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Whether it’s due to genes, stress, hormonal changes, or simply aging, thinning hair and hair loss are things that we women all face at one point or another during our lifetimes. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to combat waning locks, and the easiest is to simply incorporate one of the best thickening shampoos for women into your regular beauty routine.
In order to choose the right shampoo or hair growth supplement for you, however, you’ll first want to understand why your hair is thinning in the first place.
What causes thinning hair in women?
While there can be a multitude of reasons for thinning hair, including certain hairstyles, heat damage, excessive chemical processes, hereditary factors, and nutritional deficiencies, the most common cause behind less voluminous tresses is aging.
Why does hair become thin as we age? Well, as we get older, so do our hair follicles. With age, those hair follicles begin to shrink, causing our rate of hair growth to slow down, or, in some cases, cease completely.
Our production of estrogen also slows with age. In addition to regulating our reproductive systems, estrogen plays a big part in stimulating new hair to take root after old hair has shed. With less estrogen to go around, there’s less hair growth, leaving behind a head of thin, fine strands.
How can shampoo give you thicker locks?
The best thickening shampoos for women are ones that address more than just flat hair, so when shopping for a shampoo, look for lightweight, nutrient-rich formulas designed to aid in proper hair production and health, while also providing a volumizing effect. Luckily for you, we already did the hard part and scoured beauty shelves everywhere ins search of the best picks for every hair type. Keep scrolling for Woman’s World picks for the 20 best thickening shampoos on the market today.
This post originally appeared on our sister site,First for Women. We write about products we think our readers will like. If you buy them, we get a small share of the revenue from the supplier.
Best Thickening Shampoo for Buildup — Alterna Haircare Caviar Clinical Densifying Shampoo
One of the most popular shampoos when it comes to dealing with female hair loss and thinning hair is Alterna Haircare's Caviar anti-aging clinical densifying shampoo. Created to support the reduction of Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) —a derivative of testosterone that's also known as the hair loss hormone — this shampoo starts at the scalp, not only eliminating traces of surface DHT, but follicle-clogging buildup and debris, as well. Its red clover formula also works to penetrates your strands as it actively works to thicken and nourish your hair, leaving you with the mane of your dreams.
If you have damaged hair from excessive heat damage or a dye job gone awry, you're probably very careful about the products you put in it. Ease your mind of any worry with Paul Mitchell's Lemon Sage Thickening Shampoo. This zesty formula is infused with thickening agents to bring the body back to your beat-up strands while panthenol works to strengthen each one. Color-safe and paraben-free, this shampoo is complete with UV protection, making it one of the best shampoos for summer, to boot.
For men, there's Rogaine, and for women, there's Keranique. The iconic hair-care brand is well known for its women's hair loss products and none is more famous than the base of its legendary hair-care system, the scalp-stimulating shampoo. This cleanser gets to the root of the problem — literally. Using a keratin-amino complex, it penetrates hair down to its base to reinforce it while also clearing the scalp of any buildup or debris, creating the best possible environment for proper, voluminous hair growth.
While many thickening shampoos higher in price than your normal suds would be, there are some more affordable options available — like this Thick & Full + Biotin & Collagen Shampoo from OGX. Made with a blend of vitamin B7 biotin, collagen, and hydrolyzed wheat protein, this shampoo (along with its matching conditioner) nourishes hair, adding volume while simultaneously strengthening and thickening your locks one wash at a time.
We all know that in order for hair to be healthy, it has to be clean, but there comes a point when clean is too clean. When shampoos strip the hair of essential nutrients, it's no good for anyone, especially those with thinning hair. Briogeo's Blossom & Bloom Ginseng + Biotin Volumizing shampoo will give your hair body without ridding your mane of those vital natural oils and nutrients. With a 98 percent naturally-derived formula, you'll be lathering up with only the best — think follicle-stimulating ginger, ginseng, vitamin B5, and biotin.
Anyone with curly hair knows that finding a good shampoo that will properly nourish your curls is hard enough. Throw added thickening properties into the mix, and it can begin to feel nearly impossible. Maple Holistic's Amaze Shampoo is here to help. Sulfate-free and formulated with a blend of natural botanicals, including rosemary oil, which is known to stimulate hair growth and fortify curls, this shampoo also contains DHT blockers, making it one powerhouse thickening shampoo.
For women with naturally fine, flat hair, a thickening shampoo may already be a part of your hair-care routine, but you can't go wrong with Living Proof's Full Shampoo. Gentle yet extremely thorough, this shampoo uses the brand's patented "healthy hair molecule," which preps your hair by for fullness by removing buildup and creating a barrier to help repel against future dirt and debris.
When it comes to color-treated hair, the proper shampoo and color-depositing conditioner is vital to maintaining your dye job. A product like L’ANZA's Healing Volume does the trick, all the while strengthening damaged hair and adding weight and thickness. Comprised of a bamboo-bodifying complex and keratin healing system, this color-safe pick adds an incredible amount volume to even the finest head of hair.
