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At Healthfully, we strive to deliver objective content that is accurate and up-to-date. Our team periodically reviews articles in order to ensure content quality. The sources cited below consist of evidence from peer-reviewed journals, prominent medical organizations, academic associations, and government data.
- National Center for Biotechnology Information: Randomized Trial of Aromatherapy. Successful Treatment for Alopecia Areata
- National Center for Biotechnology Information: Randomized Trial of Aromatherapy. Successful Treatment for Alopecia Areata
The information contained on this site is for informational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for the advice of a professional health care provider. Please check with the appropriate physician regarding health questions and concerns. Although we strive to deliver accurate and up-to-date information, no guarantee to that effect is made.
How to Increase Hair Growth on the Head
Hair loss occurs for a variety of reasons 6. You may have an auto-immune disease such as alopecia or imbalanced hormones due to pregnancy or your age; genes also can dictate male pattern baldness. Whatever the reason, hair loss can be unsettling and cause emotional distress, but medications and holistic remedies may increase hair growth on the head. The trick is to find a solution that fits best with your hair-loss circumstances and budget.
Continue to Wash Regularly
Just because your hair is scarce doesn't mean you should stop washing your head. Use your fingertips to massage a dollop of noncomedogenic shampoo onto your scalp daily or every other day. This not only keeps the pores clean by washing away oil, dirt and bacteria from sweat and the environment, but it also stimulates the scalp and helps increase blood flow to your hair follicles. Refrain from using heavy, pore-clogging conditioners on the hair you do have, and stay away from styling products and heat while trying to increase hair growth. In addition, refrain from rubbing your hair with a dry towel.
- Just because your hair is scarce doesn't mean you should stop washing your head.
- Refrain from using heavy, pore-clogging conditioners on the hair you do have, and stay away from styling products and heat while trying to increase hair growth.
Take Vitamins and Check Your Diet
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Your hair may be thinning due to a vitamin deficiency 3.** Make sure you're getting enough iron and vitamin B in your diet by eating foods such as:
- fish
- starchy vegetables
- turkey
- spinach
- lentils
- fortified cereal
- non-citrus fruits
Getting enough protein is also important; eat foods such as fish, meat, eggs, nuts and beans on a daily basis. Combine these foods with vitamin C to increase iron absorption, but steer clear of vitamin A, which can cause hair to fall out.
Treat With Topical Medication
There are several over-the-counter hair growth medications that you can start with. Women with hair loss at the front of the head can purchase a product such as Rogaine which features 2 percent minoxidil. Men experiencing hair loss at the crown can use this also and can increase the dosage up to 5 percent. Follow the instructions and use no more than twice a day; regrowth generally appears within four to six months. If no growth happens within this time, visit a board-certified dermatologist or doctor for advice on oral medications featuring FDA-approved finasteride and other hair-rejuvenation methods, such as cortisone injections.
- There are several over-the-counter hair growth medications that you can start with.
- If no growth happens within this time, visit a board-certified dermatologist or doctor for advice on oral medications featuring FDA-approved finasteride and other hair-rejuvenation methods, such as cortisone injections.
Act With Aromatherapy
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Aromatherapy treatments are believed to be helpful in some hair loss candidates. In addition to traditional medicine, try massaging thyme, rosemary and lavender into a mixture of carrier oils such as cedar wood, jojoba and grape-seed oils. Apply these oils on both your scalp and hair. If you do this consistently every day, you may experience some hair regrowth. Make sure to test a small area on your skin first to eliminate an allergic reaction on your scalp.
- Aromatherapy treatments are believed to be helpful in some hair loss candidates.
- Make sure to test a small area on your skin first to eliminate an allergic reaction on your scalp.
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References
- Naaf.org: Treatment for Alopecia Areata
- American Academy of Dermatology: Hair Loss: Who Gets and Causes
- Fit Day: Losing Your Hair? It Could Be Your Iron Intake
- Pharmacy Times: A Pharmacist’s Guide to OTC Hair Loss Products
- National Center for Biotechnology Information: Randomized Trial of Aromatherapy. Successful Treatment for Alopecia Areata
- Health: 21 Reasons Why You're Losing Your Hair
- Phillips TG, Slomiany WP, Allison R. Hair Loss: Common Causes and Treatment. Am Fam Physician. 2017;96(6):371-378.
- Watras MM, Patel JP, Arya R. Traditional anticoagulants and hair loss: a role for direct oral anticoagulants? A review of the literature. Drugs Real World Outcomes. 2016;3(1):1-6. doi:10.1007/s40801-015-0056-z
- Urysiak-czubatka I, Kmieć ML, Broniarczyk-dyła G. Assessment of the usefulness of dihydrotestosterone in the diagnostics of patients with androgenetic alopecia. Postepy Dermatol Alergol. 2014;31(4):207-15. doi:10.5114/pdia.2014.40925
- Vincent M, Yogiraj K. A descriptive study of alopecia patterns and their relation to thyroid dysfunction. Int J Trichology. 2013;5(1):57-60. doi:10.4103/0974-7753.114701
- Peters EMJ, Müller Y, Snaga W, et al. Hair and stress: A pilot study of hair and cytokine balance alteration in healthy young women under major exam stress. PLoS ONE. 2017;12(4):e0175904. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0175904
- Pratt CH, King LE, Messenger AG, Christiano AM, Sundberg JP. Alopecia areata. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2017;3:17011. doi:10.1038/nrdp.2017.11
- American Academy of Dermatology. Alopecia Areata: Overview.
Writer Bio
Based in Los Angeles, Lisa Finn has been writing professionally for 20 years. Her print and online articles appear in magazines and websites such as "Spa Magazine," "L.A. Parent," "Business," the Famous Footwear blog and many others. She also ghostwrites for mompreneurs and business owners who appear regularly on shows such as Ricki Lake, HGTV, Carson Daly and The Today Show.