn’t mean hair-growth shampoos are totally worthless. Hair growth does require a 360 approach, and the right shampoo can help improve the health of your scalp by moisturizing and reducing inflammation and irritation, which makes a solid foundation for hair growth.

No ingredients in shampoo will technically make your hair grow, per se. “The only topical ingredient that can help is minoxidil, i.e., the active ingredient in treatments like Rogaine,” says Dr. Yadav. But you can look for a few different ingredients to potentially boost your hair and scalp health to hopefully encourage growth. Dr. Yadav points to anti-inflammatory ingredients, like niacinamide, zinc, and caffeine, which can help soothe irritation (something that can potentially stunt hair growth). She also recommends moisturizers, like hyaluronic acid, squalane, and panthenol, which will hydrate your scalp and hair but won't weigh it down.

Shampoos with saliyclic acid are also a great option to massage in once or twice a week to exfoliate dead skin that can clog your follicles. And if you've got dandruff or itchy scalp, def look for a medicated shampoo with pyrithione zinc or selenium sulfide, which both help reduce irritation and placques—both of which don't make for a super great scalp environment for growth.

Thinning hair is caused by a combination of factors generally, says Dr. Rodney. Mostly, it’s hereditary (often referred to as androgenic alopecia, or male or female-pattern baldness). But it can also be caused by:

• Hormonal imbalances from pregnancy, menopause, and conditions like polycystic-ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
• Certain medical conditions like thyroid disorders and autoimmune diseases
• Nutritional deficiencies like low iron, zinc, and other vitamins
• Chronic stress
• Rapid weight fluctuations
• Traumatic events (known as telogen effluvium, which occurred for many after the COVID-19 pandemic)
• Some hairstyling techniques, like excessive heat styling, tight hairstyles, and chemical treatments (relaxers, hair dye, etc.)
• Certain medication side effects

If you’re experiencing thinning, make an appointment with your dermatologist (or try a telemed service like Apostrophe or Ro). Once you’ve identified the cause of your hair thinning, you can much more easily and effectively treat your symptoms. Which brings us to…

The main factors for stimulating hair growth are genetics, health, and hormones—all of which are largely out of our control. But there are some topical treatments and in-office procedures that can potentially help encourage hair growth over time, says Dr. Rodney. Lemme break them down:

In-office hair-growth treatments.

In office, your doctor might prescribe medications like finasteride or spironolactone, which can help potentially reduce hormone-related hair loss. Or they could recommend a prescription-strength minoxidil. Dr. Rodney also recommends platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatments, a procedure during which your dermatologist will draw your blood, spin it in a centrifuge to extract the plasma, and then inject into your scalp.

PRP treatments help increase fresh, wound-healing blood flow to your scalp, which could possibly encourage some hair growth after three sessions (but keep in mind: it’s about $1,500 to $3,500 for all three treatments and usually not covered by insurance).

At-home hair-growth treatments.

At home, Dr. Rodney recommends over-the-counter minoxidil to her patients to possibly promote some hair growth and slow down hair loss. Minoxidil works by prolonging the growth phase of your hair follicles so that they have a longer time to grow before entering the rest or shed phase. It takes continued use (think: pretty much the rest of your life) to keep seeing results, but it’s typically available for less than $40 at drugstores, Amazon, and Sephora.

You can also try incorporating regular hair-oil scalp massages into your routine. This won’t make your hair grow necessarily, but can potentially improve blood circulation that creates a healthy environment for growth. (FWIW, I love rosemary oil and jojoba oil for my own scalp massages). Dr. Ife also recommends following a healthy hair routine will set up a good foundation for hair growth. This includes washing with a shampoo (like one of the above that features anti-inflammatory niacinamide, like Isdin Lambdapil Hair Density Shampoo) once a week, as well as limiting heat styling and coloring your hair, which can damage your hair and lead to hair fall over time.

If you want to regrow your thinning hair, the first step is to make an appointment with your dermatologist, says dermatologist Ife Rodney, MD. “A doctor can provide an accurate diagnosis, identify the underlying cause, and recommend appropriate treatment options based on your individual needs,” she says. Plus, your derm can suggest a combination of multiple treatments to get the best results for your specific concerns. Here’s a quick rundown of what your doctor might recommend:

• Topical minoxidil to help extend the growth phase of your hair cycle
• Cortisone shots in your scalp to reduce inflammation
• Limiting heat styling and hair dye to reduce breakage and thinning
• Managing stress levels through relaxation techniques, exercise, or talk therapy
• Addressing underlying medical conditions or hormonal imbalances
• Working with a nutritionist to evaluate any deficiencies