Hair Loss Shampoos: What They Can and Cannot Do
Hair loss shampoos are usually the first thing people reach for when they notice more hair on their comb or pillow. However, to choose well, it is important to understand why hair is falling out.
In this article you will learn how much hair is normally shed, what a shampoo can actually do and when you need to look for the cause with a doctor.
In brief. Normally, 50–100 hairs are shed per day.1 Shampoo is a cosmetic product: it cleanses the scalp and helps with hair care, but it does not cure the cause of hair loss.2 The most common causes are heredity, stress, illness, weight loss or iron deficiency.1 If your hair is falling out heavily or for a long time, see a doctor first.
How much hair is normally shed?
A person loses 50–100 hairs per day, often without even noticing.1
Example. If you wash your hair every 2–3 days, more hair than usual may come out when you wash it. These are hairs that had already detached and were waiting to be washed out.
Why does hair fall out?
| Cause | What the sources show | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Heredity | The most common cause of long-term hair thinning in men and women.1 | Shampoo will not stop it. Talk to your doctor about treatment options. |
| Stress, illness, weight loss | Most often cause temporary hair loss.1 | Hair often grows back once the body recovers. |
| Iron deficiency | One of the common causes of temporary hair loss.1 | It is worth checking your iron levels with a blood test rather than taking supplements “blindly”. |
| Cancer treatment | Hair loss is usually temporary.1 | Discuss hair care with your treating doctor. |
What can a hair loss shampoo do?
Shampoo stays on the scalp for only a few minutes and is then rinsed off. It cleanses the scalp, reduces excess oil and dandruff, and afterwards the hair is easier to comb and breaks less.
Cosmetics cannot treat diseases.2 Therefore, claims on the packaging must be justified and not misleading.3 The wording “against hair loss” usually means that the shampoo is intended for the care of weak, brittle hair.
Example. If you find short pieces of hair without a white root on your comb, these are most likely broken hairs rather than shed ones. In this case, a gentler shampoo and a conditioner can really help.
How to choose a shampoo
- Oily scalp – choose a cleansing shampoo and wash as often as needed to keep the scalp from becoming oily.
- Sensitive, itchy scalp – choose a fragrance-free shampoo with a short ingredient list.
- Dandruff – choose a shampoo with anti-dandruff ingredients, e.g. piroctone olamine. Zinc pyrithione has not been used in EU cosmetics since 2022.4
- Thin, brittle hair – use a conditioner on the lengths of your hair after shampooing.
How to wash your hair so it breaks less
- Massage the shampoo into the scalp, not into the ends of the hair.
- Do not rub wet hair with a towel; gently squeeze it instead.
- Comb your hair from the ends towards the roots.
- Avoid a very hot hair dryer and tight hairstyles.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor if your hair is falling out suddenly or heavily, bald patches appear, your scalp becomes red, itchy or painful, or you also feel tired and weak. A doctor will help to determine the cause.1
There are medicines for hereditary hair loss, for example minoxidil. They do not work for everyone and only for as long as you use them.1 The status of medicines differs between EU countries, so talk to your doctor or pharmacist about them and read the package leaflet.
Selected shampoos
Commercial information. These are products available in our shop. This is not an effectiveness ranking. Before buying, check the ingredients and directions for use on the product page.
Dermena Hair Care anti-hair loss shampoo 200 ml
Shampoo for weak hair with a vitamin PP derivative (“Regen7”). The manufacturer states that it is also suitable for an oily scalp.5
Dermena Hair Care Plus Anti-Dandruff Shampoo for Hair Loss Prevention 200 ml
Shampoo for a scalp with dandruff, containing piroctone olamine and a vitamin PP derivative. The manufacturer states that it should be used regularly for at least 4 weeks.6
ORJENA CAFFEINE PROTEIN Shampoo 500ml
Shampoo with caffeine and proteins for thin hair, suitable for daily use. Large pack (500 ml).7
Joanna Hemp - Anti-Hair Loss - Strengthening Shampoo 400 ml
Shampoo with hemp seed extract and aloe vera juice, intended for sensitive, thin hair. The manufacturer recommends combining it with the conditioner from the same line.8
Frequently asked questions
Does washing your hair often promote hair loss?
No. When you wash your hair, it is hairs that had already detached that come out. Wash as often as needed to keep your scalp clean.
How long should I use a shampoo before I see a difference?
Changes in the condition of the hair and scalp are visible after a few weeks at the earliest. If after 2–3 months your hair is still falling out heavily, see a doctor.
Do hair loss supplements help?
If hair loss is caused by, for example, iron deficiency, it is worth identifying it with a test and correcting it according to your doctor's recommendation.1 Therefore, first determine the cause, and only then choose supplements.
Scientific sources
- NHS. Hair loss. nhs.uk
- Reglamentas (EB) Nr. 1223/2009 dėl kosmetikos gaminių. EUR-Lex
- Komisijos reglamentas (ES) Nr. 655/2013, kuriuo nustatomi bendrieji kriterijai, taikomi teiginiams apie kosmetikos gaminius. EUR-Lex
- Komisijos reglamentas (ES) 2021/1902, kuriuo iš dalies keičiami Reglamento (EB) Nr. 1223/2009 priedai (CMR medžiagos, įskaitant cinko piritioną). EUR-Lex
- Dermena. Hair Care shampoo, 200 ml. Product label.
- Dermena. Hair Care Plus anti-dandruff shampoo, 200 ml. Product label.
- Orjena. Caffeine Protein Shampoo, 500 ml. Product label.
- Joanna. Konopie strengthening shampoo, 400 ml. Product label.
Disclaimer. This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist. Cosmetic products are not intended to treat or prevent diseases. If your hair is falling out heavily or suddenly, or if other symptoms appear at the same time, see a doctor.
