The Best Shampoos to Support Thinning Hair and Fight Female Hair Loss

Hair loss can be traumatic for women. If you're noticing significant hair loss, it might be a sign that your body's lacking nutrients or that you have a thyroid disorder and that you should be assessed by a medical professional. It could also signify the need to make some lifestyle changes: manage stress, eat healthier, and get more sleep.

While working on the whole picture, one simple task we can do at home is to take care of our scalp. "Great hair starts with a healthy scalp," says Elizabeth Cunnane Phillips, a trichologist at Philip Kingsley. "Simply put, that means caring for the scalp as you would your face. Hair follicles sit [right] beneath the scalp and therefore can be disrupted by excessive sweat, product, environment, sebum, and debris (scale)." Caring for those hair follicles means shampooing frequently in order to maintain a clean surface. "[This] will ensure that whatever topical solution you use to support hair growth is then well absorbed," says Phillips. What you want to target is the hair that's going to be growing, not what's currently on your head. But in order to look and feel your best, Cunnane says to pick a shampoo that supports your hair texture's needs such as a volumizing shampoo for thin hair, or a moisturizing formula for coarse hair.

When it comes to shampoos and conditioners, it's more about what to avoid when you label-read, says New York City-based dermatologist Dr. Rita V. Linkner. "This is a good time to invest in products that are clean and free of allergens that could potentially add inflammation to an already volatile state." Ingredients to avoid, according to Dr. Linker, include phthalates, parabens, and sulfates. "Sulfates strip hair of its natural oils and can make hair dry and brittle, creating an unhealthy environment on the scalp, which can be more prone to hair loss through breakage," says Dr. Suneel Chilukuri, a cosmetic and dermatologic surgeon in Huston, Texas. He says consider shampoos that have organic, botanical ingredients and natural oils (like avocado or coconut) to moisturize the scalp. Another ingredient he says to look out for is redensyl, "that may allow the hair follicles to stay in the growth phase (anagen) longer." Overall, when shopping look for shampoos that contain amino acids, antioxidants, vitamin E and B-vitamins.

Ahead, we rounded up shampoos to help support the health of your scalp and hair, which are important steps to take when trying to correct female hair loss.