Grow Thicker, Longer Hair with One of Our PEOPLE-Tested Hair Growth Shampoos — Prices Start at Just $13 (2024)

Experts Say

“While other factors may come into play like medications, treatments, diet, and health conditions, the way that you take care of your hair is key to its growth and health. Hair growth shampoos contain ingredients that are designed to support and stimulate hair growth, which can make a considerable difference in the rate of hair growth.”—Dr. Dendy Engleman, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and Mohs surgeon at Shafer Clinic

Our Top Picks

After six weeks of testing, we were blown away by our results with the Vegamour GRO+ Advanced Replenishing Shampoo. This formula is specifically designed to enhance hair growth and features numerous ingredients to help support scalp health and invigorate follicles, including Karmatin™, which is a vegan keratin alternative that effectively supports strand strength and can help fill in damaged areas. Additionally, this hair growth shampoo contains cannabidiol (a.k.a. CBD) to support scalp health, boost the growth cycle, and pause the hair loss effects of DHT, a testosterone-based hormone that can shrink hair follicles at high levels.

Throughout the testing period, we were impressed by how well this formula cleansed our scalps and how quickly we saw re-growth. After just a few weeks, we tester noticed some improvement and, once the six weeks were complete, we measured around 1.5 inches of hair growth. We found that while this formula works best for boosting hair growth, it’s most effective on those with thinning or fine hair as well as those who experience dry, flaky scalps as the CBD can help soothe the side effects of this common scalp woe.

Size: 8 ounces | Key Ingredients: Cannabidiol, Karmatin™ | Hair Type: All, especially those with dry, flaky scalps

If you’re looking for the best shampoo for hair growth and want something a little (okay, a lot) more budget-friendly, we found that the Marc Anthony Grow Long Super Fast Strength Shampoo is worth trying. This drugstore formula — which you can score on Amazon — is enriched with hair growth-supporting ingredients including caffeine, ginseng, and vitamin E. And, despite its cheaper price tag, it works really well at supporting hair growth.

Our tester typically experiences a healthy amount of hair growth from month to month, however, they noted that their hair has never looked or felt as healthy as when using the Marc Anthony hair growth shampoo. Additionally, they noticed that their baby hairs saw a major improvement with 1 inch of regrowth at the end of the testing period.

Size: 8.4 ounces | Key Ingredients: Caffeine, ginseng, vitamin E | Hair Type: All, especially those prone to breakage

Our editors are also obsessed with the Vegamour Gro Revitalizing Shampoo, which is formulated with lots of nourishing and hair growth-supporting ingredients, including Biomimetic peptides, caffeine, and biotin. Additionally, the formula features Karmatin™, which is the brand’s own vegan keratin alternative that strengthens strands while also promoting a gorgeous glossy shine.

We love this formula because it promotes some serious hair growth — we saw four inches in five months — so it’s great for growing out a shorter hair style (or those bangs you accidentally chopped too short). It’s also super effective at getting rid of buildup, which is essential for scalp health and supporting longer and thicker locks.

Size: 8 ounces | Key Ingredients: Biomimetic peptides, Karmatin™ (a vegan keratin alternative), caffeine, biotin | Hair Type: All hair types, including color-treated and especially thin or fine strands

For a color-safe option, we love the Grande Cosmetics GrandeHair Peptide Shampoo, which is formulated with Hexapeptide-11 to reduce hair shedding and improve overall strength.

Prior to testing some of us been noticing hair thinning along the sides of our heads, and this formula helped improve the volume of hair near our temples. While we wished that we saw some growth on our overall scalp area, we were impressed that our hairlines looked much thicker and that the thinner, wispier pieces appeared stronger, too. In addition to its performance, we loved that this shampoo formula didn't have a scent (a trait that is fantastic for those with sensitive noses and scalps).

Size: 8 oz. | Key Ingredients: Hexapeptide-11 | Hair Type: All

The Évolis Professional Promote Shampoo is enriched with baobab, which provides deep hydration while also protecting strands from heat and damage caused by environmental aggressors as well as styling tools.

Even more so than its moisturizing properties, we were highly impressed by this formula's hair-growing abilities. After just two weeks of washing with this shampoo, we noticed a significant improvement in our overall hair length. Although we didn’t necessarily experience a thickening effect when using this shampoo, those of us testing this product wanted to grow our hair out and were impressed by the amount of growth that we experienced in a short period of time.

We continued to test the product for two months to see what, if anything, would change — and by the end of the testing period, we saw a steady continuation of what we experienced before. Our hair continued to grow like a weed, yet didn't seem to increase in volume, which proves that this shampoo is nothing if not consistent. However, we're not judging this shampoo too harshly for its lack of thickening agents — the goal was growth, and this product surely achieved it.

