Gradual thinning of hair is a normal part of aging. But extreme hair loss or thinning hair that exceeds the rate of new growth can be caused by many factors including hormonal changes, heredity, diet, illness or infection, stress, medication or damage to the hair from chemical treatments. To prevent further loss and encourage new hair growth, there are steps you can take to promote overall hair health.
Dietary Supplements
Supplementing your diet with certain minerals may help to alleviate hair loss and stimulate regrowth. A dry, flaky scalp is a symptom of zinc deficiency, which could lead to hair loss; anemia from an iron deficiency may cause dry brittle hair and thinning hair; an imbalance of calcium and magnesium could cause a high insulin level, resulting in hair falling out. Biotin supports the metabolic requirements for optimum hair growth. Biotin, in supplement form, may improve brittle nails and thinning hair by encouraging hair growth, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Shampoos and Conditioners
Mayonnaise or buttermilk makes an effective homemade hair treatment to moisturize and restore protein. For a weekly deep conditioning treatment, mix honey, oil, avocados and bananas and leave on your hair for an hour, preferably under a warm hair dryer. Heated olive oil makes an effective weekly hot oil treatment. Adding herbs to chemical-free conditioners and shampoos may help keep the shafts and roots of your hair healthy to prevent breakage and thinning hair. Horsetail has silica for strong hair. Burdock root applied directly to the scalp or mixed with your shampoo may minimize hair loss. Another beneficial additive is saw palmetto, a primary active ingredient in most hair-loss remedies. Rosemary, which stimulates hair follicles, and lavender, which controls the production of sebaceous gland oil, mixed with 1 tbsp. seabuckthorn oil makes a good hair-growth stimulator.
Massage
Massaging your scalp, using your fingertips in a circular motion, increases circulation and encourages blood flow. By rubbing glycerin or coconut oil into your scalp, you replenish oils. To remove dead skin cells, accumulated oils and dandruff, exfoliate your scalp with a mixture of equal parts brown sugar and avocado. Rub it well into your scalp and then rinse with cold water after 20 minutes. Avoid using hot water, which opens the pores in your scalp allowing hair to fall out.
Vitamins
Many vitamins have a positive effect on overall hair health, especially the B family of vitamins. Niacin encourages scalp circulation to promote follicle formation and growth. Topical applications of niacin have also proven to be effective. A study conducted at Wake Forest University in 2005 found a significant increase in hair fullness and volume from applications of a niacin derivative topical formulation.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Hair Loss: Causes
- Nutra Ingredients: Research: Iron Deficiency Leads to Hair Loss
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Vitamin H (Biotin)
- The Long Hair Community: Herb and Essential Oil Summary Chart: Hair Loss/Growth Stimulating
- PubMed.gov: A Pilot Study Evaluating the Efficacy of Topically Applied Niacin Derivatives for Treatment of Female Pattern Alopecia
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