When it comes to thinning hair, the last thing you want to do is slather on a thick goop that weighs down your hair and makes it look flat. Instead, you want to find one that's powerful but also lightweight, like the Thickening Shampoo from Sachajuan. Feather-light and moisturizing, this shampoo uses a thickening technology its dubbed ocean silk to make sure hair is always smooth, shiny, and voluminous. Rounded out with heat and UV protectants, this shampoo will help you say goodbye to bad hair days.
If voluminous hair is what you're after, put away the teasing comb and pick up a bottle of Bumble & bumble's Thickening Volume Shampoo. Beloved by many in the beauty community, this shampoo is famous for its incredible ability to build body — but that's not all it does. On top of giving your tresses the added oomph you crave, it also deeply moisturizes from root to tip, sealing split ends for a healthier look.
Looking for an all-around great shampoo that works on all hair types? Whether curly or straight, thick or fine, Kenra's Platinum Thickening Shampoo is here to help. Its gentle formula fully cleanses it all, reducing scalp buildup and excess oils weigh down thinning hair, making for the perfect all-around thickening choice.
For those in search of a good sulfate-free option, Good Lab has you covered. Made with all-natural ingredients, the Blooming & Thickening Shampoo has more than 10 DHT blockers, including saw palmetto berry, nettle leaf, pumpkin seed oil, ginseng, and biotin, alongside a proprietary blend of peptides shown to improve scalp circulation and stimulate hair growth. Featuring an added boost of naturally-derived caffeine and a whole host of other hydrating ingredients, such as argan oil, vitamin E, and fatty acids, this bottle will ensure that thicker, more lustrous hair awaits.
When you think of thickening shampoo, there's probably one ingredient that crosses your mind: biotin. Naturally found in much of the food we eat, biotin is well known for its ability to boost the health of hair, skin, and nails. Hypoallergenic and sulfate-free, Re-Line's Biotin Thickening Shampoo is formulated with much more than just a B-complex blend, however. With added rosemary, aloe vera, saw palmetto, and coconut, this DHT-blocking shampoo will leave hair shiny, thick, and looking its best.
If you're looking for a shampoo that will not only grow your precious locks but strengthen them at the same time, you're going to want to try Osensia's Osothick & Strong Shampoo. This mixture delivers a powerful cucumber and pro-vitamin B5 blend to bring moisture to hair and turn brittle, unruly locks on their head. To top it off, it throws in a healthy dose of biotin to protect the hair you have and stimulate the production of more strands.
Finding a shampoo that can both treat thinning hair and psoriasis may sound like a fantasy, but thanks to Maple Holistics Cedarwood Dandruff Shampoo, the dream becomes possible. Made specifically with psoriasis sufferers in mind, this shampoo uses a carefully-crafted calming blend of essential oils to rid the scalp of flakes and irritation. Rich and creamy, it's great for anyone looking to soothe their scalp while giving their hair the vitamin-rich boost it needs to regenerate with ease. Amazon buyer Kimberly R. wrote, "It [got] rid of my flaky scalp and my hair is super thick! And it doesn’t seem to release the hair color I put in my hair! Will purchase again!"
You may have heard about the benefits of caffeine on skin, but are you aware of the power it has on hair? Much like biotin, caffeine targets DHT to stop hair loss and improve hair growth. Raxogen Caffeine Hair Loss Shampoo uses a blend of caffeine and other natural plant extracts to promote healthy hair growth and improve follicle strength, leaving thicker hair in its wake — all with a delectable coffee aroma.
When it's new hair growth you're after, look no further than iconic clinical brand Amplixin. Using a mixture of red clover, bio-mimetic peptides, and caffeine, this shampoo helps to stimulate the scalp, which in turn increases hair production and blocks the negative effects of DHT. Sulfate-free, made in the US, and good for all hair types, this shampoo gives your scalp the jump start it needs today.
A favorite among professionals, Zenagen's Revolve is a game changer. Part shampoo, part hair mask, this treatment begins to work its hair magic in just five minutes. Powered by green tea and a blend of nutraceutical ingredients, it targets the dreaded hair-loss hormone DHT, cleansing existing traces and protected against future production. Amazon buyer Lindsay was more than ecstatic with her results, saying, "I love this so much! It’s literally changing my hair and making it grow so fast!"
On the hunt for a shampoo you could share with your partner? Pick up Hairgenics Pronex. This clinical strength hair-growth shampoo works for both men and women as it blends nourishing ingredients, such as aloe vera and seaweed extract, with stimulating ingredients, like biotin and DHT-blocking palmetto extract, to effectively heal the scalp while simultaneously promoting growth.
For the best thickening shampoo and conditioner set, we're heading to the doctor's office. Revivogen MD's Bio-Cleansing Shampoo & Thickening Conditioner Duo is the perfect system for anyone looking for a one-two punch when it comes to restoring hair. The brainchild of a dermatologist, this set uses a unique blend of botanicals to cleanse, soothe, hydrate, and restore your mane back to its former glory. Safe on all hair types and unisex, this set has legions of fans. One buyer exclaimed, "Revivogen is amazing! I bought this for my husband when he complained that his hair started to feel flat. .. His hair felt great afterwards. He loves it! Thank you, Revivogen!"
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