Best Shampoo, Conditioner and Best Foods to Improve Hair Growth?'

Name: Nathan

Question: What is the best shampoo and conditioner to use to improve hair growth for men in their 30s? Something that doesn't cause as much damage to the hair. Is hemp oil the best oil for the hair before using shampoo? Also, what are some of the best foods items to eat to improve hair growth?

Answer: Hi, Nathan. We're not entirely clear on whether you just want to improve your hair growth or whether you are looking for advice on how to treat hair loss. As such, I have included a few additional responses in addition to your queries regarding the best hair care products for hair growth, and dietary tips.

If you are concerned that you have thinning hair, I advise you to have a consultation with a hair loss specialist who can examine your scalp and hair then discuss suitable, personalised treatment recommendations, where appropriate.

Hair loss from Male Pattern Baldness, a common condition among men in their 30s, is generally treated with medication, specifically either one or both of the only MHRA-licensed and FDA-cleared, hair loss treatments.

These clinically-proven drugs are the oral DHT-blocking tablet, finasteride 1mg and topically-applied solutions of high strength minoxidil. Although they are pharmaceuticals, they can be used alongside non-medicinal hair growth supporting products.

One of these which may interest you, whether you are concerned about hair loss or hair growth is the HairMax LaserBand, an FDA-cleared device that is worn three times per week for between 90 seconds and 3 minutes per session, depending on the model.

This gadget has patented teeth embedded into its curve, alongside medical-grade red lasers. The teeth part the hair, allowing the light therapy to get straight to the scalp. There, it penetrates into the skin, stimulating natural ATP production and, as a result, hair growth.

It is a popular hair loss product, generally used alongside pharmaceutical treatments, which manufacturers claim not only helps to treat thinning hair and prevent baldness, but also strengthens the hair and promotes healthy growth.

There are a number of misleading claims when it comes to shampoo and conditioner ranges targeting those worried about hair thinning, but it's important to note that these types of hair care products do not treat hair loss.

However, a good quality shampoo is still important for its role in the maintenance of scalp and hair health. I cannot recommend any specific shampoo without examining you because everyone’s scalp is different.

As some general advice, the type of shampoo you should use will depend on the condition of your scalp. For example, if you have a very dry scalp, you should be using moisturising shampoos; if you have a skin issue that affects your scalp, for example dandruff or seborrhoeic dermatitis, you may find medicated shampoos that contain ingredients such as coal tar, zinc pyrithione, or ketoconazole, beneficial.

It is also important to keep the hair in good condition, especially if you are trying to grow your hair, or want to maximise the hair you already have. If you worry that your hair tends to be dry or tangled, you can try including conditioner into your routine.

After shampooing, this is applied often just to the lengths and ends of the hair. You can also apply it to the roots though not everyone likes to do this as applying conditioner to the roots of the hair can make it appear lank or greasy - especially if the hair is thin on top - and make any signs of hair loss look worse.

We offer a range of professional Belgravia shampoos and conditioners which you may want to consider. These are highly concentrated so that patients can thoroughly wash their hair and scalp to remove any medication residue.

The frequency we recommend for how often people should wash their hair is based on the patient's hair type and scalp condition. As a guide, those with an oily scalp and people with finer hair may benefit from shampooing frequently daily or every other day. This is because finer hair gets oily quicker and loses its volume. We often see this with the finer Caucasian or Asian hair types.

On the other hand, those with a dry scalp, thicker hair or tightly curled hair may need to shampoo less frequently. For example, many people with Afro textured hair shampoo once weekly.

Those who use minoxidil may need to shampoo more frequently to keep the scalp healthy and remove any medication residue.

However, in all cases I would not advise leaving the scalp unwashed for more than a week as this increases your chances of irritations, or developing a flaky and itchy scalp.

With regards using hemp oil before shampooing to promote hair growth, there is no significant scientific evidence to support the use of any hair oil for this purpose, nor to prevent or treat hair loss, regardless of when in your regimen you apply it.

If you are concerned about damaged hair or hair breakage, use good quality hair care products that do not contain large amounts of harsh chemicals, avoid or limit your use of heated hairstyling tools - which includes hair dryers - and get your hair trimmed regularly so that any split ends are dealt with.

The answer to your food-related question is also very similar, in that a good diet for one person may not be suitable for another.

Having a well-balanced healthy diet will contribute to healthy hair and skin, too. Dietary deficiencies, on the other hand, can trigger disturbances in the hair growth cycle and lead to increased shedding or the worsening of pre-existing hair loss conditions.

Some people may have to avoid certain foods for health reasons, therefore it is difficult to generalise the meaning of a 'suitable diet for healthy hair' as this should ideally be considered alongside the individual's medical profile information.

There are a number of nutrients associated with the maintenance of healthy hair growth. These include biotin, selenium and zinc, all of which are included in the highly-targeted formulation for the Belgravia food supplement, Hair Vitalics for Men, alongside amino acids and botanicals, such as saw palmetto.

My overarching advice to you on this is to make sure you have a balanced, healthy diet, which means ensuring you receive the optimal amounts of vitamins and minerals recommended for men your age from your food. This should then give you the best chance of avoiding dietary deficiencies and preventing hair loss from these types of issues. You can find further details on this from the NHS website, your GP or a qualified nutritionist.

To check if you have any dietary deficiencies, you can speak to your GP about having a blood test. Additionally, if you have any medical conditions or follow specialised diets, I advise you to consult with them for guidance as to suitable foods.

You may also find our previous articles on the Best and Worst Foods for Hair Loss, Foods that Help to Prevent Hair Loss and Foods Which Can Lead to Hair Loss, helpful.

If you do not have hair loss or scalp problems and simply want to keep your hair in good condition, my advice, in summary, is to shampoo and condition your hair regularly and limit the use of heated hairstyling tools. Plus keep yourself healthy via your diet and exercise, avoid or learn to manage any stress, stay hydrated, get plenty of sleep on a regular basis and don't smoke, as the state of your health is often reflected in the hair's condition.