Does hair thickening shampoo work? Or is it bad and causes hair loss? Find everything about the best shampoo to thicken hair right here!
A good shampoo is a vital part of maintaining one’s hair. But does a hair thickening shampoo work?
Your hair can lose volume due to a number of factors but when that does happen it affects you in a number of ways.
There are shampoos that solely work into thickening the hair and creating more volume and texture. And with these shampoos you can really improve the condition of your hair rapidly.
But there are a number of questions and concerns that arise with products that are made in issues like this, in terms of viability. So we are here to clear that off for you. Read on to know if hair thickening shampoos work!
Key Takeaways:
- Hair thickening shampoos can provide the appearance of fuller hair by using specific ingredients to boost volume and improve texture.
- Ingredients like keratin, collagen, and humectants such as glycerin are commonly found in these shampoos, temporarily increasing hair diameter and creating the illusion of thickness.
- However, they do not alter the hair’s natural thickness or stimulate new hair growth; their effects are cosmetic and wash out over time.
- The efficacy of hair thickening shampoos can vary depending on factors such as hair type, extent of thinning, and individual hair care routines.
- It’s important to choose a shampoo that matches your hair type and concerns, considering factors like scalp condition, frequency of use, and ingredients.
- Some popular hair thickening shampoos include Avalon’s Organic Therapy Thickening Shampoo, Bumble and Bumble Thickening Volume Shampoo, and Head and Shoulders Shampoo.
- While some people may experience temporary hair loss due to product buildup from certain thickening shampoos, others may find them effective in achieving the desired volume and texture.
Does Hair Thickening Shampoo Work?
Hair thickening shampoos can give the appearance of fuller hair by using specific ingredients designed to boost volume and improve hair texture.
These shampoos often contain proteins such as keratin or collagen, which coat the hair shaft, temporarily increasing its diameter and creating the illusion of thickness. Additionally, they may include humectants like glycerin to draw moisture into the hair, further enhancing volume.
While hair thickening shampoos can make hair look and feel denser, they do not change the hair’s natural thickness or stimulate new hair growth. The effect is cosmetic and washes out, so continuous use is necessary to maintain the volumizing results.
It’s also important to note that the efficacy of hair thickening shampoos can vary from person to person. Factors such as hair type, extent of hair thinning, and individual hair care routines all play a role in the effectiveness of these products.
For those with fine or thinning hair seeking a temporary solution for added volume, hair thickening shampoos can be a beneficial addition to their hair care regimen.
However, for long-term and substantial changes in hair thickness, consulting with a healthcare professional or a trichologist might be more appropriate.
What is a hair thickening shampoo?
A hair thickening shampoo is a product which includes a number of ingredients that work into creating volume and texture for the hair.
It gently takes care of thinning hair and gives your hair more volume and strength to withstand external factors.
It also deeply cleanses your hair strands so that there is no grease or dirt in the scalp which nourishes the hair and elevates the hair even further.
How is a hair thickening shampoo different from a hair loss shampoo?
The two work towards giving you the same end result – thicker and lush hair.
So it is basically the same thing whereas in a hair loss shampoo it works into strengthening the hair. so as to avoid hair fall.
And in a hair thickening shampoo the ingredients are made to elevate the hair growth.
We suggest you look at the issue that you are gravely facing and work into hashing that out for the best results.
How do hair thickening shampoos work?
Who wants to have thinning hair right? With a hair thickening shampoo, the ingredients are such that it gives the hair more volume so that it looks bouncy and lush.
A hair thickening shampoo has the right number of ingredients and nutrients to bring back your hair texture and give you a better volume.
With you bombarding a number of products on your hair and with the constant exposure to dust and other pollutants, your hair strands can grow wearing and eventually start thinning.
A hair thickening shampoo has the ability to give volume while also adding life to your hair so that it looks glossy and remains healthy.
What’s the difference between a hair thickening shampoo and a volumizing shampoo?
