Last Updated on May 18, 2020 by Robert Price
Okay, that wasn’t the sexiest title you saw when you typed “hair loss shampoo” or something similar into Google.
But it was perhaps the most honest one. So I’ll assume you’re smarter than the average hair loss researcher and try not to insult your intelligence.
First off, I’m going to tell you an inconvenient truth that you know, on some level, already. Here goes.
If you’re going bald, no hair loss shampoo alone is going to save your hair. But there are a few products out there that may HELP you maintain your precious locks, at least for a while.
First, Five Disclaimers…
Before I begin the class, I would also be remiss if I didn’t note the following:
1. Doctors are Skeptical
No shampoo is FDA approved to treat hair loss, and as of 2020, only a few studies have been done testing the effectiveness of hair loss shampoos. So, not surprisingly, most doctors don’t recommend any shampoo as a primary means to treat hair loss.
2. Ketoconazole is King
Most of the products I recommend on my list contain ketoconazole, an ingredient that has been shown to help slow down the balding process to some degree.
2019 Ketoconazole Study – In a six-month study, researchers compared the effectiveness of 2% minoxidil (AKA Rogaine) with 2% ketoconazole shampoo. Minoxidil is, of course, the #1 hair loss treatment product in the world. 40 female patients with varying degrees of pattern hair loss participated. Half used a ketoconazole shampoo once per day, the other half used minoxidil.
At the study’s conclusion, the team concluded that minoxidil worked faster, with improvements noted within four months on average. The ketoconazole group also saw significant and comparable gains, albeit not until the six-month mark.
One Woman’s Transformation
Results at baseline and then after 2, 4, and 6 months. Patient satisfaction rates were reportedly similar in both groups.
3. Caffeine is Queen
So is a Starbucks anti-baldness blend on the horizon? Probably not. While a few small studies have shown ketoconazole treats hair loss, caffeine has even less of a track record. I found one small 2018 study with only 6 male participants. Yes, 6. That’s tiny, I know.
In that study, researchers compared the effectiveness of 5% minoxidil vs. a .2% caffeine shampoo. Using microscopic technology, the team found that both products increased the rate of anogoen (growing) hairs by similar margins. Their conclusion: caffeine-based shampoos should be considered as “not inferior” to 5% minoxidil.
Potential problems with this study:
- It was tiny
- It was funded by Dr. Kurt Wolff, the man behind Alepecin, the most popular caffeine-based shampoo on the market.
- Adolf (yes, Adolf) Klenk, an employee of Dr. Wolff, was a member of the research team.
4. DHT-Lowering Ingredients Also Might Help…Hypothetically.
Pumpkin seed oil, saw palmetto, Stinging Nettle, and EMU oil may also help promote reduce the DHT levels in your scalp, and accordingly, slow hair loss to some degree. Biotin is also important for the growth of your hair and nails, though not a DHT inhibitor.
5. Be Wary of Fake News (and Fake Reviews)
President Trump is reportedly a long-time finasteride user.
Amazon’s cracking down on this practice but it’s still something many product manufacturers do. Just because a product has thousands of reviews and an excellent rating doesn’t mean it works. Most anti hair loss shampoos are snake oils.
Alright, with all of that out of the way, let’s move onto the products that might help you avoid your genetic fate.
The Top Five Hair Loss Shampoos
Note – this list contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you choose to buy one of these products, at no extra cost to you. I strive to only recommend high-quality products that I’d either use/try myself or recommend to a family member. Learn more here. Without further ado, here’s the top five anti hair loss shampoos.
# 1 – Nizoral
Looking for a quality hair loss shampoo that won’t break the bank? Nizoral is the obvious choice.
Originally designed to reduce dandruff and combat fungus, Nizoral is one of the most-recommended hair loss shampoos on the market today. It features 1% ketoconazole — and a 2% ketoconazole formula is available by prescription.
While the mechanism that allows Nizoral to treat hair loss is unknown, many believe that it helps block androgen receptors in the scalp, thus reducing DHT levels and slowing the rate of hair loss. Nizoral may also decrease inflammation, another factor that can accelerate the balding process.
As I said, it’s one of the cheapest and best ketoconazole shampoos out there, but it does have some downsides. Nizoral is a bit harsh for some people, perhaps due to the fact that it contains sodium lauryl sulfate, along with ketoconazole. Rashes and skin irritation have been reported by users, particularly those with sensitive skin.
Additionally, you’ll likely want to use a volumizer or conditioner in conjunction with Nizoral on treatment days.
- Nizoral Approxmate Cost – $15 per bottle
- Directions – Use 2x weekly for 3-5 minutes.
