One of the main symptoms of menopause is hair loss, hair thinning, and weak, fine hair. In this article, we offer you some of the best shampoos and conditioners for menopausal hair.
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In A Hurry? Here’s Our Top Picks
| Description | Price | Buy | |
|---|---|---|---|
Top | Plantur 39, PhytoCaffeine Shampoo Prevents and Reduces Hair Loss For Fine Brittle Hair 250 ml | Buy on Amazon | |
 | Charles Worthington Grow Strong Protein Conditioner, Hair Growth Conditioner for Fine Hair, 250 ml | Buy on Amazon | |
 | Moroccanoil Extra Volume Shampoo, 250 ml | Buy on Amazon | |
 | NANOGEN Thickening Hair Treatment Conditioner for Women 240ml | Buy on Amazon | |
 | OGX Biotin & Collagen Hair Thickening Sulfate Free Shampoo, 385 ml | Buy on Amazon |
What Effect Does The Menopause Have On Hair?
Although hair loss and thinning tend to be less present in menopausal women than men of the same age, experiencing it can nonetheless be distressing and knock your confidence.
That’s why it’s important to know what to look out for if you’re about to go through, or presently going through, menopause. This way, you can target your problem areas and help your hair to restore and support itself.
Menopause has three main effects on hair:
1. Hair loss
When you experience menopause, your hormones become imbalanced. More specifically, the hormones estrogen and progesterone are produced in lower volumes. It’s these hormones that help hair to grow faster and stronger.
Estrogen in particular works to keep hair in its growing phase. When the levels of these hormones naturally drop, the result is hair that grows slower and thinner.
Androgens, which are male hormones, will also be triggered in response to the reduced volume of estrogen and progesterone. These also cause hair to grow slower.
Typically, women will experience hair thinning over the front, sides or top of the head. This will usually be less noticeable than the male pattern balding, but it can still be discomforting.
Some women may experience what’s called extreme hair loss or female pattern hair loss at the top and crown of the head. Clumps of hair may also fall out when showering or brushing.
Check out these articles on hair loss:
- Does Black Tea Help With Hair Loss?
- How To Use A Derma Roller And Castor Oil For Hair Loss
- Does Hair Dye Cause Hair Loss? (What You Need To Know)
2. Weaker and Thinner Hair
As your body produces more androgens in response to the depleted levels of estrogen and progesterone, these androgens work to reduce the size of the hair follicle.
The result is that any hair that continues to grow in will be thinner, finer, and weaker. As such, hair may therefore have less volume or body.
3. Dry Hair
Women going through menopause are also likely to notice that their hair is more brittle, frizzy, and dry.
This is also due to the hormonal changes described above, as estrogen is the hormone responsible for regulating water levels in the body.
With less estrogen, there’s less of a regulator, so your skin, hair, and nails are likely to be less moisturized.
The 14 Best Shampoo And Conditioner For Menopausal Hair
1. Plantur 39 Phyto-Caffeine Shampoo
This shampoo is specifically designed for women experiencing menopause. On the market for over 80 years, the product is designed to be used every day in order to minimize hair loss.
Caffeine promotes hair growth by stimulating hair follicles whilst phytoflavones derived from white tea encourage scalp and hair health. Zinc and niacin – otherwise known as vitamin B3, which we recommend above, also work to protect hair roots from the effect of reduced estrogen and progesterone. Lather up, leave on for 30 seconds and rinse off. You’ll notice the effect within a couple of uses.
2. Pura D’or Original Gold Label Biotin Anti-Thinning Shampoo
Sulfate free, great for all hair types, infused with argan oil, and fantastic for both men and women, this shampoo ticks all the boxes for menopausal hair.
Nettle extract, aloe vera, pumpkin seed, cumin seed oil, biotin, vitamin E, Korean seaweed, and argan oil all work to hydrate the scalp and minimize dryness and brittleness in hair.
The formula is vegan and cruelty-free and contains no parabens. Packed with vitamins, oils, and nutrients, you’ll notice healthy, hydrated locks within only a few washes as the product works to stimulate blood flow to the scalp and strengthen hair follicles.
3. OGX Biotin and Collagen Hair Thickening Shampoo
A must-have for fine hair, this shampoo contains biotin, collagen, vitamin B7 and hydrolyzed wheat protein, working to plump strands up and add some body to limp locks.
You’ll improve the appearance of thin hair thanks to the nutrients added to this sulfate-free shampoo. It smells delicious too.
4. Cel Microstem Natural Thickening Shampoo and Conditioner Set
Sulfate and paraben-free, this shampoo and conditioner is made in the USA and is cruelty-free. It’s also hypoallergenic and appropriate for colored hair too. Olive fruit oil and protein extracts hydrate and nourish hair, supporting hair thickness and growth.
Your follicles are deeply cleansed, promoting the health of both your scalp and hair roots. The scent is lovely and this product works for both men and women.
5. Moroccanoil Extra Volume Shampoo
Consistently brilliant, this shampoo from Moroccanoil lives up to the standard we’d expect. Antioxidant-rich argan oil works to lock moisture in without weighing hair down, nourishing and plumping up hair strands. The shampoo smells amazing and will help add some life to limp locks.
6. Charles Worthington Grow Strong Activating Shampoo
This shampoo works to stimulate hair cells from within, giving you your healthiest, most vibrant hair. It’s vegan friendly and the packaging is 100% recyclable, and all ingredients are natural.
