How to Regrow Hair: Can Natural Remedies Help?

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While hair loss is very common, we know that you’re looking to regrow some thicker locks. While there are many false home remedies for re-growing hair online, there are a lot of things you can do that might have an effect. Unfortunately, if your hair loss is genetic, there isn’t much that home remedies can do to help. Luckily, there are medications and minor procedures that can replace your hair, so see your doctor if home remedies don’t work for you.

1

Massage your scalp each day.

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  1. One study showed that a daily massage for 4 minutes increased hair thickness. Try rubbing your fingertips around your scalp for a few minutes each day to see if this helps. [1]
    • This will probably take a while to work. The study took measurements after 24 weeks, or almost 6 months.
    • You could also use a massage tool on your scalp.
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2

Reduce stress to avoid hair loss.

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  1. [2] If you’ve been especially stressed and notice that you’re losing hair, then try to control your stress as soon as possible. Making some positive changes could reduce the hair loss. [3]
    • Try making time each day for some relaxation exercises like meditation, deep breathing, or yoga.
    • Doing things you enjoy is also good for fighting stress, so make some time for your hobbies each day as well.
    • If you have trouble reducing your stress, then talking to a professional therapist or psychiatrist can be a big help.
3

Quit or don’t start smoking.

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  1. If you do smoke, then stop as soon as possible to avoid health problems. If you don’t smoke, then it’s best not to start at all. [4]
    • Secondhand smoke can cause health problems as well, so don’t let anyone smoke in your home.
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4

Wash your hair with gentle shampoo and moisturizing conditioner.

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  1. [5] Use a gentle, alcohol-free shampoo to preserve your hair’s nutrients. Then use a moisturizing conditioner every time you shampoo to keep your hair hydrated. [6]
    • Use products that are free of fragrances and alcohol. Products marked “Hypoallergenic” and designed for sensitive skin tend to work best.
    • Using a leave-in conditioner can also protect your hair throughout the day.
5

Comb your hair gently.

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  1. Only comb your hair enough to style it, then stop. [7]
    • If you have a habit of tugging on your hair during the day, then stop this as well. Any pressure could cause further hair loss.
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6

Stop using coloring, oiling, or chemical straightening treatments.

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  1. It’s best to avoid these treatments, and especially so if you’ve started losing your hair. [8]
7

Keep high heat away from your hair.

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  1. Avoid using these products as much as possible to avoid damaged and thinning hair. [9]
    • Air-dry your hair as much as possible. If you use a blow dryer, keep it on a low heat setting.
    • It’s fine to use curlers or straighteners occasionally. Just don’t do it every day.
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8

Get tested for any nutrient deficiencies before making changes.

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  1. While nutrition can play a big role in hair growth, nutritional changes generally only work if you already have some kind of deficiency. If you’re losing your hair and don’t know why, then visit your doctor for a blood test. The results can tell you whether or not you need to make changes. [10]
    • Unfortunately, dietary changes don’t make much of a difference if you don’t have any nutrient deficiencies. Some topical or medical treatments can still help.
9

Eat a healthy number of calories each day.

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  1. This can leave your body malnourished and unable to produce hair. Speak to your doctor to determine how many calories you need per day to stay healthy, and stick with that in your normal diet. [11]
    • In general, women can eat as few as 1,200 calories per day and men can go as low as 1,500 per day without any problems. Dropping below these levels could cause nutrient deficiencies. [12]
    • Be especially careful if you’re dieting. Track your calories so you don’t accidentally end up malnourished.
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10

Replenish iron in your diet.

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  1. If you’re iron-deficient, then redesign your diet or take supplements to get the recommended amount. [13]
    • In general, men need 8 mg and women need 18 mg of iron each day. [14]
    • Sources of iron include red and lean meat, fish, beans, nuts, legumes, and leafy green vegetables. You can also take an iron supplement if your doctor tells you this is safe.
11

Include more zinc in your diet.

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  1. [15] Zinc helps your body produce enzymes that aid in hair growth, and deficiencies are associated with baldness. If you have a zinc deficiency, then you can get more from your diet or from dietary supplements. [16]
    • Good zinc sources include oysters and other shellfish, red meat and poultry, beans, nuts, whole grains, and dairy products.
    • Zinc deficiencies are more common if you have some kind of digestive disorder like inflammatory bowel disease. It’s also possible if you’re a vegetarian or vegan.
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12

Eat sources of omega-3s and omega-6s.

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  1. [17] Good sources include fish and shellfish, seed and vegetable oils, nuts, beans, and soy. [18]
    • You could also get fatty acids from fish oil supplements, but these supplements’ impact on hair growth isn’t known yet.
13

Have more biotin.

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  1. Biotin is a B vitamin that aids in hair growth. If you don’t have enough of this nutrient, then your hair could start thinning. Make sure you’re getting the right amount from your diet every day. [19]
    • The best sources are organ meat, fish, eggs, seeds, nuts, and red meat. [20]
    • Biotin deficiencies are pretty rare, so it’s unlikely that this is causing your hair loss.
    Jen Atkin, Celebrity Hairstylist

    Supplements can help nourish your hair. "Supplements address common hair and scalp issues like oily scalp, dry hair, and thinning hair with blends of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids."

