There are a variety of ways to treat hair loss and to re-grow hair. Some involve the use of hair loss treatment products, some involve the use of laser technology, and some are just basic natural old-fashioned remedies. This article will discuss the more natural remedies to help minimize or treat hair loss in both men and women, what products you may use, and what else you may do to improve your odds of re-growing and keeping your hair.
If you wish to read more information about some of the effective treatments for hair loss in use today, please read my previous post: The Best Hair Loss Re-Growth Treatment Products for Men and Women Available Today.
What Are The Causes Of Hair Loss?
In order to solve the problem of hair loss, we should briefly discuss what causes hair loss among men and women in the first place. There are various reasons why people begin to lose their hair. Some reasons involve what we are eating, illness, some are related to aging, some causes are simply related to hormones, stress, or vitamin deficiencies, and some causes are hereditary which, by the way, is the most common cause. Once a person understands the underlying reason, or, what may be causing his or her hair loss, there’s a better chance of finding the remedy and knowing how best to treat it.
For men, the most common cause is androgenic alopecia, otherwise known as Male Pattern Baldness. This is usually hereditary, and there’s not much a guy can do to change that fact. With that stated, however, there are various ways to help block the chemical reaction going on in a man’s scalp which, in turn, causes Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels to rise. It is DHT that causes the hair follicle to shrink and causes the hair strand to become weak and eventually fall out. Before that happens, however, there is hope to not only stop this process but to actually stimulate the hair follicles and get them growing again.
For women, the causes are not so easily identified. “Male pattern hair loss is believed to be due to a combination of genetics and the male hormone dihydrotestosterone,” or DHT. “The cause in female pattern hair loss remains unclear.” [1]
In fact, while doing some research on Male Pattern Baldness, I have recently found more and more information about the growing number of women who are also suffering from thinning hair and/or loss of hair. Female Androgenic Alopecia has become such a growing problem that, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, this affects around 30 million women in the United States. Although hair loss in females normally occurs after the age of 50 or even later when it does not follow events like pregnancy, chronic illness, crash diets, and stress among others, it is now occurring at earlier ages with reported cases in women as young as 15 or 16.” [1] Newer research, however, is showing that since females also have testosterone with rising DHT levels, DHT is also the likely cause of hair thinning for the majority of women as well.
The Pattern of Hair Loss
The pattern, or the way in which men and women lose their hair shows up differently for each gender.
“Hair loss primarily affects the top and front of the scalp.” In males, the hair loss often presents as a receding hairline” and a bald spot at the crown of the head, while “in females, it typically presents as a thinning of the hair” especially on the top area and crown. This usually becomes more noticeable when women part their hair as the part usually widens and shows more scalp area. From what I’ve read, many women also state that their hair was thicker when they were younger, but now that they’re older, their hair is baby fine. This would make sense in that the hair follicles for both men and women are weakening and producing thinner finer hair strands. [1]
What Can Be Done About Hair Loss?
Well, today there are a variety of hair loss products on the market that are, somewhat, effective in stopping or reducing, hair loss and re-growing hair for the majority of people who go this route. As mentioned above, you will find more of an in-depth discussion about each of these types of products in my previous article that addressed Hair Loss. In that article, I briefly discussed the oral drug, Finasteride (aka Propecia), and I focused on topical solutions containing Minoxidil, as well as Low-Level Laser Light Therapy. All of those are viable treatments for hair loss and have been clinically proven to re-grow hair.
But, let’s discuss some other ways to treat hair loss including some of the old-fashioned remedies and treatments including diet, exercise, massage techniques; topical remedies; and ways to reduce stress – all of which affects your hair. We’ll even have another section of tips, tricks, and tools to use to get your hair growing again and to pamper it when it does finally grow back.
Improve Your Diet – Eat More Protein!*
*Note: Please See My Warning About Protein – Below
First and foremost, the phrase: “You are what you eat!” couldn’t be truer. If you eat poorly, and you do not get enough vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients, your body will reflect that fact and share your deficiencies with the world with ruddy skin, dark baggy eye circles, dull hair, lack of energy, and a host of other health-related issues. Obviously, things can get much worse if you keep this up over time. But, since this site is focusing on hair, we’re going to specifically zero in on improving your diet to improve your ability to grow healthy hair.
