Thinning hair and hair loss are frustrating problems for both men and women, and if you’re struggling with them yourself, fear not. Luckily, there are a variety of treatments that may help — including all-natural ingredients that can be turned into homemade remedies, and even commercially available shampoos and conditioners that have been designed to strengthen and restore hair.
Home Remedies
If you don’t want to shell out for costly hair restoration treatments such as platelet-rich plasma, low-level laser light therapy, or hair transplant surgery, consider these remedies using natural products you can make right in your kitchen:
Strawberry Puree
Mix one cup of strawberries, one egg yolk, and 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a food processor or blender until smooth. Work this mixture into your hair from roots to tips, leave it on for at least 20 minutes (you can use a shower cap), then wash your hair with a gentle shampoo or conditioner.
Onion Puree
Finely chop two onions by hand or in a food processor, then squeeze out the juice through cheesecloth into a small bowl. Saturate your hair and scalp with the juice and leave it on for at least 15 minutes; then rinse with a mild shampoo or conditioner.
Hibiscus Flower Paste
Grind dried hibiscus flowers in a blender until you have about a tablespoon of powder. Mix the powder with one to two tablespoons of coconut oil to create a paste. Massage the paste into your scalp, leave it on for an hour if possible (you can use a shower cap), then rinse your hair with a gentle shampoo or conditioner.
Aloe Vera
Apply pure aloe vera gel directly to your dry scalp and leave it on for about five minutes before rinsing. You don’t need to shampoo your hair after this treatment.
Cognac Shampoo
Combine one tablespoon of brandy, one egg yolk, one teaspoon of honey, and olive or avocado oil (for dry hair) and massage the mixture into your roots and hair. Leave it on for 30 minutes before rinsing with a gentle shampoo or conditioner.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Mix apple cider vinegar with water in a 1:1 ratio, massage the mixture into your wet hair and scalp, and leave it on for five minutes before rinsing with water. This treatment can help balance scalp pH and reduce bacteria and fungi.
Rosemary Oil
One study [1] found that rosemary oil, when applied regularly, was as effective for hair regrowth as minoxidil 2%. Both treatments require six months to show significant effects, but rosemary oil had the added benefit of causing less scalp itching than minoxidil.
Chamomile Infusion
Pour a quart of boiling water over chamomile leaves and let them steep for 20 minutes before letting the infusion cool. Strain the infusion through a strainer, then pour it over your scalp and hair — don’t rinse the infusion out! Just towel-dry your hair.
Other Natural Ingredients
It’s also worth noting that other natural ingredients have been claimed to help hair restoration and regrowth. Ginseng extract can help reduce stress and promote hormone balance, which may in turn reduce DHT production from testosterone. Nettle extract is also known to inhibit DHT production.
And while many oils are promoted for hair health, they typically have little effect on hair loss or hair thickening. However, oils such as argan oil, jojoba oil, burdock root oil, and the essential oils lavender and peppermint could be worth trying for overall hair health.
Shampoos and Conditioners
If you don’t want to make your own hair products, there are commercial shampoos and conditioners designed to strengthen and regrow hair. Consider products that feature natural ingredients, such as Procerin, which claims to block DHT production. Tricomin features a patented blend of copper and essential amino acids. Revita shampoo by DS Laboratories contains ketoconazole, an anti-fungal ingredient, as well as copper amino acids, MSM, biotin, apple, emu oil, and amino acids cysteine, taurine, carnitine tartrate, and zinc.
First and foremost, look for organic shampoos that don’t contain sodium lauryl sulfate. Hair and scalp health starts with a balanced diet, effective stress reduction, and hormonal balance. If necessary, eliminate allergenic foods that may be causing hair issues. After addressing your overall health, then consider trying home remedies or natural shampoo ingredients to further promote hair restoration and regrowth.
