What helps hair regrowth best?

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Serena Piper

Serena Piper

Serena graduated from the University of Oregon where she majored in magazine journalism. She is a published writer both in print and online. Serena worked with a range of hair blogs and beauty websites. She currently lives in Daytona Beach where she works at the Early Learning Coalition, an organization supporting children of low-income families. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, reading, country music concerts, exploring Florida, and of course, the beach.

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Marissa Walker

Last updated on July 6, 2023

Is it possible to regrow hair?

While some women snatch whatever comes to hand trying to enhance hair regrowth, it would be much smarter to rely on science and opt for the most effective methods. With this idea in mind, we’ve collected an impressive number of ways to regrow hair taking into consideration hair loss causes and your possible preferences.

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Can You Naturally Regrow Hair?

Let’s make it clear – our hair density and the speed of its growth are genetically determined. Since gene therapy has been still developing, that is the part we can influence in no way. Another part we cannot change either is dead follicles. If they are closed, scarred or shrunk, nothing can reanimate them.

However, our follicles develop cyclically, sequentially entering one of the three phases: active growth, transitional stage, hair loss, and rest, followed by the next growth stage. Natural hair regrowth stops when the follicles get stuck in the rest phase. To renew the process, we need to wake up those sleeping beauties located at the depth of 0.3-0.5 cm from the skin surface.

So, how to regrow hair without pulling out the big guns like surgical hair restoration? As there are several factors that trigger alopecia and prevent follicles from doing their job properly, we need to:

– watch out for hormones;

– avoid and manage stress;

– ensure healthy nutrition;

– cleanse the scalp thoroughly;

– promote microcirculation.

Now, let’s see what home remedies can help us cope with at least some of these tasks.

Home Remedies for Hair Growth

– Massage is an obvious choice to ensure hair regrowth for women. Not only does it improve blood circulation providing follicles with energy and building materials for hair growth, but it also seems to enhance hair thickness by stretching dermal papilla cells. Besides, massage is recognized for its relaxing effect, which adds to stress management, especially when combined with essential oils. The latter can also be used to further increase blood flow to the scalp, so don’t hesitate to avail yourself of this double impact.

– Onion juice is a popular alternative to massage since this simple remedy also improves blood supply to the scalp. But its effects are not limited to that – onions contain plenty of sulfur and deliver it to the skin for better protein and collagen production. The vegetable is rich in antioxidants and famous for its antimicrobial effects. Anyway, there is a study showing that this remedy is truly effective, so put a couple of onions into a juicer or blender and apply the juice/paste to your scalp.

– Proper nutrition is another key to natural hair regrowth since biotin-, protein-, and iron deficiency are notorious for hair fall effects. Yes, if you are quite sure that your diet is perfectly balanced and you don’t need any pills to add to it, you can skip this step. However, do remember that if there is the slightest deficiency of some nutrients, your hair will be disconnected from the supply in the first instance. That’s why trichologists recommend incorporating quality supplements into the diet for baldness or hair growth. Whichever way you choose, keep in mind that food for hair regrowth should contain lean proteins, B-complex vitamins, fat-soluble vitamins, fatty acids, and iron.

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– When choosing among affordable natural remedies, pay attention to time-honored fish oil since omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are clinically proven to improve hair density and prevent hair loss in women. In addition, it will save you from vitamin D deficiency (this vitamin contributes to cell growth and strengthens hair follicles) and add to your vitamin A reserves (required to prevent dull and fragile hair and hair loss).

Best Oil for Hair Loss and Regrowth

Well, we have already mentioned natural oils as part of massage procedures, but they have much more to offer. They are rich in biologically-active agents of various kinds thus stimulating hair growth in multiple ways. For example, essential oils help maintain your scalp healthy due to their anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antifungal properties. They unclog pores and promote the normal flow of sebum while removing dandruff – this allows hair to grow faster and look healthier. They work as antioxidants, reducing cellular damage and enhancing cellular metabolism. The following essential oils showed hair growth benefits in studies:

– Rosemary

– Thyme

– Cedarwood

– Lavender

– Peppermint

– Lemon

Use them in blends with vegetable carrier oils chosen according to your hair type and issue you are dealing with. Coconut oil is one of our favorites since it is proven to reduce the loss of protein in the hair by penetrating directly inside the shaft. Castor oil also contains fatty acids, moisturizes the hair shaft, shows a wound-healing effect, and removes dead skin cells. You can mix these oils and add a few drops of the above-mentioned ethereal substances to make a growth-boosting mask.

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Hair Growth Treatments

Actually, we have more hair growth options than just home-made remedies, the more so that most of them can help only for certain types of hair loss. Androgenetic alopecia, associated with genetics and hormonal imbalance, cannot be treated with oils and massages.

– In this case, the best treatment to regrow hair is taking finasteride that inhibits the enzyme responsible for thinning hair on the temples and at the crown (male type) or at the part line (female type).

– Minoxidil (also known as Rogaine) is a topically applied alternative for temple hair regrowth that works by boosting growth factors and prostaglandins.

– Saw palmetto is one of the best medicines to address not only androgenetic alopecia but also thyroid hair loss and some other conditions. It blocks the hormone that makes the hair fall out – this one showed increased hair density and growth in several studies.

We shouldn’t leave out those ready-to-use hair regrowth products designed to cleanse and condition both hair and skin. The proper hair regrowth shampoo and conditioner can provide great support to your treatment plan. Opt for products stuffed with vitamins and natural oils (yes, again) or those containing caffeine (promotes cell proliferation), red ginseng (slows cell death) or pyrithione zinc (removes dandruff). Add a serum with peptides or procyanidins to your hair care routine: they are applied according to a specifically designed plan and aimed at reducing skin inflammation.

Visiting a dermatologist can broaden your options by adding several more treatments proven to be effective:

– Platelet-rich plasma injections – deliver growth factors right into the scalp;

– Laser hair regrowth– stimulates weak follicles with low-level photons;

– Microneedling – triggers collagen production and growth of follicle stem cells.

Technically, you can purchase a laser hair regrowth cap and a derma roller for at-home sessions, but it is safer and more effective to work with a professional. Besides, it is recommended to combine microneedling with PRP or other topical treatments, which requires dermatologist’s advice and supervision.

Hair Regrowth After Chemo

Since chemo drugs affect rapidly dividing cells (and hair falls into this category), the treatment usually results in hair loss, which is a temporary effect in most cases. However, regrowth starts only after the drugs are fully removed from the body, so it takes from several weeks to a couple of months for the hair to start growing again. As for now, Minoxidil is the only agent showing the ability to reduce hair loss and speed up its regrowth, but you need to discuss its application with your oncologist.

Postpartum Hair Regrowth

While the levels of certain hormones increase in women during pregnancy, they drop after giving birth, which leads to more intensive shedding. It is normal, and over time (1-4 months), you will notice that you lose less hair. If you are still concerned about it, you can opt for one of the above-mentioned treatments, but only after discussing them with your doctor (especially when breastfeeding).

Other Hair Growth Tips

Here are a few recommendations to add to your list:

– Check your hormones since they are directly responsible for your hair growth and its condition.

– Use hair heat protection if you cannot avoid blow-drying and strengthening.

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– Apply a moisturizing/firming mask and a peel-off mask at least once a week.

– Start visiting a gynecologist-endocrinologist when approaching menopause to correct your hormones.

– Go to a trichologist to find out the cause of your hair issues and get a customized treatment plan.

Hope we have helped you to find out new ways for hair regrowth. If you have additional questions – send them via our questions form. If you have what to add or just want to share your experience – comment below.