When it comes to hair loss, thinning or fallout, it’s essential to seek guidance from a dermatologist for a personalized and effective treatment plan. Meanwhile, we have done research and consulted with hair experts and stylists to uncover the advantages of four vital shampoo ingredients. These ingredients have been proven to revive dry, brittle, and dull hair, as well as promote fuller and thicker growth.
Read on for tips, suggestions and insight from Dr. Elaine Kung, MD, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Future Bright Dermatology, Ghanima Abdullah, hair expert and cosmetologist at The Right Hairstyles and Dr. Rebecca Hilton, hair expert at J-Beauty.
4 Shampoo Ingredients That Can Revive Dry, Brittle And Thinning Hair Over 40
1. Saw Palmetto
Incorporating saw palmetto into your shampoo can prove to be advantageous in reducing hair loss, Hilton says, as it is a highly sought-after ingredient in the realm of hair care. "Saw palmetto is a natural extract from the berries of the Serenoa repens plant and has been used for centuries for the treatment of various conditions including hair loss," she explains.
Hilton adds that "saw palmetto works by blocking the production of DHT," which helps to "reduce hair shedding." Kung concurs, and points out that because saw palmetto is a DHT blocker, it is "helpful in the treatment of female pattern baldness that can become quite apparent when a woman is in her 40s."
2. Biotin (Vitamin B7)
Biotin (aka vitamin B₇) is an important nutrient often found in foods like eggs, broccoli, bananas and milk. Many people take biotin as a supplement as they age, Abdullah explains, to strengthen their tresses. If also using a shampoo with biotin as a main ingredient, one can really reap the benefits of this vitamin in more ways than one. “Biotin is the ingredient to look for in shampoo if you want thicker, fuller, healthier hair,” Abdullah says.
Abdullah highlights the benefits of incorporating biotin-infused shampoo into one's hair care routine, which includes enhancing hair growth, relieving discomfort associated with itchy hair, and mitigating other hair conditions commonly experienced during the winter season. “Not only can it be taken as a supplement, but when used in shampoo the ingredient goes directly into the hair follicles.”
She notes that biotin helps increase circulation to the scalp, which helps the hair follicles produce a better quality of hair and more of it. “It's believed that a deficiency of biotin leads to hair loss,” she adds, so using shampoo with biotin is one of the “easiest ways to help reverse the effects of aging on hair, which can manifest as thinning and brittleness.”
3. Salicylic Acid
In an insightful YouTube video, hair expert Lina Waled explained just how helpful salicylic acid can be as a shampoo ingredient for women over 40 struggling with fine, thin tresses. When the pores on your scalp become blocked with oils and dirt, it can hinder the health of your hair, causing it to shed and appear lackluster.
The solution lies in using a shampoo that contains salicylic acid, an ingredient typically found in products that banish acne. By incorporating this ingredient into your hair care routine, she says, you can eliminate buildup that blocks your hair follicles and pave the way for cleaner pores that can better absorb nourishing, hydrating elements. This, in turn, can help fortify and improve the strength of your hair.
4. Aloe Vera
As highlighted in Waled's aforementioned video, aloe vera is another highly nourishing shampoo ingredient, packed with essential vitamins and minerals, that effectively conditions hair, adds shine, and possesses anti-inflammatory properties.
By using aloe vera in a healthy haircare routine, Waled says that one can expect their hair to have a glossy and stunning appearance while also promoting growth.
The Bottom Line
Overall, Kung stresses that choosing the right shampoo for your hair is crucial as "shampoos are not only scalp cleaners, but indubitably act as preventing the hair shaft damage." Many scalp diseases are also "treated by active ingredients that are added to the shampoo's formulations," she says.
She also notes that "shampoos are typically composed of 10–30 ingredients, although products with as few as four ingredients are available." Our experts advise keeping an eye out for shampoo products with biotin, saw palmetto, aloe vera and salicylic acid while waiting for an appointment with a doctor to recommend a more specific treatment solution for your scalp and locks!
