As I write this, I remember noticing hair loss decades ago. My first reaction was to find the best products to promote hair growth and treat hair loss.
After trying numerous commercial solutions, I discovered that natural home remedies can be equally effective in stimulating hair follicles and addressing thinning hair and hair loss.
In this article, I'll share five natural remedies that have shown promising results in promoting hair growth and reducing hair loss. Let's dive in!
Determine the Cause of Your Thinning Hair and Hair Loss
Knowing the cause of your hair loss or hair thinning will determine what remedies you can use to boost hair growth.
Pattern Baldness
If it's male pattern baldness or female pattern hair loss, let's face it, there's no cure for our hair loss. It will progress from the early stages of the Norwood scale until you reach the late stages. You can use hair growth products to stimulate hair growth or promote hair growth all you want, but sadly, the results will be the same.
Had I known this back then, I wouldn't have wasted time, money, and effort on hair growth products.
It's clear to me now that all the testimonies of hair growth and hair loss being solved by this and that hair growth product were of people who didn't have male pattern baldness like me. The causes of their hair loss were most likely what we'll discuss next.
Tight Hairstyles
If you wear a tight hairstyle or a tight hat, you can trigger traction alopecia. This condition causes hair loss by placing excessive pressure on the hair follicles.
To prevent this, avoid tight hairstyles and wear looser headwear.
If you've experienced hair loss because of this, your hair will grow back (assuming you don't have pattern baldness). You can choose from the best natural remedies for hair growth, which we'll recommend later.
You can read our article on tight hats and hairstyles to learn more.
Medication
Some medicines, including those for arthritis, blood pressure, seizure, heartburn, indigestion, acid reflux, lupus, cholesterol, and diabetes, may cause hair loss.
The good news in this case is that hair loss is temporary. It's called drug-induced alopecia.
Hair may grow faster with the help of hair products that promote hair growth.
Read our article to learn more about medication that may cause hair loss.
Cancer Treatment (Chemotherapy)
Chemotherapy is synonymous with hair loss. When you watch movies or TV shows about cancer patients, what do they have in common? They always have shaved heads. Chemo drugs target the bad cells during treatment but also affect the good cells, including hair follicles.
Hair loss due to chemo can be partial or complete, and not just on the scalp. The good news is that it is usually temporary. Once you're done with the treatment, hair will likely grow back within a few months.
If you want thicker hair and more hair density, you can use products that promote hair growth (keep reading).
Stress
Stress causes a temporary form of hair loss known as telogen effluvium. Hair loss occurs a few months after a stressful event (divorce, unemployment, illness, or surgery) and can last up to six months. Hair will eventually grow back on its own.
You can use supplements to improve hair growth and achieve faster results.
Smoking
Research shows that smoking can increase the risk of androgenetic alopecia and accelerate the balding process. If you don't want your hair follicles to be gone in 60 seconds, you better stop while you are ahead. It's better for your overall health anyway.
The Holistic Approach to Regrow Hair Naturally
Restoring our hair follicles requires a holistic approach to achieve better results. Combining natural oils and supplements may help with hair thinning and beat hair loss faster than a single treatment. Here's what I recommend:
Rosemary Oil - Best Natural Hair Oil
Rosemary oil is a potent essential oil that's synonymous with hair growth. It boosts circulation and stimulates hair follicles, which helps solve most hair-thinning problems.
One study shows that rosemary oil for hair loss produces the same results as 2% minoxidil. Minoxidil is one of the top medical treatments for hair loss. It can promote hair growth by increasing blood flow to the scalp.
This natural hair remedy promotes hair growth, reduces dandruff, and soothes an itchy scalp.
How to use:
Dilute a few drops of rosemary oil with a carrier oil like jojoba or coconut oil
Massage into your scalp for 5 to 10 minutes
Leave on your scalp for at least 30 minutes for better absorption before washing it out with shampoo
Benefits:
Enhances blood flow to the scalp
Reduces dandruff and scalp irritation
Strengthens hair follicles
Use a high-quality rosemary oil like this one from Mielle Organics for the best results.
Scalp Massage - Best Natural Treatment
Scalp massages help you relax and have been shown to increase blood flow to the scalp, helping regrow hair naturally. This Japanese study even showed scalp massages increased hair thickness.
