A Dermatologist's Step by Step Routine for Thinning Hair

If you’re dealing with thinning hair, I want to start by saying this is something I see all the time in clinic. It can feel frustrating, and sometimes more than a little overwhelming, especially with how much information is out there. But I want to reassure you that you’ve come to the right place!

What I try to do with patients is simplify it. You don’t need a complicated routine, but you do need a consistent one that supports both your scalp and your hair over time.

I always come back to this idea: healthy scalp skin is the foundation for healthy hair. When the scalp environment is balanced, hydrated, and not inflamed, hair has a much better chance of growing and staying anchored. From there, the products you use can help support density, reduce shedding, and improve how your hair looks and feels day to day.

Let me build you a dermatologist-approved scalp and hair routine in a very practical way.

Step 1: Cleanse your scalp regularly

Cleansing is often underestimated, but it’s one of the most important steps.

Throughout the week, oil, sweat, product buildup, and even environmental debris collect on the scalp. That buildup can sit around the follicles and affect the overall scalp environment. When patients tell me their scalp feels itchy, flaky, or just “off,” this is often part of the picture. It doesn’t help that social media keeps telling people you can “train” your scalp to produce less oil; that is simply not true!

A good shampoo should cleanse without leaving the scalp feeling stripped or tight. I look for formulas that support the scalp barrier and help maintain balance rather than disrupt it.

Kerativ’s Redensify Reset Shampoo was designed with that in mind. It removes buildup while also supporting the scalp microbiome, and it includes velvet flower seed extract, which has been shown to improve the appearance of hair thickness even after rinsing.

If you have dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis, I usually recommend rotating in a medicated shampoo a few times a week. Look for ingredients like zinc pyrithione, selenium sulfide, or ketoconazole, an antifungal. You can alternate that with your regular shampoo so you’re treating the underlying inflammation while still maintaining overall scalp health.

Step 2: Use a conditioner that supports fragile hair

I see a lot of patients skip conditioner because they’re worried it will weigh their hair down. In reality, when hair is thinning, it’s often more fragile, and conditioning becomes even more important.

A good conditioner helps reduce friction, improve manageability, and minimize breakage. That alone can make hair look fuller over time.

I tend to recommend lightweight, hydrating formulas that don’t leave a heavy residue. Gel-cream textures are a nice balance. You can apply through the mid-lengths and ends, and if the formula is scalp-friendly, lightly near the roots as well.

Bond-building treatments are also reasonable to incorporate once or twice a week, especially if you color your hair or use heat regularly. They won’t address shedding directly, but they can improve hair strength and overall appearance.

Step 3: Apply a targeted scalp treatment

This is the step where we’re being very intentional about supporting hair density and reducing shedding.

There are different categories of ingredients that can be helpful here. Some support the hair cycle by prolonging the anagen growth phase, some improve the scalp environment, and others help with the appearance of thicker strands.

The Kerativ Redensify Treatment Serum was formulated to bring several of these approaches together, with ingredients like Redensyl, Kopexil, caffeine, adenosine, and botanical components that support a healthy follicle environment.

I usually recommend applying a scalp serum twice daily, and taking a moment to gently massage it in. It doesn’t need to be complicated or time-consuming. What matters most is that you keep up with it, so choose a serum that you enjoy using that doesn’t disrupt your daily routine!

Step 4: Be mindful of daily habits

This is something we don’t talk about enough, but I see the impact of it all the time.

Repeated stress on the hair and scalp can contribute to breakage and shedding. Things like tight hairstyles, frequent high-heat styling, or being rough with wet hair can all add up over time.

Small changes make a difference here. Looser hairstyles, being a little more gentle when brushing, and letting hair dry in a way that minimizes stress on the strands can all help support the work you’re doing with your products. 

Step 5: Give it time

This is often the hardest part. I tell my patients they have to be patient, and if a treatment out there promises immediate growth within days to weeks, it is probably too good to be true.

Hair grows slowly, and the hair cycle itself spans several months. You might see improvements in scalp skin or in the quality of hair, but you just won’t see meaningful changes in hair growth or new baby hairs sprouting in just a few weeks. I usually set expectations around three months to start noticing improvement, and closer to six months for more visible changes. 

This is why consistency matters so much. The routine only works if you’re able to stick with it.

Summary

So that’s it, that’s my practical guide to building a simple yet effective scalp and hair routine for thinning hair. Focus on keeping your scalp healthy, supporting your hair with the right products, and staying consistent over time. That’s what tends to make the biggest difference in what I see, both in clinic and in real life.