If you’ve been searching for ways to grow your hair, you’ve probably fallen into the rabbit hole of oils, masks, supplements and viral TikTok routines. But one area that’s getting a lot of attention lately, and for good reason, is hair growth shampoos and scalp products.
Names like Nizoral, caffeine shampoos and aminexil formulas keep coming up in conversations about thinning hair, shedding and slow growth. But how do they actually work and are they worth adding to your routine?
The truth is, no shampoo can force hair to grow faster than your genetics allow. What the right shampoos can do is create a healthier scalp environment, reduce inflammation and shedding and support the growth cycle so your hair can grow stronger and for longer.
A month ago I began trying the Abbey Yung Method in an effort to repair my damaged hair and promote healthy hair growth. I'm happy to say that in this time I have seen an improvement in the condition of my hair, as well as growth since I added the below products to my hair care routine.
Here are the hair growth shampoos and scalp products that genuinely have science and real results behind them.
Nizoral Shampoo (Ketoconazole)
Nizoral Anti‑Dandruff Shampoo is an anti-dandruff shampoo that has become hugely popular in hair growth communities because of its active ingredient: ketoconazole.
Ketoconazole is known to help:
• reduce scalp inflammation and irritation
• control fungal overgrowth and flakes
• lower scalp DHT activity (linked to thinning in some people)
A calm, balanced scalp sheds less and supports stronger regrowth. This is why many people dealing with dandruff, itchy scalp, hormonal thinning or postpartum shedding see improvements when they introduce Nizoral once or twice a week.
How to use it: Massage into the scalp and leave for 3–5 minutes before rinsing. Follow with conditioner on the lengths, as it can be drying if overused. Rotate with your regular shampoo.
Caffeine Shampoos
Caffeine shampoos have exploded in popularity thanks to TikTok and dermatology discussions around scalp stimulation.
Two of the most talked-about are Alpecin Caffeine Shampoo and Plantur 39 Phyto‑Caffeine Shampoo. These are very affordable caffeine shampoo options.
Caffeine is believed to:
• stimulate blood flow around the hair follicle
• help prolong the hair's growth phase
• reduce hair fall in some users
• add lift at the roots (great for fine or flat hair)
They’re particularly popular for stress shedding, early thinning, and lifeless roots.
How to use them: Let the shampoo sit on the scalp for 1–2 minutes before rinsing so the caffeine has time to make contact.
Aminexil Shampoos
Aminexil is widely used in professional hair-thinning treatments. It’s designed to help keep hair anchored at the root by preventing the hardening of collagen around the follicle.
Look for options like:
• Vichy Dercos Energy+ Aminexil Shampoo
• L'Oréal Elvive Growth Booster Shampoo
• Kérastase Densifique Bain Densité
These are often recommended for postpartum shedding, stress hair loss, and visible density loss.
How to use them: Use as your main shampoo for several months, massaging thoroughly into the scalp. Pairing with a scalp serum improves results.
Clarifying Shampoos (The Overlooked Growth Helper)
Buildup from oils, dry shampoo and styling products can clog follicles and weigh hair down. A weekly clarifying wash keeps the scalp fresh so growth-supporting products can actually work.
A gentle option many people like is Aveeno Apple Cider Vinegar Clarifying Shampoo, but other brand options are also available. This Aveeno shampoo is the clarifying shampoo I use as part of my hair care routine and it lathers up a lot and leaves my hair feeling incredibly clean.
How to use it: Once weekly in place of your regular shampoo.
Scalp Serums That Support Growth
Leave-in scalp treatments are becoming staples in growth routines because they stay on the scalp longer than shampoo.
Two favourites:
• The Ordinary Multi‑Peptide Serum for Hair Density
• The Inkey List Caffeine Stimulating Scalp Treatment
Use daily or after washing, focusing on sparse areas.
How to Use These Together (Without Overdoing It)
You don’t need all of these at once. A simple rotation works beautifully:
• Most washes: strengthening or aminexil shampoo
• Once weekly: clarifying shampoo
• 1–2x weekly: Nizoral if scalp issues are present
• In between: caffeine shampoo for stimulation
• Daily: lightweight scalp serum
This keeps the scalp balanced while supporting the growth cycle.
The Honest Truth About “Hair Growth” Products
These products don’t speed up genetics. What they do is:
• reduce shedding
• calm inflammation
• keep follicles clear
• support stronger regrowth
When paired with conditioner, bond repair, heat protection and gentle handling, they help you retain the hair you grow — and that’s when real length becomes visible.
Final Thoughts
If you’re overwhelmed by hair growth advice online, start here: focus on your scalp. The right shampoo and scalp care routine can make a noticeable difference within weeks, especially if shedding, flakes or thinning are concerns. If you were lucky enough to get your hands on one of the Superdrug Presents tickets, you may even find some of these highly sought-after hair care products has part of your amazing goodie bag this year.
Healthy scalp → stronger roots → less shedding → longer-looking hair.
For more inspiration on how to help promote healthy hair growth, I've shared a realistic hair growth routine that actually supports longer, healthier hair.