I get a scalp massage once a week, which helps me relax after a week of work. If you can massage daily, that would be better.
If you're doing the massage, remember to apply gentle pressure. Aggressive rubbing may damage your hair and sensitive scalps.
Here are some scalp massage oils you can use:
Rosemary oil
Jojoba oil
Coconut oil
Sweet almond oil
Avocado oil
Grapeseed oil
Olive oil
Some tips when using oils on your scalp:
You may warm the oil a little before applying for better absorption
Massage using gentle circular motions
Leave oil for 20 to 30 minutes before shampooing out
Chia Seeds - Best Natural Hair Growth Supplement
Chia seeds have been a staple in my diet for years. These tiny little seeds are a powerhouse rich in essential fatty acids (Omega 3), protein, amino acids, and minerals necessary for hair health.
They're an excellent addition to our holistic approach to naturally restoring hair health and boosting growth.
Here's how you can add chia to your diet:
Chia water: Soak chia seeds in water for at least 20 minutes for a simple and refreshing drink. As the seeds absorb water, they will have a gel-like texture. You can flavor it with lemon, lime, or fruit slices.
Smoothies: Chia seeds can also be blended with your favorite fruits, veggies, yogurt, or milk for a nutrient-rich smoothie.
Chia pudding is a classic chia preparation. Soak chia seeds in milk overnight. Top with your favorite fresh fruit, nuts, granola, or honey during breakfast.
Oatmeal: Stir in chia seeds into your oatmeal for a protein-rich snack
Salads: Top chia seeds onto salads for a nutritious boost
Energy bars: Homemade energy bars are another way to add chia to your diet
Benefits:
Strengthens hair
Promotes hair growth
Adds shine
Lower scalp inflammation
For more hair vitamins, you can read our article on scalp vitamins and supplements to learn more.
Pumpkin Seed Oil - Best DHT Blocker Oil
Don't throw your Halloween pumpkin leftovers away just yet. The seeds are said to block the formation of DHT (Dihydrotestosterone), a hormone known for male pattern baldness.
A study shows that men with male pattern baldness who took 400 mg of pumpkin seed oil supplement had more hair growth than those who got a placebo. The hair growth-promoting effect was due to pumpkin seed oil's ability to block DHT production.
How to Use:
Warm the oil and apply directly to your scalp
Mix with carrier oil like jojoba oil or coconut oil (optional)
Leave for 15 minutes and shampoo out
Benefits:
Reduces DHT
Prevents hair loss
Stimulates hair follicles
Contains zinc, iron, and magnesium, which are beneficial for healthy hair
Coconut Oil - Best Oil for Repairing Hair Damage
Coconut oil is a common ingredient in shampoos, conditioners, gels, and other haircare products. Have you ever wondered why?
Coconut oil has many hair-related benefits. It contains fatty acids (lauric acid) that are said to improve hair health.
Another study shows the potential effect coconut oil has in preventing hair damage.
How to Use:
Warm coconut oil before using by placing a teaspoon into a bowl filled with warm water (not boiling)
Add a few drops of rosemary oil, lavender, or peppermint for a more potent blend
For better absorption, apply at night and shampoo off in the morning
Use a little amount to avoid buildup or clogged pores
Benefits:
Helps heal damaged hair
Hydrate dry scalp
Reduce dandruff
The Best Alternative Solution: Shave It Off
What hair regrowth results do you expect when you use hair loss products? For me, I wanted or expected a full head of hair back. Pattern baldness makes you look old and untidy, especially when the horseshoe gets bigger.
In my experience, products promoting hair growth only restore a minimal percentage of hair. This is not enough for me aesthetically; you're still balding and progressing with minimal hair regrowth.
I finally shaved it off when I reached stage 6 on the Norwood scale.
It set me free!
I said goodbye to worrying about balding and embraced a new look.
Head shaving requires the best tool for shaving your head.
We recommend the FlexSeries from Freebird. It's one of the top-selling rotary shavers, and it has more than a million satisfied users.
The Bottom Line
If hair thinning is affecting your mental health, don't worry.
If it's not male or female pattern hair loss, natural remedies for hair loss may promote hair growth naturally.
Be patient with natural hair growth treatments. Compared to medical treatments, they usually take longer before you notice improvements.
If medical treatments are ok with you, you can read our article on the most effective hair loss treatments.
