Tag Archive for: Shampoo & Conditioner

An Honest Review of Happy Head’s Thickening Shampoo & Conditioner

Happy Head customers just like you give their Thickening and Volumizing Hair Shampoo and Conditioner set 5 star reviews. Made with Saw Palmetto and other growth boosting ingredients, you'll get the look you want right out of the shower.

Is your shower lined with bottles of partially full shampoo and conditioner? Mine is, and it drives my partner crazy. So, when I decided to try Happy Head’s new Thickening Shampoo and Conditioner, I got the “Really? Like we need more clutter” look.  Of course, I had a good reason for wanting to try it.  

About 13 years ago, I was diagnosed with Lichen Planopilaris. It’s an autoimmune disease and a type of scarring alopecia that occurs when your body attacks your hair follicles. Inflammation causes scars over the follicles, eventually closing them off so hair can no longer grow. You have to play beat the clock to get the inflammation under control so the hair follicles stay open. I was fortunate that my dermatologist was able to get my hair into remission and the damage was isolated to areas that I can cover with a good haircut. I was off all of my medications and done with treatments for over 10 years.

During Covid, though, my hair loss reared its ugly head. My dermatologist put me on a regime that included Finasteride and Minoxidil. Thankfully, the shedding slowed, and new hair started to sprout. For some reason, though, my hair felt really dry and didn’t look the healthiest. So, I decided to try out Happy Head’s shampoo and conditioner to see if it would help. Here’s my honest review.

I Tried Other Thickening Shampoos & Conditioners First

Weary paying a small fortune for my stylist’s overpriced recommendations that never seemed to work, I started cruising Facebook groups to see what fellow alopecia warriors were recommending. I finally settled on Bondi Boost after reading a lot of positive reviews about the brand. And, at first, I was happy with the choice. I really liked the peppermint scent and the clean, tingly feeling that the suds gave my head. My hair felt super soft, too. That all changed in the following weeks, though. I found that the shampoo left a film that was hard to wash out, and before I knew it, the build-up made my hair look just as dried out and blah as it did before I started using it.

Ingredients Matter When it Comes to Hair Care Products, Especially When You Have Alopecia 

Curious about whether Happy Head’s shampoo and conditioner would make my hair look healthier, I researched the formula.  Sure enough, I found plenty of intel on the ingredients that made me think, “Aha, this stuff might work.” Here’s what I learned.

The active ingredients in Happy Head’s shampoo and conditioner formulas are selected specifically for people dealing with thinning or balding hair. Every ingredient has a purpose. Let’s start with saw palmetto. Extract from saw palmetto, a tree with palm-like leaves that grows up to ten feet tall, acts as a DHT blocker.  It works like a mild, all-natural version of topical Finasteride to prevent Testosterone from converting to Dihydrotestosterone (DHT).  

Collagen and keratin help thicken, volumize, and protect your hair. As you age, your body produces less collagen, which is responsible for helping your skin and hair maintain its elasticity. When applied topically, collagen can help replenish the cells in your dermis, keeping your scalp and hair follicles healthy, allowing for thicker, stronger hair to grow. 

Keratin is a fibrous protein found in your hair, skin, and nails. One research study published in 2017 in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology found that a keratin-based treatment significantly improved hair growth among men with male pattern baldness. After 24 weeks, the mean hair count increased by over 29 percent in the treatment group compared to almost 10 percent in the placebo group. The keratin-based treatment also significantly improved hair thickness and density.  Then, there’s argan oil and biotin, known for moisturizing and strengthening. 

Happy Head's Thickening Shampoo and Conditioner set give hair a voluminous, thicker finish so hair looks healthier overall and fuller. Plus, our shampoo and conditioner formulas are made by dermatologists specifically for your scalp. You'll also get a gentle boost for hair growth from the Saw Palmetto.

Happy Head’s Shampoo & Conditioner Duo Made My Hair Feel Softer and Look Shinier

After my experiences with other shampoos and conditioners, I had low expectations for Happy Head. Months later, though, I’m still using the Happy Head products and am pleased with the results.

Here’s what I found:

Happy Head’s shampoo and conditioner have a mild, fresh scent. I find the scent relaxing and peaceful, like a product you would find in an upscale spa. The system also gave me the results I was looking for in terms of making my hair feel soft and sleek, even months after using it. You know how gray hairs have a wiry texture that’s different from the rest of your hair?  They proudly stick out, announcing to the world, “Hello!  Here I am!”  Thankfully, Happy Head tamed those too.  

I Didn’t Expect Happy Head’s Shampoo & Conditioner to Reduce Shedding, But it Did

Now, here’s the best part. When I started using Happy Head’s shampoo and conditioner, my dermatologist told me my hair loss had stabilized. From her perspective, I was out of the woods, and she wasn’t concerned about shedding.  

