Help Enhance Hair Growth

For a multitude of reasons, your hair may not be growing as fast as you would like it to. Maybe you've noticed your hair starting to thin, or maybe you just want a thicker head of hair. Here are a variety of easy tips and remedies you can try to help enhance your hair growth, giving you a fuller and healthier look.

Steps

Enhancing Hair Growth with Home Remedies

  1. Massage your scalp. A scalp massage will improve the circulation to your hair follicles and help stimulate growth. This is very easy to do. Just rub your fingers on your scalp in a circular motion. Make sure you change positions every so often so you cover your whole scalp. Knead the hair as well to work away any dead skin. Do this for about five minutes daily.
  2. Make a lemon juice scalp treatment. Lemon juice contains healthy ingredients like vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12, C, and folic acid, all of which is good for hair growth. Mix up a lemon juice solution by doing the following:
    • Mix one part lemon juice with two parts olive oil.
    • Apply the mixture to your hair. Massage it in to make sure the mixture reaches your scalp.
    • Leave it in your hair for 30 to 45 minutes.
    • Rinse out the mixture completely, then wash your hair normally with a mild shampoo.
    • Repeat this treatment once or twice weekly. Do not do it more often- lemon juice can lighten your hair in large doses.
  3. Use coconut milk on your scalp. Like lemon juice, coconut milk contains some essential vitamins and nutrients that stimulate hair growth. Apply the coconut milk to your scalp and then massage it in. Leave it in your hair for 30 minutes. Rinse it out with lukewarm water. You can repeat this treatment two to four times a month.
  4. Make an egg mixture. Eggs are a great source of protein, which strengthens hair and helps it grow. Mix up an egg scalp treatment by following these steps:
    • Crack two eggs and separate the yolks and whites.
    • Mix the two yolks together in a bowl.
    • Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
    • Rub the mixture on your scalp. Leave it in for 15 to 20 minutes.
    • Rinse the mixture out with cold water.
    • Wash your hair normally.

Enhancing Hair Growth with Diet

  1. Eat more fish. Specifically, salmon, sardines, and mackerel are full of omega-3 fatty acids. These ingredients help stimulate hair growth and keep it looking full and healthy.[1]
  2. Get plenty of protein. Since hair is made of protein, having this in your diet will promote good growth. Some good sources of protein are eggs, chicken, beef, and pork.[1]
    • For vegetarians and vegans, there are also plenty of protein-filled options. Try quinoa, nuts, chickpeas, tofu, and beans.[2]
  3. Add cinnamon to your diet. Cinnamon helps promote good circulation. With good blood flow to your scalp, your hair follicles will get the oxygen and nutrients they need to keep producing hair.
  4. Eat enough iron. Iron is a key ingredient in hair growth. Iron deficiencies often lead to hair loss, so you'll want to make sure there is plenty of it in your diet. Some good sources of iron are fortified cereals, grains, and beef.[1]
  5. Include Greek yogurt in your diet. Not only does it have protein, but it also has vitamin B5. This helps increase blood flow, which is important for a healthy scalp and hair growth.[1]
  6. Drink vegetable juices. This is a great way to get essential vitamins, iron, calcium, and many other nutrients that will aid hair growth. Some particularly good ingredients to include are beetroots, carrots, cucumbers, and alfalfa.

Enhancing Hair Growth with Lifestyle Changes

  1. Rinse your hair thoroughly after using any kind of product in it. Suds and soap residue can dry out your scalp and clog pores. Both of these outcomes will damage hair growth.
  2. Avoid sun damage. The sun can make your hair thinner and contribute to split ends. You could also get sunburn on your scalp, which will damage growth. Either use a shampoo that has sunblock, or wear a hat when out in the sun.[3]
  3. Stop over styling your hair. Perms, excessive coloring, bleaching, using harsh chemicals, and even brushing too hard can do serious damage to your hair. Try to cut out unnecessary styling and chemicals. This will give you a healthier scalp and help with growth.[3]
  4. Get plenty of sleep. Lack of sleep can lead to thinning hair and over time, may even cause baldness.[4]
  5. Exercise. Good circulation helps stimulate hair growth, so getting your blood pumping can give your hair growth a good boost.
  6. Manage your stress. A high stress level is bad for your health overall for a multitude of reasons. For your hair, it can slow growth, make hair appear thin, and even lead to hair loss.[4][5]

Enhancing Hair Growth Medically

  1. Ask your doctor about medications you are taking. In some medications, hair thinning and hair loss are side effects. Consult your doctor if you're taking medication regularly and have noticed a slowing in hair growth. If it is the medication, the issue usually resolves when the medication is stopped.[3]
  2. Use hair growth products. There are only two FDA-approved drugs for hair loss.
    • Propecia. This is an oral medication that blocks the hormones that cause male baldness. This medication is intended for men only, and women and children shouldn't even handle the drug.[6]
    • Minoxidil. More commonly known as Rogaine, this product helps prevent hair loss. The way it works isn't clear, but it most likely dilates blood vessels on the scalp and stimulates blood flow. This product comes in male and female versions.[7]
  3. Take dietary supplements. While it is usually best to get essential vitamins and nutrients from food, you can also use supplements if they are lacking in your diet. Vitamin, iron, and zinc supplements are all readily available at drug stores.[5]
  4. Try laser light therapy. Some clinics perform this therapy that is meant to stimulate blood flow to the scalp. This often does not stimulate new hair growth, however, and usually only allows you to retain your existing hair.[8]

Tips

  • Be patient! It takes several months for hair to grow, so you won't see immediate results. Don't get discouraged and stop the treatment you are using.

Warnings

  • Be sure to investigate any product or treatment you put on your scalp. Make sure it is safe to use, otherwise you could seriously damage your hair and scalp.

Sources and Citations

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