Which shampoo is best for hair fall control?

While every shampoo ad might feature models flicking around full heads of luscious and healthy hair, the reality is that about 50 per cent of men and 36 per cent of women in Australia suffer from hair loss or thinning.

According to award-winning Australian hairdresser, stylist, and creator of the iconic self-titled haircare brand, Kevin Murphy, hair loss can be caused by any number of factors.

“One of the main causes of hair loss is from a hormone called testosterone,” Kevin explains. “This hormone builds up in the hair bulb and dwarfs it, preventing healthy growth and disturbing the natural growth cycles of the hair.”

RELATED: Best dandruff shampoos for giving flakes the flick

But, as Murphy explains, this type of hair loss is not something you have to panic over, as there’s a simple solution: “You need to stop the build-up of testosterone on the hair roots by using a tripeptide that keeps the hair in the growing phase.”

BEST SHAMPOO FOR HAIR LOSS

Whether caused by hormones, scalp irritation, or other causes, there are fortunately a number of highly-rated shampoos and treatments readily available for those wanting to thicken their hair, slow thinning, or prevent hair loss. Read on for our pick of the best options.
BEST CHEAP SHAMPOO FOR HAIR LOSS

Avalon Organics Biotin B-Complex Thickening Shampoo, iHerb, $18.14

Matching conditioner: Avalon Organics Biotin B-Complex Thickening Conditioner, iHerb, $18.14

Coming in hot with over 16,000 five-star reviews, this Avalon Organics shampoo is a budget-friendly option ideal for oily hair types. It contains organic ingredients like strengthening biotin, anti-inflammatory saw palmetto, and scalp health-boosting vitamin E for a natural therapeutic solution to thinning hair.

Five star reviews praise the “very refreshing” shampoo, with one shopper saying they “always get compliments on my thick and healthy looking hair”.

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OGX Biotin Collagen Shampoo, Amazon Australia, $9.99 (RRP $19.99)

Matching conditioner:OGX Biotin Collagen Conditioner, Amazon Australia, $10 (RRP $19.99)

Infused with vitamin B7 biotin, collagen and hydrolysed wheat protein, this OGX shampoo practically pours nutrients into your hair to make it thicker, fuller and healthier. Free from sulfates, it’s perfect for reviving thinning or lifeless hair.

“I was losing my hair quite a lot and made an appointment with a hair specialist before I discovered this shampoo,” wrote one of many five-star reviewers.

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EDITOR’S PICK: BEST SHAMPOO FOR HAIR LOSS
KEVIN. MURPHY Plumping. Wash, Adore Beauty, $47.95

Matching conditioner: KEVIN. MURPHY Plumping Rinse, Adore Beauty, $48.95

Featuring ginger root and nettle extracts to strengthen and densify fine hair, Plumping. Wash is perfect for those with thinning or fine hair. According to Kevin himself, the shampoo uses “technology from the eyelash lengthening industry … a tripeptide called Biotin GHK which removes the testosterone from the hair bulb, allowing it to grow freely.”

Free from sulfates and parabens, it thickens the hair while nourishing follicles, adding softness and shine, accelerating hair growth and preventing further loss.

One five-star reviewer wrote, “I suffer from thinning hair and this gives that extra volume ... It also smells amazing, like a perfume! You also don’t need a lot so it lasts longer than you think it would”.

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BEST CLEAN BEAUTY SHAMPOO FOR HAIR LOSS

Pura D’or, Anti-Hair Thinning Shampoo, 16 fl oz (473ml), iHerb, $49.45

Matching conditioner: Pura D’or, Anti-Hair Thinning Conditioner, 16 fl oz (473ml), iHerb, $32.96

Made with natural preservatives, this shampoo is a USDA Certified Biobased Product specifically designed to target hair loss.

The shampoo contains 17 proprietary herbal blends that includes red Korean seaweed, nettle leaf extract, biotin, he shou wu, pygeum bark extract, black cumin seed oil, saw palmetto, argan oil and amla oil.

Five star reviews praise the shampoo’s “nice and light orange smell” and while being on the expensive side, the bottle lasts a long time.

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BEST HAIR LOSS SHAMPOO FOR COLOURED HAIR
Nioxin System 4 Cleanser Shampoo and Scalp Therapy Revitalising Conditioner 1000ml Duo Pack, Amazon Australia, $53.95 (RRP $59.99)

Nioxin System 4 is a complete professional thickening treatment for coloured hair with progressed thinning or hair loss. It simultaneously creates denser-looking hair, restores moisture, removes sebum and other residue, and improves general hair health. Those with natural, uncoloured hair can use the System 2 Duo Pack.

Reviewers praise its efficacy and value for money, with one commenting they “wouldn’t be without it now” .

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BEST SHAMPOO FOR HORMONAL HAIR LOSS
DS Laboratories Revita Hair Growth Stimulating Shampoo, Amazon Australia, $50.89

Matching conditioner:DS Laboratories Revita Hair Growth Stimulating Conditioner, Amazon Australia, $50.89

With a unique combination of active ingredients designed to maintain scalp health and counteract follicle dysfunctions, the DS Laboratories Revita Shampoo promises powerful results in the shortest time. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory ingredients work together to stimulate hair growth, boost moisture, improve strength, and fight the hormones that cause hair loss.

“Feels amazing on my scalp,” wrote a happy reviewer.