Volumizing shampoo mainly focuses on giving you fluffy hair so that it does not fall flat.
We know how hard that can look on days you want to go out! This means that the ingredients in a volumising shampoo are more gentle and do not weigh heavy on the hair.
It can bring out a more flowy texture to your hair.
A hair thickening shampoo works into elevating your hair growth and gives attention to each hair strand allowing it to separately grow out of one another without appearing clumpy.
Basically a hair thickening shampoo works on the longer run and keeps your hair thicker and well groomed.
How often should you use a hair thickening shampoo?
Using a hair thickening shampoo can be used as regularly as a normal shampoo but again, it is not relevant to shampoo your hair too often.
So we would suggest 2-3 times a week is enough to cleanse your scalp and also work right on your hair strands.
But if you are using a medicated shampoo for certain concerns, then it does not matter if you use it regularly.
Things to consider while choosing a thickening shampoo
Like every other product there are things you need to consider while choosing the right hair thickening shampoo.
Consider the present volume of your hair before you hop on to a shampoo that you barely know of, study the plight of your hair and make sure you match the shampoo with the state of your hair.
If you use a stronger shampoo for a condition of hair that cannot take it, you will only destroy it further.
Make sure you choose a gentle shampoo for hair types that need appropriate shampoos.
Try out shampoos before you stick with them in the long run.
Considering you have thinning hair, you need to try out the shampoo first and see how it is acting on the hair before you make a commitment.
Like any other purchase, you need to consider the price and see if the product is worth it.
Best Shampoo To Thicken Hair
| Hair Thickening Shampoos | Best For | Top Ingredients |
| Avalon’s Organic Therapy Thickening Shampoo | Sensitive Scalp | – Aloe Vera – Oat Kernels – Chamomile – Avocado Extracts – Biotin |
| Bumble and Bumble Thickening Volume Shampoo | Color-treated Hair | – Aloe Vera – Panthenol |
| Head and Shoulders Shampoo | Dandruff-prone Scalp | – Pyrithione Zinc |
| Garnier Fructis Shampoo | Oily, Thin Hair | – Pyrithione Zinc |
| Pantene Pro V Sheer Shampoo | Dull, Limp Hair | – Pro-V Nutrients – Panthenol |
| J Beverly Hills Men’s Thickening Shampoo | Thinning Hair and Breakage | – Alfafa – Aloe Vera – Vitamin B5 – Protein |
Avalon’s Organic Therapy Thickening Shampoo
I got this shampoos as it contains biotin B complex and only natural ingredients. And as far as I’m concerned this shampoo works really well for thinning and fine hair.
My hair felt really cleansed right on the first wash itself. And it didn’t feel frizzy at all.
I really liked how the container of this shampoo is big enough to last for a long time.
So even though you’re shelling out a bit more for this shampoo, it will last you for a long time.
Another thing I liked about this shampoo is that it promotes hair growth and gives each of your hair strands special treatment so as to avoid breakage and hair fall.
The Vitamin E present in the shampoo gives your hair more shine and gloss.
Now coming to the downside. The shampoo doesn’t lather. Like at all. And it has a very weird jelly-like consistency which is not surprising as it’s base is aloe vera.
But it does a good job cleansing hair so you don’t have to worry about that.
Pros:
- Works well as a hair fall shampoo thanks to the vitamin E and Matricaria root extract in it
- Thickens hair almost instantly thanks to the vitamin b-5 (biotin) complex formula
- Moisturizes hair without leaving it greasy thanks to the aloe vera.
Cons:
- Will not lather well as it contains no sulfates
My Rating:
- Volumizing Power: 4.5/5
- Hair Thickening Power: 4.5/5
- Ingredients Quality: 5/5
Bumble and Bumble Thickening Volume Shampoo
If you are going for a thickening shampoo and have a dry scalp you need to consider one that nourishes your scalp as well.
But this is not very easy as buildup in the scalp can cause hair follicles to get clogged, etc.
