The 32 Best Hair Growth Shampoos of 2024, According to Experts

Rapunzel hair, coming right up.

collage of hair growth shampoos including Redken, Kerastase, Shea Moisture
(Image credit: Future)

When you desperately want longer hair, looking in the mirror can get discouraging and waiting can feel like an eternity. Thankfully, there are steps to speed up hair growth beyond using your favorite run-of-the-mill shampoos and conditioners, such as taking nourishing hair growth vitamins, trying hair growth oils, and incorporating one of the best hair growth shampoos into your wash day routine.

Hair growth products, including shampoos, nurture a healthy scalp that supports and stimulates hair growth. Not all products have a place in your lineup, however. Specific ingredients may be best suited to your hair type and concerns—and all these shampoos, conditioners, and oils are only part of the picture. Building all-around healthy habits can also contribute to growing longer, more luscious hair.

To get started, Marie Claire tapped several haircare experts for insight into the products they and their clients use for hair growth results. Whether you’re trying to grow out a short haircut, or you're dealing with hair loss, you’ll find the best hair growth shampoo for reaching the length of your dreams ahead. 

What To Look For, and Avoid, in a Hair Growth Shampoo

Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Jerry Shapiro recommends natural ingredients like vitamin B3 and castor oil. Furthermore, he encourages buyers to find formulas that incorporate caffeine and niacinamide. "Caffeine reverses the effects of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the main hormone involved in hair loss. It is also known to increase blood circulation to the scalp and extend the anagen phase," he explains. "Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3, an essential nutrient that supports many cellular processes. It also plays an essential role in preventing inflammation."

Meanwhile, fellow dermatologist Dr. Shani Francis recommends avoiding hair growth shampoos with harmful sulfates that can strip your hair of the natural and essential oils that it needs. Sulfate-free shampoos cleanse without lathering, so they're gentle on hair. Other ingredients to avoid? Parabens, silicones, and phthalates.

All three chemicals are commonly found in haircare products—and can send your hair growth journey in the wrong direction. "Parabens are preservatives that have been proven to mimic estrogen and disrupt the delicate hormonal balance," explains Dr. Shapiro. "Sulfates usually dry or irritate the scalp and skin. Methylisothiazolinone (MI) is a preservative to avoid bacterial growth, but is a potent allergen. Phthalates are hidden in fragrances, but they are endocrine disruptors."

Dr. Antonella Tosti, a Professor of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery at the University of Miami, also emphasizes the importance of taking care of one's scalp and hair follicles. She warns to steer clear of the preservative MCI/MI (Methylchloroisothiazolinone/Methylisothiazolinone), "which can cause scalp inflammation and hair loss." She also advises avoiding UV filters, including titanium dioxide nanoparticles and oxybenzone/benzophenone.

Can Shampoo Make Your Hair Grow?

Yes, the best hair growth shampoos can speed up your lengthening process. There are other practices you should consider adopting in pursuit of longer, healthier hair. Dr. Shani Francis, board-certified dermatologist and member of DevaCurl’s Expert Curl Council, says that supplementing a hair growth shampoo with a diet rich in omega-3s, fiber, sulfur ("our hair has a lot of sulfur in its internal structure"), and protein will really speed up the process. Foods like lean meats, leafy greens, nuts, beans, and fish fit the bill. 

Most importantly, make sure you drink a lot of water. Francis recommends two liters a day if you want to see results.

Best Hair Growth Shampoos for Straight Hair

Best Hair Growth Shampoos for Natural and Curly Hair

Best Hair Growth Shampoos for Thinning Hair

Best Hair Growth Shampoos for Scalp Health

Why Isn't My Hair Growing Quickly?

Many factors can contribute to hair not growing as quickly as you'd hope. Most roads lead back to your overall health and habits. Dr. Antonella Tosti, a Fredric Brandt Endowed Professor of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery at the University of Miami and President of the American Hair Research Society, points out that androgenetic alopecia—the most common cause of hair thinning in young women—"is often precipitated or aggravated by environmental factors that cause increased hair shedding." Those can include everything from systemic disorders to medications and crash diets.