Buy Nizoral shampoo on Amazon.
#2 – Lipogaine Big 3 Shampoo
If you’ve ever visited a hair loss forum, then chances are you’ve heard of the big 3: minoxidil, finasteride, and Lipogaine (or Nizoral), respectively.
When used together, the three products can have a synergistic effect, promoting blood flow, minimizing inflammation, and helping reduce DHT levels in the scalp.
Lipogaine Big 3 is a popular option, containing a variety of growth-promoting and DHT-lowering ingredients. Lipogaine is also a volumizing shampoo, so not only does it promote hair growth and a healthy scalp, it also makes your hair look great. Many people choose Lipogaine Big 3 over Nizoral, even though it’s more expensive, because Lipogaine doesn’t require the use of a volumizer or conditioner to offset its harshness.
Like Nizoral, Lipogaine Big 3 contains 1% ketoconazole, the ingredient with the most substantial track record in terms of combating hair loss. Biotin and copper peptides are two other key ingredients, both of which help regulate the hair growth cycle and promote hair health. Niacin is included to help increase blood flow to the scalp.
Of course, some popular, natural DHT blockers you may have already heard of like saw palmetto, nettle root, and red clover are also featured in Lipogaine. None of these ingredients are proven to treat hair loss when used in a shampoo, but they couldn’t hurt.
It’s been speculated that many hair loss shampoo manufacturers include DHT blockers for marketing purposes, primarily. So keep that in mind.
Emu oil, essential oils, and castor oil round out the list of ingredients, which are used to help prevent itchiness and to moisturize the scalp.
- Lipogaine Approximate cost – $25-$30 per 8 ounce bottle
- Instructions for use – 2-3 days per week, for about 3-5 minutes each day.
Buy Lipogaine Big 3 direct from the manufacturer (currently not available on Amazon).
3. Alpecin Caffeine Shampoo
Established in 1905, Alpecin is the oldest and most well-known caffeine shampoo on the market today.
In a 2010 study, conducted on 30 male subjects, it was found that Alpecin had “good cosmetic efficacy” in the treatment of hair loss. Participants took hair pull tests, which help determine a person’s level of hair strength/resistance, at the beginning of the study and after 3 and 6 months, respectively. They found that the caffeine shampoo decreased the number of hairs pulled by 7% after 3 months, and by 14% after 6 months.
Those are fairly modest gains, in my view, and the study was small with only 30 subjects, so the empirical research to support caffeine as a possible long-term hair loss remedy is still lacking at this time.
Also, I believe this was mostly a home-cooked study, meaning it was conducted by members of the Alpecin team. Still, it does appear that caffeine shampoo, and this product in particular, may help slow hair loss to a limited extent.
Reviews are solid overall on Amazon, with a 4.1 star overall rating as of October 2017 (that’s for the two bottle option).
4. Regenepure – DR Shampoo, Hair and Scalp Treatment 
Regenepure is a solid option that is gentle, nourishing, also appears to help reduce hair loss. It is sodium lauryl sulfate-free, featuring a 1% ketoconazole formula to promote scalp health and hair regrowth. Other ingredients include emu oil and aloe vera, which provide an anti-inflammatory support. Caffeine is also in the mix, which is the only other ingredient that has been shown (so far) to help slow hair loss when used in shampoos.
Saw palmetto and vitamin B6 are included as well, to help reduce DHT and increase volume.
The biggest knock on Regenepure is that it’s expensive, at about $25 for a small, 8 ounce bottle. The instructions recommend daily use, so obviously this is a treatment that won’t fit everyone’s budget. Reviews are favorable on Amazon, with a four-star rating and over 600 user ratings as of October, 2017.
- Regenepure cost – About $25 per 8 oz bottle
- Suggested use – Daily for 3-5 minutes
Buy Regenepure DR shampoo on Amazon.
5. Perfect Hair Regrowth Shampoo
Perfect Hair Regrowth Shampoo has a very impressive list of ingredients — perhaps the most impressive of any product I reviewed for this post. The listing makes no mention of ketoconazole, but users have indicated that the formula does indeed contain 1% ketoconazole to reduce dandruff and hair fall. Caffeine is in the formula as well, naturally.
There are also a wide variety of other ingredients that have showed potential as natural DHT blockers, including saw palmetto, grape seed extract, and emu oil. And there’s more! Perfect Hair Regrowth Shampoo contains biotin, zinc, and niacin, all of which have been used in countless other hair loss products to promote blood flow and healthy hair.
Reviews are positive, for the most part, but there are some very negative reviews of Perfect Hair Regrowth Shampoo. Users have complained that the shampoo is watered down, and that it causes irritation, among other things. Recent reviews have improved and overall the product has a 3.8-star rating on Amazon, with 158 reviews as of October, 2017.
