Natural remedies for hair growth

Your hair is said to be your crowning glory, and it’s normal to want to improve your hair if it’s not to your satisfaction. If you’re trying to regrow hair that you’ve lost or would simply like to improve the hair that you have, try some of these natural remedies. Their proven benefits can help to stimulate growth and enhance the hair that you have.

1. Massage
Massaging the scalp can help to restore hair growth and can be used in conjunction with hair oils and masks. This stimulates the scalp and can improve hair thickness. Taking the time to massage your scalp each day can also help you relieve stress and tension. It’s thought that stretching forces during the massage encourage hair growth and thickness in the dermal papilla cells.

2. Aloe vera
Aloe vera has long been used for treating hair loss. It also soothes the scalp and conditions hair. It can reduce dandruff and unblock hair follicles that may be blocked by excess oil. You can apply pure aloe vera gel to your scalp and hair a few times per week. You can also use shampoo and conditioner that contain aloe vera.

3. Coconut oil
Coconut oil contains fatty acids that penetrate inside the hair shaft and reduce protein loss from hair. Coconut oil can be used either before or after you wash your hair depending on your hair type. If your hair tends to be oily, you can do a leave-in treatment overnight or for a few hours before you wash it. Massage coconut oil into your scalp and all of your hair. If your hair is dry, you can also use it as a leave-in treatment. There needs to be more research on coconut oil as a promoter of hair growth, but it’s been shown to improve the health and luster of hair and has been used for centuries.

4. Viviscal
Viviscal is a natural hair-growth supplement that promotes hair growth in people with thinning hair. It contains a marine complex known as AminoMar C. This is made of minerals, vitamins, and shark and mollusk powder. These ingredients help to regenerate new cells and strengthen existing cells. You have to take the pills twice a day for at least six months in order to see results. Viviscal also makes a shampoo and conditioner.

5. Fish oil
Consuming omega fatty acids can help to improve your hair from the inside, since they are filled with nutrients and proteins. Taking an omega supplement along with antioxidants helps to improve hair density and diameter. It also reduces hair loss. Omega fatty acids help your cells to work correctly and can boost immunity, leading to better overall health. Follow the manufacturer’s recommended dosage.

6. Ginseng
Taking ginseng supplements can promote hair growth by stimulating hair follicles. Ginsenosides are the active components of ginseng and are thought to be responsible for its positive effect on hair. Always take as directed and be sure to check for any possible side effects.

7. Onion juice
If you can handle the smell of onion juice, you may find that the benefits are worth it. Onion juice has been shown to successfully treat patchy alopecia areata by promoting hair growth. Onion juice is also thought to improve circulation. Animal studies show improved keratin growth factor and blood flow to the cuticles. You can blend a few onions and squeeze out the juice. Apply the juice to your scalp and hair and leave in for at least 15 minutes. Then shampoo normally.

8. Rosemary oil
Rosemary is one of the first essential oils people choose to promote hair growth and reduce hair loss. Rosemary oil stimulates new hair growth and can be used to treat androgenetic alopecia. Mix a few drops of rosemary oil into a carrier oil and massage it into your hair and scalp before rinsing. Do this a few times per week. Add a few drops of rosemary oil into your shampoo and conditioner on a daily basis. Do not use essential oils directly on the skin. Always mix them in a carrier oil or shampoo.

9. Geranium oil
You can use geranium oil to promote hair growth and boost circulation. Mix a few drops into a carrier oil and use it to make a hair mask. You can also add a few drops to your shampoo and conditioner. Geranium oil can help to strengthen, hydrate, and restore your hair.

10. Lemon
You can use fresh lemon juice or lemon oil since they are said to enhance hair quality and growth. Lemon oil can help you to maintain a healthy scalp and encourage hair growth. Apply fresh lemon juice to your scalp and hair 15 minutes before you shampoo. You can use lemon essential oil diluted in a carrier oil as a hair mask.

It may seem a peculiar American vanity that men have in-boxes full of hair loss treatment offers and spend billions of dollars on hair loss treatments each year. Not so. As Gersh Kuntzman illustrates in his book Hair! Mankind's Historic Quest to End Baldness, chrome-dome anxiety has tormented us for ages. Caesar's laurel wreaths? Classic red herring, Kuntzman says.

