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

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 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.

Dealing with Hair Loss? Get These Hormones Under Control.

Here’s a fun fact: hormonal imbalances are the leading cause of hair loss. At least 50 percent of men are affected by the age of 50. (01) Ladies, this is true for you too. Those chemicals that send messages to your organs, skin, muscles, and other tissues are pretty powerful. They rule your emotions, your weight, your sleep patterns, and, yes, your hair. If your hairline is receding, or you’re starting to see bald patches on the crown of your head, it may be a sign that you need to get those hormones under control. Not sure how? Here are some tips and tricks to help.

Hormonal Hair Loss Triggers

Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s talk about the different types of hormonal hair loss. Not all hair loss due to hormonal imbalances is the same. Some hair loss is short-term. Once balance is restored, your hair will grow back. Other types are a bit more challenging to manage. In this case, medication can help stop your hair loss and jump-start the growth process. Fortunately, great progress has been made researching and developing medications designed to treat hair loss due to hormonal imbalances. Many effective oral and topical options are now available. So, what hormones cause temporary hair loss, and which create more long-term issues?

Testosterone

We’ll start with testosterone. Testosterone is the hormone that stimulates the development of male sexual characteristics. Testosterone affects men’s sex drive and sperm production. It also plays a role in bone and muscle mass, fat storage, blood cell production, and mood. Women also produce testosterone, but in much smaller amounts.

Typically, about ten percent of testosterone in men and women converts to an androgen called dihydrotestosterone (DHT) due to an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase (5-AR). Once DHT flows through your bloodstream, DHT attaches to the receptors on your hair follicles. The hair follicles then shrink, making your hair thin and eventually fall out, causing what’s known as male or female pattern hair loss.

Solution: Successfully treating male or female pattern hair loss often takes a multi-faceted approach. Enlarging the hair follicles while blocking the testosterone from converting to DHT is usually the best strategy. It can, however, take some trial to determine which medications and strengths are most effective for each person. Minoxidil is often used to open the follicles. Commonly used DHT blockers include Finasteride, Dutasteride, and Spironolactone. All of these medications are available in oral or topical formulas. Many people prefer topicals since they eliminate the risk of systemic side effects.

Cortisol

Who isn’t stressed out these days? Pressure at work, rising costs, and keeping peace at home can be a lot to handle. When you get stressed out, your body generates extra cortisol. Cortisol is produced and released in your adrenal glands which are located on top of your kidneys. Its job as a steroid hormone is to tell your body, ”Hey, you need to chill out!” When your cortisol level gets high, it can reduce the synthesis and speed up the breakdown of hyaluronic acid and proteoglycans in your scalp. The increase interrupts your hair’s growth cycle, which can lead to hair loss.

Solution: Breathe. Hair loss due to stress is usually temporary. Your hair will grow back on its own once the stressors are gone. Head outside for a walk, sign-up for a yoga class, or download a meditation app to listen to before bed. If the usual tricks for restoring calm in your life don’t work, seeking help from a counselor or therapist may be the way to go.

Triiodothyronine (T3) & Thyroxine (T4)

T3 and T4 are hormones produced in the thyroid gland. They control how your body uses energy and help regulate many functions from your metabolism to brain development. T3 and T4 are the markers typically used to help diagnose thyroid disorders. Too high or too low can be signs of hyper or hypothyroidism. Both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism can lead to hair loss with specific patterns. People who lose their hair due to thyroid issues usually see thinning over the entire scalp.

Solution: Treating the thyroid disorder usually leads to regrowth over several months. If you think your hair loss may be thyroid related, you’ll need an appointment with an endocrinologist. Once your thyroid is treated, your hair will slowly grow back.

Estrogen and Progesterone

Decreases in estrogen and progesterone levels have been proven to affect women’s hair growth cycles. (02) That’s why women tend to see their hair thinning or shedding after childbirth or during menopause. During menopause, a decrease in these hormones also causes an increase in androgens that produce DHT. DHT conversion happens for women as it does for men, resulting in female pattern hair loss. Hair lost after childbirth usually resolves itself and grows back over time. Hair loss due to menopause requires treatment.

Solution: If you’ve recently had a baby or are nearing menopause age, visit your dermatologist for a consultation and diagnosis. Postpartum hair loss and female pattern baldness can usually be diagnosed through a visual exam. There are very specific patterns of hair loss. You don’t want to assume that your hair loss is hormone-related, just in case another cause requires different treatment.

How to Treat Hormonal Hair Loss

If your hair loss is due to hormones, treatment options will be based on your condition. In some cases, your hair will grow back on its own. Other cases will require treatment. Here’s an idea of the different types available:

Minoxidil

Minoxidil, a popular hair loss medication, is sold over the counter and in stronger doses by prescription. It helps enlarge your hair follicles and allows healthy hair to grow. It’s best to have a board-certified dermatologist monitor your Minoxidil use. The reason why is because the medication must be continued once you start using it. If you discontinue Minoxidil, the hair you grow while using the medication can fall out.

DHT Blockers

When male or female pattern hair loss is an issue, preventing testosterone from converting to DHT is one of the most effective ways to stop thinning and shedding. A few different types are available, including Finasteride, Dutasteride, and Spironolactone for women. Prescription DHT blockers are available in pill or topical formulas. Each have pros and cons, so it’s important to work with your dermatologist to determine which medication and formula is best for you.

Supplements

Supplements alone won’t regrow your hair, but they can help treat the root cause of your hair loss. Iron and vitamin D deficiencies are common among people with hair loss due to hormonal imbalances. Collagen, probiotics, and other supplements can also help strengthen your hair and scalp.

Thickening Shampoo & Conditioner

The right shampoo and conditioner can help make your hair thicker, shinier, and healthier. Look for products infused with collagen, saw palmetto, keratin, biotin, and other ingredients that have been proven to support hair growth.

Whether you’re 15, 50, or 70, dealing with hormone imbalances can be a nuisance. However, thanks to research and technology, you have more reliable and accessible options than ever to deal with associated hair loss. You don’t even have to leave your sofa. Simply answer a short hair loss questionnaire and our licensed dermatologist will review your case. If you are a candidate for hormone-induced hair loss, we can make recommendations and deliver customized prescription medications directly to you. Want to learn more? Get in touch with us for an evaluation and personalized treatment plan.

Resources:

(01) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5817427/

(02) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7432488/