Spartan Shampoo Review: Does It Really Work for Hair Loss?

If you’re a man of a certain age, there’s a good chance Spartan Root Activator Shampoo has popped up on one of your social media feeds recently. And if you’re experiencing hair loss, you may be curious and excited about a shampoo that claims to help you hold onto your hair (and maybe even reverse graying) in as little as 12 weeks. 

But does Spartan shampoo prevent hair loss? And is it worth the price?

In this doctor-led Spartan Root Activator Shampoo review with insight from one of our medical advisors, board-certified dermatologist Knox Beasley, MD, we’ll take a closer look at the ingredients in the shampoo and the research behind them.

Spartan Root Activator Shampoo is marketed as a hair growth and thickening solution. It claims to strengthen hair roots, promote growth, and restore shine, particularly to graying hair. It is often sold as part of a bundle with a conditioner and a root activator spray, with promises of visible results in six weeks.​ 

You can buy Spartan shampoo through the brand’s website or Amazon, but it’s unavailable in stores or through third-party retailers.

There are no clinical studies on the shampoo as a whole, but some of the ingredients have been studied independently, which we’ll cover in more detail next.

The active ingredients in Spartan Root Activator Shampoo are as follows:

Menthol, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Anemarrhena Asphodeloides Root Extract, Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Root Extract, Rosemary Oil, Black Sesame Extract, Licorice Root Extract, Angelica Polymorpha Sinensis Root Extract, Citric Acid, Platycladus Orientalis Leaf Extract, Sophora Flavescens Extract, Biota Orientalis Leaf Extract, Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Cinchona Pubescens Bark Extract, Caffeine, Melatonin

Some of these ingredients have research backing their efficacy for addressing hair loss, although it’s limited and generally low-quality. 

For example, one study in mice found that menthol could increase hair growth by as much as 30 percent. Another mouse study found that peppermint oil may also be promising as a hair growth ingredient. Angelica polymorpha sinensis root extract is another ingredient with some promising research behind it — testing on mice found that those treated with the ingredient had faster hair growth, larger hair follicles, and longer hair shafts. No testing has yet been done in humans, though.

Melatonin, caffeine, and rosemary oil may also help with hair growth, though they have not been shown to reverse male pattern baldness.

Some of the inactive ingredients in the shampoo may be harmful to humans.

For example, 1,2-hexanediol is an emollient ingredient (it helps soften hair and skin) and a preservative. However, research on plants and animal cells found it to be toxic, and researchers have said that it may be harmful to the human body, especially if it gets inside the body via a cut or through the mouth. We need more research in this area to know for sure, though.

★★★★★

• Efficacy: ★

• Side Effects: ★★★★ (Dr. Beasley says that shampoos usually have minimal side effects unless you have an allergy to one of the ingredients)

• Ease of Use: ★★★★★

Pros:

• Leaves hair looking clean and shiny

Cons:

• Some of the claims made by the brand seem dubious

• There are only four- and five-star reviews included on the website

“There is limited scientific evidence that this would have a significant impact on hair growth, especially in a shampoo that has only limited contact with the scalp,” Dr. Beasley says of the Spartan shampoo.

How Much Does Spartan Root Activator Shampoo Cost?

The shampoo retails for $39.95 per month, plus $4.95 in shipping if you buy it from the Spartan website. This is on par with or lower than the cost of similar products, like Mane Root Activator Shampoo.

Does Spartan Root Activator Shampoo Regrow Hair?

The big question: Does Spartan shampoo work? It’s important to note that because shampoo is in contact with the scalp for such a short time, it’s unlikely that any hair growth shampoo will deliver dramatic results. The brand says that if you’re totally bald, its products are not the right fit for you. Likewise, none of the product’s ingredients have been proven to treat male pattern hair loss.

However, many Spartan Root Activator Shampoo reviews mention that the shampoo leaves hair feeling shiny and clean and may temporarily make hair look thicker.

Is Spartan Root Activator Shampoo Legit?

There are more than 3,000 reviews on the Spartan website, all of which have either four or five stars, which seems suspicious. Some of the before-and-afters also seem to be pulled from other places online. 

Be wary of buying the shampoo from Amazon, as many reviews say the product is fake (and comes in a tiny, unbranded bottle). Reviewers on Trustpilot also note that the promised “money-back guarantee” is difficult to access and is often less than a full refund (and takes several emails to initiate).

The brand also makes some questionable claims, including that the shampoo is “chemical-free,” which is misleading as even botanical ingredients are made of chemicals (and even then, the formula is not strictly plant-based). They also say their products are made with 100 percent natural ingredients, which is false.

Who Is Spartan Root Activator Shampoo For?

Spartan Root Activator Shampoo is suitable for men and women. The product is marketed toward anyone looking for hair care products that promote hair growth.

Can You Combine Spartan Root Activator Shampoo With Other Hair Loss Treatments?

If you’re ever unsure about combining hair loss treatments, it’s always best to check in with a healthcare professional. However, because Spartan shampoo does not contain minoxidil or finasteride (the two medications that are FDA-approved for treating male pattern baldness) or any other prescription ingredients, it’s likely fine to use with other products.

The brand states, “Our shampoo is safe to use alongside hair growth treatments like minoxidil, finasteride, or biotin supplements. In fact, using it as part of a comprehensive hair care routine can enhance the effectiveness of other treatments by keeping your scalp healthy and improving absorption.”

Here are a few key things to remember from our Spartan shampoo review.

• While some individual ingredients in the shampoo—like peppermint oil, menthol, and melatonin—have shown potential benefits for hair growth in animal studies, there’s no clinical evidence supporting the shampoo itself. 

• Dr. Beasley says shampoos generally have limited effectiveness for hair growth due to their brief contact with the scalp.

• All the reviews on the brand’s website are positive, which raises some concern about the legitimacy of the product and the reviews.

• Overall, Spartan Root Activator Shampoo is not a substitute for FDA-approved treatments like finasteride or minoxidil.

To learn how other hair loss brands compare, check out our guides to Hims vs Keeps and Hims Hair vs Happy Head. Interested in learning more about FDA-approved hair loss treatments? Start an online Hims hair loss consultation to connect with a healthcare provider.