Dr. Jerry Shapiro, a dermatologist at the New York University School of Medicine who specializes in hair loss, adds that "stress is one of the main causes in young adults, and causes telogen effluvium (large number of follicles in resting phase)." Diets low in iron, zinc and Vitamin D, or low-calorie or protein-heavy diets, can also be responsible for hair loss, he says. In addition, "medications for acne containing vitamin A, antibiotics, antidepressants, birth control pills, steroids, and weight control pills can also produce hair loss." 

Both Dr. Shapiro and Dr. Tosti advise patients to keep an eye on their central part line—if you notice a gradual widening of the line, your hair could be thinning. And if you're thinking of taking supplements to get the necessary nutrients, just don't overdo it. "What some people don’t realize is that most hair, skin, and nail supplements are multivitamins," Dr. Francis explains. "As with anything, balance is key."

Meet the Experts

Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Shani Francis
Dr. Shani Francis

Dr. Shani Francis is a board-certified dermatologist and medical research executive. She is also a member of DevaCurl’s Expert Curl Council and holds appointments on the American Academy of Dermatology's Advisory Board and Performance Measurement Committee. With a background in biochemical engineering, clinical trial research, and product development, she is especially concerned with inflammatory skin diseases, skin cancer, holistic medicine, hair loss, and health delivery systems.

Dr. Antonella Tosti
Dr. Antonella Tosti

Dr. Tosti is a Fredric Brandt Endowed Professor of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery at the University of Miami and President of the American Hair Research Society. She received her education at Università de Bologna Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia and is currently based in Miami, Florida.  She is an expert on hair and nail disorders. 

Dr. Jerry Shapiro
Dr. Jerry Shapiro

Dr. Shapiro is a dermatologist at the New York University School of Medicine who specializes in hair loss and combatting both and female- and male-pattern hair loss. He is particularly committed to finding healthy, nonsurgical methods of fighting hair loss and thinning.

Takisha Sturdivant-Drew
Takisha Sturdivant-Drew

Takisha Sturdivant-Drew has been a celebrity hairstylist for over 20 years, having worked with Annie Leibovitz, Marc Baptiste, Kerry Washington, Gabrielle Union, Ashley Graham, Yvonne Orji, Lucy Liu, Naturi Naughton, Mary J. Blige, Gina Torres, Margarita Levieva, and more. She also owns Takisha Studio in Brooklyn, New York, and TSD Hair Extensions.

Dr. Rachel Nazarian
Dr. Rachel Nazarian

Rachel Nazarian, M.D., is a board-certified dermatologist  and a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology. She completed her medical degree at the Tulane University School of Medicine and is currently a faculty member at Mount Sinai Medical Center’s Department of Dermatology and a member of the Schweiger Dermatology Group. She has been published in a number of peer-reviewed medical journals, has contributed to dermatological textbooks, and is an expert in cosmetic treatments, skin cancer, general dermatology and dermatologic surgery.

Kendall Dorsey
Kendall Dorsey

Kendall Dorsey is a celebrity hairstylist who has styled a number of high-profile stars, including Saweetie, Kelly Rowland, Teyana Taylor, Cardi B., and Bella Hadid.

Michael Duenas
Michael Dueñas

Michael Dueñas is a celebrity hairstylist based in Los Angeles. He has worked with Illana Glazer, Rachel Brosnahan, Noah Cyrus, Padma Lakshmi, Morena Baccarin, Petra Nemcova and Mary Elizabeth Winstead. In addition, he has worked with a number of magazines and fashion houses, having partnered with Michael Kors, Carolina Herrera, Oscar de la Renta, Victoria’s Secret, Alice and Olivia, Betsey Johnson, Trina Turk, Nicole Miller, Charlotte Ronson and more. He is also particularly passionate about and experienced in working with curly and textured hair. 

