Can anti-hair fall shampoos really put a full stop to shedding?

While the answer isn’t that black and white, we speak with experts to find out how far an anti-hair fall shampoo can help 

Ask any woman about her most prized possession and it is quite likely she’ll call out her hair, pronto. Men, too, are now equally concerned about the look and feel of their hair. The obsession with a ‘good hair day,’ everyday, is real. Hence, every strand that sheds off our scalp mounts up to make hair fall a fret-worthy villain. We then turn to anti-hair fall hair care products at full throttle, expecting miracles. Manifestly, there are chances of both hits and misses. However, there’s one product from the said league that has left us incredulous and inquisitive, and it’s the good ol’ anti-hair fall shampoo. 

Understanding the causes for hair fall 

 It is important to note that some amount of shedding of hair is absolutely normal. It is, in fact, a part of the process in your telogen phase–or  the ‘shedding phase’ that follows after anagen phase (growth) and catagen phase (transition)–of your natural hair cycle. If we were to go by the prevailing belief, it’s normal for about 50-100 strands to fall daily.

So when do you really need to be on tenterhooks? When the hair fall is very severe—think an approximate of over 700 strands per week—when you observe clumps of hair falling on the floor every time you comb your hair. Addressing the causes, Dr Niketa Sonavane, founder, Ambrosia Aesthetics, says, “Hair loss can be caused by vitamin deficiencies, hormonal imbalances or an unhealthy scalp too.” Dr Renita Rajan, Medical Director, RENDER Skin and Hair, adds, “We can group the causes of hair fall as acute or short-term and chronic or long-term.” She defines acute causes as those that lead to increased blood loss, such as an excessive or prolonged menstrual flow or in the event of a surgery. On the other hand, chronic causes are indicative of long-term concerns like iron deficiency. According to Sonavane, nutrient deficiency, heat styling, Telogen Effluvium (stress-induced hair fall), inflammation of the scalp and negatively reacting DHT (dihydrotestosterone) are some common factors that engender hair fall.  

How far can an anti-hair fall shampoo aid?

Anti-hair fall shampoos have been around for eons, positioned as the one-stop solution to cut down the shedding. But is a product that stops by the scalp for a maximum of five minutes (unlike leave-on scalp oils and serums), capable of such extreme wonders? “Anti-hair loss shampoos can be used as part of a hair-loss treatment, but they do not work on their own,” states Sonavane. Concurring to that, Rajan says, “They may not be the primary anti-hair fall treatment weapon but they can be pretty supportive.” Sonavane believes that a shampoo’s primary function is to clean your scalp and hair and so it’s not fair to expect it to do more than that. 

So are anti-hair fall shampoos futile?

Well, this largely depends on how you approach the product, what you expect from it and most importantly, the reason behind your hair fall. “If someone is having an iron deficiency, an anti-hair loss shampoo can do zilch,” explains Rajan. “They are, however, better than shampoos with harsh, high pH levels, which may make the hair frizzy, tangled, and worsen hair loss with further traction.” It is noteworthy to mention that anti-hair fall shampoos are loaded with a blend of potent ingredients with powerful reparative benefits that can work as a catalyst to control hair fall, unless there’s an underlying chronic (or hormonal) cause.

Rajan agrees “Having some actives in your shampoo may improve the scalp microenvironment, making it more supportive for hair growth.” Kérastase’s GENESIS range is one such example. “It’s the first strength-activating range for weakened hair [that is] prone to falling, and claims to treat hair loss through a collection of products potent enough to answer hair-fall needs. These include Amenexil, Edelweiss native cells and ginger root for more fibre strength and up to 84 per cent less hair fall,” shares Monisha Bhatia, head of education, Kérastase. Additionally, Sonavane reveals, “Shampoo formulations containing Capixyl, peptides or growth factors available from a small number of cosmeceutical brands boast a strong research backing.” 

What’s the best way to tackle hair fall?

Just as you would tackle any other skin or health concern—holistically. While there’s no one do-it-all product, a truly good anti-hair fall shampoo can positively dial down the volume of hair fall, making hair washes less of a nightmare. It  can also work as an impetus with other mindful efforts. “Be gentler with your hair, maintain a healthy diet, take essential supplements and correct vitamin deficiencies and hormonal imbalances,” suggests Sonavane. Apart from at-home care, you must consider in-office treatment if the need arises. “If you think you have severe hair loss, you might want to start with what the likely cause is. If it looks like it is genetic, a visit to the dermatologist might be the best place to start,” she concludes.

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