Baldness is biblical, too -- from the Maccabees to Samson and Delilah (a story Kuntzman calls "practically a commercial for Propecia") -- the Old Testament is littered with hair loss. If there'd been email back then, it's a good bet Elijah would be agonizing over whether or not to Buy Rogaine Online Now.

For as long as men have been fretting over their expanding foreheads, they've been scrounging for hair loss treatments. From hippo fat pomades to the urine of young foals, history is full of just-so-crazy-they-might-work concoctions. They didn’t work. And a quick Googling reveals that most of the products and services marketed today are only slightly less absurd.

In reality, there’s a very limited number of effective treatments for male pattern baldness. Given that two-thirds of American men will experience a significant level of thinning by the age of 35, it's worth running through the options.

The pill to prevent hair loss
Looking for a pill to keep from going bald? Finasteride, known more commonly as Propecia, is taken daily in 1 mg doses. Because it works by lowering dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels, it’s assumed it can reduce hair loss for a majority of men. It also often achieves a measure of regrowth.

"I recommend that everyone [with any hair loss] take finasteride," says Robert M. Bernstein, MD. Bernstein is associate clinical professor of dermatology at Columbia University and founder of the Bernstein Medical Center for Hair Restoration. "To patients who are younger,” he says, “I also recommend minoxidil. But the mainstay is finasteride. The data show that, over five years, it significantly retards hair loss in 85% of users."


Both finasteride and minoxidil, the only other FDA-approved hair loss product (most commonly marketed as Rogaine), require a commitment. Stop either of these hair loss treatments and your progress vanishes. Within months, you'll lose whatever hair you managed to retain or grow back.

Finasteride does have potential sexual side effects. A very small percentage of men experience decreases in libido and other problems, but this is rare and generally temporary.

Liquid hair loss treatment -- There's the rub
Initially used to treat high blood pressure, minoxidil was the first medication approved by the FDA to treat male pattern baldness. By applying Rogaine (or a generic version) directly to the scalp twice a day, a man in the early stages of hair loss can often stimulate growth. The American Hair Loss Association points out that results of treatment with minoxidil are limited, but it still endorses using it in combination with other treatments or as an alternative if finasteride doesn't work.

"I caution patients to try it for a limited time," Bernstein says. "Because it's not as simple [to use] as a pill, use isn't always regular, and you end up losing whatever you gained."

Side effects of minoxidil are limited to occasional itchiness and dry scalp.

Hair transplants
The good news: Hair transplants don't look like dolls' hair anymore. The bad news: You won't be able to go anywhere to show off your new 'do because you'll be broke. The average recipient of a follicle transplant receives several thousand grafts -- strips of hair removed from bushier parts of the head -- at a cost of several thousand dollars. The cost continues to mount when patients come back for added thickness over the years.

The hair transplant is an expensive procedure that, as with other options, rarely leaves you with a Fabio-like mane. Still, the science has improved dramatically in recent years, and more than a few lusciously locked movie stars are rumored to have gone under the tweezers.

Toupee or not toupee
As with transplants, the word toupee conjures an outdated and disagreeable image. The 70s-style rugs have mostly been traded in for spiffier "hair replacement systems." But the basic concept -- a foreign object atop your head -- can only evolve so far. Of course, the effectiveness of hairpieces is tough to evaluate. You may spot an awful one now and then, but the ones you do spot are just the awful ones. Who knows how many masterpieces slip undetected under the radar?


Barring a hair-tugging spree, there aren't many opportunities to admire the toupee's invisible art. But among those clients willing to own up, the American Hair Loss Association reports that over 70% are ultimately dissatisfied with their experience at hair replacement salons.

Alternative hair loss remedies
One word: boondoggle. From saw palmetto to zinc, a vast array of tinctures, supplements, and shampoos promise to do what the FDA-approved treatments do -- only cheaper and perhaps even better because of some “little-known ancient wisdom.” Turns out that FDA approval isn't for nothing.