Kat Thompson
Kat Thompson

Kat Thompson is a hairstylist and men’s groomer based in L.A. She has styled a number of celebrities, including Suki Waterhouse, Lana Condor, Christina Hendricks, and MJ Rodriguez.

Gretchen Friese
Dr. Gretchen Friese

Gretchen Friese is a certified trichologist and trichology consultant. After working in the hair industry in Los Angeles for over 20 years, she relocated to Denver, where she now works with Foushee SalonSpa and Element 5.

Adir Abergel
Adir Abergel

Adir Abergel is a celebrity hairstylist and is the creative director of Virtue Labs. He has styled the liked of Kristen Stewart, Marion Cotillard, Gwyneth Paltrow, Anne Hathaway, and Kristen Dunst. 

Christine Symonds
Christine Symonds

Christine Symonds is a Los Angeles-based celebrity hairstylist. She has become Chelsea Handler’s go-to stylist, and has also worked with Kaley Cuoco, Kristen Bell, Jessica Simpson, Lauren Cohan, and Busy Philipps.

Giovanni Vaccaro
Giovanni Vaccaro

Giovanni Vaccaro spent years as a top hairdresser in New York City before co-founding the mobile beauty app Glamsquad, which connects users to artists and stylists remotely. He has been featured in a number of magazines and television shows, including Good Morning America, The Today Show, QVC, and Access Hollywood.

Dr. Dendy Engelman
Dr. Dendy Engelman

Dr. Dendy Engelman is a board certified dermatologic surgeon at Shafer Clinic Fifth Avenue. She has also been appointed Director of Dermatologic Surgery at New York Medical College and is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, American Society of Dermatologic Surgery, and American College of Mohs Surgery.

Cortney Crace
Cortney Crace

Cortney Crace is a colorist and hair stylist at New York-based salon Suite Caroline.

Bridgette Hill
Bridgette Hill

Bridgette Hill worked as a scalp therapist for decades and has also been an editorial stylist and colorist. She is passionate about optimizing scalp health and became a certified trichologist in 2016.

Lacy Redway
Lacy Redway

Lacy Redway is a New York-based hairstylist who has styled the likes of Tessa Thompson, Laura Harrier, Priyanka Chopra, Anne Hathaway, Karlie Kloss, Sarah Paulson, Elizabeth Olsen, Ruth Negga, Gabrielle Union, Diane Kruger, and many more. She has also appeared in a number of magazines, is a celebrity stylist for Nexxus, and has worked with photographers such as Rankin, Gavin Bond, Alexander Neumann, Warwick Saint, Ben Hassett, Michael Schwartz, Alexei Hay, Micaela Rossato, and Erik Madigan Heck.

Andrew Fitzsimons
Andrew Fitzsimons

Andrew Fitzsimons is an Irish-born celebrity hairstylist who founded his own eponymous haircare brand, which is used by the likes of the Kardashians, the Hadids, and more. 

Nikki Nelms
Nikki Nelms

Nikki Nelms is an iconic hairstylist that bridges the gap between hairstyling and performance art. She has styled a number of celebrities, including Solange Knowles and Venus Williams, and has worked on a number of fashion and editorial campaigns.

Ashley Streicher
Ashley Streicher

Ashley Streicher is a hair stylist who has been featured in a number of magazines, worked on red carpet styles, and contributed to Violet Grey. She collaborates frequently with her sisters, Kristie (a brow artist) and Jenn (a makeup artist). 

Gabrielle Ulubay
Beauty Writer

Gabrielle Ulubay is a Beauty Writer at Marie Claire. She has also written about sexual wellness, fashion, culture, and politics both at Marie Claire and for publications like The New York Times, Bustle, and HuffPost Personal. She has worked extensively in the e-commerce and sales spaces since 2020, including two years at Drizly, where she developed an expertise in finding the best, highest quality goods and experiences money can buy. As a film school graduate, she loves all things media and can be found making art when she's not busy writing.