Thinning hair may occur in one area of the scalp or all over the head. Dermatologists examining the hair and scalp perform a "gentle hair pull" test to check if hairs come out. Jojoba, or Simmondsia chinensis, an evergreen shrub which is also know as goat nut and coffeeberry is native to North America. Spanish explorers observed Native Americans using oil from jojoba seeds as a hair dressing.
Significance
Jojoba oil is made up fatty alcohols and fatty acids rather than glycerol and fatty acids like most oils. It is one of the richest and most expensive botanical oils. Jojoba came to prominence in the 1970s in the cosmetics industry when the use of sperm whale oil was prohibited to protect the endangered whales. Jojoba oil's emollient properties provide quality lubrication to soothe the scalp and condition thinning hair. Jojoba oil's consistency is similar to sebum, the oil naturally produced by the body and healthy hair follicles.
Features
Jojoba oil comes from the seeds of jojoba shrubs. The high-quality oil soothes the scalp and provides a natural treatment for dry skin to help keep the scalp comfortable. Jojoba oil spreads easily and mixes well in shampoos and conditioners. Jojoba oil coats and protects thinning hair without weighing it down. Many commercial products contain jojoba oil, including natural products that are free of dyes, chemicals and perfumes that can cause scalp irritation.
Function
Jojoba oil in shampoos, especially in thickening shampoos designed for thinning hair, helps to add volume to the hair shaft to improve body and provide the appearance of thicker hair. Because it's similar to natural scalp oils, it helps to provide the hair with the oil your hair needs to looks its best. Regular conditioners can make thinning hair look oily or limp. Jojoba oil conditions the hair without leaving an oily residue. Massaging jojoba oil into your scalp at night provides a deep-conditioning treatment for your scalp, hair follicles and hair.
Warnings
Over-shampooing, by using too much shampoo or shampooing too often, strips natural oils from the scalp and hair causing thinning hair to look worse.
Research the reputations of companies that offer jojoba products. Hair care products aren't regulated to the same extent as food products. Products claiming to contain expensive jojoba oil may contain very little actual jojoba oil.
Tips
Blow drying hair with your head hanging down helps to give the hair more volume to disguise thinning hair. Keep the hair dryer a foot from your head to avoid damaging your hair or over-drying your scalp.
Inexpensive shampoos can work as well as costly ones. Obtaining jojoba oil from a health food store and creating your own natural hair care products with Castile soap or an affordable natural shampoo offers a budget alternative to costly hair products.
Consult your doctor about changes in your hair. It's normal to lose about 100 strands of hair a day, but sudden hair loss could be a sign of a health problem.
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