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 that shift come down to 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, that number rises even higher.
My husband went through it himself 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 a hair transplant was more than we wanted to spend, so we started searching for options 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 it can do is help 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. With consistent use, a high-quality shampoo can improve the overall health of your hair. Some formulas focus on boosting volume right away, while others support scalp health and help hair appear less flat and sparse over time.
But where to start? If you’re like my husband, you go to the hair aisle and get immediately overwhelmed. It’s not always clear which products are worth trying, which ingredients to look for, or which formulas may work best for your hair type.
That’s why I’ve put together a list of the five best hair thickening shampoos for men. These picks include salon favorites, botanical formulas, and standout options that help support fuller-looking hair, including the one I chose for my husband’s thinning hair.
My Top Picks for the Best Hair Thickening Shampoos for Men
1. Zenagen Revolve
Zenagen is known for botanical-based formulas that focus on scalp health, which is one of the reasons I was drawn to it in the first place. 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 because it combines science-backed ingredients with powerful botanicals designed to support the scalp and improve the overall look and feel of thinning hair. We’ve all gotten a little more mindful about the ingredients in the products we use, which is why I look for formulas made with ingredients I feel good about.
And if you want to test it out first, Zenagen offers a 90-day money-back guarantee.
2. Nioxin
Nioxin is a salon-favorite brand for men with thinning hair. Like several of the other options on this list, it focuses on improving overall scalp health and offers multiple formulas to choose from depending on your level of thinning.
With active ingredients such as niacinamide, caffeine, and lauric acid, Nioxin 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 using it consistently several 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 option for men who like quality products without the extra frills.
Its formula features what the brand calls 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 behind 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
PURA D’or is an award-winning and 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 routine long-term, here are a few tips to keep in mind:
- Follow the directions carefully. This may sound like a no-brainer, but some shampoos are meant to be used in a specific way or on a specific schedule for the best results.
- Be consistent once you choose a product. Most thickening shampoos take time to show results, and you are more likely to notice a difference if you stick with one long enough to evaluate how it works for your hair.
- Keep track of your progress by taking pictures! It can be hard to notice small changes day to day, so taking pictures can make it easier to see whether a product is improving the look and feel of your hair.
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, which has been a pretty huge confidence boost for him.
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