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BEST HAIR LOSS SHAMPOO FOR DRY SCALPS
invati advanced exfoliating shampoo light, Aveda, $52

Matching conditioner: invati advanced™ thickening conditioner, Aveda, $54

This 95 per cent naturally derived, lightweight shampoo gently exfoliates and purifiers your scalp to create the perfect foundation for thicker and fuller hair. Vegan and cruelty-free, it’s ideal for those whose hair loss is caused by scalp irritation rather than hormones.

“I’ve tried a lot of products and this is hands down the best product I’ve used,” one satisfied reviewer said. “I’ve had a itchy and irritated scalp and this helped immensely. Worth the money! It seems so nice and my hair feels so soft and thick.”

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BEST THICKENING SHAMPOO FOR HAIR LOSS
Biolage Advanced Full Density Shampoo, Amazon Australia, $28.50 (RRP $33)

Matching conditioner: Biolage Advanced Full Density Conditioner, Amazon Australia, $37.50 (RRP $43.50)

This Biolage shampoo gently cleanses and removes follicle-clogging impurities to strengthen hair and make it feel and look healthier. Formulated with strengthening biotin, purifying zinc PCA, and nourishing Gluco-Omega Blend, it promises to reduce breakages.

One happy reviewer wrote, “Love it. I have struggled with fine thin hair since my 30s. This stuff really make my fuller thicker and healthier. Get it, you will love it”.

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Kérastase Densifique Bain Densité Shampoo, Adore Beauty, $50

Matching conditioner: Kérastase Densifique Fondant Densité Conditioner, Adore Beauty, $52

Designed to provide a gentle wash while building hair density and breaking damage, this shampoo from Kérastase is ideal for thinning hair. It contains hyaluronic acid for hydration and plumpness, gluco-peptides to improve the hair cuticle, and ceramides to strengthen.

Reviewers say it really works, with one commenting: “From the first few uses I can definitely say it feels ‘full bodied’, disciplined and has that nice shine and soft touch you see and feel when you leave a salon.”

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BEST HAIR LOSS SHAMPOO FOR GLOSSY HAIR

Virtue Labs Shampoo For Thinning Hair, Sephora, $60

Matching conditioner: Virtue Labs Conditioner For Thinning Hair Sephora, $63

This shampoo is designed to remove scalp build-up to clear debris from follicle openings to help encourage healthy new hair growth.

The shampoo contains two groundbreaking keratin proteins to help strengthen hair and promote growth, all while leaving you with a glossy finish after use.

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BEST GENTLE SHAMPOO FOR HAIR LOSS

ALTERNA Clinical Densifying Shampoo, THE ICONIC, $55

Matching conditioner: ALTERNA Clinical Densifying Leave-In Scalp Treatment, THE ICONIC, $55

This gentle shampoo formula is designed to soothe your tresses and scalp, all while boosting your hair.

The shampoo works to break down and remove any impurities in the scalp, creating more voluminous hair in the process.

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BEST SERUM FOR HAIR LOSS
The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density, Myer, $30

Just like your skincare routine, your hair regimen can be boosted with the addition of a serum – in this case, The Ordinary’s Multi-Peptide Serum. The oil-free formulation features caffeine, peptides, and plant-based ingredients which work together to create hair that is thicker, denser, fuller and healthier.

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WHAT CAUSES HAIR LOSS?

”Hair loss comes down to lots of contributing factors. Hormones, diet, stress, illness, age, all of these things can cause hair to thin so the healthier you are on the outside, the healthier your scalp and hair is going to be on the outside,” says Kevin Murphy.

“Each individual hair has three phases: a growth phase, a resting phase and a falling phase. As we grow older these phases can lengthen or shorten over time. For example, your falling phase might be longer as you mature and if testosterone disrupts the phases by dwarfing the hair bulb (which make it harder to grow) this may seem like your hair is stuck in the falling phase for longer. This attributes to less hair in the growing phase and makes it seem like your hair is thinning.”

HOW CAN I THICKEN MY THIN HAIR?

“It’s quite easy to create the look of thicker hair,” says Kevin. “We have a hardworking thickening lotion called FULL. AGAIN that uses tiny rayon particles that adhere to the outside of the hair shaft creating density to make your hair feel thicker and fuller.”
“I’d recommend using FULL. AGAIN or a similar thickening cream on the mid-lengths and ends and use a lightweight volumising spray on the roots like our ANTI. GRAVITY SPRAY,” Kevin advises.

“These products are different and need to be applied differently. Volumisers lift the roots so they should only be applied at the roots and thickeners provide density and should only be applied to the mid-lengths and ends.”

HOW CAN I STOP MY HAIR LOSS?

If you’re struggling with serious hair loss, it’s always ideal to visit a specialist, however there are certain at-home remedies like the above mentioned shampoos and serums.

“While there are great products which can help, I’d also recommend giving a big detox and definitely focus on your scalp with our SCALP. SCRUB and SCALP. WASH,” adds Kevin.

“In terms of products, always look for strengthening ingredients like Amino acid, Ginger Extracts and Bamboo Extracts, we also have a hair loss treatment that has a good dose of tripeptides called BODY. MASS. As the name implies, this is BODY in a bottle. Created using eyelash thickening and lengthening technology, BODY. MASS helps strengthen the hair, while imparting a fullness and thickness that gives you beautiful body and bounce. Richly formulated with Oleanolic Acid, this leave-in plumping treatment helps fortify and strengthen at the roots to help prevent hair ageing.”

Hair loss not your main concern? Read up on our guide to the best shampoos for dry hair. And for more great beauty tips, check out the anti-ageing serum experts love and the top-rated curlers for effortless waves.

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