The 5 Best Hair Thickening Shampoos for Men

No one wakes up one morning and says, “You know what I’d really love? Thinner hair.” 

But over time, a lot of men start to notice their hair looking flatter, lifeless, and more sparse. Whether it’s stress, genetics, or that three-in-one body wash you swear is doing the job, thinning hair is an unfortunate reality for many.

By age 21, roughly 25% of men experience hair thinning. By 35, that percentage more than doubles to 66%. By age 50, 85% of men report having hair thinning or hair loss. 

My husband is one of many of these unfortunate individuals. After being hospitalized with a severe case of COVID, he started to notice his once-very-full hair beginning to thin, which is what got us started looking into solutions. We knew we couldn’t afford an expensive hair transplant, but because this is such a widespread issue, many organizations have made it their mission to provide solutions that are less expensive and less invasive.

Enter thickening shampoos.

Why Use a Thickening Shampoo?

I’m not saying a thickening shampoo is going to regrow a full mane overnight. But what you can realistically expect is a high-quality shampoo that’s formulated to strengthen the strands you still have, improve scalp health, and give your hair a thicker, fuller appearance. 

I like to think of it like exercise for your hair. If you use it consistently, you can improve the overall health of your hair. 

But where to start? If you’re like my husband, you go to the hair aisle and get immediately overwhelmed. How do you know which ones work, which ones don’t, and which ones are going to make the problem worse? 

That’s why I’ve put together a list of the five best hair thickening shampoos for men — discussing salon favorites, botanical blends, why they work, and what I personally chose for my husband’s thinning hair.

My Top Picks for the Best Hair Thickening Shampoo for Men

1. Zenagen Revolve 

Zenagen is known for botanical-based products that focus on scalp health. Have you ever heard your scalp referred to as soil that your hair grows from? That’s not too far off, which is why I love this product. After all, if you don’t have a happy scalp, you won’t grow healthy hair. 

I chose Zenagen for my husband’s hair loss because of their combination of science-backed formulas and powerful but natural botanicals. We’ve learned a lot lately about what we should and should not put on our skin, which is why I always look for products made with the best ingredients.

If you’re curious and want to try it for yourself, they have a 90-day money-back guarantee.

2. Nioxin

Nioxin is a common brand that’s recommended by salons for men with thinning hair. Similar to the other brands, their focus is to improve overall scalp health, offering multiple options to choose from depending on your level of thinning. 

With active ingredients such as niacinamide, caffeine, and lauric acid, their formula is designed not only to reduce hair loss but grow stronger hair from the root. And if you’re not sure which to choose, Nioxin has an online questionnaire to help personalize your haircare routine. 

For best results, I would recommend shampooing with Nioxin at least three times a week. 

3. Jack Black True Volume

With no relation to the actor of the same name (who does admittedly have great hair), Jack Black is a simple but effective product that’s made for men who like quality products without the extra frills.

Their formula is a “bodybuilding blend of botanicals” that includes two different proteins, creatine to help strengthen the hair, and a thickening complex to make hair feel fuller and easier to style. It’s also sulfate-free, which I especially appreciate as a stylist because it means you won’t have to worry about it drying out your hair.

It smells great, lathers well, and is straightforward to use.

4. Kérastase Densifique 

Kerastase is a luxury French brand that offers an incredibly large number of products for both men and women, addressing almost any hair or scalp concern. 

The concept of the Densifique line is to plump each strand and strengthen hair fibers by using ingredients like moisturizing hyaluronic acid, which provides structure and support, and ceramides, which create a barrier to retain moisture. 

It gives your hair a moisture treatment while thickening it and making it feel full all at the same time… and who doesn’t love that?

5. PURA D’OR Original Gold Label 

Having won multiple awards and gone viral on platforms like TikTok, PURA D’or is an affordable anti-thinning shampoo that’s designed for both men and women. 

I really love this option for anyone wanting to test out a thickening product without the cost commitment of higher-end brands. It still gives you the peace of mind from clean ingredients that promote a healthy scalp, but at a lower price point. 

Just note that it’s intended to be used daily, so you will go through the product faster than some other brands. 

Choosing the Best Hair Thickening Shampoo

If you’re still not sure which thickening shampoo deserves a spot in your cabinet long-term, here are some tips for evaluating them: 

• Follow the directions carefully. This sounds like a no-brainer, but some are meant to be used in a specific way for best results.
• Once you choose a product, stick with it and be consistent to see results. It will take some time for any product to have a noticeable impact.
• Keep track of your progress by taking pictures!

After looking over the costs, reading reviews, and taking online quizzes, my husband ultimately decided on Zenagen Revolve. He’s had the product for over a month now and loves the way the shampoo makes his hair feel. It’s clean, shiny, and it helps him style his hair more easily — a pretty huge confidence boost for him.