My bathroom sink was telling me a different story, though. Every time I brushed my hair, I would find about 15 strands waiting to be cleaned up. A few weeks after using Happy Head’s thickening shampoo and conditioner, I noticed that the 15 strands were reduced to about three to five. 

There Are Some Tricks & Tips You Can Use to Help Make Your Hair Look Healthier

I used Happy Head’s thickening shampoo and conditioner as any other. The bottles come with handy pumps for easy dispensing.  My hair is short, so I only need one pump.  If your hair is long, you may need two pumps. Massage the shampoo evenly into your wet hair and scalp, and rinse.  Then, apply one to two pumps of the conditioner and massage it into your hair. This time, don’t rinse right away. Let the conditioner sit for a few minutes to let the formula absorb, then rinse.  

If you’re like me and wash your hair every day and occasionally twice on the same day, you may want to rethink that.  According to Dr. Ben Behnam, board-certified dermatologist, and Happy Head Co-Founder & Chief Medical Officer, washing so often will strip your hair of essential oils that are needed to protect your hair against breakage. He suggests washing every other day instead.  If you’re like me and exercise a few times a week or are active, the idea of not washing your hair may make you think, “blech.”  If that’s the case, rinsing with water will do the trick without drying out your hair.  You can also rinse with water and use conditioner without shampooing.

Shampoo & Conditioners Are No-Risk Products

When you’re dealing with male or female pattern hair loss, alopecia areata, or any other type of alopecia, it’s only natural to question whether you should use certain products.  The idea of doing anything that could result in further hair loss is nerve-wracking. I’ve been there.

Here’s a reality check, though. The odds of shampoos and conditioners causing problems are minimal, if at all. You don’t have anything to lose. I’m glad that I tested out Happy Head’s new shampoo and conditioner, and recommend you try them too. There’s even a special introductory offer for 30 percent off on your first order when you add them to your cart.  

 

Disclosures:  Although I’m a writer, I’m pretty busy and rarely write product reviews. Between juggling work and family, I just don’t have the time.  However, when we launched our thickening shampoo and conditioner, I was curious to see how the products would work.  I had already tried so many.  What was one more?  Happy Head gladly gave me a set of complimentary bottles to try.  Happy Head,  however, did not ask me to write this review.  I volunteered to write it because I truly believe in these products.  

Now, I can’t guarantee that my results are typical and everyone will have the same experience.  As mentioned earlier, besides Happy Head’s shampoo and conditioner, my protocol includes Finasteride, Minoxidil, and other medications designed to stop my hair loss and promote growth.  As frustrating as it is, there are different types of alopecia (male and female pattern hair loss, alopecia areata, frontal fibrosing alopecia, etc.) and people’s body chemistry varies, which can affect the efficacy of hair loss products.  

If you decide to give Happy Head’s shampoo and conditioner a trial run, we’d love to hear from you.  Be sure to contact us and let us know what you think.

Debunking the Myths About Hair Loss

Happy Head board-certified dermatologists are debunking the myths about hair loss. It's never too late to treat it.

Legend has it that Samson, the biblical hero, needed his hair to give him his strength. After his hair loss, Samson was said to have lost his superhuman power. Although this tale has no basis in reality (no, your hair does not give you power), the Samson story may have added to the myth that long, thick hair was proof of virility and fertility. While most people know that the hair on your head is not directly related to your strength and power, there are other hair myths that remain. In this article, we’ll focus on debunking the myths of hair loss and affirm some facts along the way. 

What Are the Facts & the Myths About Hair Loss? 

Losing your hair can be caused by a myriad of factors, so preventing hair loss takes a multi-pronged approach. One example is a person’s diet. While specific vitamins and minerals are necessary for healthy hair, a poor diet won’t make you bald. It can, however, cause your hair to start thinning. Using the right hair products, consuming hair-friendly nutrients, and taking a proactive approach to hair growth, to prevent hair loss, can even help regrow your hair. Let’s explore seven common myths about hair loss. 

1. Your mother is the reason for your hair loss. 

The myth that you inherit baldness from your mother is false, at least half the time. While it’s true that genetics play a major role in male pattern baldness and female pattern baldness, you can inherit the condition from either of your parents. Androgenic alopecia, for example, is a hair loss condition with strong genetic links. But where that genetic link comes from is not that easy to explain. 

For example, men get their X chromosome from their mother and the Y chromosome from their father. And although the gene most associated with baldness – the AR gene – is found on the X chromosome, there are 63 other genes responsible for hair loss. You may be surprised that only six of those genes are on the X chromosome. So, you might blame your mother for a lot of things during therapy, but hair loss shouldn’t be one of them! (01)

2. Baldness only happens with age. 

Middle-aged adults do not have a monopoly on hair loss. Studies show that about 16% of young adult males ages 18 to 29 have moderate to severe hair loss, so losing hair can happen at any age. Some men can start losing hair in adolescence. 

