Thick, full, and glossy tresses are every woman’s dream. But, several factors may lead to massive hair loss, which can be really embarrassing in the long run.
We all may be hunting for a quick fix to this problem, but if you want to walk the natural path, know that most home remedies work great in reducing hair loss but they do it gradually.
So, before stepping into the homemade solutions scene, arm yourself with patience, as you may need several weeks to months to notice real results. Also, before diving into the topic of our post, let’s take a look at the top symptoms and causes of hair loss.
Symptoms of Hair Loss
Some of the telltale signs that warn us that we may have a hair loss problem that needs to be addressed immediately include:
- Gradual thinning on top of the head and above temples (in men)
- Full-body hair loss
- Sudden loosening of hair
- Circular or patchy bald spots
- Receding and thinning of the hairline
- Recurring split ends
Causes of Hair Loss
- Lack of appropriate nutrition: A poor diet, including weight loss diets, may lead to hair loss as the hair lacks the nutrients it needs to grow and thrive, such as protein, healthy omega-3 fatty acids, and biotin;
- Split ends: Surprisingly, split ends are often associated with hair loss because split ends are a sign of nutrient deficiency; they aren’t really a cause, but a sign;
- Mental strain and stress: These two can take a heavy toll on your hair’s health as too much stress will throw your hair follicles into resting mode, thus curbing the natural hair renewal and growth processes;
- Medication: Many prescription meds may cause temporary or permanent hair loss in both men and women; watch out for those drugs that likely cause hormone imbalances, such as steroids and birth control pills. (Check out the full list of potential perpetrators here);
- Prolonged illness: Hard-to-resolve illnesses and high-risk surgeries are often tied to temporary hair loss because of the added stress they involve;
- Anxiety: Severe anxiety is tied to hair loss because of the added stress linked to anxiety; in extreme cases anxiety may lead to a condition known as Alopecia Areata, which means that hair falls out suddenly in large clumps; fortunately, the condition is temporary as long as anxiety is addressed;
- Aging: As we age, our thick and luscious hair starts to thin out and fall because the stem cells that keep hair follicles in top shape start to degrade, and there’s little we can do about it;
- Hormonal imbalances: Too much dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is an aggressive form of testosterone, may cause hair loss in males and females alike; in women, major hormone imbalances may be triggered by pregnancy and menopause as well.
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): Hair loss in women may be often due to PCOS, a condition triggered by the female adrenal gland producing too many male hormones;
- Anemia: Iron deficiency, which may be triggered by a poor diet, poor iron absorption, or excessive bleeding, more often than not leads to hair loss;
- Bad genes (in males): If your dad struggles with male pattern baldness, one of the most common causes of hair thinning and hair loss in men, you’re likely to be affected by it as well;
- Excessive smoking: This one is tied to excess hair loss in both women and men;
- Vitamin B6 and folic acid deficiency: There are some vitamins, especially those in the B-complex, whose absence is often linked with many hair issues;
- Thyroid disease: Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism are linked with hair loss; if left untreated, a malfunctioning thyroid gland may lead to autoimmune disorders, POS, hair thinning, and baldness;
- Untidy scalp: Poor scalp hygiene may lead to dandruff issues, eczema, fungal infections, oily roots, and other conditions that can only weaken the hair and make it fall out over time;
- Hard water: The quality of your tap water can directly affect the health of your hair; hard water dries the hair strands, promotes dandruff, and shrinks hair follicles which in time will lead to excess hair loss;
- Hair styling mistakes: The reckless use of hair straighteners and curlers, along with chemical burns and braiding tightly or pulling hair back tightly, can all lead to (sometimes irreversible) damage to the hair;
- Chemotherapy: Most chemo drugs lead to hair loss; fortunately, hair will grow back once the treatment ends.
24 No-Nonsense Home Remedies for Hair Loss
1. Coconut Milk
Everything coconut can help your hair grow back thicker, faster, and stronger. Coconut milk in particular is one of the richest sources to nourish the hair follicles.
You can make coconut milk at home by grinding the grated coconut and squeezing out its juice (milk). This is a natural, surefire home remedy to prevent hair loss.