"There's never been a single study to show they work," Bernstein says of the alternative remedies. "It's conceivable that some might have some minor impact. But the real problem is that people waste valuable time experimenting with them when they'd be much better off spending their money on something proven to work. The window for Propecia passes, and if you've spent two years with this herbal thing instead, that can make a big difference in the results you ultimately get."

George Cotserelis, MD, is director of the University of Pennsylvania's Hair and Scalp Clinic. He agrees that there's no evidence these alternative hair loss treatments have any effect. "If any of it did work," he says, "I'd be very worried about using that product. The fact that it’s working would mean it's doing something to the testosterone and could be having adverse effects."

Laser combs: The Star Trek solution
For those concerned that the existing treatments lack a certain sci-fi quality, behold the Laser Comb. The Laser Comb recently became only the third hair loss treatment to receive FDA approval. And it is the first that doesn’t use drugs or surgery. By stimulating follicles with a low-level laser, the hand-held device was shown in test trials to increase hair volume in a majority of patients.

The 545 dollar product is a source of great optimism among some -- and some wariness among others. "We've definitely seen some benefit, probably on the order of minoxidil," Bernstein says. "But the study was only six months long. And there's suspicion among many of us about the long-term effectiveness. The process doesn't affect DHT."

Future hope
Even more fantastical than a laser-emitting comb is that longed for promise of a total cure to baldness - hair cloning. By culturing and successfully implanting new hair cells, scientists might be able to grow follicles where once there were none. But don't be fooled by Dolly. Making hair isn't the same as making sheep.

"We've been saying it's 10 years off for many years now. I still say it's 10 years off," Bernstein says. "There are some major scientific barriers to overcome. Then there are the trials to go through, the approval, the cost constraints. But I definitely think it will happen -- someday."

Cotserelis speaks even more guardedly: "Will it be a total cure for baldness? I'd say the future will hold many more treatment options. But there won't be one solution for everyone. You'll still have to use multiple approaches, like you do now."

First of all, you need to understand the causes of hair fall. It may be due to stress, pollution, hormonal changes (in case of women) or due to over-exposure to sun or any chemical reagent. If you find out that your hair fall is due to the above reasons, follow the below steps

Change your hair washing habits:

Never wash your hair in hot water. Always use cold/luke warm water to wash your hair as hot water may damage hair follicles and lead to hair fall.
If you’re using any shampoo to wash your hair, never apply it directly. Rather mix the shampoo with some water as this process will help dilute the chemical concentration in shampoo.

Wash your hair atleast twice a week which will help in protecting your hair against dust and pollution.
Improve your eating habits:

Take lot of protein rich food including Milk, Almonds, Pistachios, Cashews, Dried Dates, Raisins, Fruits etc. If you’re a Non-Vegetarian you can include a lot of fish recipes in your meal.

Avoid taking too much spicy food often. Especially, pickles. And also avoid the intake of bottled juices. These food has the capability to increase your body heat which is one of the main reasons for hair fall.

Drink atleast 8 glasses of water per day. Have tender coconut and buttermilk atleast 2 times a week. This will help in reducing your body heat drastically.

Improve your combing habits:

For Women: Never tuck your hair too high or use tight hair bands. Try to keep your hair loose while sleeping.

Use hair brush to remove hair tangles. Always keep your hair brush, comb, hair bands clean by washing them regularly.

Never use other’s hair brush/comb. When a person combs his/her hair their sweat sticks to the comb’s teeth. So when you use the same on your hair, there are high chances for dandruff.

Always brush/comb your hair from bottom to top. Take a section of your hair from bottom, comb it gently to remove tangles. Follow this procedure bottom-up.

Let the teeth of your comb/hair brush touch your scalp gently while combing. That’s another way of massaging your scalp.

Tips to reduce hair fall (All the below methods are proven ones gathered from my friends & relatives who have tried them and seen results):

Avoid applying hair oil every day. This will only make your hair greasy and as a result will attract more dust and may lead to dandruff which in turn will lead to hair fall. The primary purpose of applying hair oil everyday, apart from nourishing hair, is to reduce body heat. Follow the 3rd point above instead of applying hair oil everyday. It’s recommended to apply any hair oil 1–2 hours before washing your hair or the night before.