How Much Protein Do I Need Each Day?
As you may know, hair and nails are made up of protein, so, in order to improve these areas, you do have to make sure you’re getting enough protein in your daily diet.
According to Health.com, you need .36 grams per pound of body weight per day if you’re sedentary. If you’re an athlete, or you workout regularly, it should be higher. In some cases, it should be at least double the recommended amount for a sedentary person. [2]
Video: 10 Ways To Get Protein Without Eating Meat:
What A Some Good Sources Of Protein?
There are many good articles about protein as it relates to diet and weight loss in general. So, you can think of it as not only helping your problem with hair loss, increasing your intake is also a way to improve your diet and even shed a few pounds!
Here are some good sources[2] [3] of protein:
Seafood – Especially salmon which is loaded with omega-3 fatty acids. (Good for heart health too!)
White-Meat Poultry – Specifically Chicken and Turkey. (Remove skin to reduce saturated fat).
Milk, Cheese, and Yogurt – Especially Greek Yogurt as it still contains the whey.
Eggs – Adults should have at least one egg per day.
Beans – 1/2 Cup contains as much protein as 1 oz. of broiled steak.
Pork Chops or Pork Tenderloin – Baked pork recipes are even better.
Soy – (NON-GMO and Unadulterated Only) 50 grams per day helps reduce cholesterol as well.
Lean Beef – Also an excellent source of zinc, iron, and Vitamin B12 – Good for Hair!
Protein on the Go – No Time? Grab a Cereal Bar, Energy Bar, or a Protein Shake. Make sure it’s at least 6 grams of protein and low in sugar and fat. (Warning: Read labels for GMO, Soy, Corn, and other GMO Processed Foods.)
Whole Wheat Toast – Whole Grain breads are good sources of protein and high fiber too!
Nuts – Particularly Almonds, but Walnuts are also loaded with omega-3s. Peanut butter is also good.
Veggies – Particularly Broccoli and Peas.
Other sources of protein[4] include:
Tofu (See Warning Below)
Oysters
Lentils
Coconut
Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Quinoa
Avocados
Hummus
Cottage Cheese
Pumpkin Seeds
Here are a few of my picks that have over 10 grams of protein:
And, last, but certainly not least:
Supplements – These are particularly important if you are not eating right and are not getting enough protein or biotin. “Almonds, carrots, yeast, walnuts and fish are among the foods that contain the most biotin.”[5] If you are not eating these types of things daily, then it is recommended that you find a good supplement that is specifically formulated for hair loss and thinning hair. In addition to Protein, some have additional Biotin, Keratin, and Saw Palmetto Berry, which is a DHT blocker, to increase hair building nutrients and help re-grow hair. One such product is featured here, and you can click the link to check on current prices and reviews:
Can Exercise Help Minimize Hair Loss?
In this section, we’ll be discussing different forms of exercise that will help to minimize hair loss and increase blood flow not only throughout your whole body but specifically, to your scalp.
Although there is really no empirical evidence or clinical studies that were done to support the idea that exercise can help with either minimizing hair loss or inducing hair to grow, this discussion really relies on “old-fashion” common sense. Here are “my” thoughts…
Seeing that hair is nourished by good circulation and blood flow, and seeing that many topical solutions are formulated to increase circulation and blood flow, it’s not too much of a stretch to reasonably conclude that if you were to increase your circulation and blood flow, through exercise, you will affect your hair follicles too since they are a part of your body – right?