People who have a genetic predisposition to hair loss start losing hair as early as their teens or twenties, decades before most people expect the loss to occur. The signs are there decades before they may notice. So, if you suspect you might be losing your hair, it’s always advisable to consult a professional as soon as possible. 

3. Hair suffocates under a hat. 

Some people will tell you that wearing a hat leads to hair loss because headwear can “suffocate” your hair. First of all, your follicles and hair strands do not breathe. Therefore, you can’t suffocate the hair off your head. 

You can, however, experience traction alopecia if your hat or hairstyle constantly pulls at your hair. Over time, repeated pressure or friction may lead to hair follicle damage or hair loss. In addition, a tight fit can restrict blood flow if worn daily, which may prevent vital nutrients from getting into hair follicles. While wearing a hat is fine, make sure to wear one that’s not constricting or abrasive to your scalp. 

4. Only men experience severe hair loss. 

Hair loss, even balding, is not a condition isolated to men. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, women also struggle with hair loss. Because, for all genders, the cause is typically genetic. Also, both men and women see thinning hair with age. The difference is how the person loses their hair. (02)

Men tend to lose hair in a very specific area, like at the hairline or the top of the head. On the other hand, women lose hair evenly and diffusely throughout the scalp. And, unlike men, women have historically had more options to disguise their hair loss in the form of wigs, weaves, and other cosmetic measures to cover baldness. In short, women also experience severe hair loss — albeit with significant differences. 

4. Stress causes baldness.

Does stress cause baldness? This myth is a little tricky. While stress by itself doesn’t cause baldness, it does cause hair loss. Telogen effluvium, a common hair loss condition, occurs due to severe and persistent stress. Anything from job loss to illness can trigger a stress response, which may result in hair loss. 

Telogen effluvium is also known as “club hair” due to the shape of hairs at the root. Hair loss happens throughout the head and does not typically cause complete baldness. The condition can impact any person at any age as long as they’ve experienced significant stress or sickness. Fortunately, in most cases, hair loss during telogen effluvium grows back after the stress has resolved. (03)

5. Men who go bald have too much testosterone. 

Although it may provide some comfort to think you’re losing your hair because you’re too manly, the truth is not that simple. Elevated levels of testosterone do not lead to baldness. However, testosterone does play an indirect role when it comes to hereditary hair loss. 

Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is a sex hormone that’s converted from testosterone. Hair follicles are affected by DHT. And some people are genetically inclined to have follicles that are exceptionally sensitive to the hormone, causing hair follicles to shrink in size and unable to grow healthy hair. (04) To combat the conversion of Testosterone into DHT, you need a custom hair treatment that targets the hormone. 

6. Certain hairstyles will cause you to go bald.

Your mousse and gel routine will not cause baldness, no matter how many bottles of product you go through. That said, some hairstyles may cause your hair too thin. For example, heated hair tools and tight braids can cause breakage, causing thinner hair. Once stopped, however, hair typically grows back normally. 

Coloring, bleaching,  or perming your hair also does not cause you to go bald, though it may damage the hair and lead to thinning. In most cases, the hair grows back once the coloring or perming ends.  Remember, any hair products that cause severe scalp injuries can result in permanent bald patches. 

7. Brushing your hair will encourage hair growth.

The myth about brushing your hair 100 times before bed stems from a time when hair conditioner wasn’t available to the masses. In the past, women (and some men) spread hair oils throughout the scalp by brushing repeatedly. This activity kept hair from becoming dry and brittle. 

Happy Head products help promote hair growth and combat hair loss at the root. Choose from custom-made topical treatments to super strength orals and more at HappyHead.com.

These days, the right shampoo and conditioner do the job that brushing used to do. Maintaining clean hair and a healthy scalp prevents hair loss. Brushing your hair too much, on the other hand, causes breakage and hair loss. While it won’t make you go bald, it may thin out your hair. (05)

The Truth About Hair Loss

Throughout history, hair has always had a mystical quality. Whether it’s the lock of hair placed into a boiling cauldron or Samson’s powerful mane, humans have always assigned myths to hair. Now that we’re done debunking the myths of hair loss, you know your hair isn’t magical — hair growth comes down to science

Happy Head takes the mystery out of hair loss. All of our doctors are board-certified dermatologists specializing in hair growth. Our proprietary hair growth formula and hair care products were developed by world-renowned hair loss pioneers: Dr. Ben Behnam and Dr. Sean Behnam. Looking to prevent hair loss or regrow your hair? Take the questionnaire and get started your customized hair loss program today. 

Resources: 

(01) https://www.healthline.com/health/baldness-gene
(02) https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/hair-loss/causes/18-causes
(03) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430848/
(04) https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/68082#Hair-growth-and-hair-loss
(05) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5419032/