Apply curd to your hair 1–2 hours before washing it. It’s a good source of protein and will also help in getting a smooth & shiny hair after the wash. You can also add Fenugreek powder, Curry leaves powder, Gooseberry powder, Hibiscus powder to curd before applying it.

Try this method the night before washing your hair: Peel a garlic and cut it into half. Rub it gently on your scalp in small circular motion without applying much pressure. Repeat this process until you cover the whole scalp. Prepare Massaging Oil: Now heat some 4–5 spoons of coconut oil with 2–3 curry leaves and 2 drops of castor oil.

Don’t make the oil too hot. Massage this oil in your scalp. Follow this for atleast 4 times a week. This is one of the powerful methods to stop hair fall and regrow hair. (Additional, it’s good to prepare massaging oil in a clean iron kadai)

Apply shallot onions’ juice to your scalp. Keep it for 10–15 mins before washing. This is one of the ancient methods for regrowing fallen hair.
Wash your hair with rice water. Rice water is rich in starch which will help in nourishing your hair.
Some more tips:

Don’t change your hair oil/shampoo often. Use plain coconut oil (with 2–3 drops of castor oil(optional)) which is more than enough to nourish your hair. Otherwise, consult a dermatologist and stick to the products they suggest.

Don’t cover your hair with scarf/cap often.

Covering your hair may lead to sweating and dandruff. If you happen to wear helmet, make it a habit to wash your hair 3 times a week.

Avoid taking too many chemical remedies for hair fall & hair growth and resort to natural remedies to avoid side effects.

Hope this helps!

Are you one of those who constantly rummage through the kitchen for ingredients that may magically transform your hair? If yes, then this article is for you. We often spend too much time and money on expensive hair products, treatments and masks, which may give you desired results but may harm your hair in long-term. What if we tell you that you could get similar results using natural ingredients without any harmful effects? One such ingredient is banana. Mashed banana on your hair might sound a little bizarre, but it can make your hair super soft and silky! You may also mix some other ingredients with banana to make interesting hair masks. So, if you are tired of spending hours in salons and spas and don't want to burn a hole in your pocket, try out the list of banana hair masks that may end all your hair woes. But, before that, here's what makes bananas so great for our hair

Benefits Of Banana For Hair
Bananas are high in vitamin B6, vitamin C, potassium, dietary fibre and magnesium, but free of sodium and cholesterol. They are almost fat-free, and relatively low in calories-depending on their size. Per 100 grams serving, bananas contain 0.3 gm total fat, zero cholesterol, 1 mg salt, about 360 mg potassium, 2.6 gm dietary fibre, 12 gm sugar and 1.1 gm protein. But, the benefits of bananas are not just limited to health; they are also used for excellent beauty treatments.

Bananas are great for your hair and scalp. They are known to improve manageability and shine of our hair. Moreover, they are known to prevent and control dandruff, and moisturise our scalp. Bananas are rich in potassium, natural oils, carbohydrates and vitamins, which help soften our hair and protect their natural elasticity. While there are many banana hair products available in the market, why to spend on too many store-bought products when you can make your own banana masks at home in your own kitchen.

5 DIY Banana Hair Masks For Dull And Dry Hair

1.Banana And Aloe Vera Hair Mask

Aloe vera is rich in vitamins A, B, C, and E, which help remove the dead cells that have accumulated on your scalp and promote hair growth. Moreover, aloe vera has proteolytic enzymes, which repair dead skin cells on the scalp and condition your hair, to give you smooth and shiny tresses. This hair mask prevents hair fall and makes your hair strong, shiny, and bouncy.

