Hair loss has become one of the most common topics of discussion these days. With increasing environmental pollution and lifestyle stress, hair undergo a series of changes that might result in excess hair fall and breakage. Hair loss is one of the most common problems. It affects millions of people globally including both men and women. With time, old hair strands naturally fall off leaving place for a new strand to grow. There are on average 100,000 hair strands on a person’s scalp and losing around 50-100 strands daily is considered quite normal.
However, if a person is losing strands beyond normal, it is something to be worried about. If the hair loss is occurring at a much faster pace than natural hair regrowth, it will lead to subsequent hair loss or baldness in certain cases. It is advised to immediately visit a trichologist if a person is losing hair in tufts and it is significantly affecting his/her hair volume.
Further, a large chunk of people experiences hair loss caused by several genetic factors. There are also various reasons which might worsen the hair loss such as hormonal imbalance, stress, scalp infections, alopecia, nutritional deficiencies, aging, pollution, and several health conditions such as lupus, anemia, hyperthyroidism, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Hair loss might also be caused due to several medications and treatments such as chemotherapy. Hair loss might also be an inescapable result of excessive styling, dying, washing too often and combing wet hair.
The good news is that by implementing several easy-to-do home remedies, you can prevent, stop, or even reverse hair fall. Try these home remedies to control your hair loss, as they are very effective and easy to follow. The ingredients used in these home remedies are inexpensive and easily available in kitchen.
Here are some home remedies which can help you prevent and reverse hair loss naturally:
1. Oil Massage
Oil massage can be the first step in treating hair loss naturally. Proper massage of scalp helps in promoting blood circulation, conditioning the scalp, and strengthening hair roots. The essential oils are rich in vitamin E and anti-oxidants. Massaging also calms you by reducing stress and anxiety.
You can use any hair oil, such as almond oil, coconut oil, olive oil, Indian gooseberry oil, castor oil, or others. Mixing a few drops of rosemary essential oil to the base oil gives faster and better results. Emu oil, wheat germ oil or argan oil can also be used for scalp massaging.
Ingredients:
- Two teaspoons of any essential oil
How to use it:
- Slightly heat the oil in a microwave.
- Apply the oil over scalp and hair by using slight pressure by fingertips.
- Keep it overnight by wearing a shower cap.
- Wash with a mild shampoo next morning.
- Repeat the process every night before shampooing.
2. Indian Gooseberries and Lemon
Indian gooseberry has long been used for several health benefits, especially for strong and lustrous hair. It is an excellent source of vitamin C and prevents hair loss due to vitamin C deficiency in the body. The anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant, and the astringent properties of Indian gooseberry can help in maintaining a healthy scalp and promoting hair growth.
Lemon removes all the dirt, inhibits dandruff and other scalp infections, thereby preventing hair loss. It is also a rich source of vitamin C and reduces the itchiness and flakiness on the scalp.
Ingredients:
- One tablespoon of Indian gooseberry pulp
- One tablespoon of lemon juice
How to use it:
- Mix one tablespoon of Indian gooseberry pulp and one tablespoon of lemon juice to form a paste.
- Apply the paste over the scalp and leave overnight by using a shower cap.
- Wash off the paste with a mild shampoo.
- Repeat this process twice or thrice a week.
3. Fenugreek Seeds
Fenugreek is one of the most effective home remedies for preventing and reversing hair loss. It contains hormone antecedents which strengthen the hair follicles and also promote hair re-growth.
Fenugreek seeds are excellent source of nicotinic acid and proteins that prevent hair loss and strengthen the existing hair.
Ingredients:
- One small cup of fenugreek seeds
How to use it:
- Soak the fenugreek seeds overnight.
- Grind the soaked fenugreek seeds to form a paste.
- Apply this paste over scalp and hairs strands.
- Cover with a shower cap.
- Wash off the paste with lukewarm water followed by a mild shampoo.
- Repeat the process two to three times a week to prevent hair loss.
4. Onion, Honey and Lemon
Onion promotes hair growth due to its anti-oxidant properties and high sulfur content. It is widely used to treat baldness and prevent excessive hair fall. Onion also helps in inhibiting all kinds of scalp infections. Lemon provides an adequate amount of vitamin C to the scalp and subsequently reduces flakiness and itchiness.
It also prevents dandruff build-up and restores scalp pH balance, thereby preventing hair fall. Honey helps in nourishing the scalp and provides a shine to hair strands.
Ingredients:
- One medium sized onion
- One teaspoon of fresh lemon juice
- One tablespoon of honey
How to use it:
- Grate an onion and extract its juice using a muslin cloth.
- Add a tablespoon of honey, a teaspoon onion juice and freshly squeezed lemon juice to a bowl and mix thoroughly.
- Apply the mixture over scalp and massage for around 10 minutes.
- Keep the mixture as it is for around 30 minutes by using a shower cap.
- Wash the mixture with a mild shampoo.
- Repeat the process around two times a week to see best results.
5. Aloe Vera, Lemon and Honey
Aloe vera relieves itchy scalp. It nourishes and moisturizes the scalp and significantly controls hair loss. Aloe vera helps in strengthening the hair follicles.
Honey moisturizes the scalp, adds shine to the hair. Lemon eliminates all kinds of scalp infections and relives itchy and flaky scalp. It also provides required amount of vitamin C to the scalp and eliminates dandruff.
Ingredients:
- One medium sized aloe vera leaf
- One tablespoon of fresh lemon juice
- One teaspoon of honey
How to use it:
Method-1:
- Extract the gel from the aloe vera leaf and add a little amount of water to it.
