1. Protect your hair and scalp from the sun
If you go outside frequently, use a sunscreen or large hat. This can not only protect your strands and scalp from the suns harmful rays, but may help promote hair growth and prevent breakage.
- Any type of wide brimmed hat can protect your hair.
- You can either use a sunscreen specifically formulated for hair or a leave-in conditioner with zinc oxide to protect your hair and scalp.
2. Stimulate growth with scalp massage
Rubbing your scalp stimulates and increases blood flow. Try getting a professional scalp massage or rub your own scalp to help prevent hair loss and promote growth.
- Some massage therapists are specifically trained to help increase blood flow to the scalp with massage.
- Increased blood flow results in increased nutrient absorption, which can in turn stimulate hair growth.
- Massage can help condition the scalp and strengthen the roots of your hair.
3. Apply minoxidil to your scalp
Minoxidil is an over the counter liquid or foam that you massage into your scalp twice daily. This medication may help promote hair growth or decease hair loss, or even both.
- Men and women can use minoxidil and you don’t need a prescription.
- Regrowth peaks at about 16 weeks. You need to continuously reapply minoxidil to maintain the benefits.
- You may experience some side effects such as scalp irritation, rapid heart rate, and may even have some hair growth on the face and hands.
- You can purchase minoxidil at most pharmacies and some grocery stores.
4. Have surgery to restore or transplant hair
If medications and home treatments don’t help hair regrowth, have hair transplant or restoration surgery. This can immediately help fill out thinning hair and can stimulate hair regrowth.
- Hair transplants or restoration are procedures in which you doctor takes small plugs of hair from different parts of your scalp and implants them into thinner or bald sections.
- You may need to take hair loss medication before surgery.
- Hair transplants can be very painful and cause infection and scarring.
- Be aware that hair transplants and restoration are expensive and insurance may not cover either procedure.
5. Eat a nutrient rich diet
Your hair is an outward sign of your general health, and certain vitamins and minerals contribute to the health of your locks. Increase your intake of certain nutrients to help your hair grow and stay strong.
- Protein is one of the building blocks of hair. Getting enough lean protein from meat, dairy products, fish, eggs, and nuts can help your hair get strong and grow.
- Iron helps prevent hair loss. You can get extra iron from red meat, fish, and chicken, as well as options such as lentils, kale, and broccoli.
- Vitamin C helps the body absorb iron as well as produce collagen that can strengthen your hair shafts. Try eating blueberries, broccoli, oranges, and strawberries to get sufficient vitamin C.
- Omega-3 fatty acids help keep the oils on your scalp, which in turn keep your hair hydrated. Get Omega-3s in fish such as salmon and trout, and other sources including avocado and pumpkin seeds.
- A lack of zinc and/ or selenium can lead to hair loss. Eat fortified whole grains, oysters, beef, and eggs to get enough zinc to prevent hair loss.
- Biotin helps keep hair strong and flexible. Too little may cause brittle hair or hair loss. You can get biotin from whole grains, liver, eggs, and yeast.
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