So I got this shampoo as it promised to be nourishing yet light. And honestly? It works!
The proteins present in this shampoo allows your scalp to generate more hair strands and gives it a fuller texture.
My hair felt amazing after using this shampoo, smooth and soft yet bouncy and “oil-free” at the same time.
Your hair strands will also be strengthened with every usage of this product.
Also I give this shampoo extra points for being cruelty-free!
Pros:
- It contains panthenol that soothes irritated and flaky scalps
- Moisturizes hair without leaving it greasy thanks to the aloe vera.
- The wheat protein formula thickens hair from within by 4-5 washes
Cons:
- Slightly expensive
- Contains added fragrances that are not suitable for sensitive scalps
My Rating:
- Volumizing Power: 4.5/5
- Hair Thickening Power: 5/5
- Ingredients Quality: 4.5/5
Head and Shoulders Shampoo
Head and shoulders have been the solution to dandruff for as long as we remember. But it does have other products that cater to other hair issues as well.
This volume boost from Head and Shoulders makes sure it gives your hair strands and boosts your volume. So I decided to give it a try!
I like that this product contains zinc pyrithione that helps clean your scalp and remove the flakes that are embedded in the scalp.
But I also felt that this thickening shampoo can be quite strong so you might want to use it only once a week.
I often use it as a mix of clarifying and thickening shampoo instead of everyday. If you do not have too much issue with hair thinning you can use this shampoo.
But if you want something less harsh and suitable for everyday use you might want to choose Bumble and Bumble or Avalon Organics shampoo instead.
Pros:
- It contains zinc pyrithione that control thinning hair due to dandruff and scalp problems
- It cleanses hair of extra grease and dirt making it appear thick and bouncy
- Affordable drugstore price
Cons:
- Contains sulfates that can strip hair color and moisture from hair
- Zinc pyrithione is too strong for everyday use
My Rating:
- Volumizing Power: 4/5
- Hair Thickening Power: 4/5
- Ingredients Quality: 3.5/5
Thickening Shampoo: Before And After
I used the Avalon Organics Biotin Thickening Shampoo for about 6 weeks. And this you can see the end result shown in the picture above.
I could see some changes in my hair around the 3 week mark. My hair felt however, felt instantly volumized and “bouncy” on the first wash itself.
After a few more washes my strands that are naturally straight and thin looked “plumper” and the density of hair on my scalp also seemed more.
So I can tell you folks that this thickening shampoo works!
Does Thickening Shampoo Cause Hair Loss?
A lot of people have heard how thickening shampoos are bad for hair as they cause hair loss. But is there any truth to this claim?
The simple answer is both yes and no. It all depends on the ingredients.
Some thickening shampoos use polymer resins to add plumpness to hair. These ingredients can glue themselves to hair strands and cause build up on scalp.
If the buildup is too much, it can clog hair follicles, preventing nutrients from reaching them. This leads to hair loss.
However, good quality hair thickening shampoos do not use resins but rely on ingredients like biotin and wheat/soy proteins to add plumpness to hair.
They do not cause buildup or contribute to hair loss. So these type of hair thickening shampoos can be used without fear.
Why You Should Trust Haireveryday?
The author of this article, Leah Marie Priest has a degree in Cosmetology with years of experience in dealing with hair care, scalp care, and hairstyling. As someone who extensively deals with all kinds of hair textures, products, styling methods and more, hair Leah Marie knows what kind of products and procedures suit each hair type and person. We have also tested these hair products and processes ourselves to provide you an unbiased review about every product. Each of our articles are also reviewed by a team of medical professionals so that you get the most accurate and expert-reviewed information.
Thickening shampoos have an immense effect on the hair and allows you to nourish the hair and does not allow for hair fall.
These shampoos are made to solve a grave issue which is hair thinning and is proven to work.
All you need to do is identify the issue and make the right choice with the above list of shampoos that we have listed out for you.
Also Read:
Fruits for hair growth and thickness
To Summarize