Hair loss is a struggle that many people face, especially with major lifestyle changes and age. While it’s completely normal to shed hair, if you’re not satisfied with your current hair thickness, there are a few steps you can take to reduce hair loss and promote hair growth.
While medical treatments do exist to counteract the effects of hair loss, there are a few at-home remedies you can try that are cost effective and easily accessible. Follow along as we breakdown a few effective at-home remedies that fight hair loss and encourage regrowth:
Massage
Massaging the scalp can be highly effective in promoting hair growth and contributing to the overall health of your hair. Massage stimulates the scalp to encourage hair growth, which will in turn improve hair thickness.
There are tools available specifically to perform a scalp massage, but you can also use your fingertips and oil for an easy, effective massage. Taking time to massage your scalp a few times a week is also a relaxing way to relieve stress and tension.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera has been used for decades as a natural hair loss remedy. Its soothing properties are known to condition and nourish the scalp in a gentle, effective way. According to Healthline, aloe vera is also known to reduce dandruff and unblock hair follicles that may be clogged with excess oil.
If you’re looking to incorporate aloe vera into your routine to promote hair growth, experts suggest applying pure aloe vera gel to the scalp and hair a few times a week. Another option is to use a shampoo or conditioner that contains aloe vera in its ingredient list.
Fish Oil
Consuming fish oil and omega fatty acids have many health benefits, but one you may not know about is the benefits of fish oil for your hair and scalp. Omega fatty acids are packed with nutrients and proteins which can help improve your hair from the inside.
If you’re looking to add more omega into your diet, an easy way is to take an omega supplement which will both help encourage hair growth and reduce hair loss. Depending on the type of fish oil you’re taking, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s recommended dosage for proper treatment.
Onion Juice
A home remedy that many may not know about is that onion juice actually has a surprising amount of benefits for hair growth. According to WebMD, it’s actually the sulfur in onion juice that is thought to help with hair regrowth.
A small study was completed to test this theory on a group of individuals with alopecia areata, which causes patchy hair loss. After two-weeks, 74% of individuals in the onion juice group had noticed hair regrowth compared to only 13% from the tap water group.
Biotin
Some doctors may prescribe biotin to patients who are struggling with hair loss. Biotin, also known as vitamin B7, is known to help improve the skin, hair and nails.
If you’d rather avoid taking a specific supplement, there are plenty of foods you can incorporate into your diet that contain biotin naturally. Eggs, wheat germ, and mushrooms all contain a high amount of biotin and can help naturally improve hair health and promote regrowth.
Iron
If you’re struggling with hair loss, it might be a good idea to get some bloodwork done to find out if you’re deficient in any areas which could be contributing to the issue. For example, low levels of iron have often been linked to hair loss.
If you’re looking to add more iron into your diet, ensure to eat foods that are iron-rich such as meat, fish, poultry, tofu, broccoli, and leafy greens. You could also consult your doctor to add an iron supplement into your diet.
Zinc
Zinc is another nutrient that helps with overall health, but also contributes to maintaining a healthy scalp and hair. According to WebMD, zinc is thought to strengthen the follicles under the scalp that nourish your hair.
Unfortunately, your body doesn’t store zinc, so it’s important to incorporate zinc into your diet everyday. If your levels of zinc are low, you could also try taking zinc by mouth to help with hair loss.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil has been used in many ways to benefit overall health, but it is also a popular natural beauty product. According to Healthline, coconut oil has major benefits for the hair and can promote hair growth. Coconut oil contains fatty acids that penetrate inside the hair shaft and reduce protein loss from hair.
Coconut oil can be used as a mask for a few hours before you wash your hair or as an overnight treatment. For double the hair growth benefits, you could also massage coconut oil onto your scalp and roots to promote growth.
Rosemary Oil
When it comes to essential oils, rosemary oil is one of the first essential oils that experts recommend to treat hair loss and promote regrowth. Rosemary oil encourages new hair growth and can also be used to treat androgenetic alopecia.
Experts recommend mixing a few drops of rosemary oil into a carrier oil and massaging it into your hair and scalp before washing. You could also add a few drops of rosemary oil into your shampoo and conditioner as an alternative method.
Lemon
Lemon juice has many benefits, but one that may surprise you is that it’s actually a great natural remedy for your hair! Fresh lemon juice or lemon oil works effectively to maintain a healthy scalp and promote hair growth.
To incorporate lemon into your beauty routine, it’s recommended to apply fresh lemon juice to your scalp and hair for a 15 minute mask before you wash your hair. You can also use lemon essential oil diluted in a carrier oil as an alternative method.
Melatonin
Many know melatonin as a supplement to encourage a restful night’s sleep or to cut jet lag. You may be surprised, however, to learn that melatonin also has great benefits for the hair and scalp.
According to WebMD, a cream with melatonin can promote hair growth and even slow down hair loss. Melatonin can also help reduce dandruff if this is another hair issue you struggle with. Be sure to consult your doctor before trying melatonin as a hair supplement to ensure this is the right fit for you.
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