EP 331: The OTC Products Dermatologists Recommend To Combat Thinning Hair

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The quiet panic of a widening part or a shrinking ponytail is real—and it’s more common than most of us admit. We open up about the emotional side of hair thinning and then get practical, mapping a simple, dermatologist-aligned plan that swaps guesswork for progress. From first steps with your doctor to the exact over-the-counter products worth your time, this conversation is designed to give you clarity, control, and a realistic timeline for change.

We break down what actually helps: 5% minoxidil foam to extend the growth phase, ketoconazole shampoos to calm scalp inflammation, and low-level light therapy (LLLT) caps that can improve density with steady use over six to nine months. We also explore supportive options like rosemary oil blends with carnosic acid and DHT-targeted shampoos featuring saw palmetto and pumpkin seed oil—plus how to line them up so your routine stays simple and sustainable. Along the way, we share client stories that show why a basic medical check for thyroid function, iron, and vitamin D can turn a stagnant routine into one that finally delivers visible baby hairs and better coverage.

If hair loss feels overwhelming, we’ll help you set expectations and milestones, including when shedding often slows and when regrowth typically shows. You’ll learn how to pair products without overloading your scalp, how to track progress with monthly photos, and how to avoid the trap of jumping from trend to trend before anything has time to work. Ready for a plan that respects both the science and the feelings? Hit play, subscribe for more smart hair care, and share this with a friend who could use a hopeful nudge. Your next three to six months can look different—start today by following, rating, and leaving a short review to help others find the show.

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Episode Transcript

SPEAKER_00 (01:28):
I'll never forget the first time a client sat down
in my chair and whispered, Ithink my hair is getting
thinner, but I'm embarrassed totalk about it.
Her eyes welled up and Irealized how emotional hair loss
can be.
Over the years, I've seen thisconversation happen again and
again.
Not just with my clients, buteven with friends and fellow

(01:49):
stylists.
If you've been noticing extrashedding in your brush or a
little more scalp showing aroundyour temples, you're not alone.
Today we're talking aboutdermatologist recommended
over-the-counter products thatcan help you feel hopeful again.
Welcome to All About Hair, wherewe talk shop, share stories, and

(02:09):
spill the secrets behind greathair and a great career.
I'm your host, Denise Keilitz, aformer salon owner, educator,
and a lifelong hair crusader.
Whether you're a new stylistbuilding your book, or just
someone who loves learning aboutall things hair, you're in the
right place.

(02:34):
Look, hair thinning is common.
It's caused by hormones, stress,nutrition, and even a recent
illness or medication change.
But it's also deeply, deeplypersonal.
When you see more strands onyour pillow or if you feel like
your ponytail shrinking, it canbe discouraging.
Many people jump straight intotrendy oils or TikTok remedies

(02:57):
without understanding what'sactually proven to help.
This is confusing, right?
There's no single reason forhair loss.
Dermatologists talk about thingslike hormonal thinning or
telogen ephifluvum if you caneven pronounce it.
That's when stress, illness, ormedication changes triggers

(03:18):
shedding.
Sometimes it's nutrition, lowiron or vitamin D, and if you
don't know the why, you mayspend months using the wrong
product or feeling defeated.
Let me tell you about one of mylongtime salon guests.
We'll call her Lisa.
She came to me panicked becauseshe tried every miracle hair oil

(03:39):
from Instagram, but nothingworked.
Once she finally saw adermatologist, they discovered a
thyroid issue.
With the right medical supportand better at-home products, she
turned things around in aboutsix months.
So here's what board-certifieddermatologists and my own
experience say can help whenyou're cleared to use

(03:59):
over-the-counter products.
First and foremost, get checked.
Go see a doctor if possible torule out any health causes like
your thyroid hormones ornutrition.
The right products work betteronce the root cause is
addressed.
One product that you might wantto consider is minoxidil.
This is usually under the Rogainname.

(04:22):
This is a tried and trueingredient that keeps hair
growth in its growth phaselonger.
It comes in 5% foam, easier toapply without dripping into your
face.
Just know that it takes aboutthree to four months of
consistent use before you canjudge any results.
Then you have ketoconazoleshampoos like nicerol.

(04:46):
Originally, this was designedfor dandruff, but they may help
reduce inflammation and hormonaltriggers that worsen thinning.
Plus, it leaves hairsurprisingly soft for a
medicated shampoo.
You're gonna also use low-levellight therapy.
Think red light caps.

(05:06):
They use gentle lasers tostimulate follicles.
I have a few links on my Amazonstorefront.
You can go over and check thisout.
I've had a few clients invest inthese, and while pricey, many
report thicker, denser hairafter about six to nine months.
We used to have a red lighttherapy light in our salon, and

(05:26):
I used it myself because, as youguys probably know, I suffered
from hair loss.
Um and it did work.
Uh, but I used it with otherthings as well.
So uh if you are going to investin one of these red light
therapy caps or lights, justknow you have to use it
consistently to see any results.

(05:47):
So don't give up, okay?
You can also look at rosemaryoil blends.
Both dermatologists I read andmy own behind the chair results
show promise, especially uh withthe meal rosemary mint scalp oil
or the sultanicals herbalblends.
Rosemary contains carnesic acid,which may support growth and

(06:11):
reduce inflammation.
You also want to consider DHTblocking shampoos.
Look for salt, palmetto, andpumpkin seed oil.
Euphoria's shampoo for thinninghair has this as well as their
Min's shampoo line.
I'll leave the links in my shownotes.
This is really, really greatstuff.

(06:31):
They've won awards for it.
The DHT blocking shampoos canhelp if your thinning is hormone
related.
Then you also definitely want tolook at your supplements.
If your doctor finds you're lowon iron or vitamin D, you want
to correct those levels, andhair simply won't thrive if the
body's deficient in any of thesevitamins.

(06:52):
I remember a client, her namewas Megan, who felt hopeless
after postpartum shedding.
We set her up with adermatologist, of course.
She started using minoxidil,switched to a different shampoo,
and used some rosemary oilbetween washes, and six months
later, she walked into the salonwith visible baby hairs framing

(07:13):
her face and the biggest smile.
So here's the encouraging part.
You don't have to just wash yourhair thin.
With a little patience, thinklike three to six months, the
right at-home treatments canslow shedding and even help
regrowth.
More importantly, you'll feelempowered because you're taking
action instead of quietlyworrying.

(07:35):
So if you've been feelingdiscouraged about hair thinning,
I hope this episode gives youdirection and hope.
Remember, see a professional ifyou can.
Stay consistent with yourroutine and give your hair time
to respond.
For more support, subscribe toAll About Hair with Denise on
YouTube because I've got a tonof videos over there on thinning

(07:59):
hair or how to get more volumeout of your hair.
And you can also listen to ourpodcast because a lot of of my
episodes cover thinning hair.
And don't forget, you can goover and grab my free hair
growth protocol sheet.
Just go over todeniseKeiletz.com forward slash
thinning hair, all one word.

(08:20):
Um, I'll put it in the shownotes.
And it's packed with extra tipsall about hair growth.
And remember, always remember,when you know better, you do
better.
Thanks for tuning in to AllAbout Hair.
If you loved this episode, hitsubscribe, leave us a review,
and share it with a fellowstylist or hair loving friend.

(08:41):
You want more tips, tools, andbehind the scenes goodness?
Follow me on YouTube or head tomy website at deniseKeilitz.com.
Yes, I know it's hard to spell,so don't worry, the link is in
the show notes.
Until next time, keep learning,keep creating, and keep loving
what you do.