6 Ways To Stimulate Hair Growth

1. Increased hair shedding

Excessive hair in your brush, comb, or sink while combing, brushing, or washing is not normal; it differs from normal hair shedding, which is a part of the hair growth cycle.

2. Thinning hair

A sudden and alarming change in hair volume and strength, especially around the crown or the top of the head.

3. Receding hairline

A receding hairline is one of the first signs of male pattern baldness, which means the hairline gradually moves back.

4. Widening part

A part on the top of the head that appears wider characterizes hair loss in women. The scalp may become more visible in areas where hair is thinning.

5. Bald patches

Areas on the scalp with missing hair, which can be small or large, smooth, or have some degree of scaling or redness.

6. A change in hair texture

A difference in the look and feel of hair, such as brittle, dry, or coarse.

7. Itching or scalp irritation

An itchy scalp goes hand in hand with hair loss. The itchiness may be a result of an underlying scalp condition or inflammation.

8. Excessive hair on pillows or clothing

Finding an unusually large amount of hair on your pillows, bedding, or clothing.

1. OTC hair growth products 

Many readily available topical treatments and oral supplements can be purchased without a doctor's prescription. Topical therapies, which are applied directly to the scalp, include medicated gels, lotions, and foams. The most used hair growth products contain niacinamide and minoxidil, which help restore lost volume and make hair shiny.

2. Homemade Hair Masks

Natural hair masks have numerous benefits. They provide deep conditioning, moisturization, and nutrition. Hair masks repair and strengthen hair strands and stimulate growth. They also help prevent damage and protect the hair from environmental stressors and styling tools. Additionally, hair masks improve manageability, promote a healthier scalp, and relieve dryness or irritation.

Homemade Hair Mask For Dry Hair

Dry hair is prone to breakage. A lack of moisture can lead to weakness and brittleness. To regain shine and strength, use this easy-to-make homemade hair mask for dry hair.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons of coconut oil
• 1 ripe banana
• 1 tablespoon of honey
• 1 tablespoon of plain yogurt

Preparing the Mask

• Step 1: Mash the banana and form a smooth paste.
• Step 2: Add the coconut oil, honey, and plain yogurt and mix well.
• Step 3: Apply the mixture to the hair, focusing on the ends and particularly dry areas.
• Step 4: Cover your head with a warm towel or a shower cap. This helps the mask penetrate your hair.
• Step 5: Leave it on for 30 minutes to an hour, then rinse with warm water.

This natural hair mask provides moisture and nourishment for dry hair. Coconut oil helps to deeply condition and hydrate the hair strands, while bananas offer vitamins and antioxidants. All honey, especially manuka honey, has moisturizing and anti-inflammatory properties, and yogurt helps restore the hair's natural shine.

Homemade Hair Mask For Curly Hair

Curly hair can be challenging to manage. First, it can vary in texture, density, and curl pattern, ranging from loose waves to tight coils. Second, curly hair is prone to breakage and dryness, which can lead to thinning hair. A homemade hydrating hair mask will moisturize those curls and stimulate hair growth.

Here's a simple homemade hair mask recipe that you can try -

Ingredients:

• 1 ripe avocado
• 2 tablespoons of coconut oil
• 1 tablespoon of honey
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil

Preparing the Mask

• Step 1: Mash the avocado.
• Step 2: Add coconut oil, honey, and olive oil and mix to form a paste.
• Step 3: Apply the mask starting at the roots and work down to the ends of your hair.
• Step 4: Gently massage the scalp for a few minutes to enhance blood flow to the roots.
• Step 5: Cover your head with a shower cap and let the mask sit for 30 minutes.
• Step 6: Shampoo with lukewarm water.

This hair mask contains ingredients that can help moisturize and strengthen your curls, which may contribute to healthy hair growth over time. Avocado provides essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals that promote hair growth. Coconut and olive oil help moisturize and protect the hair, while honey adds shine and helps retain moisture.

If your scalp is irritated or inflamed, add some aloe vera gel to the mask. Aloe vera has anti- inflammatory and antimicrobial qualities that help calm the scalp.

