Most men and women will struggle with hair loss at some point in their life. Hair growth depends on many different factors, including your genetics, diet, exercise, stress, and lifestyle habits. While there are many treatments and products for hair regrowth, some people would prefer to try home remedies first. Whether you’re trying to regrow hair or want to find ways to make your hair grow faster and longer naturally, many helpful natural remedies can stop hair loss and stimulate regrowth. Some studies suggest that a simple way to promote hair growth is to increase circulation through scalp massages and exercise, meanwhile other research shows that you can grow hair back at home by taking saw palmetto and biotin while applying pumpkin seed oil, onion juice, rosemary oil, and coconut oil.
From thinning hair to a receding hairline, the right tips and tricks can offer proven health benefits and work to treat your hair. To help you find natural treatments, we’ve compiled a list of the best home remedies for hair growth. From healthy oils to organic supplements, explore these effective hair loss remedies to find ideas that will grow hair!
Natural Home Remedies For Hair Growth
Scalp Massage
One of the hair growth remedies is to give yourself a scalp massage daily. A dry scalp massage with the tips of your fingers works well, but the process is more beneficial if you apply a natural oil first. If you have naturally oily hair, it’s advisable to only do this once per week. You’ll also want to use a high-quality shampoo with all-organic ingredients to cleanse, nourish and protect your scalp.
By massaging your scalp for a few minutes per day, you stimulate blood flow which circulates nutrients to your follicles and promotes hair growth and thickness. Similarly, a massage can relieve stress, which has been known to contribute to thinning and loss.
Protein
Protein-rich foods are necessary to grow hair naturally. Your body requires protein to function properly, and a deficiency may be causing your hair loss. If you have a protein deficiency, you may have noticed hair loss as a direct side effect. Consider a healthy, well-balanced diet complete with nutritious protein sources.
A few easy ways to add protein to your diet include eating more fish, beans, legumes, eggs, chicken, and mixed nuts. Your protein intake should be proportionate to the how much physical exercise you undertake and the amount of muscle mass you need to maintain.
Pumpkin Seed Oil
To grow new hair, take pumpkin seed oil as a daily supplement. The oil can be used for cooking purposes as well and thus absorbed when eating, but most people prefer the supplemental version. You can take the supplement in different doses depending on your needs, but most people ingest between 100 and 2,000 milligrams.
Almost all oil-based supplements are available in soft gel form. When taking pumpkin seed oil supplements daily over a period of six months, people have reported experiencing an overall increase in their hair growth.
Saw Palmetto
For those experiencing hair loss in the front and back of the head, taking saw palmetto may help treat hair loss and encourage your follicles to grow for improved coverage. Studies have shown that saw palmetto can increase hair growth in men, resulting in thicker and fuller hairstyle. The recommended dosage is around 300 to 350 milligrams per day to ensure the supplement is taking its full effect.
By taking a daily supplement, you are supporting long-term hair growth, particularly in those key regions of the scalp. Saw palmetto is most effective for people with thin or thinning hair and is one of the most popular ways to slow down hair loss and regrow hair. Some of the top-rated shampoos and conditioners are made with saw palmetto as a primary ingredient.
Aloe Vera
If you have been suffering from hair loss, the application of aloe vera to the scalp is known to directly address this issue. Aloe vera is available in several forms, including a liquid and a gel that are safe to apply to your scalp and hair several times per week.
Some shampoos and conditioners contain aloe vera as one of their main ingredients, and these are acceptable substitutes if you’re unable to find this product in one of its pure forms. Aloe vera removes excess oil building around the hair follicles which helps them grow more efficiently.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil can be applied directly to the scalp to help counteract the negative effects of protein loss experienced in your hair follicles and hair shaft. As protein is lost, the hair follicles weaken which makes them more likely to fall out. Apply coconut oil to your scalp and roots either before or after you shower to prevent further protein loss from occurring.
The frequency in which you apply the oil and whether you do before or after a shower is largely dependent on how oily your hair is naturally. Women with oily hair should use the product less frequently to assist in hair growth. One to two times per week provides you with the growth benefits without weighing your hair down with excessive oil.
Viviscal
Thinning hair can be combated with daily Viviscal supplements. Viviscal is considered a complex because it contains minerals, vitamins, and a combination of powders designed to help strengthen your hair cells for maximum growth.
For this course of action to be most effective, you’ll need to take the supplements twice a day, every day, for six months or more. If you don’t want to take supplements multiple times a day, you’ll want to consider the shampoo and conditioner products.
Fish Oil
To decrease hair loss and strengthen the interior portion of the hair follicle, taking daily doses of fish oil is an effective method. Fish oil is considered an omega fatty acid and has several key health benefits.
The dosage and frequency in which you take fish oil varies, so it’s advisable to follow the instructions provided on the supplement’s label to determine the correct amount and ingestion. With fish oil, your immunity is boosted, and your hair cells function normal which assists in the overall growth production.
Ginseng
Another useful supplement to take to promote hair growth is ginseng. Like other supplements, you’ll need to be mindful of suggested doses and frequencies to determine the right course of action for your personal needs. Similarly, there can be side effects so do your research in advance to ensure you’re comfortable taking this product.