Ingredients:

2-3 medium-sized bananas
2 aloe vera leaf

How To Make:

1. Extract all the pulp from the aloe vera leaf.

2. Now, transfer the aloe vera pulp and bananas to a grinder.

3. Blend the mixture well until you have a thick paste.

How To Apply

1. Apply the mixture with a help of your hair colour brush.

2. Make sure the mixture gets deep into your roots.

3. Coat your entire scalp and all your hair.

4. Let it sit for 2 hours. Wash your hair with cold water and shampoo it thoroughly.

2. Banana And Coconut Oil Hair Mask

Coconut oil helps nourish our scalp and reduces scalp infections. With high contents of vitamin E, it is excellent for dry and damaged hair. Moreover, the vitamin K content in coconut oil helps reduce dandruff. According to beauty expert, Suparna Tirkha, "Coconut oil massage promotes healthy hair growth and due to its property of preventing moisture loss, massaging this oil into the scalp and hair is known to have amazing results." The combination of banana and coconut provides long-lasting shine.

Ingredients:

2 ripe bananas
2 tablespoon coconut oil
1 tablespoon coconut milk

How To Make:

1. Take a bowl and mash both the bananas in it.

2. Now, add the coconut oil and coconut milk, and mix the ingredients till you get a creamy paste.

How To Apply:

1. Section your hair and start applying the mask from the roots to the tips.

2. Put on a shower cap and let it stay for 30 minutes.

3. Wash your hair with water and shampoo it.

3. Banana And Papaya Hair Mask

Papaya is known to nourish the hair shaft and adds volume to the hair. The nutrients in papaya strengthen your hair and prevent hair loss. Here's how the combination of papaya and banana can help.

Ingredients:

2 bananas
1/2 ripe papaya
2 tablespoon honey
How To Make:

1.Chop banana and papaya into tiny pieces and mash them.

2.Now, add honey to the mashed mixture and blend until you get a fine paste.

How To Apply:

1. Apply the hair mask from the root to the tips of your hair.

2. Put on a shower cap and leave it on for half an hour.

3. Wash off the mask with cold water and shampoo your hair.

4. Banana And Milk Hair Mask

The vitamins and proteins in milk, like casein protein, help nourish, strengthen and moisturise our hair follicles. If you have dry and frizzy hair, then milk is a great natural ingredient that you can mix in your hair masks to prevent dryness and dullness.

Ingredients:

1 banana
100 ml milk

How To Make:

1.Cut the banana into small pieces in a bowl.

2.Now, transfer the banana pieces into a blender.

3.Add milk to it and blend the ingredients until you have a thick, creamy paste.

How To Apply:

1. Apply this hair mask from the roots and work your way to the tips of your hair.

2. Leave it on for 30 minutes.

3.Wash your hair thoroughly with water to get rid of the stickiness. Shampoo your hair as usual.

5.Banana And Honey Hair Mask

This hair mask will leave you with silk smooth hair without stripping away any natural oils.

Ingredients:

Half tablespoon honey
1 ripe banana

How To Make:

1.Mash the banana in a bowl until you have a soft and creamy paste.

2.Add the honey to mashed banana and mix it in well.

How To Apply:

1.Part your hair into sections and apply the hair mask from the roots to the tips.

2.Concentrate more on the tips. Leave it on for 20 to 30 minutes.

3.Wash it off with lukewarm water and shampoo.

Bid goodbye to those days of dry, rough, and lifeless hair. With the help of these hair masks, you will never have a bad hair day again.

Every strand of hair on your head has a lifespan of somewhere between two and five years. Hair follicles have a cycle of active growth, transition, and rest. There are circumstances and lifestyle factors that can bring more of your hair into the rest cycle, during which it falls out. This is called telogen effluvium.

Telogen effluvium can be a symptom of stress, or it can happen after pregnancy, as a side effect of medication, or as a result of an underlying health condition. If you’re experiencing hair loss that leads to bald spots, patchiness, or large clumps of hair coming out, you should see your primary care physician or a dermatologist for a diagnosis.

Whether the hair loss you have is a result of a chronic or short-term health condition, there are things that you can do to protect the hair that you do have. Keep reading for tips on keeping hair healthy and strong.

How to prevent hair loss
You can follow a few hair hygiene tips to make your hair less likely to fall out.

Avoid hairstyles that pull on the hair
Hair is flexible, but research shows that your hair can only be stretched so much before becoming permanently damaged. Hairstyles like cornrows, tight braids, and ponytails can pull your hair away from your scalp and loosen the bond between your hair and scalp over time.