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14

Get selenium from food instead of supplements.

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  1. This is why a lot of hair growth formulas use it. However, eating too much selenium could cause selenium toxicity, which also causes hair loss. It’s best to get selenium from your regular diet instead of supplements to avoid having too much. [21]
    • Adults need about 55 mcg of selenium each day. You can get this from meat, poultry, eggs, dairy, and whole grains. [22]
15

Don’t eat too much vitamin A or E.

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  1. Keep your intake of each vitamin within the normal levels to avoid any problems. [23]
    • It’s very hard to consume too many vitamins from your regular diet. The typical cause is overuse of supplements, so make sure you take all supplements exactly as directed.
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16

Apply hair growth medication to your scalp.

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  1. It comes in a foam or shampoo that you'd apply to your scalp once or twice a day, depending on the instructions. [24] This can take up to 6 months to show results but is an effective treatment for hair loss. [25]
    • Rogaine is available without a prescription.
    • Be careful and don't get the medication anywhere you don't want hair to grow.
17

Stimulate your follicles with corticosteroid injections.

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  1. Steroid injections can reduce inflammation in your follicles and help them produce more hair. Your dermatologist can give you these injections every 4 to 8 weeks, so keep up with your appointments for the best results. [26]
    • This treatment can show results within 12 weeks if you're consistent with your appointments.
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18

Have a laser scalp treatment.

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  1. [27] It's possible that laser treatments can stimulate your hair follicles into producing more hair. These treatments are done in the dermatologist's office, so discuss the treatment with them if you'd like to try it. [28]
    • You can also use laser treatment alongside another treatment to stimulate hair growth like medication.
19

Try a hair transplant.

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  1. A hair transplant takes some healthy follicles from a different part of your scalp and implants them in bald sections. A surgeon or dermatologist will apply local anesthesia to your scalp and then make the transplant. You can go home after your treatment is done. [29]
    • Follow all of your doctor's instructions for post-op care for the best results.
    • You might need follow-up surgeries to fill in leftover bare patches.
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Expert Q&A

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Add New Question
  • Question
    How can I regrow and thicken my hair naturally?
    Courtney Foster
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Courtney Foster is a Licensed Cosmetologist, Certified Hair Loss Practitioner, and Cosmetology Educator based out of New York City. Courtney runs Courtney Foster Beauty, LLC and her work has been featured on The Wendy Williams Show, Good Morning America, The Today Show, The Late Show with David Letterman, and in East/West Magazine. She received her Cosmetology License from the State of New York after training at the Empire Beauty School - Manhattan.
    Courtney Foster
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    Your hair will get stronger if you adjust your diet to get nutrient-rich food. Make sure you stay hydrated by drinking a lot of water as well, or else your hair could dry out and become brittle.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
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    Yes No
    Not Helpful 3 Helpful 4
  • Question
    I am 27 years old, and my hair in the front on the side is gone. I think it's due to stress. I am anemic too. How can I fix this?
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    Both anemia and stress can cause hair loss. Try to eat more iron rich foods, practice relaxation techniques, and see a doctor.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 14 Helpful 70
  • Question
    Does using a wax for hair styling have an effect on hair loss?
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    It could. If you are concerned about buildup, try a gentle clarifying shampoo and make sure the wax in the product your using is water soluble.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 7 Helpful 19
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4740347/
      2. ↑ Courtney Foster. Licensed Cosmetologist. Expert Interview. 9 December 2019.
      3. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/expert-answers/stress-and-hair-loss/faq-20057820
      4. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/hair-loss/treatment/tips
      5. ↑ Courtney Foster. Licensed Cosmetologist. Expert Interview. 9 December 2019.
      6. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/hair-loss/treatment/tips
      7. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/hair-loss/treatment/tips
      8. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/hair-loss/treatment/tips
      9. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/hair-loss/treatment/tips
      1. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/hair-loss/treatment/tips
      2. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/hair-loss/treatment/tips
      3. ↑ https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/lose_wt/eat/calories.htm
      4. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5315033/
      5. ↑ https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Iron-Consumer/
      6. ↑ https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Zinc-Consumer/
      7. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5315033/
      8. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5315033/
      9. ↑ https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/other-nutrients/essential-fatty-acids
      10. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5315033/
      11. ↑ https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Biotin-HealthProfessional/
      12. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4828511/
      13. ↑ https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Selenium-Consumer/
      14. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5315033/
      15. ↑ Courtney Foster. Licensed Cosmetologist. Expert Interview. 9 December 2019.
      16. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hair-loss/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20372932
      17. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/hair-loss/treatment/diagnosis-treat
      18. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/hair-loss/treatment/diagnosis-treat
      19. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hair-loss/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20372932
      20. ↑ https://www.asds.net/skin-experts/skin-treatments/hair-transplants
      21. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5315033/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To regrow your hair naturally, avoid washing it every day, which strips away your hair's natural oils, and use sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner on the days when you do wash it. Cut down on your use of heat-styling tools as much as possible to prevent damage that disrupts healthy growth. Also, massaging your scalp for a few minutes each day can stimulate blood flow around your hair follicles and encourage growth. For tips on using essential oils to stimulate growth, read on!

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