Ginseng stimulates your hair follicles which makes it easier for them to grow at an increased rate. Plus, this supplement boosts your immune system as well which is needed to sustain continuous hair growth over time.
Onion Juice
Though you may have to pinch your nose for this one, onion juice is known for its restorative properties when taken to combat the effects of hair loss. Onion juice is used directly on the hair and scalp as a pre-shower treatment.
You’ll need to squeeze the juice out of the onions at home then apply the liquid directly to effected areas before shampooing and conditioning your hair normally. The juice has been observed to increase blood circulation which in turn inspires hair growth, particularly for individuals with alopecia.
Rosemary Oil
Known for being one of the most reliable products to remedy hair loss, rosemary oil has several key benefits. Essential oils should never be applied directly to the skin, hair, or scalp, so it’s best to use a few drops of rosemary oil mixed into your shampoo or conditioner when heading down this route.
You can use this remedy a few times per week, but as with other oils, you’ll need to scale back if your hair is naturally oily already. Rosemary oil reduces the frequency of hair loss while simultaneously promoting growth within the follicle to ensure your hair remains strong for months at a time.
Geranium Oil
If you’re looking for a solution that inspires hair growth while providing other benefits, geranium oil is the way to go. This product is known for increasing hydration as well as the overall strength of your hair follicle and hair shaft.
Like other oils, you’ll need to mix the geranium oil with your shampoo and conditioner or with a carrier oil, such as avocado or argon. Either way, all you need is a few drops to receive the benefits without worrying about your hair become too slick with oil.
Lemon Juice
For a healthy scalp and stronger hair follicles, apply lemon juice or lemon oil to your scalp and roots. The usage of lemon juice increases the quality of your hair as well, which makes it look better in addition to helping it grow stronger.
Whether you use the juice or oil, be sure to apply the product at least fifteen minutes before you shower then proceed to shampoo and conditioner your hair normally. This prevents any adverse effects from occurring.
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy accompanied with specific essential oils is a reliable method for stimulating hair growth. Some of the best oils for this method include lavender, cedarwood, and thyme. If you already have rosemary oil on hand, this can be used during aromatherapy as well.
Inhaling the scent of the oil, in addition to applying a mixture of the oil with a carrier oil directly to the scalp, can help strengthen existing follicles and promote the growth of new ones.
Castor Oil Treatment
Castor oil treatment is one of the best things you can do if you’re experiencing hair loss. Containing omega fatty acids and beneficial proteins and vitamins, castor oil is a reliable product known to promote hair growth.
For a truly beneficial experience, treat yourself to a hot oil scalp massage. To complete this home treatment, massage castor oil into your scalp then use additional oil throughout your hair strands to ensure everything is evenly coated.
Once this is done, pull your hair up on your head then cover all strands with a fitted shower cap. Next, grab your hairdryer and lightly blow warm air over your head for approximately ten to fifteen minutes. After your treatment has been completed, you can shampoo and condition your hair normally to ensure any excess oil has been removed.
Stop Heat Styling
While it’s one of the least liked options, when you stop heat styling your hair, you give your follicles the ability to recover and rebuild. The more frequently you use heating tools to style your hair, the more likely you are to damage the hair and dry it out with repeated uses.
Chemical processes similarly break down the hair over time which makes it harder for the follicle to grow. Taking a temporary break from using heating tools and chemical processes is advisable if you’re noticing increased hair loss.
Even scaling back the number of times you use heat styling tools per week can make a difference in terms of preventing hair loss. For the interim, try to embrace your natural hair or opt for styling techniques that are less potentially damaging.
Some hair products are designed to help style natural hair, and these can be tools worth investing in if you want to limit heat exposure while maintaining a stylish hairstyle.
Trim Your Split Ends
Taking active steps to prevent hair loss is necessary and deciding to trim your split-ends is one of these steps. Though it seems counterproductive in theory, the process of trimming dead or damaged ends prevents your hair growth from being stunted.
You don’t need to trim a significant length; just work directly with your barber or stylist to determine where your split ends stop and then cut slightly above that line.
The more frequently you trim your hair the easier it becomes for your locks to remain healthy and strong, which in turn promotes thicker growth. Depending on the length of your hair and other personal preferences, girls and guys with long hair should have their hair trimmed or cut every 8 to 12 weeks.
Short haircuts for men are generally cut and faded every 2 to 4 weeks, thereby alleviating the issue altogether. Even if you are trying to grow your hair out, make sure to trim regularly to maximize hair growth and health.
Natural Hair Growth Tips
- For maximum hair growth, make sure your scalp is clean and healthy by using high-quality natural shampoos, conditioners, and styling products.
- Take natural hair supplements like biotin, collagen, whey protein, and a multivitamin to ensure your body has all the vitamins and minerals it needs to grow hair.
- Use organic pumpkin seed oil, aloe vera, castor oil, rosemary oil, coconut oil, geranium oil, and ginseng to promote hair growth at home.
- Protect your hair from physical damage by minimizing heating tools, avoiding rough brushing, and tight hairstyles.
- If you have dry damaged hair, keep your scalp and locks hydrated and moisturized to stop breakage.
- Trim your split ends regularly to help your hair grow longer naturally.
- When hair loss persists, talk to your doctor about trying minoxidil or finasteride.