So, with that in mind, I set out to find some information, any information, that may help to support what I determine to be “common sense,” and, I actually found a few sources that do just that! Here is one such source…
According to The Belgravia Centre, a hair loss treatment center based in the U.K., “regular exercise is certainly beneficial to overall health, and among other things will help maintain good circulation, which ensures an adequate supply of nutrients to the hair follicles. However, if you are experiencing thinning hair you may wish to shift the emphasis of your workouts from heavy weightlifting designed to build bulky muscle to vigorous aerobic exercises such as running or rowing.”[6]
So, basically, there are two things that could possibly happen to your hair if and when you begin an exercise regimen, and each one has a different outcome depending on the type of exercise you do. If you are focusing on bulking up and lifting weights, these types of activities will actually raise your DHT levels in your scalp and cause more hair loss. Conversely, if you were to take up an aerobic exercise, such as running, rowing, biking, etc., cardio-vascular activities such as those will increase circulation and blood flow throughout your body – including your hair follicles – thus stimulating hair growth. That makes sense to me – which is why this section is even here in this article.
Personally speaking, my preference for aerobic exercise is using an elliptical machine or a treadmill at the gym. I also like cycling since it’s easier on the knees. But, if you are the sort of person who doesn’t use a gym and would rather work-out at home, or would rather go out running or biking, here’s a few of my picks to look over and consider to help get your blood pumping!
Scalp Exercises Too!
In addition to overall cardio exercises, there are also people who are beginning to promote both facial and scalp exercises. I did find a product that features approximately 25 scalp exercises to improve blood circulation in the scalp with the intention of re-growing hair. According to this book, it will only take about 15 minutes per day, and you can easily incorporate and do these simple exercises while you are doing other things throughout the day. This book comes in either paperback or you can download it onto your Kindle, laptop, or tablet via Kindle download.
Relaxation / Hair & Scalp Massage
Stress can wreak havoc on one’s overall health, including the hair. People can actually lose hair in clumps when under extreme stress even if they’re not already losing their hair due to any type of hereditary fate. So, this section will address some of the relaxation and massage methods you can do to help cope with everyday stresses. Relaxation techniques can be something as small as giving yourself some “me” time in small doses, or it can also mean that you are checking out and leaving for a long weekend somewhere sunny. (Natural Vitamin D is good for you and your hair!) But, for now, let’s discuss some of the smaller little relaxation techniques or methods you can do to help reduce stress and increase circulation.
Here’s one video which you can do when you are showering. The end result is – not only did you shampoo your hair but when done right, you actually stimulate and massage your scalp which increases blood flow.
You can also do this massage technique before you shower using oils. Some of the well-known oils to use include:
Castor Oil
Almond Oil
Some people even add a few drops of Essential Oils to the base oils to aid in opening pores and cleaning the toxins from your scalp. These include Rosemary, Lavender, and, my personal favorite, Peppermint Oil. Just add a few drops to one of the above base oils, massage using the technique described in the video, and let sit for a few minutes before shampooing out – also using the same massage technique. And, after using especially the peppermint oil, your scalp will feel tingly, clean, and rejuvenated.
Here are some of the popular base oils and essential oils currently available:
Hot Oil Hair Treatments
Another “old-fashion” method of treating damaged hair and stimulating growth is the more, well known, remedy of using hot oil treatments. This method is tried and true in that it helps condition the hair and scalp, minimizes split ends, and deeply conditions hair. In the past, these treatments were recommended to do at least once a week.
After massaging the scalp with your, gently heated, base oil and added essential oils, you then cover your head with a light cloth or cap and let the warm oil sink into your pores. After a few hours, you can then shampoo the oil out of your hair. Both rosemary and peppermint essential oils are also known for stimulating hair follicles, so either one of those is a great choice to add to the base oil, stimulate your scalp and improve hair growth. (Note – Essential oils should not be used alone. They are to be added to a base oil to avoid irritation.)[7]
Here’s a well-known, commercially packaged, hot oil hair treatment product that has been around since I can remember. It comes in pre-packaged amounts, and it’s heated by placing in a hot cup of water.
Another natural remedy and good ingredient used to improve hair thinning and loss and to stimulate hair growth involves the use of Neem leaves. Neem leaves can be added to a base oil such as coconut, castor, or olive oil. Here’s a good video on how that is done if you are mixing this yourself:
If you don’t have any local sources for Neem leaves, I found Neem leaf products, in raw or powdered form, available and pre-packaged for use. If you are not inclined to prepare this mixture yourself, however, I also found Neem oil hair products already mixed and packaged for use including a sulfate-free shampoo with Neem leaves. These are organic and completely natural hair products that will stimulate your hair follicles, especially if you do an oil massage or hot oil treatment prior to shampooing, and they will help strengthen and make your hair grow.