- Add a teaspoon of honey and one tablespoon fresh lemon juice to the aloe vera gel.
- Mix the ingredients properly to form a hair mask.
- Apply this mask all over scalp and gently massage for around 15 minutes.
- Let it sit for 45 minutes to an hour by using a shower cap.
- Wash off the mask with lukewarm water.
- Repeat the process twice, every week to see best results.
Method-2:
- Extract aloe vera gel from an aloe vera leaf.
- Apply this gel directly over the scalp and hair strands.
- Let it sit for around 45 minutes.
- Wash off the gel with a mild shampoo.
- Repeat the process three to four times a week for best results.
6. Neem Leaves
Neem has various anti-microbial and anti-oxidant properties. It fights against the free radicals that cause dandruff and subsequently initiate hair fall in winters. Neem also helps in inhibiting all kinds of bacterial, viral and fungal scalp infections. It is widely known for its excellent anti-septic properties and heals the bruised or dry scalp skin.
Ingredients:
- Ten to twelve fresh neem leaves
How to use it:
- Boil the neem leaves in a cup of water for about 30 minutes.
- Take out the neem leaves, grind them to form a paste and add this paste back to the water.
- Apply the paste all over the scalp and let it sit for around three hours, by using a shower cap.
- Wash off the paste with a mild shampoo.
- Repeat the process two to three times a week to prevent hair loss.
7. Chinese Hibiscus and Coconut Oil
Chinese hibiscus flowers are rich in proteins and vitamin C that help in preventing hair loss. It strengthens the hair follicles and helps get rid of dandruff. Coconut helps in providing moisturization and required nourishment to the scalp.
It also prevents various kinds of scalp infections and strengthens the hair roots. Chinese hibiscus and coconut oil together might also prevent premature graying and hair loss.
Ingredients:
- Eight to ten Chinese hibiscus flowers.
- Two cups of coconut oil.
How to use it:
- Add ten hibiscus flowers in a saucepan along with a cup of coconut oil.
- Heat the contents until charred.
- Strain the mixture and collect oil.
- Massage the collected oil over the scalp and hair.
- Let it sit for around two hours.
- Wash the paste off with a mild shampoo.
- Repeat the process twice or thrice a week for preventing hair loss.
8. Beetroot Juice
Beetroot is an excellent source of carbohydrates, potassium, vitamins C and B, calcium, proteins and phosphorous. All of these are essential nutrients for having healthy, long and strong hair. It is one of the most effective home remedies to prevent hair loss and promote hair re-growth.
It is also advised to consume beetroot daily for having strong and healthy hair. Henna is an excellent hair conditioner which nourishes the scalp, provides natural color to the hair and strengthens hair, thereby reducing hair loss.
Ingredients:
- Five to six beetroot leaves
- One tablespoon of henna powder
How to use it:
- Boil the beetroot leaves in two cups of water until the mixture is reduced to half its quantity.
- Let the mixture cool and then grind it to make a smooth paste.
- Add one tablespoon of henna powder to the paste and mix it thoroughly.
- Apply the mask to scalp and hair.
- Let it sit for around half an hour by using a shower cap.
- Rinse off with cold water.
- Repeat this process twice or thrice a week to prevent hair loss.
9. Coconut Milk
Coconut provides complete solution to all the hair and skin issues. It helps in increasing blood circulation and also provides moisturization to the scalp. Coconut has various anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties that help in inhibiting the scalp infections. It helps in promoting hair re-growth and also significantly reduces hair loss.
Coconut milk is an excellent source of proteins, minerals, and essential fats. Coconut also contains adequate amount of potassium that promotes hair growth.
Ingredients:
- One cup of coconut milk or a medium sized coconut
How to use it:
- If coconut milk is not available, grind a few coconut pieces in a blender and extract coconut milk from the resultant.
- Apply coconut milk all over the scalp and hair with fingertips. Apply starting from the hair roots to the hair ends thoroughly.
- Let it sit for around twenty minutes to half an hour by using a shower cap.
- Wash off the coconut milk with lukewarm water followed by a mild shampoo.
- Repeat this process once or twice a week for best results.
10. Coriander Juice
Coriander (also known as Cilantro) is a rich source of many essential vitamins and minerals, that promote hair growth by strengthening the hair follicles. Regular application of coriander juice on the scalp is one of the best ways to combat hair loss.
Ingredients:
- A bunch of fresh coriander leaves
How to use it:
- Grind the coriander leaves in a blender to form a paste.
- Strain the liquid out of it with help of a muslin cloth.
- Apply this juice over the scalp.
- Let it stay for around an hour.
- Wash with a mild shampoo.
- Repeat this process two times a week to prevent hair loss.
11. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar or ACV contains essential minerals such as potassium and several other enzymes that help in preventing hair loss. It is also used to prevent dandruff build-up which clogs the pores and hair follicles, leading to significant hair fall.
Apple cider vinegar can be applied immediately after washing hair. It provides extra shine and strength to the hair and helps in preventing hair loss.
Ingredients:
- Two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
- Two tablespoons of organic coconut oil
How to use it:
Method-1:
- Apply two tablespoons of ACV onto the scalp after shampooing.
- Cleanse it with water after a few minutes.
Method-2:
- Mix two tablespoons of organic coconut oil and one tablespoon of ACV.
- Massage the mixture on the scalp for around 10-15 minutes.
- Leave it on for around 20 minutes.
- Wash off the mixture by using a mild shampoo.
- Repeat the process two to three times a week for best results.
