Hair loss can happen to the best of us, but preventing it is all in learning how to take care of yourself. We’ve listed some useful, natural tips and tricks below to help you keep those precious locks stronger than ever.
1. Drink lots (and we mean lots!) of water.
Always stay hydrated. Water is not only good for your body, it’s also good for your hair. It turns out dehydration can be a cause for hair loss. Our hair is made up of one quarter water, so when we’re thirsty, our hair is too. When you don’t get enough water, your scalp has a hard time retaining enough moisture which leads to shedding and bald spots. Yikes!
2. Try out essential oils.
A few drops of essential oil on your hair and scalp does wonders. It can boost blood circulation, fight inflammation, and add moisture. Lavender, rosemary, and thyme are great for preventing thinning and balding. You can make your own natural hair thickener by combining rosemary, cedarwood, and sage essential oils. Just dilute the essential oils with a carrier oil, such as coconut, jojoba, or olive oil, and massage on your scalp.
3. Trust in onion juice.
Nope, you didn’t read that wrong. Surprisingly, applying onion juice to the hair and scalp can help stimulate hair growth. Its high dietary sulfur promotes collagen and keratin production, and blood circulation to the hair follicles. The natural remedy also restores lost luster and shine. Just make sure to shampoo and condition after to get rid of the stink.
4. Drink your green tea, and shower in it too!
We all know the benefits of drinking a cup of green tea, but did you know that a cup on your hair does wonders too? You can rinse your hair with green tea twice or thrice a week to stimulate the growth of healthy hair. The antioxidants and vitamins found in green tea help soften your hair, control split ends, and strengthen your hair follicles.
5. Use coconut oil for intense moisture.
Coconut oil can penetrate the hair shaft and protect it from excess heat and pollution. Gently but vigorously massage coconut oil to damp hair for at least three minutes then cover your oiled hair with a shower cap. You can leave it on for thirty minutes or overnight before washing it out with a gentle sulfate-free shampoo. However, coconut oil might not work for everybody so don’t lose hope if this one isn’t for you.
6. Give neem leaves a try.
Neem leaves have soothing and healing properties that promote hair growth. Grind the leaves into a fine paste and apply it from the root of your hair to the tip, then wrap it. Let it sit for 30 minutes or as long as you like, then rinse out. The neem plant is full of properties that strengthen the immune system and stimulate blood circulation to the scalp.
7. Condition your hair with aloe vera.
Aloe Vera is a natural herbal remedy for hair loss. It can heal and repair the damaged cells in the scalp so the healthy hair follicles makes hair grow faster. You can mix Aloe Vera with almost anything—onion, honey, coconut oil, lemon, castor oil, hibiscus, shea butter, baking soda, apple cider vinegar, even cayenne pepper!—and leave it on your hair, then rinse.
8. Don’t underestimate a good scalp massage.
Massaging your head from time to time is a sure way to stimulate hair growth. Because of the motion and pressure of your fingers, blood flow to your scalp is increased. You can massage on either wet or dry hair as long as your hair is free of any products.
9. Brush gently!
Lightly brush or comb through your hair instead of aggressively pulling or tugging. The American Hair Loss Association says that brushing or combing too hard puts hair through a lot of physical stress which can cause the cuticle to flake away. A wide toothed comb is much more preferable than a brush when you’re trying to untangle your hair.