You can read more on the amazing health benefits of coconut in our other post here: 5 Health Benefits of Coconut.
2. Aloe Vera Gel
Pure aloe gel or aloe juice can be applied directly to the scalp. Aloe is an amazing home remedy for hair loss due to a dry or infected scalp.
After massaging the scalp with juice or gel, wait for a few hours and wash it off with lukewarm water. Combine aloe vera with organic triphala powder and use on your hair for 3-6 months to treat hair loss.
3. Oil Massage
Regular massage of hair and scalp with warm oil stimulates the blood flow and helps hair follicles produce new hairs at enhanced rates.
You can use coconut oil for the massage or any other plant oils with tried and tested benefits for hair, such as olive oil, jojoba oil, mustard oil, castor oil, and almond oil. You can mix up to three of your favorite natural oils.
Just make sure that the oil is not hot as it can damage hair follicles and that you massage the scalp with gentle moves.
4. Indian Lilac (Neem)
Neem is a plant, which is ornamented with all the essential qualities. It is anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal, anti-diabetic, sedative, and antiseptic in nature.
It is not only useful in diseases but is also an excellent home remedy for hair loss. Boil leaves of neem in water until the water remains half. Let it cool and wash your hair once in a week with this water.
5. Gooseberry (Amla)
Boil some dried amla in coconut oil till the oil gets black. Massaging the scalp with this oil will prove to be very effective. Amla can also be used alternatively by making its paste with shikakai. Apply the thick paste and wash it after a few minutes.
Note- Avoid shikakai if you have dry hair.
Juice of gooseberry and lime juice can be used as a shampoo to treat hair fall. Amla is also helpful when mixed with honey.
6. Onion Juice and Garlic
Both onion juice and garlic are a rich source of sulphur, and they help in the growth of hair. To use the onion, you need to chop it finely and extract out the juice.
Massage the scalp well with this juice and wash off with a mild shampoo. Onion can also be paired with honey and used as a hair mask.
Garlic can be applied on the scalp by boiling it with coconut oil. Massage the scalp with this potion, two to three times a week, for the best results.
7. Hibiscus
Hibiscus flower has revitalizing properties, and it nourishes hair. Along with preventing untimely growth of grey hair, it also keeps dandruff at bay. Hibiscus also helps in preventing hair loss.
8. Egg Yolk
Eggs are a rich source of sulphur, iron, protein, phosphorus, iodine and zinc. It is an excellent remedy for re-growth of hair, especially when combined with olive oil.
Egg yolk and honey can also be applied as a natural treatment for hair loss.
9. Pigeon Pea or Red Gram
Application of fine and thick paste of red gram or pigeon pea is an effective way of curing hair loss, naturally.
10. Lime and Black Pepper Seeds
Seeds of lime and black pepper, when ground finely and applied on the scalp, prove to be a very good cure for averting hair loss.
11. Fenugreek
Fenugreek can also be applied to hair to prevent hair loss. It also softens the strands and provides lustre to them. Make a fine paste of dried fenugreek seeds and apply it as a hair mask.
12. Henna
Henna is widely used in Asian countries and is regarded as a major source of hair strengthening. Some people apply it as a hair mask by mixing powdered henna in curd.
Alternatively, henna can also be used in leaf form. Boil 60g of henna leaves with 250ml of mustard oil until all the leaves burn entirely. Filter the oil with muslin cloth and store the oil in an airtight jar. Apply the oil on a daily basis to seek good results. Henna can also be applied by mixing it with beetroot juice.
13. Homemade Hair Packs
- Pack 1: Mixture of aloe vera, shikakai, amla, and neem powder can be applied to get thick and lustrous hair.
- Pack 2: Paste of henna, egg whites and curd together stops hair fall.
- Pack 3: Hair pack, prepared by mixing together olive oil, honey, and cinnamon, is also an effective hair growth pack.
14. Camphor and Curd
Take an equal amount of curd and camphor. Mix them and apply on the bald patches. Let it dry for at least two hours and then, wash. This treatment helps to fight with the problem of hair loss and baldness.
15. Coriander Leaves
Take fresh coriander leaves and make a thick paste with it. Apply it on the scalp to cure the problem of hair loss, naturally.