At around $20 per 8 ounce bottle, Perfect Hair Regrowth Shampoo is reasonably priced and an affordable option for many of you. According to their listing, they’re now manufacturing their hair loss shampoos in an FDA compliant facility, so hopefully their quality issues have been resolved. Each batch is backed by a quality guarantee, which is a nice extra layer of protection to have as a buyer.
- Perfect Hair Regrowth Shampoo approximate cost – $19.99 per bottle
- Suggested Use – 2-3 times per week. Later in for 1 minute, then let sit for 3-5 minutes before rinsing.
Buy Perfect Hair Regrowth Shampoo on Amazon.
Do Doctors Recommend Any Particular Shampoos for Hair Loss?
Dr. Phil offers horrible advice to horrible people, daily! He’s not an actual doctor, either. But here’s what some actual doctors think about ketoconazole hair loss shampoos such as Nizoral.
Dr. Parsa
Amir Yazdan, MD, a dermatologist in Irvine, often recommends using Nizoral two times per week to his patients, claiming that the shampoo reduces hair loss and helps with dandruff.
In a RealSelf post inquiring about the effectiveness of hair loss shampoos, four prominent dermatologists/hair restoration surgeons all stated for the record that Nizoral is not an effective hair loss treatment.
So, opinions vary. Some recommend hair loss shampoos to their patients, most probably don’t. On the hair loss forums, many guys swear by their hair loss shampoos and claim to get terrific results, particularly when using minoxidil and finasteride simultaneously.
My Take On Using Hair Loss Shampoos
If you’re planning on using a hair loss shampoo as one of your primary weapons in your battle against hair loss, you’re probably going to be disappointed. However, if you have modest expectations and you’re determined to keep your hair, you may want to consider adding a ketoconazole or caffeine shampoo to your treatment regimen.
It’s a relatively low-cost and hassle-free treatment.
It shouldn’t take you more than 10-15 minutes per week to apply the shampoo. And, if you elect to use a budget-friendly product like Nizoral, doing so shouldn’t cost more than $5 or so per month.
Monitor your progress, should you elect to use a caffeine or ketoconazole hair loss shampoo. Give any product you try a minimum of 3 months or so to work — ideally, closer to 6.
In Brief – Four Alternatives/Supplementary Treatments
- Finasteride – The trusted, #1 weapon against pattern hair loss. Can stop balding in its tracks!
- Minoxdil – Old faithful. It’s helped multiple generations of guys avoid going bald.
- Dutasteride – The nuclear option. The DHT destroyer!
- Laser Therapy – The “Why not?” hair loss treatment.
- More – For a complete list of treatments, check out my post on the 7 Best Ways to Attack Balding in 2020.
Review – The Top Five Shampoos for Hair Loss
- Nizoral – The cheapest (and perhaps most popular) ketoconazole shampoo on the market. Helps treat dandruff and scalp inflammation, and may help slow the progression of hair loss as well.
- Lipogaine Big 3 – A little pricier than Nizoral, this shampoo contains a variety of nourishing ingredients that promote overall hair health, and may help treat hair loss to some extent.
- Alpecin Caffeine Shampoo – Caffeine may also help slow hair loss, according to a few recent, small studies. This is the top caffeine-based shampoo on the market today, as far as I know.
- Regenepure DR Shampoo, Hair and Scalp Treatment – It’s sodium lauryl sulfate-free and packed with ketoconazole and caffeine. Aloe and emu oil provide anti-inflammatory support and make this product one of my most highly recommended shampoos for hair loss.
- 5. Perfect Hair Regrowth Shampoo – Contains a potent assortment of growth-inducing ingredients. Reviews are somewhat mixed. But they moved to a new manufacturing facility, which may have resolved some of the quality issues users complained about in the past. Could definitely be worth a try.
By the way, no shampoo is mentioned in my top hair loss treatments of 2020 article! And no shampoo alone will cure your hair loss, as I’ve said repeatedly, but a quality shampoo certainly won’t hurt your follicular cause. It may even lead to some modest gains!
If you have an experience using a hair loss shampoo or an informed opinion on the matter, let it be known below.
Robert Price is a writer, consumer advocate, and hair loss researcher with thousands of hours of experience in the field. His goal is to keep you out of the hair loss rabbit hole, underworld, or whatever you want to call it. He founded Hair Loss Daily, the unbiased hair loss blog, in 2016. You can learn more about Robert in the my story section of this website.