Avoid high-heat hair styling tools
Using heat to style your hair leaves your hair follicle dehydrated and vulnerable to damage. Hair dryers, hair straighteners, and curling irons can all damage your hair over time.

Don’t chemically treat or bleach your hair
Hair treatment chemicals cause sudden and irrevocable damage to hair follicles. If you’re concerned about hair loss, limit your use of dyes, highlights, peroxide treatments, and perms.

Use a shampoo that’s mild and suited for your hair
The purpose of shampoo is to cleanse your hair of dirt and excess oil. But many commercial shampoos contain harsh ingredients. After just one use, they can strip your hair of the natural oil and fatty acids that make it strong and supple. Read the ingredients of your shampoo and purchase one that’s as close to all-natural as possible. Try switching up products if you’ve been losing excess hair.

Use a soft brush made from natural fibers
Using a soft brush with fibers that are natural will promote healthy sebum (oil) levels on your hair. The keratin proteins in your hair are stacked like shingles on a roof, so brushing them gently in one direction, starting at the top and continuing through to the ends, will help smooth and condition your hair cuticle on a molecular level. Brushing hair daily can also help you avoid seeing hair clumps in your shower drain.

Try low-level light therapy
Low-level light therapy promotes cell growth and repair. It’s been shown to promote hair growth in people with alopecia. This therapy can be prescribed by your doctor.

How to prevent hair loss in women
Hair loss in women is typically caused by genetic female pattern hair loss, androgenetic alopecia, thyroid disease, aging, or other hormonal conditions. About one-third of women will experience hair loss in their lifetime. If you are losing your hair, your doctor may recommend some of the following treatments to prevent further hair loss.

Rogaine (minoxidil)
Aldactone (spironolactone) or other anti-androgen medications
oral contraceptives
iron supplements, especially if your hair loss is connected to anemia or heavy menstrual cycles
Women who have reached menopause may also consider hormone replacement therapy (HRT) as a way to treat their hair loss and other symptoms.

How to prevent hair loss in men
Hair loss in men is more common than in women. According to the American Hair Loss Association, about 85 percent of men have thinning hair by the time they reach 50. Hair loss in men is typically caused by genetic male pattern hair loss, androgenetic alopecia, aging, or low testosterone levels. If you’re concerned about hair loss, your doctor may recommend one or more of the following treatments:

Rogaine (minoxidil)
Propecia or Proscar (finasteride)
follicular unit transplantation (hair transplant with underlying tissue)
follicular unit extraction (hair transplant with only follicles, no connecting tissue used)
Home remedies for hair loss
If you’re concerned about hair loss, you may want to try a home remedy to see if you can stop your hair from falling out. It’s important to get diagnosed and find the underlying cause of your hair loss, so that you can treat it appropriately.

Supplements
Nutritional deficiencies can cause hair loss. Iron, zinc, niacin, selenium, vitamin D, and vitamin B-12 supplements can help your body produce hair that’s strong and healthy. Remember to only buy supplements from trusted sources, as they aren’t vetted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Essential oils
Essential oils are aqueous extracts of powerful botanical ingredients. Essential oils can be mixed with carrier oils, like jojoba and almond oil, to create a treatment to stimulate hair growth. Some essential oils might make your hair grow stronger. Research on these essential oils is mostly anecdotal, but we are learning more about how they work. Essential oils for hair growth include:

peppermint
Chinese hibiscus
ginseng
jatamansi
Scalp massage
Scalp massage has been shown to promote hair growth. By promoting circulation in the area of growth, your hair may grow more quickly if you gently massage your scalp every time you wash your hair.

Diet
Your diet can have an effect on hair loss. Eating a diet rich in antioxidants can help fight the signs of oxidative stress — environmental factors that damage hair follicles. Strawberries, blueberries, beans and legumes, spinach, and kale are all sources of antioxidants.

Sugar, processed fats, preservatives, and alcohol can all contribute to oxidative stress. Keep this in mind if you’re looking to stop your hair from falling out.

Quit smoking
Smoking can prematurely age your hair cells, making your hair follicles brittle and easy to damage. Speak to your doctor to come up with a smoking cessation plan right for you.