Another very old method of stimulating hair growth that is still done today is just to brush your hair with a good old-fashioned boar bristle brush. This is recommended for straight to wavy hair, and it’s recommended for both women and men. The boar bristle brush was used because the natural bristles help distribute the natural oils from your scalp throughout the hair while stimulating the scalp. In the Victorian Days of old, this method was used daily to keep hair clean.[8]
I’ve had a boar bristle brush for decades now, and I can say that when I do use it, it does stimulate your scalp and just feels good. You’ll find that many still come with a wooden handle, but newer ones today may be plastic or worse, may have nylon bristles. Nylon bristle brushes do not re-distribute sebum (hair oils), so if you’re in the market for one, the best purchase is a natural boar bristle brush especially for that purpose. Just make sure it says “100% real natural boar bristles.” If you can get your hands on one of the older ones with a wooden handle and natural boar bristles, that is a lucky find.
Newer Hair Tools
Here are some newer hair tools that will come in handy that are available today: A heated cap to enjoy hot oil hair treatments, a natural boar bristle brush, and newer rubber tipped massage tools that will help to stimulate hair follicles while giving yourself an oil massage or a massaging shampoo in the shower.
Use Sulfate Free Shampoo
After reading a few articles, and learning more about this ingredient, the general consensus among those who are worried about harsh chemicals do advocate getting away from using any type of shampoo or conditioner that has Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS). The general concern is that it is a harsh detergent that strips your natural oils from your scalp and hair and leaves your hair dried out and brittle. Hair in this condition is more prone to breaking as well. The unfortunate part is that this is not an easy task for the more well-known shampoos on the market. This ingredient is in most of our everyday hygiene products that we use to wash, bathe, and shampoo with on a daily basis.
This ingredient acts as a detergent, and while it strips out dirt and oils, all of your natural oil gets washed out as well. So, yes, this makes sense that using shampoo with this ingredient on a daily basis may cause dry and brittle hair. But, that’s not the only claim. There are a few blog posts that I came across that claims SLS is causing hair loss.[5] [9] While these claims have not been clinically proven, and the authors do not back up these claims with any kind of research, I do, at the very least, agree that washing out your natural oils on a daily basis with a harsh detergent is probably not doing your hair any good either.
So, with that stated, I do agree that you should probably curb, minimize, or avoid altogether the use of sulfate shampoos in order to reduce harsh ingredients especially if you shampoo on a daily basis. Since there are more and more natural and/or gentler products available now, this goal is easily attained, and you would be doing your hair and your scalp some good. There are even blog posts about going “no-poo” entirely, and people are now using only old-fashioned formulas to cleanse their hair.[8]
One such product, in particular, is getting some very good reviews. It is an old hair soap recipe that has been found and revived, and is available in different “flavors.” One such flavor includes the use of castor oil and peppermint, and, as you may recall, I did mention that peppermint is a good stimulant for hair follicles. In addition, castor oil has been known to rejuvenate hair and is now being marketed with this purpose in mind – especially if you wish to grow your lashes too. So, if you wish to give this soap a try, not only would you be avoiding harsh chemicals, you are actually stimulating and strengthening your hair follicles as well. You can check out the current prices and the reviews for yourself here:
Hair Salad Anyone?
No, wait… Onions, Vinegar, and Eggs – OH MY! Ok, enough…
Let’s talk a bit about Hair Masks, what they are, and what they do.
There are a number of articles that discuss hair masks made out of a variety of groceries …items. These items can include onion juice, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, lemons, egg yolks, avocados, and more. In order to make a hair mask, you take some of these ingredients, according to whichever recipe you’re following, combine them, and either pour, massage, paint, or smoosh into your hair where you then leave this mixture on your head for a certain amount of time. Once your allotted time is up, and this mixture is washed out of your hair, you’re left with a stimulated scalp and/or smooth, conditioned, shiny hair.