16. Liquorice
Apply ground liquorice, mixed with milk and a pinch of saffron, for hair loss treatment.
17. Geranium or Rosemary Leaves
Rinsing the hair with water, in which, geranium or rosemary leaves have been boiled, is a good natural remedy for curing hair loss at home.
Rosemary herb is believed to have properties, which can keep hair healthy and luscious. Mix one part of rosemary oil with two parts of almond oil. Massaging the scalp with it for twenty minutes a day can prove to be beneficial. This is an excellent remedy for hair loss in women.
18. Ash Gourd
It also is an effective remedy for stopping hair loss.
19. Apple Cider Vinegar and Sage Tea
Rinsing hair with a mixture of apple cider vinegar and sage tea is again a helpful remedy. Apple cider vinegar helps in maintaining the balance of hair, thereby reducing hair loss.
20. Curry Leaves
Curry leaves are a natural home remedy to treat baldness.
21. Arnica
Arnica tincture, mixed with warm water, can be applied twice in a day in the form of a cream, ointment, or hair rinse to soothe the problem of hair loss. Arnica augments the blood circulation and promotes hair growth. This is again an effective remedy for hair loss in women.
22. Safflower
Safflower is considered to be an excellent herb for widening blood vessels. Massaging the scalp for twenty minutes with the oil of safflower proves to be a great stimulant for hair growth and augments blood flow.
23. Green Tea
Take 2 bags of green tea and brew them into one cup of water. Allow it to cool. Then, apply it on your hair. Wash off after 1 hour.
24. Potatoes and Rosemary
Boil rosemary and potatoes in water. Then, filter the liquid and utilize it as a hair rinse.
Homeopathic Remedies for Hair Loss
1. Fluoric acid : This medicine treats well when a person is suffering from vertex baldness, weak hair, and Idiopathic hair loss.
2. Phosphoric acid : Phosphoric acid cures the progressive thinning of hair, which has caused because of lot of stress and grief. It also stops early greying of hair.
3. Phosphorus : When you see that handful of hair comes into your hands while combing, or you are facing hair loss due to some hemorrhagic disorder, Phosphorus can help you out better. It will also cure the problem of dry and itchy scalp.
4. Graphites : This homeopathic remedy treats the troubles of hair fall, caused by menopause and constipation. Graphites cure patchy baldness and hair fall on sides.
5. Mezereum : Mezereum is also a great choice when you are losing handful of strands, and you are afflicted with itchy and dry scalp, and dandruff.
6. Sepia : Sepia treats the hair loss, which is caused by menopause or after giving birth to a child.
7. Silica : Frontal hair loss, early greying and baldness at a young age are the main symptoms that are purged with Silica.
The various other medicines to treat hair loss are Natrum mur, Psorinum, Selenium, Medorrhinum, Lachesis, Merc sol, Lycopodium, Kali carb, and Borax.
Preventive Measures Against Hair Loss
- Consume food, which is rich in vitamin A, B, C, E, protein and iron.
- Intake flaxseeds, fish and walnuts to get fatty acids, which is essential for natural health of hair.
- Increase the quantity of biotin, silica and zinc in your meal as it induces hair growth as well as keeps the scalp healthy.
- Avoid using hot or warm water for hair wash as it increases hair loss.
- Do not use very hard shampoos on hair; instead, go for mild ones that contain moisturizer.
- Use steam to rejuvenate your hair. Dip a clean towel into hot water, squeeze the excess water and cover your hair with the towel. Leave it till the towel cools down. This increases blood flow towards the scalp and even clean the pores, present on the scalp.
- Rubbing of fingers vigorously on the scalp after washing hair also increases blood circulation and prevents hair loss.
- Drink adequate amounts of water, based on your weight and sodium intake.
- Keep your scalp clean and avoid dirt and dust.
- Hair trimming is again a good option for preventing loss of hair.
- Do not tie back your hair tightly.
- Do not comb your hair when it is wet, and do not even towel-dry it again and again roughly.
- Avoid blow drying on a daily basis. It damages hair follicles and makes the scalp dry.