Do you wish for long and luxurious tresses? Yes, you can get your hair to a mermaid worthy length. In this article, you’ll find out ways and means to promote hair growth.
If you see, more hair in your comb than normal it may be due to vitamin deficiencies, menopause, and thyroid problems. If a medical condition is causing the hair loss, you should check with your doctor.
Nutrients for Hair Growth
Proteins
Helps strengthen hair and promote growth. If you’re dealing with hair loss experts, advice, you to include nuts and seeds, eggs and fish in your diet. All these are important sources of omega 3 fatty acids which help lower inflammation and create a healthier scalp.
Sally Kravich, a holistic nutritionist, recommends eating a variety of foods every day. You must eat six to 10 servings of various vegetables daily, two to four fruits and an assortment of grains, legumes and meat products.
Iron
An essential mineral for hair growth. You may experience anemia when iron levels are low. Red meat, chicken, and fish provide iron with a high bioavailability meaning iron are readily available to the body.
Vitamin C
It is involved in collagen production. Vitamin C strengthens the capillaries which supply blood to hair shafts. Blueberries, black currants, kiwi, guava, broccoli, oranges, strawberries, papaya and sweet potatoes are best sources of vitamin C.
Omega 3
Oily fish and plant sources such as avocado, walnuts, and pumpkin seeds are best sources of omega 3 fatty acids.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is needed to produce sebum, without sebum you may experience a dry and itchy scalp. Orange/yellow colored foods are rich in beta-carotene examples include carrots, sweet potatoes, and pumpkins.
Zinc and Selenium
Zinc and Selenium helps protect your scalp. Include fortified cereals, whole grains, oysters, beef, and egg in your diet.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E protects your hair from sun damage. Nuts provide vitamin E, zinc, and selenium.
Biotin
Biotin is a water-soluble B vitamin, and too little biotin can lead to hair loss. Whole grains, egg yolk, yeast, liver and soy flour are rich in biotin.
Home Practices That Promote Hair Growth
Onion Juice
This remedy is one of the most efficient and the oldest ones. Onions contain Sulphur that boosts collagen production in the tissues and helps in the regrowth of your hair. The onion juice stimulates blood circulation and expedites hair growth.
Onion juice is an excellent tonic to treat hair thinning. If you apply it regularly, it increases the thickness and volume of your hair. The antibacterial properties of onion juice help in treating various hair and scalp infections caused by yeast and fungi.
How to apply:
- Cut a few slices of onion and squeeze out its juice either by mashing it or grating it. Apply the onion juice onto your scalp for 10-15 minutes and then rinse it off with a mild shampoo.
- You can apply onion juice and coconut oil pack and onion juice and honey hair mask to promote hair growth. Be warned! Onion juice contains a strong smell, but it goes off after you rinse your hair.
Garlic
A study published in the Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venerology, and Leprology says that application of garlic gel to hair loss areas leads to hair regrowth. It reduces the size of bald patches and produces higher hair count numbers.
Garlic contains sulfur and selenium that fortifies the root of your hair shaft. It not only replenishes lost hair but strengthens existing hair as well. The nutrients present in each clove of garlic naturally conditions your hair.
- Garlic Salve: Extract the juice from about eight cloves of garlic. It produces one tablespoon of juice. Mix it with the same amount of honey and apply the salve for 20 minutes. Finally, rinse it off. Repeat the process twice or thrice on a weekly basis.
- You can also apply garlic oil for hair growth.
Eggs
If you give your hair regular protein treatment, you can enjoy thick and stunning locks. Eggs contain lecithin and protein which nourish, heal and strengthen your hair strands. Their high sulfur content might help your pesky dandruff problem.
How to apply:
- Take a couple of eggs and beat it well. Apply the egg on wet hair and let it sit for 30 minutes. Wash your hair with lukewarm water and shampoo. You can try this nourishing treatment once or twice a week.
- You can whisk the egg yolk along with your desired hair oil, apply it onto your hair and wash off after 30 minutes. Follow this procedure twice a week for stronger strands.
Hot Castor Oil Treatment
There are three reasons why castor oil can be your hair’s best friend. First, it has antifungal and antibacterial properties which combat scalp infections that prevent your hair growth.
Secondly, it is rich in proteins, omega six fats and vitamin E. These nutrients penetrate and nourish your dry hair strands.