Homemade Hair Mask for Oily Hair

An oily scalp can contribute to thinning hair due to excess sebum production. This clogs hair follicles and weakens the hair shaft, which can lead to inflammation or infections. Extra oil makes hair greasy and clumps it together, increasing the risk of breakage. Using a natural hair mask and managing an oily scalp can help minimize hair loss and stimulate hair growth.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons of bentonite clay
• 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel
• Water

Preparing the Mask

• Step 1: Mix the bentonite clay, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, and aloe vera gel.
• Step 2: Add some water to the mixture, stirring well until you achieve a smooth paste-like consistency.
• Step 3: Apply the hair mask directly to your scalp and roots, focusing on the oily areas.
• Step 4: Massage your scalp for a few minutes to stimulate circulation and promote oil balance.
• Step 5: Leave the mask on for 20–30 minutes to allow it to absorb excess oil and impurities.
• Step 6: Rinse your hair thoroughly with lukewarm water.

Bentonite clay helps absorb excess oil and impurities from the scalp, while apple cider vinegar and lemon juice help balance the scalp's pH levels and control oil production. Aloe vera gel conditions the hair. Hormonal imbalances or genetics can also cause oily hair. If you're experiencing persistent oily hair or scalp issues, consult a dermatologist or trichologist for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

3. Foods For Hair Growth 

Sometimes, there is no underlying reason for hair loss. Often, improper diet or vitamin deficiency can be the cause. The following foods have been shown to control hair loss and ensure healthy and strong hair.

4. Vitamins for hair loss

Nutrient deficiencies are one of the major reasons behind unexplainable and sudden hair fall or thinning.

If your regular diet does not meet your nutritional needs, your doctor may prescribe vitamins for hair growth. Vitamins A, B, C, D, iron, and zinc contribute to improving immune health, providing oxygen to the hair follicles, fighting hair loss-causing bacteria, and producing collagen and keratin.

5. Home remedies for hair growth 

With no severe side effects, home remedies to stimulate hair growth are often a sought-after treatment plan.

6. Shampoo and Condition

Pick a gentle shampoo that suits your hair type and massage your scalp gently to improve blood circulation. Rinse well to remove any shampoo residue. When conditioning, focus on the lengths and ends of your hair while avoiding the scalp. Look for conditioners with strengthening ingredients and use them as directed to prevent weighing down the hair. Don't skip conditioning, regardless of your hair type. Limit the use of hair styling tools to minimize damage.

Home remedies and hair care tips may not be enough to regrow lost hair due to a medical condition such as androgenetic alopecia. Consult your dermatologist to find the reason behind your hair loss and proceed with the prescribed treatment for the best results.

 

1. Hormonal changes

Hormonal imbalances caused by pregnancy, childbirth, menopause, or thyroid disorders can lead to temporary or long-term hair loss. Postpartum hair loss is often temporary, and most women regain their normal volume within a year or so.

2. Nutritional deficiencies

Insufficient nutrition, such as iron or zinc deficiency, can cause hair loss. Poor nutrition can also affect the health and growth of hair follicles. Hair loss gradually stops when the body is provided with sufficient nutrients.

3. Medications and Medical Treatments

Chemotherapy, blood pressure medications, antidepressants, and hormonal therapies are some treatments that may lead to temporary or permanent hair loss.

4. Lifestyle

A hectic work schedule or extreme stress and anxiety can cause hair loss. This is often temporary and stops once the root cause of the stress is addressed.

5. Aging

Hair growth slows down as we age, and the hair follicles may become less productive. This can result in thinning hair or hair loss in both men and women.

6. Medical conditions

Several health issues can cause hair loss, for example:

Diagnosing hair loss 

To diagnose the cause, your doctor will ask you questions about your hair loss and overall health. They will examine your scalp and may gently pull on your hair to see how many strands come out. Blood work to check for deficiencies or other factors causing hair loss will also be ordered. Sometimes, a small sample of the scalp is taken for further examination. Once the cause is identified, the doctor will create a treatment plan.

Laser Therapy

Inflammation can occur in conditions like alopecia areata. Laser therapy can reduce the inflammation of hair follicles and stimulate hair growth by encouraging the bulging of epidermal stem cells in the hair follicle and shifting them into the growth phase.

Microneedling for Hair Growth

This therapeutic hair growth treatment uses small, fine needles to create micro punctures in the scalp, boosting collagen production and triggering hair growth. Microneedling has been found to stimulate hair growth in conditions such as androgenetic alopecia.