Size: 8.4 oz. | Key Ingredients: Baobab | Hair Type: Dry and damaged hair

The best shampoo for natural hair is the Luseta Beauty Jamaican Black Castor Oil Shampoo. As its name suggests, this shampoo is enriched with castor seed oil, which is known for its ability to enhance hair growth and deep-condition strands.

During the six-week testing period, we didn’t experience growth length-wise but found that our hair looked more dense. The shampoo also improved the health of their scalp and hair significantly — which is essential for boosting future hair growth — and promoted an overall shinier look. Designed with thin and dry hair in mind, this shampoo can create a fuller, thicker look while also strengthening weak, brittle strands caused by color damage.

One downside that we noted is that we didn't love the thick consistency of the formula and found that we had to really work the product into our hands in order to get a substantial lather and feel as though our hair was being properly cleansed. However, despite its thickness, it did not leave a residue on the hair whatsoever once it was rinsed out.

Size: 16.9 oz., 33.8 oz. | Key Ingredients: Castor seed oil | Hair Type: Natural

An itchy, irritated scalp is the last thing you want to experience when trying to rev up hair growth. For a fantastic soothing shampoo option, we recommend the DS Laboratories Antioxidant Hair Density CBD Shampoo. This formula is enriched with broad-spectrum CBD, which provides nourishing and soothing benefits while keeping inflammation at bay. Try it with a scalp massager for even more soothing relief.

In terms of its hair growth prowess, this shampoo also features caffeine to support hair growth and taurine for combatting hair loss. When using this formula for three weeks, one of our male testers with a shaved head found that it helped encourage growth on some of the thin patches on his scalp, most notably the top and front of his head where he had significant thinning. He also appreciated that the formula was easy to spread and left his scalp feeling especially clean without drying out his skin.

Size: 7 oz. | Key Ingredients: Broad spectrum CBD, caffeine, taurine | Hair Type: All, especially those with sensitive scalps

If you experience thinning hair due to damage, the Miriam Quevedo Black Baccara Hair Multiplying Shampoo is our top pick. This formula features rose stem cells to ward off hair growth disturbances (such as environmental aggressors or everyday styling damage) as well as the brand’s multi-bond filler to repair damaged strands and prevent breakage.

While we didn’t notice a big change in their overall hair length, we saw less hair fall and breakage throughout the testing period, which helped preserve the strands we already had. We did, however, notice more growth along the scalp and hairline which created a thicker, fuller look all around. In addition to thickening the hair, the shampoo also helped hydrate and nourish our strands and made our hairstyles look shinier with less frizz, too.

Size: 8.4 oz. | Key Ingredients: Black Baccara Rose Youth Concentrate, fresh rose stem cells | Hair Type: All, especially those with damaged strands

Frequently Asked Questions

• Do hair growth shampoos actually work?

  Dr. Engelman says the results may vary. “In most cases, hair growth shampoos are a great way to promote and support healthy hair growth,” she explains. “They work by supplying the scalp with ingredients that stimulate the hair growth cycle and/or extend the anagen (active) phase of the hair growth cycle.” With this in mind, hair growth shampoos can also work effectively at preventing hair loss by strengthening the strands and cuticle.However, not everyone will see the same amount of growth as there are many nuances responsible for hair loss or stagnant growth.

• How long will it take to see results from a hair growth shampoo?

  Just like with shampoos for thinning hair, hair growth conditioners and masks, and other hair growth products, the amount of time it takes to see results from a hair growth shampoo can vary. On average, Dr. Engelmen says it can take approximately four to eight weeks of recommended use to experience results (a.k.a. new growth). With that said, as mentioned previously, it’s important to note that some hair loss might not be fixed by a shampoo alone, so if your hair loss is more persistent, it’s worth seeking advice from a medical professional to learn more about how you can address your specific hair loss situation.

• Which shampoo is best for hair growth and thickness?

  Our top pick for the best shampoo for hair growth is the Vegamour GRO+ Advanced Replenishing Shampoo. This shampoo features a keratin alternative and provides plenty of nourishment to restore hair health and even encourage wave patterns for those with wavy hair types. During the six-week testing period, we saw significant improvement in hair growth while using this formula; by the end of it, our tester's length grew by around 1.5 inches, and their baby hairs appeared thicker, too.

  The Vegamour shampoo is on the more expensive side, so if you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, we also recommend the Marc Anthony Grow Long Super Fast Strength Shampoo.

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