There are people who do swear by them, and personally, yes, I have read about the numerous uses myself for apple cider vinegar. That stuff’s amazing. But, as far as peeling onions and squeezing out the juice to apply to my head – truthfully – doesn’t much appeal to me. (Though many swear this does grow hair!) So, these methods may appeal to you! And, seeing that this post is about “natural” treatments and methods to stimulate hair growth, these methods are briefly addressed here.
Here is a very good video on the use of Onion juice as a remedy to re-grow hair on bald spots.
In fact, there are numerous and various “recipes” available on the net, but for brevity’s sake, I chose to look up a few good books instead. Here are a few of my picks:
If, however, you are not into mixing produce for your hair mask, there are ready-made versions of this as well. Here are some good choices:
Natural Hair Color & Beard Color Too!
Just because you’d like to go back to basics, get away from harsh chemicals, and use “gentle” products, doesn’t mean that you can’t color your hair!
Here’s to the “re-discovery” of Henna as a hair dye! Henna is a very old method of hair staining, and there is evidence in wall drawings and statues as early as 500 B.C. that this method was used to dye both hair and skin. In fact, it is still being used to this day in various other countries around the world. Although using it for skin does come with risks and knowing that henna tattoos are actually illegal in the U.S., it is approved for use as a hair dye.[10][11]
Another thing to know about real henna is just that. The word “henna” is also used by some hair companies to market their products. They may be referring to a color, or their product may “contain” henna, but may not be 100% henna. So, if you are considering purchasing Henna, make sure it’s 100% real organic Henna. Otherwise, read your labels and know your risks depending on what else it may be mixed with in order to achieve the look you desire.
Henna comes in different shades, usually from light browns to darker browns. For the two extremes, blondes and brunettes, there are lighter shades for lighter blondes and for those who want a more brunette or deep mahogany color, the henna is mixed with other plant-based dyes. Usually, the deeper tones have added ingredients such as Indigo, and there’s even a “clear” Henna to use as well. Although there are some people who may be allergic, plant-based Henna and Indigo usually do not cause any adverse reactions. If you do have any concerns, please read your labels or consult with your medical professional before use.
For those who are not at all allergic, Henna is considered to be completely safe, and it can be used more frequently than the name brand hair dye you may be accustomed to. It can be repeated the next day, it can be overlapped when covering grays and roots, and, according to many people, you can leave it on your hair for extended periods of time if you feel the need. There are some reviews I’ve read where people mix the product with boiling hot coffee instead of plain water, add in apple cider vinegar, and they add either egg yolk, or oil to the mixture as well to use with a heated cap. Some people have even wrapped their head with saran wrap or with a shower cap, go to bed, and wash it out the next day! (Henna will stain your fine linens, so you’d be wise to use darker colored towels and linens, or even old ones that you no longer care about until it’s all washed out.)
Henna, from what I’ve read and have sorted through quite a few videos now, can be messy, clumpy, “smelly,” and pasty. Some people also find that it’s difficult to wash out of your hair while a few others don’t seem to have a problem. You really do have to read directions and find what works with your chosen mix as the process may slightly differ depending on the ingredients. For example, with recipes that use Indigo, you cannot leave the mixture out for more than an hour as the color begins to degrade. So, it’s best to mix it and use it promptly. If, however, you’re using straight Henna, some instructions state that you should mix it and let it sit and oxidize for up to 12 hours. In order to rinse it out, some people use conditioner while others keep shampooing multiple times – which, in my opinion, is probably not a good idea especially if using sulfate laced shampoo. So, the bottom line is – many do experiment and practice with it until they get the consistency they want, they get the process down pat, and they get the color they want in the end.
For those who do stick with it and practice using it, the results are well worth it. Many people have stated they are never going back to chemical dyes, and have even received numerous compliments for having such natural looking hair. Henna leaves the hair with natural variations throughout as opposed to the “one-color” look you get from store-bought dyes. And, last, but certainly not least, Henna is a much healthier and natural alternative for hair dye and beard dye – much better than commercially prepared hair dyes complete with cancer-causing chemicals that are absorbed into your skin.
