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How to Stimulate Hair Follicles & Stimulate New Growth Naturally
According to Medline Plus, hair grows 1 inch every few months. Most people experience a growth rate of about 6 inches per year, however, this can vary per individual, based on issues such as illness, nutrition and stress. Every hair goes through a growth cycle that includes a period of growth, a period of rest and then shedding or falling out. If you are experiencing hair loss or you just want your hair to grow faster, it may be possible to promote hair growth by using a few simple techniques. However, you should consult your doctor if you are experiencing unusual hair loss.
Massage your scalp with a mixture of almond oil and rosemary and peppermint essential oils. Add three or four drops of peppermint and rosemary essential oils to a tablespoon of almond oil and massage into your scalp twice daily. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, these essential oils may help to stimulate new hair growth when used in scalp massage 2.
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Rub fresh nettle juice into your scalp. Although there is no scientific evidence that this will promote hair growth, herbalists and practitioners of traditional medicine have recommended this remedy for encouraging hair growth, according to "Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs. 3"
Cleanse your hair and scalp once weekly with a clarifying shampoo. Clarifying shampoos help to remove impurities, excess oil and residue from your scalp and hair follicles. However, don't replace your regular shampoo with clarifying shampoo. Clarifying shampoos are generally too harsh for everyday use.
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Rub your scalp every morning with a mixture of cayenne pepper and vodka. Mix three ounces of cayenne pepper into 1/5 of vodka and shake well. Rub a small amount of this mixture into your scalp in the morning. This will help to stimulate your hair follicles and promote blood flow to your scalp, according to stylist and hair expert Riquette Hofstein, owner of Riquette International Salon in Beverly Hills, in her book "Grow Hair Fast: 7 Steps to a New Head of Hair in 90 Days. 4"
Take a vitamin B-complex supplement. According to author Hofstein, B-complex vitamins and particularly the B vitamin biotin, are necessary for stimulating new hair growth and preventing hair loss.
Brush your hair every morning and evening with a natural bristle brush. Brushing your hair can stimulate your hair follicles and promote new hair growth by increasing the blood flow to your scalp.
Warnings
Always consult your doctor before taking nutritional supplements.
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References
- Medline Plus: Male Pattern Baldness
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Hair Disorders
- "Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs"; Claire Kowalchik and William H. Hylton; 1998
- ""Grow Hair Fast: 7 Steps to a New Head of Hair in 90 Days"; Riquette Hofstein; 2004
- 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
Ashley Miller is a licensed social worker, psychotherapist, certified Reiki practitioner, yoga enthusiast and aromatherapist. She has also worked as an employee assistance program counselor and a substance-abuse professional. Miller holds a Master of Social Work and has extensive training in mental health diagnosis, as well as child and adolescent psychotherapy. She also has a bachelor's degree in music.