Pea sprout extract gently cleanses to keep your scalp in tip-top condition – the product promises to reduce breakage by 90%.
7. Charles Worthington Grow Strong Protein Conditioner
Use this conditioner following the shampoo above for best results, as the products will complement each other nicely.
Get salon-ready, thicker hair thanks to the brand’s ‘plex repair’ system, which restores the core of each hair shaft to minimize breakage and thinning, and get hair looking and feeling healthier.
8. RevitaLash Thickening Conditioner
This brand might already be on your radar for their eyelash serum, but the thickening conditioner is just as good. Added proteins and amino acids nourish the hair scalp and cuticle to improve thickness and body whilst providing environmental protection.
9. OGX Biotin and Collagen Hair Thickening Conditioner
The companion to the shampoo above, use this conditioner alone or with the shampoo in order to reduce hair thinning. Biotin and collagen will work to support and strengthen the structure of your hair’s protein, boosting volume and adding bounce to locks.
10. Nanogen Thickening Hair Treatment Conditioner
Add volume to your locks without weighing them down with this daily hair-thickening conditioner. Hyaluronic acid works to moisturize both the hair and scalp, whilst pea sprout extract stimulates the production of hair cells.
Hair follicles will be revitalized and deeply cleansed, supporting hair growth and thickening, and keratin penetrates your hair shaft to provide extra strength. What’s more, there are neither sulfates nor formaldehyde.
11. Watermans Hair Growth Shampoo and Conditioner Set
With biotic, caffeine, argan oil, niacinamide, and vitamins B3, B6, B7, E, and H this set has all of the nutrients to get your hair looking its healthiest.
The formula is cruelty-free and there are neither sulfates nor parabens. Both the shampoo and conditioner will stimulate hair growth by deeply cleansing and strengthening hair follicles.
12. Grow Gorgeous Intense Duo
Vegan brand Grow Gorgeous have perfected their thickening shampoo and conditioner in this set, which will cleanse and remove build-up, thereby promoting hair growth.
Amino acids, biotin, caffeine, and multiple B vitamins all blend to support hair density with completely natural ingredients and no chemical nasties.
13. Kérastase Densifique Duo Set
Enriched with stemoxydine and hyaluronic acid, Kérastase’s Densifique range is designed to offer more texture and density to hair, thereby helping it look fuller.
Add body whilst promoting strength and thickness to your locks by doubling down with both the shampoo and conditioner.
14. New York Biology Biotin Shampoo and Conditioner
Boost bounce and volume with this set, which will work to eliminate build up on the hair follicle and thereby promote growth. Deeply cleansing but also moisturizing, this set has no alcohol, paraben, or sulfates and is cruelty free. It’s also fantastic if you suffer from dry, itchy scalps.
Ingredients To Look Out For In Shampoo And Conditioner For Menopausal Hair
Dryness, hair loss, and weak, thinner hair. These are the three main concerns that those experiencing menopause have for their hair.
The good news is that there are plenty of ways to support your hair during this period.
From adding serums and oils to your hair care routine to minimizing the usage of heat tools, here are the tips and tricks that you can follow.
1. Biotin, Collagen, and Keratin
Biotin, collagen and keratin will help menopausal hair to strengthen, stay more elastic, and be less vulnerable to breakage or thinning.
Keratin is the essential protein from which our hair, skin, and nails are made. It’s the structural building block of hair, so finding shampoo and conditioner that has keratin in it can help to support stronger, more supple hair.
Collagen is also a fundamental protein for our hair, working to strengthen the skin that supports hair’s roots.
Its amino acids help to rebuild hair from the inside out, thereby reducing hair thinning. Biotin is also a fundamental nutrient, supporting your hair, skin, and nail health.
2. Thickening Shampoo and Conditioner
As described above, menopausal hair becomes vulnerable to thinning. It will have less natural bounce and volume, as the follicles are thinner and therefore grow finer, limper hair.
Using a thickening shampoo and conditioner can therefore help menopausal hair to regain its ‘oomph’, so keep an eye out for fortifying products.
3. Vitamins
Obviously, all vitamins are fantastic for our overall health and wellbeing. But look out for vitamins C, A, and B3 in your haircare to help with menopausal hair.
Vitamin C will promote healthy hair and stimulate hair growth by removing build-up and ensuring your scalp stays clean. It’s a powerful antioxidant, protecting against any damage or breakage.
Vitamin A, meanwhile, will help to prevent your hair from getting brittle by speeding up cell regeneration, and B3 promotes blood flow to the scalp, which in turn encourages hair growth.
4. Humectants
Using serums, oils, moisturizing masks, and deep conditioners are all fantastic for minimizing hair dryness.
But it’s as important to ensure that your shampoo and conditioner also has water in it. Why?
Oils and serums will seal in any moisture, but you need humectants – that is, water – in order to draw the moisture in in the first instance.
It’s a great idea to use a shampoo or conditioner with water in it to moisturize your hair, then treat it by sealing your hair’s strands with a serum or oil. Choose natural essential oils like coconut or jojoba.
5. Avoid Sulfates and Harsh Chemicals
When experiencing menopause, your skin and hair are more vulnerable. Using products that contain harsh chemicals like sulfates or parabens will only cause further damage, causing hair to thin or even fall out.
Avoid alcohol, too, as this will dry hair further and strip your strands of their natural moisture.
Don’t use products with salt in, either, as this may also cause hair dryness, which will result in brittle, breakable hair.
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