During the two years it took for me to go bald my barber kept recommending (and trying to sell me) Nizoral, saying it might prevent me from going bald or at least slow it down. When I first realized that I was going bald I made an appointment to consult with a hair replacement expert. That expert also recommended Nizoral, but interestingly, also warned me to not use shampoo with conditioner combination shampoos, as they would likely accelerate balding by making my hair oily and clogging my follicles with sebum which would retain and build up DHT levels. I have oily hair and had been using shampoo/conditioners for oily hair. I deliberately avoided using Nizoral and switched to shampoo with conditioner for DRY hair, because I was looking for ways to ACCELERATE balding. I wanted to go bald fast and increasing DHT levels in my hair follicles is exactly what I needed. It worked, at least I believe it worked, as my hair became even more oily and I balded very quickly. I might have balded just as fast without the use of those shampoos, but at the time I was willing to try almost anything that might make me go bald faster. Mission accomplished. I am Norwood 6 almost 7 bald. These days I have so little hair I usually just use ordinary soap. And I part my hair with a towel. I love it! 🙂
That’s interesting that your hair replacement “expert” recommended against shampoo-conditioner combinations. Haven’t heard that one before, will have to look into it. Honestly, I think the only thing that could’ve possibly saved your hair is Propecia/finasteride, given your story and how rapidly you went bald; many men of your age group take Propecia anyway due to those frequent trips to the bathroom at night…Obviously you were looking to speed up the balding process and you ultimately got your wish: to be a distinguished bald man! You can’t always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you might find, you get what you need, right?
Yes, I became a ‘distinguished’ bald man and I am very happy I did, but I had to be careful not to become an ‘extinguished’ bald man. So I avoided any method or activity (or supplement) that might have endangered my health. Hair follicle damaging shampoos seemed to me a harmless way to speed things along, though, and I believe they were effective. Perhaps even Propecia/finasteride might not have been effective in saving my hair, although it would no doubt have slowed balding quite a bit. I was predisposed to going bald and there was nothing out there that could have prevented it from eventually happening to me. I’ve already mentioned how saw palmetto helped me reduce those bothersome, frequent trips to the bathroom, but temporarily regrew some of my hair. I remember how pleased I was about the prostate relief, but how distressed I was about the unwanted regrowth of the hair on top of my head. I was facing the difficult choice between: prostate relief or the male pattern baldness I loved so much. Fortunately, the unwelcome and unwanted hair regrowth turned out to be only temporary and the hair I had regrown slowly faded away. You could say that I went bald twice. The second time was even more fun than the first time! And I got to ‘keep my cake and eat it both’. I still take saw palmetto which greatly relieves prostate distress and am happily Norwood 6+ bald again. This time, hopefully forever. Who knows, had I taken Propecia/finasteride, its effect of slowing or stopping my MPB might also have turned out to be only temporary. I’ll never know, as there is no need for me to test that theory. What I have now is not broken, so there is no need to fix it and I don’t want to risk regrowing my hair again.
I should also mention the reasons I went to hair replacement ‘expert’. I went to him for a professional evaluation and a positive confirmation that I was indeed ‘suffering’ from male pattern baldness and would hopefully soon be male pattern bald. Words can’t describe the thrill and ecstasy I felt when he confirmed that I was going bald fast and needed to do something drastic immediately to save my hair. I hid my true feelings from him as best as I could, not daring to tell him I had absolutely NO intentions of saving my hair. Instead of discussing hair saving options, I asked him what I should avoid doing if I was to save my hair, with the intention of doing as many of those very things he listed. Anything that would accelerate my balding. Combination shampoo with conditioners was one item, the other was too vigorous use of towels when drying my hair after each shower. I was amazed at how much hair came out on my towel every morning in addition to the hair clogging the drain. That poor hair restoration ‘expert’, he was sure that I would be a valuable long term client of his. Instead, he made my day. I never saw him again. That evening I told my wife and she was as thrilled as I was with my prognosis. She had her doubts, though, and asked me if I was sure male pattern baldness was what I really wanted, as there would be no turning back once I was bald. I told her that it was a dream come true for me. I asked her the same question and she said she had always secretly wished and prayed that I would someday soon go bald. So that evening she and I celebrated.
I still celebrate a little every time I see my bald reflection in a mirror or my wife kisses me on top of my shiny bald head, or someone teases me about my MPG. I absolutely LOVE being teased and reminded that I am bald. It doesn’t happen often enough. Amazingly, some people who haven’t seen me since I went bald actually compliment me saying I look great bald. One female cousin told me: “Oh wow, you’re bald! You look wonderful. Going bald is one of the best things that could have happened to you”. I told her no, going bald is the second best thing. The very best thing was marrying a lovely woman who loves my MPB at least as much as I do.