• Why it’s -approved: In Nioxin’s clinically proven shampoo, there is a quad of follicle-stimulating ingredients, like niacinamide to improve scalp barrier function and caffeine to improve blood microcirculation. The clinical study was undertaken by participants who were experiencing hair loss, and it revealed that using this shampoo minimised shedding by creating a healthy environment in which hair can grow and hair fall is reduced.
• Key ingredients: Niacinamide, caffeine, sandalore and lauric acid

• Why it’s -approved: According to Dr Nichola Conlon, molecular biologist and longevity expert, this shampoo from Dove’s newly revamped haircare collection is worth noting for its “scalp-first approach.” The hair expert is a fan due to “ingredients such as niacinamide with targeted technologies designed to support the scalp and hair fibre rather than focusing solely on how the hair looks.” While also giving value for money with the large size and affordable price tag, the formula gives hair a fuller appearance and cleanses without stripping.
• Key ingredients: Amino complex, zinc and biotin

• Why it’s -approved: The Kingsley family is renowned for its trichological clinics, which have established it as a trusted authority in scalp care. This shampoo, for instance, contains salicylic acid to gently exfoliate and stimulate the scalp as well as strengthening molecules that penetrate deep into the cortex to minimise breakage. The conditioner is powered by polymers and peptides for volume, while biomimetic ceramides help to replace lost lipids in damaged hair. A strong all-rounder for thinning hair.
• Key ingredients: hyper-branched polymers, hydrolysed pea peptides, strengthening molecules, salicylic acid

• Why it’s -approved: Aminexil, one of the main ingredients in Vichy’s Dercos collection, works with the scalp’s natural collagen to improve hair density while stimulating its production. As we get older and collagen production declines, the hair follicles are less rooted into the scalp. Aminexil improves this anchorage, making the strands more resilient and so reducing hair loss. This element is included in the Energising shampoo and conditioner to improve the elasticity of collagen around the root and reinforce the tissue. It is blended with nourishing vitamins PP, B5 and B6.
• Key ingredients: Aminexil, vitamins PP, B5 and B6
• Best for: strand resilience

• Why it’s -approved: If you’re experiencing hair loss or thinning, one of your priorities should be to try to improve the strength of your existing strands. This affordable formula is packed with fortifying actives that work hard to improve the health of hair while also promoting stronger new growth. Suitable for all hair types and textures, this is clinically proven to deliver visible results.
• Key ingredients: Aminexil, nianimacide, ginger extract
• Safe for colour-treated hair: yes
• clean neutral scent
• Best for: sparse, thinning hair

• Why we love it: What drew me into the Viviscal shampoo and conditioner was the long-lasting aroma, but beyond simply the scent, there is a greater lasting impact too. A powerhouse concoction of hair-strengthening and growth-inducing ingredients, the formula includes biotin, keratin, marine collagen and seaweed extract, a quad that any person looking for a thicker, fuller mane will be very familiar with.
• Key ingredients: Biotin, keratin, marine collagen and seaweed extract
• Best for: Fuller hair

What are the different types of hair loss?

Before beginning any hair loss treatment plan, experts will want to first get to the bottom of the causes of the hair loss in the first place, be it stress-related, genetic or a condition. Dr Ali explains the different types:

• Androgenetic alopecia: “The most common form, known as male and female pattern hair loss; follicles gradually become smaller over time.
• Telogen effluvium: Causes increased shedding after triggers such as illness, stress, weight loss, hormonal changes or childbirth.
• Alopecia areata: an autoimmune condition that usually causes patches of hair loss.
• Traction alopecia: from repeated tension on the hair.
• Scarring alopecia: where inflammation can permanently damage the follicle.”

Which shampoo ingredients should you look out for to help with hair loss or scalp health?

In the hair loss space, there are ingredients commonly discussed, like caffeine, rosemary, biotin, niacinamide and more recently, peptides. But are they worth looking out for in a hair loss shampoo?

Does the frequency of shampooing have an impact on hair loss?

This is a common myth, say the experts. “There’s a persistent myth that washing your hair too often makes it fall out, but the hairs you see in the shower are generally hairs that were already at the shedding stage of their growth cycle and washing simply helps release them,” explains Dr Conlon. She advises that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to hair washing. “There isn’t one ideal shampooing frequency for everybody. It depends on your scalp, hair type, how oily you are, how active you are and whether you have conditions such as dandruff. The aim is to keep the scalp clean and balanced without unnecessarily drying or irritating it. Someone with an oily scalp may comfortably wash every day, whereas another person may need to wash much less frequently.”

Are there products that are more important for hair loss than shampoo?

“Treatments such as topical minoxidil have considerably stronger evidence than cosmetic shampoos because they act directly on the hair-growth process,” Dr Ali tells us. “Other treatments depend entirely on the diagnosis, which is why identifying whether someone has pattern loss, excessive shedding, inflammation or an autoimmune condition matters more than choosing a particular shampoo.”

In general, however, Dr Conlon believes that “leave-on scalp products are interesting because they remain in contact with the scalp for much longer than a rinse-off shampoo. This is why I increasingly think about hair care as a system: shampoo to maintain the scalp environment, conditioner and masks to protect the fibre and targeted scalp serums to support the environment in which the follicle grows.”

What signs suggest that hair loss may need medical investigation?

Both experts agree that you should seek medical assessment if the following occurs: sudden hair loss, worsening and occurring in patches. Look out too for when “the scalp is painful, very itchy, red, inflamed or beginning to scar. Loss of eyebrow or body hair can also be significant.”

Dr Conlon warns, “Hair shedding can sometimes be a sign of something happening elsewhere in the body, including iron deficiency, thyroid or hormonal issues, illness or nutritional changes, so getting to the underlying cause matters.”

Meet the experts