If you’ve been doing your research on hair growth for a while, you already know that reducing your exposure to chemicals is one of the first few steps that you have to take.

It’s an arduous task, especially when we’re surrounded by them. There are chemicals in what we eat, the water we wash our hair with, the dyes that we use, and the oils, shampoos, and conditioners that we use. Not all chemicals are harmful – but there are a few that you need to avoid at all costs.

If you’re looking for safe and healthy hair growth shampoos, you have tons of options.

How Do Shampoos Prevent Hair Loss?

Before we talk about what hair growth shampoo you should use, it’s essential to know how they function.

They Block Excessive DHT Production

We know that hair loss is caused by excessive production of the DHT hormone. Hair growth shampoos tackle that by removing DHT from the scalp and stimulating the inactive hair follicles. These shampoos have an ingredient called Ketoconazole that serves as a DHT blocker, by blocking the enzyme that converts testosterone to DHT.

They Balance the pH Of the Scalp

A shampoo that’s gentle on the hair and has minimal scalp-irritants will help you maintain your scalp's natural pH and decrease hair loss.

Scalp Cleansing Shampoos

These shampoos are for people who suffer from the overproduction of sebum in the scalp. Shampoos made from tea tree oil remove oily residue, fungus, and bacteria from the scalp and enable the hair to grow.

They Energize the Scalp

Some shampoos stimulate hair growth by energizing the scalp and increasing blood flow. They contain essential oils like peppermint and tea tree that supply oxygen and nutrients to the scalp and unclog the hair follicles.

Avoid Shampoos With These Ingredients At All Costs!

1.    Sulfates

Sulfates are chemical detergents – they’re a little too effective for removing oil and dirt. Sulfates strip our scalp of essential oils and natural moisture, which can be pretty harsh on the hair. Plus, sulfate contains traces of dioxane, which is a known carcinogenic.

2.    Parabens and Triclosan

Parabens and Triclosan contain xenoestrogens, which disrupt hormone function. Hormone imbalances are one of the biggest reasons behind hair loss, so you’d want to avoid shampoos that contain these two ingredients.

3.    Fragrance

Unless the fragrances in your shampoo are coming from natural essential oils, this is a big no-no. There are about 3100 chemicals used to make different kinds of fragrances, and the perfume industry is unregulated by the U.S Food and Drug Administration. Be suspicious if there’s a fragrance enlisted in your shampoo bottle’s list of ingredients.

What Hair Growth Shampoo Ingredients to Look for Instead?

Shampoos that have the following ingredients are amazing for hair growth:

• Caffeine
• Biotin
• Ketoconazole
• Herbs and plants – Red Clover, Aloe Vera, Rosemary, Green Tea Extract
• Essential Oils –Tea Tree, Lemongrass, Coconut Oil, Fish Oil

These ingredients are hazard-free and are most suited to tackling hair loss, nourishing the hair follicles, and encouraging hair growth.