Here are some of the Henna Hair and Beard Dye products available now on Amazon:
Natural Hair Extensions For Those With Thinning Hair & Hair Loss
First of all, there are a few different types of Hair Extensions which I’ll discuss here in this section. Knowing the difference between them will help determine whether or not these methods “should” be used by those who are experiencing thinning hair or hair loss.
Although hair extensions are generally not recommended for those with thinning hair and hair loss because of the weight pulling on the hair that’s left, they can be an effective way to temporarily solve the problem – if you’re using the right kind of hair extension in the first place.
What Are The Different Kinds Of Hair Extensions?
Glued, Taped, or Bonded: Well, there are those that are glued or bonded semi-permanently onto your own hair and usually done by a hair stylist. There are some extensions that are taped onto your hair, and there are those that are “sewn” into your hair usually by weaving and braiding your natural hair first, then sewing the extensions onto the corn-rowed braids. None of these are recommended for hair loss or hair thinning, and will not be further discussed here.
Clip-On Extensions: Another type of hair extension that is currently available are those that clip onto your hair. These come in varying lengths, and there are even some clip-on bangs to help disguise hair loss in the front. These are temporary in that you can easily remove them, re-position them, etc. They are pretty near invisible when done right, And, for the clip in bangs, some women sometimes hide the edge with a headband to make them appear as real as can be while they put the rest of their real hair in a ponytail. From what I’ve read, and the videos I’ve watched, many women who are experiencing hair loss do use them – despite the fact that these, too, are not recommended for thinning hair and hair loss.
The reason why clip-on extensions are not generally recommended is due to the weight of the extension and the fact that it is pulling on the real hair in the clip. But, each person is different and are at different stages of hair loss. Some may have some good hair swatches to clip onto without any problems. So, with that stated, I’d say if you are early in the hair loss stage, and have decided to implement some or all of these methods previously discussed to help stop the progression of hair loss and re-grow your hair, I don’t see the harm in masking any problem areas until your real hair grows back.
If you’re a woman, there are also a variety of crown or top clip-on extensions that are still clipped in but the weight is actually sitting on top of your head and not pulling on the sides and back. And, there are some top hair pieces that have a “Swiss Lace” base that actually mimics a real scalp. So, it really depends on what is happening with your hair, where your hair is thinning, and what type of extension you wish to use. If you are committed to stopping hair loss, and have implemented any new habits and products, natural or otherwise, discussed in this post or elsewhere on this site, I don’t see a problem with using hair extensions (gently, of course) while you begin your journey to strengthen and re-grow your real hair.
Halo Extensions: Another type of Hair Extension, which is the type of hair extensions that I do recommend, are those that slip over the crown or halo area of the head and have an invisible wire that holds it in place. They are often called halo or invisible extensions, and they do provide fullness. The full weight of the hair extension is resting on the entire invisible wire loop sitting on your head and crown. I would say these are especially suitable for those with thinning hair, and I don’t see how they would be damaging in any way.
Wigs & Toupees: And, finally, there are varying kinds of buns, wigs, and toupees that look amazingly real, and fit onto your head without too much fuss. Some of the higher priced wigs and toupees use Swiss Lace as the base which allows your scalp to breathe as well so you’re less likely to harm the real hair underneath. But, again, each person is different and at different levels of hair loss. So, if you are committed to re-growing your real hair, you do need to shop around if you’re considering using a full wig or toupee. You just need to be careful that you don’t use any glues or sticky tape especially with toupees, which may hinder your ability to re-grow your real hair or harm any new hair growing back in.
So, Why Are Hair Extensions Considered Natural?
Well, the reason why I chose to include Hair Extensions at all is because of the halo extensions I found. They don’t involve drugs, glue, tape, bonding, or sewing. You don’t even need to go to a hairstylist. To me, they are a hair accessory, and you can even have fun with some clip-on colorful hair swatches from time to time. You can get different colors, and you can get bangs if you wanted to see what you’d look like before cutting your own. But, I do see them as an effective way to help, especially, women who are experiencing hair thinning or hair loss at the top of the head. They can easily be used to help fill out thin hair while you begin whatever process you choose to regrow your hair.
