MedX

Home Remedies for Hair Loss

April, 10 2022

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

Many vitamins and minerals are needed for proper hair development and growth. Some nutritional deficiencies can potentially lead to hair loss.

Supplementing with vitamin D may help Source of genetic hair loss or telogen effluvium. However, more research is needed to definitively understand the link. Supplementing with iron may help reduce symptoms in people who are iron deficient. People with low iron may also benefit from supplementing with vitamin C if they aren’t getting enough.

Source has also found a link between low vitamin D and alopecia areata, a patchy form of hair loss caused by an autoimmune reaction. It’s recommended that people with this condition supplement with vitamin D if they’re deficient.

There currently isn’t adequate evidence that supplementation of the following can help with hair loss:

Some small studies have found too much vitamin A or selenium can cause hair loss, but more research is needed. Researchers are continuing to examine if there’s any benefit for people with alopecia areata to supplement with iron or zinc.

Essential oils

Essential oils are natural extracts produced by plants. Some essential oils might have properties that stimulate hair growth. Right now, evidence is almost entirely anecdotal and no studies have found adequate evidence to suggest that any essential oil can be used to treat hair loss in humans.

Most of the studies to date have very small sample sizes, are of poor quality, or have been performed on animals. For example, a 2016 study found evidence that lavender oil may stimulate hair growth in mice. However, much more research needs to be done to see if these results carry over to humans and whether oils can be used to treat hair loss conditions.

Essential oils that some people use for hair growth include:

Scalp massage

Scalp massage may help stimulate hair growth by promoting circulation and gene changes, but there’s a very limited amount of evidence at this time. A very small 2016 study found evidence that 4-minute daily scalp massages increased hair thickness in nine non-balding Japanese men. However, there was no control group in this study.

Giving yourself a scalp massage generally feels good, so even if it’s not effective at increasing hair growth, you may find it relaxing.

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 and contribute to hair loss. Many colourful fruits and vegetables like strawberries, blueberries, beans and legumes, spinach, and kale are great 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 damage your hair cells, making your hair follicles brittle and easy to damage. Studies have linked smoking to increased rates of premature greying and hair loss. Quitting can be difficult, but a doctor can help come up with a smoking cessation plan that’s right for you.

What causes hair loss?

Hair loss can result from genetic factors, changes in hormone levels, and certain medical conditions. Genetic hair loss is by far the most common cause, affecting up to 50 percent of men and women.