How to regrow your hair - 10 best tips

What are the most common causes of hair loss?

• Inherited male-pattern or female-pattern hair loss
• Age, especially after 50
• Hormonal changes in pregnancy and menopause
• Increased levels of testosterone and DHT (dihydrotestosterone) in PCOS.
• Hair damage from over-styling with heat or harsh products
• Fungal infection (ringworm)
• Inadequate intake of protein or iron in the diet
• Trauma to the body (as in surgery or injury)
• Chronic stress
• Autoimmune disorders
• Weight loss
• Chemotherapy

Is it possible to stop hair loss and grow new hair?

There are a variety of ways you can help stimulate hair regrowth. While it may take some effort and patience, certain steps and lifestyle changes can help you get your locks back on track! Here are the best tips on how to regrow your hair.

1. Find the root problem

There are a lot of factors that can lead to hair loss. Diet, stressful events, illnesses, chronic conditions, childbirth, and more can cause hair to shed. To stop your excessive hair loss, you need to know what caused it in the first place. Taking the quiz on MDhair.co and uploading a picture of the crown of your head will allow you to do just that.

2. Focus on scalp care - put down the flat iron, and put a pause on hair coloring

As you’re waiting for your hair to regrow, you need to treat it as kindly as possible and focus on scalp care. This means avoiding doing anything that can weaken your hair and promote further hair fall. Try to limit your use of hot styling tools, such as curling irons, flat irons, and blow dryers. If you must use them, there are a few things you can do to limit the damage. First, try using these tools at the lowest possible temperatures (that still allow you to achieve the style you’re going for, of course). You’ll also want to use a heat protectant hair product every time you heat style your hair. These types of products can help minimize breakage caused by hot tools. It would help if you also tried to avoid coloring your hair as you’re waiting for it to regrow, as the chemicals can further weaken your hair. Keep your hair as strong as possible during this time by avoiding the dye!

3. Avoid tight up-dos

On a similar note, tight up-do hairstyles can unnecessarily strain and pull on your scalp and hair. This will only exacerbate hair loss – specifically traction alopecia, a type of hair loss that mainly affects the hairline and is caused by repeatedly pulling on your hair. While an occasional high ponytail is fine, try other hairstyles in your rotation that don’t pull your hair. If you need to keep your hair out of your face, try using a loosely tied scarf as a headband, or putting your hair back in a low ponytail.

4. Make sure you’re eating a balanced, protein-rich diet - essential for nutrition-related hair loss

A diet lacking in protein has been linked to hair loss, so be sure to eat enough protein daily to support healthy hair – and your overall health! Eggs, fish, meat, lentils, and beans are a few of the foods you can include in your diet to ensure you’re eating adequate protein.

Additionally, it’s just as important to make sure you’re eating enough food every day based on your gender, age, and levels of physical activity. If you’re not consuming enough food, your body won’t have the nutrients and energy necessary to function at its best – and your hair can be one of the first things to suffer visibly.

5. Ensure you’re getting the right vitamins and minerals - best for postpartum, stress, and nutrition-related hair loss

In addition to protein, various vitamins and minerals are crucial to include in a hair-healthy diet. A diet lacking in zinc, iron, fatty acids, folic acid, biotin, vitamin A, vitamin D, and/or vitamin E can contribute to poor hair health. In addition to adding foods rich in these vitamins and minerals to your diet, you may want to talk to your doctor about whether you should be adding any supplements to your routine to help support your hair.

6. Treat yourself to regular scalp massages

This is a hair regrowth tip all of us can easily get behind! In a smaller-scale study of nine men, researchers found that after 24 weeks of daily, 4-minute scalp massages, the participants had thicker hair than they did at the start of the study. This shows that regularly massaging your scalp may help strengthen the hair, which means it’s less likely to break.

7. Look for caffeine-based topical products

Interestingly enough, your hair can benefit from a boost of caffeine! A study found that topical scalp products that contain caffeine support the hair follicles, helping to promote hair growth and stronger hair. Give yourself a scalp massage to rub in your product of choice, and you’ll give your hair a double-dose of regrowth power.

8. Use hair care treatment serum - helpful for most types of female hair loss

Some essential oils have been found to help promote hair regrowth naturally, and many people turn to them as home remedies. You can make your own hair oil by mixing a few drops of rosemary oil or peppermint oil with a gentle carrier oil (like coconut oil, jojoba oil, or olive oil). This hair oil can be massaged into the scalp before washing it out to increase blood flow and promote regrowth. For the best results, do this process a few times a week. Alternatively, you can mix a few drops of these essential oils into your shampoo or conditioner to promote new hair growth as you wash your hair.

9. Look into minoxidil - best for genetically related hair loss

Minoxidil – the active ingredient in Rogaine – has been shown to help promote hair growth and is a popular treatment option for those trying to regrow hair. While it may not be appropriate for everyone, many have found success with consistent use. Talk to your dermatologist about whether a minoxidil-based product is the right choice for your specific situation and go over the side effects. There are lower concentration products that you can get over-the-counter and higher percentage products that require a prescription.

10. Take collagen supplements

Collagen constitutes about 25% of our total proteins. Basic science research suggests that collagen deficiency in hair follicles leads to premature hair thinning. In a study from 2012, taking marine collagen resulted in improvements in hair volume, hair shine and thickness, skin moisture retention, and skin smoothness. Another 2017 study showed that taking collagen supplements for six months improved nail growth and decreased nail breakage.

References

• Diet and hair loss: effects of nutrient deficiency and supplement use
• Standardized Scalp Massage Results in Increased Hair Thickness by Inducing Stretching Forces to Dermal Papilla Cells in the Subcutaneous Tissue
• Differential effects of caffeine on hair shaft elongation, matrix, and outer root sheath keratinocyte proliferation, and transforming growth factor-β2/insulin-like growth factor-1-mediated regulation of the hair cycle in male and female human hair follicles in vitro
• Rosemary oil vs. minoxidil 2% for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia: a randomized comparative trial
• Peppermint Oil Promotes Hair Growth without Toxic Signs

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