In the GHI lab, we also assessed anti-breakage shampoos by combing through hair switches that were treated with the product(s) and comparing them to untreated hair switches. The easier the treated switches were to comb, the less risk of hair breakages and fall out in real life. Keeping your scalp clean and at optimum health is key to achieving a fuller head of hair. Ingredients to look out for range from caffeine to peppermint oil to boost circulation, while proteins and keratin will help strengthen hair and give it more resilience. Root- or scalp-stimulating shampoos and conditioners: these aim to clear away root or scalp build-up and stimulate the hair follicles to encourage healthy hair growth. Being overzealous with heating tools and years of bleaching can also play a part in hair loss, especially around the hairline. Both contribute to breakage by making hair dry and brittle, eventually leading to hair fallout. Technically, shampoos can’t regrow any missing patches of hair. However, what they can do is create the right environment to encourage your natural hair to grow as healthily as possible.

With over five years’ experience in beauty and health journalism, Florence has written for ELLE, Women’s Fitness, Sister Magazine, National Geographic Traveller and many more, with a strong sustainability angle thread through much of her work. Hair loss shampoos and conditioners are formulated to target the common causes of hair loss. The main types are: Anti-breakage shampoos and conditioners: these reinforce the structure of the hair strand, aiming to prevent breakages and splitting.We gave 700 testers — all with self-diagnosed mild to extreme hair loss or thinning — a shampoo and conditioner set to trial for between one and two months.