Thirdly it makes a wonderful hot oil treatment which will help your scalp drink up all the nutrients and help in hair growth.
How to apply:
Massage the oil onto your strands then spread it to the ends. Cover your hair with a shower cap and blast your strands with a blow dryer for 15 minutes. Take a shower and rinse the oil off.
Rosemary Oil Scalp Massage
Rosemary oil, in particular, has been used for centuries to promote hair growth. Rosemary oil is a great all around oil, and it is an excellent brain tonic as it refreshes and clears the mind.
It is used to treat dull hair, dandruff, oily skin and more. When you massage the oil into your scalp, it dilates blood vessels, stimulates follicles, increases the circulation, revitalizes cellular metabolism and produces new hair growth.
How to apply:
To give yourself a rosemary scalp oil massage add a couple of drops to your shampoo or dilute it with a carrier oil like coconut or olive and apply directly to your scalp and massage in.
Avocado
Avocado adds moisture and volume to your hair. It contains vitamin E which contributes to the overall health of the air shaft.
How to apply:
- Mix one mashed banana and one mashed avocado and one tablespoon of olive oil. Massage it into your scalp and leave for 30 minutes to let all the nutrients soak in the scalp. Finally, rinse it out and shampoo your hair.
- You can also make a hydrating mask by mixing wheat germ oil and ripe avocado. Let it sit for 20 minutes and then shampoo your hair.
Fenugreek
Fenugreek contains vitamin C, protein, iron, potassium, nicotinic acid and lecithin which helps in hair growth.
How to apply:
- Mix one teaspoon of fenugreek paste to two teaspoons of coconut milk. Apply it onto your hair and scalp and leave it for 30 minutes. Wash your hair with a mild shampoo. If you do this process regularly, it will promote scalp health, and you can enjoy thick hair.
- You can soak the fenugreek seeds overnight and use the water as a hair rinse.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera contains proteolytic enzymes that repair dead skin cells on the scalp. It promotes hair growth, prevents itching of the scalp, reduces dandruff and conditions your hair.
Diane Gage, author of Aloe Vera: Nature’s Soothing Healer, says, “Keratin, the primary protein of hair, consists of amino acids, oxygen, carbon, and small amounts of hydrogen, nitrogen, and sulfur. Aloe vera has a chemical makeup similar to that of keratin and it, rejuvenates the hair with its nutrients, giving it more elasticity and preventing breakage.”
How to apply:
- Extract the gel from two aloe leaves and apply it onto your hair. Allow it to sit for 30 minutes and rinse it off with lukewarm water.
- Mix two tablespoons of coconut milk with aloe gel and apply it onto your hair. Leave it for 20 minutes and wash it off.
- Internal consumption of aloe gel increases your overall health and boosts hair growth.
Gooseberry
Recent research studies have found that gooseberry has strong antioxidant protection against damaging atoms. Indian gooseberry is one of the richest sources of vitamin C. It contains a wide variety of antioxidants such as emblicanin A and B, phyllantidine, phyllantine, kaempferol, quercetin, gallic acid and ellagic acid. The nutrients present in amla(gooseberry) strengthen your hair follicles, increase scalp circulation and promote healthy hair growth.
How to apply:
- Mix one tablespoon of Indian gooseberry powder in two tablespoons of coconut oil and heat it. Strain it and massage the oil before going to bed. The next morning shampoo as usual.
- Mix ½ a cup of warm water to ½ a cup of gooseberry powder and let it sit for 10 minutes. Apply the paste onto your hair. Leave it in your hair for 20 minutes and then rinse it off.
Flax Seed
Flax seeds are excellent sources of vitamin E. The seeds nourish your hair roots, shaft, and the scalp. Flax seeds provide the required scalp nutrition and expedite hair growth. Flax seeds enhance the hydration of your hair and prevent split ends. The omega 3 fatty acids present in flax seeds nourish the hair roots and enhance its growth. More info on flaxseed pregnancy here.
How to apply:
- Soak a quarter cup of flax seeds overnight in water. The next morning boil the flax seeds in two cups of water over high heat. Remove from fire when it turns to jelly like consistency. Filter the gel and add a few drops of essential oil. Allow it to cool and use it as a hair gel. It is particularly good for those with curly or wavy hair.
- Eating freshly ground flax seeds results in thick and shiny hair.