Here are some of the hair tops and extensions I have found for women:
And, here are some of the toupes I have found for men:
Hair Fibers – Another Way To Mask Hair Loss While Re-Growing Your Hair
Hair fibers are a relatively newer product that is useful in the beginning stages of hair thinning and hair loss. The reason these are in this post is, again, no drugs being taken or absorbed by your skin. And, you can use this product while you are using other methods to re-grow your hair.
Some of these fibers are made from keratin, some are plant-based, and another company states they use real human hair to make their fibers. Hair fibers may also be charged with static electricity to make them stick to your real hair magnetically, but you can also use a sealant spray to help lock them in. These come packaged in either a powder shaker bottle or an air type pump, and you apply them to your hair in areas where you can see your scalp easily. The fibers (usually) work by bonding to the thin hair that still remains. They give the hair a fuller look, and they help to fill in the thinning area so that it is no longer noticeable. You can get them in a variety of colors and they are virtually unrecognizable. Hair fibers are, basically, a cosmetic application to conceal thinning hair, patchy beards, and hair loss.
With all that stated, however, I have an interesting video to share with you. As an extreme example to show you what can be done with fibers, here’s one of the videos I found that shows you how this man uses hair fibers on his completely bald, shaved head.
Now, if he can do that with a bald head, think what hair fibers can do with thinning hair!
Here are some of my picks for Hair Fiber products that are also highly rated:
Silk Pillow Cases
Ok, here’s another old-fashioned trick that was used to pamper your hair and keep it from twisting and breaking off during the night. The general idea, or how this came about was two-fold. One purpose was to pamper hair and the second purpose was to not draw moisture away from one’s face while sleeping – thus causing wrinkles. This trick was likely used by more affluent people as it was, and still is, more expensive than using basic cotton pillowcases and sheets.
Nowadays, however, there are really two types that you need to know about. One uses the name “Silk,” but, is otherwise known as Polyester Silk or Polyester Satin. Although it may use the word “Silk” in its title, it is not 100% real silk. Polyester silk and silk blends are shiny and satiny smooth, and they are still a better choice to use on your pillows as opposed to cotton simply because it doesn’t snag or catch your hair.
But, the real prize is using 100% Silk pillowcases to not only pamper your hair, but to keep you hydrated, wrinkle, and allergen free. Using 100% real silk can be expensive, and they are sometimes hard to find. But, as this little trick is being re-discovered now, more and more real silk pillowcases are being made available and there are, now, domestic sources as well as imports.
For those who would like to purchase silk pillowcases to keep your hair from twisting and breaking, but find them too pricey, then you should opt for the Polyester Silk. Another cheaper alternative I found was a Silk nightcap. This will also keep your hair well-pampered and confined, but for less cost. Here are some of the items I found:
Better Hair Care Products
Here are a few more items that may also be of interest:
Break Old Habits That Are Damaging Your Hair:
I’ve compiled a list of things that I either know, through experience, or have come across in researching for my site. Please know that this post will change from time to time when updated, so the information you find may be different the next time you visit. But, for now, here’s a list of things that you should probably do if you wish to keep your hair a bit longer, and give it a better chance to re-grow if you’ve experienced hair thinning or hair loss.
Don’t brush your hair when wet. Your hair can actually stretch, snap and break causing not only frizz, but split ends, and damaged hair. Use only your fingers or a very wide-toothed comb when your hair is wet.
Don’t over-rub or towel dry your hair. (Friction = Frizz!)
Reduce or eliminate chemicals as much as you can: bleaching, peroxide, hair dye, straightening, relaxing, harsh shampoos, chemically laden product, etc.
Reduce or eliminate heat applied to your hair as much as you can: flat irons, curling irons, hot rollers, hair dryers, etc.
When you can, allow your hair to air dry. If not, consider a gentler Ion Negative Charged Ceramic Hair Dryer.
Get a wide-tooth comb after the shower or shampooing your hair, and comb carefully.
