Hair loss and slow hair growth can be caused by a number of factors. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, hair loss and slow hair growth is frequently caused by hereditary factors, conditions such as alopecia areata and damage due to overuse of chemical processing such as perms, straighteners and dyes. Damage to your hair can cause the appearance of slow growth. When hair is damaged, it often appears as though your hair is not growing because the damaged parts break off and split. You can promote the growth of new hair and help the hair you have now to stay healthy and damage free.
Step 1
Get a trim. If you've been thinking of avoiding a trim because you're trying to grow your hair, your efforts are counterproductive. Trimming the hair will promote healthier hair to grow in its place, because you remove the split and damaged ends. Split ends only keep splitting up the hair shaft, making your hair break off and seem like it has stopped growing. According to Cosmopolitan, most stylists recommend trimming your hair every five to six weeks.
Step 2
Massage your scalp with rosemary essential oil before shampooing. Rosemary is an herb that is thought to promote hair growth and stimulates the scalp, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Place a few drops of the oil on your fingertips and rub gently into your hair and scalp using circular motions.
Step 3
Wash your hair with a mild shampoo that does not contain sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). SLS is a harsh cleansing agent that can cause hair loss and irritation, according to the National Toxic Encephalopathy Foundation. Wash your hair every third day if possible, as washing too often can cause hair loss and dry out the hair shaft, causing breakage.
Step 4
Eat plenty of foods that are high in vitamin B complex vitamins. B complex vitamins are essential to maintaining healthy hair and promoting hair growth, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Foods that are high in B complex vitamins include milk, liver, potatoes, beans and sunflower seeds.
Step 5
Talk to your doctor about a prescription medication to help hair loss. If you have hereditary hair loss, some treatments, such as minoxidil or finasteride, may help, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. If you have alopecia areata, an autoimmune condition that makes the hair fall out, your doctor may recommend cortisone injections or topical medications.
Things You'll Need
- Rosemary essential oil
- Sodium lauryl sulfate-free shampoo
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