Yoga Poses for Hair Loss
Dr. Mayoral, MD, FAAD, clinical instructor in the departments of dermatology and cutaneous surgery at the University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine in Miami, Fla., believes stress may be the primary reason for unexplained hair loss. Increased stress levels may make your hair go out into the fall-out phase.
Mayoral says life changing situations such as childbirth or surgery and even menopause can cause hair loss. Practicing yoga on a daily basis prevents hair fall. The following yogic poses help you to relax and reduce your stress levels.
- Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation)
- Vajrasana (Diamond Pose)
- Sarvangasana (Shoulder stand pose)
- Halasana (Plow Pose)
- Prayanama (Breathing Pose) – It plays an important role in stopping hair loss naturally. The daily practice of prayanama helps to reduce stress and depression.
Sea Salt
Many people indicate that treating your hair with sea salt provides an excellent result because it revitalizes the hair follicles and increases the blood circulation in the scalp. After using sea salt people notice hair growth acceleration, increasing volume and betterment of hair health.
Sea salt contains calcium, magnesium, bromide, sulfur and zinc.
- Calcium- soothes and relieves skin cells, strengthens cell membranes and cleans pores.
- Magnesium- accelerates the metabolism of cells.
- Bromide- acts as an anti-inflammatory agent and a natural antibiotic.
- Sodium chloride- nourishes and hydrates skin cells.
- Zinc- regulates cell growth and regeneration.
- Sulfur-increases scalp health.
Sea Salt Scrub
Mix two tablespoons each of ground sea salt, olive oil and 3-4 drops of essential oil. You can use peppermint, lavender or tea tree oil. Then massage the mixture into the scalp for 3 to 5 minutes.
Apply the scrub gently without pressing it otherwise it may cause scratches on your scalp. After applying the scrub rinse your hair with shampoo. Use this procedure once a week.
Green Tea
The Department of Dermatology at the Seoul National University College of Medicine reports that green tea may stimulate hair growth. The investigators found that epigallocatechin-3-gallate or EGCG promotes the growth of hair follicles and stimulates the human dermal papillae cells to boost hair production.
Green tea can increase your cells’ metabolism which in turn increases your hair growth. It is an excellent source of panthenol which helps in strengthening your hair and making it healthier.
It contains significant amounts of polyphenols which keep your hair healthier and growing at an optimal rate. Green tea is effective in reducing pattern hair loss and dandruff.
How to apply:
Apply warm green tea from used tea bags over your scalp and allow it to sit for an hour. You can then wash it off with cool water.
Coconut Milk
It is rich in essential fats, iron, and potassium. It also contains vitamin E which is highly beneficial for hair growth. Experts advise you to go in for milk from the fresh coconuts.
How to apply:
- Grate the fresh coconut. With the help of a muslin cloth squeeze the milk from the grated coconut. Heat the milk in a pan for 3-5 minutes. Allow the milk to cool and store it in the fridge. Dip a cotton ball into the coconut milk and apply onto your head. Cover your head with a shower cap. Leave it for 4-5 hours and wash your hair with shampoo.
- Add juice of half a lemon and 4 to 5 drops of lavender essential oil to coconut milk. Massage onto your scalp. Leave for 4-5 hours and wash it off.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Washing your hair with apple cider vinegar helps to maintain the pH of your hair and removes the build up at the same time. The enzymes and mild acids present in the apple cider vinegar destroys bacteria that cause dandruff and itchiness.
Apple cider vinegar stimulates better blood circulation for hair growth. Increased circulation increases nutrient flow to your hair follicles. This action strengthens your follicles promoting a healthy head of hair.
How to apply:
Add 15 ml of apple cider vinegar to a cup of warm water. To apply this use it as a final rinse to wash your hair. This action will give your hair added shine and boost hair growth.
Conclusion
Rubber bands, dyes, perms, curling wands and straightening irons can play havoc with your hair. If your hair is thinning, be gentle with your hair. Don’t overdo brushing or washing.
You can use scalp coloring products to minimize the contrast between the hair and scalp if it is beginning to show through.Try hair extensions to boost hair volume.Part your hair on the sides it takes the focus off the crown where the hair usually thins. These styling tips will give you a temporary result.
For a more permanent solution try the above methods for hair growth and share with us your results in the comments section below.