If setting your hair, try to use soft sponge type curlers, or go way back and learn how they did it in the “old” days with rags or pin curls using only bobby pins.
Don’t sleep with your hair down. For longer hair, sweep it up in a soft bun or large rollers at the top of your head for soft waves. Depending on your style, you may be able to incorporate style time during sleep and dry time if you’ve shampooed the night before.
Don’t shampoo every day if you can help it. (Guilty of this one myself!) If you do, at least purchase sulfate and paraben free shampoos and gentler products.
For both long and short hair, use either Polyester Silk or 100% Silk pillowcases or a Silk Cap. The pillowcases come in many colors and are hypo-allergenic as well.
Once you choose one method or if you choose a combination of the methods discussed here, the chances of you re-growing your hair are very good. From what I’ve read, and through all the research, many, if not most, people did find something that did work, and they are now re-growing their hair. The key is to choose and to keep doing it consistently for at least 4 to 6 months to see the results. So, the bottom line is that there is hope if you remain committed and faithfully follow the regimen until it succeeds.
And, Finally, The Last Resort:
Last, but not least, I would like to address another option that also does not involve long-term prescribed drug use, topical solutions, or any type of temporary methods to re-grow hair. Though it isn’t considered “natural,” it is a “last resort” method to deal with the problem of thinning hair and hair loss for good. There’s no risk of damaging side-effects, and you won’t have to keep applying topical solutions either for the rest of your life. I’m talking about hair transplants.
For those who, perhaps, have tried Minoxidil, Hair Lasers, Oil Massages, or any of the other Natural methods discussed in this article with no real success (not likely, but, just in case), there is the option of hair transplantation. From what I’ve read, the procedure is done in one day, and you take over the counter aspirin for two to three days afterward. During the course of my research, I came across one website that is very informative on the subject, and since this site’s mission is to help people with thinning hair and hair loss, I thought I’d share this information as well. Although this particular practice is based in India, there is a lot of information on this website where you can begin to weigh the pros and cons if you are considering this last resort remedy. The site even states that many foreigners visit the center because it’s cheaper there than having the procedure done in the states. So, with that, here is the site: http://www.medispaindia.in.
Conclusion:
I know it’s probably easy for others to tell you that you look fine, or that your hair is “not that bad,” etc. But, after watching quite a few videos, reading comments, and just understanding as best that I can how others feel about their thinning hair or how they feel about losing it, I will tell you that no matter which method you choose – even if you wish to embrace it and shave it all off, its you who matters most. Do whatever you think you need to do to feel better about you. You are the one who matters most, and only you can decide which remedy to pursue.
*Warning About Protein:
Not all pre-packaged or processed protein sources are good for you. Soy and corn-based processed foods likely contain GMO soy and GMO corn. You may wish to read one of my other articles here: Can Soy-Based Foods Cause Hair Loss?
References:
- Anonymous. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pattern_hair_loss, Wikipedia. (2018)
- Patz, A. http://www.health.com/nutrition/how-much-protein-per-day, Health. (Sept 2016)
- Multiple Authors. https://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/guide/good-protein-sources, WebMD. (2018)
- Anonymous. http://dailynaturalremedies.com/10-foods-high-in-protein/?utm_source=protein&utm_medium=proteinfoods&utm_campaign=bing. Daily Natural Remedies. (2018)
- Multiple Authors. https://www.wikihow.com/Regrow-Hair-Naturally Wikihow. (2017)
- Anonymous. https://www.belgraviacentre.com/blog/can-exercise-prevent-hair-loss/. Belgravia Centre. (2018)
- Multiple Authors. https://www.wikihow.com/Stimulate-Your-Hair-Follicles. Wikihow (2017)
- Elliot, L. https://www.ourheritageofhealth.com/the-benefits-of-brushing-your-hair-old-fashioned-hair-care-tips. Our Heritage of Health. (2018)
- Admin. https://www.simplyorganicbeauty.com/why-sodium-lauryl-sulfates-sls-are-causing-hair-loss. (July 2011)
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henna
- http://www.hennapage.com/henna/encyclopedia/medical/g6pd.html
