Some practices, such as massage, and topical products, including rosemary oil, may benefit hair health and growth. The cause of hair loss may affect its ability to regrow.
Hair loss is on the rise, and while it might not have direct physical effects on your health, the emotional toll can be significant.
There are different reasons for hair loss — genetics, hormone imbalances, fungal conditions of the scalp, stress, autoimmune diseases, and nutritional deficiencies — but there are some things you can do to naturally regrow your hair.
What is hair loss?
Hair loss can be categorized by several symptoms. Male or female pattern baldness, also called androgenic alopecia, is most common among men over 50 and women who already experienced menopause.
Male pattern baldness
For male pattern baldness, causes include:
- genetics
- cancers
- thyroid conditions
- medications
- nutritional disorders
- high levels of sex hormones called androgens
Female pattern baldness
It’s less likely for women to go completely bald, but it’s common for thinning to occur. Doctors divide female pattern baldness into 3 types:
- Type I: This is when a small amount of thinning starts around the hair part.
- Type II: This involves widening of the part and increased thinning around it.
- Type III: This is thinning throughout, with a see-through at the top of the scalp.
Female pattern baldness can be naturally occurring, related to genetics, a side effect of medication or treatments, or hormone changes caused by pregnancy or menopause.
Women are less likely to experience hair thinning in their 20s and instead may start to see symptoms in their 40s, 50s, and beyond.
Natural hair regrowth treatment options
Treating hair loss or hair thinning can be a challenge, and not all treatments may work for you.
If you are experiencing certain types of pattern baldness or a health condition that can cause hair loss, it may not be possible to regrow your hair. However, there are some natural treatments that some people have found to be effective while trying to regrow hair. Here’s our list of 10 of the best natural hair regrowth treatments.
Massage
Massaging the scalp, which people can combine with hair oils and masks, stimulates the scalp and may improve hair thicknessTrusted Source.
It’s thought that stretching during the massage encourages hair growth and thickness in the dermal papilla cells, which are located in the bottom of the hair follicle. These cells play a key role in the formation of hairTrusted Source, hair growth, and the shedding and regrowth cycle.
A 2019 study showed that scalp massaging improved hair growth, blood flow, and scalp health in people. Taking the time to massage your scalp each day can also help you relieve stress and tension, an added bonus if these emotions are at the root of your hair loss.
Massage your scalp with your fingertips, not your fingernails. Move your way across your scalp in small circles, applying light to medium pressure. While there’s no set amount of time that you have to do a scalp massage, each scalp massage was given daily for 4 minutes for a period of 24 weeks in the 2019 study above.
The bottom line: Be patient and consistent.
Aloe vera
Aloe vera has long been used for treatingTrusted Source 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.
Coconut oil
Coconut oilTrusted Source contains fatty acids, called lauric acid, that penetrate inside the hair shaft and reduce protein loss from hair.
Coconut oil can be used 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 lubricate the hair shaft and prevent breakage.
One 2021 studyTrusted Source also showed that coconut applied to the scalp helps enrich the scalp’s microbiome, making the scalp and hair follicles healthier.
Viviscal
Viviscal is a natural hair growth supplementTrusted Source that promotes hair growth in people with thinning hair.
It contains a marine complex known as AminoMar C, which is a mineral-rich combinationTrusted Source of shark and mollusk powder, organic silica, and vitamin C (derived from acerola cherry). These ingredients can help regenerate new cells and strengthen existing cells.
You have to take the pills twice daily for at least 6 months to see results. Viviscal also makes a shampoo and conditioner.
Fish oil
Consuming omega fatty acids can help improve your hair from the inside, since they are filled with nutrients and proteins. Taking an omega supplementTrusted Source, along with antioxidants, helps improve hair density and diameter. It also reduces hair loss.
Omega fatty acids help your cells work correctly and can boost immunity, leading to better overall health.
Follow the manufacturer’s recommended dosage and consult your doctor before introducing any new supplements to your diet.
Ginseng
Taking ginsengTrusted Source supplements can promote hair growth by stimulating hair follicles. Ginsenosides are the active components of ginseng and are thought to be responsible for ginseng’s positive effect on hair.
Research on how ginseng can encourage hair growth is limited, but a recent 2018 research reviewTrusted Source showed some promising results.
Always take supplements as directed and be sure to check for any possible side effects.
Onion juice
If you can handle the smell of onion juice, you may find that the benefits are worth it. Onion juice has been shownTrusted Source to promote hair growth and successfully treat patchy alopecia areata — an autoimmune condition in which the body attacks the hair follicles and causes hair loss on various parts of the body.
Onion juice is also thought to improve circulation. A 2015 study with animals showed improved keratinocyte growth factor, an important mediator of hair follicle development and growth.
To consume onion juice, blend a few onions and squeeze out the juice. Apply the juice to your scalp and hair, and leave it in for at least 15 minutes. Then, follow up with shampoo.
Rosemary oil
Rosemary is a common essential oil that people use to promote hair growth and reduce hair loss. Rosemary oilTrusted Source has been found to stimulate new hair growth and can even be used to treat androgenetic alopecia.
Mix a few drops of rosemary oil into a carrier oil, like argan oil or jojoba oil, and massage it into your hair and scalp before rinsing. You can do this a few times per week.
You can also add a few drops of rosemary oil into your shampoo and conditioner daily. However, avoid using essential oils directly on the skin, and always mix them in a carrier oil or shampoo.
Geranium oil
Geranium, or Pelargonium graveolens, is a fragrant plant that’s native to South Africa. Geranium oil is the concentrated essential oil that’s extracted from its leaves. You can use geraniumTrusted Source oil to promote hair growth and boost circulation.
Mix three drops of geranium essential oil with eight drops of a carrier oil, and apply it directly to your hair. You can also add a few drops to your shampoo and conditioner.
Geranium oil can help strengthen, hydrate, and restore your hair.
Lemon
You can use fresh lemon juice or lemon oil, since they’ve both been found to enhance hair quality and growth. Lemon oil may help you maintain a healthy scalp and encourage hair growth.
Apply fresh lemon juice to your scalp and hair 15 minutes before you shampoo. You can also use lemon essential oil diluted in a carrier oil as part of a hair mask.
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Frequently asked questions about natural hair regrowth
Can I use natural hair regrowth methods with other treatments?
Naturally regrowing your hair often requires a multidirectional approach, which means you may have to combine different approaches for the best results.
If you’re currently under a physician’s care for hair loss, and you want to combine natural methods with your medical treatment, talk with your doctor to make sure there are no concerns or possible contraindications.
What causes hair loss?
Hair loss can have multiple causes. In some cases, there’s a genetic component. Other times, it results from autoimmune disease, high stress levels, recent surgery or illness, hair damage from bleach or dyes, scalp conditions, or vitamin deficiencies.
Hair loss can also develop in response to hormonal imbalances or thyroid conditions. Pulling on your hair and wearing tight hairstyles can also contribute to hair loss over time.
When should I see a doctor?
Most people lose about 50 to 100 strands of hair per day. This may seem like a lot, but it’s insignificant compared with the 100,000 hair follicles you have on your head.
If you’re noticing that you’re losing more hair than average, it’s worth discussing with your doctor, especially if hair loss combines with other symptoms, like fatigue, anxiety, itching, and mood changes.
