Home Remedies for Thinning Hair in Women
It's normal to find a few strands of hair in your brush, sink or shower drain. Losing clumps of hair, however, may indicate that something in your body is amiss. Elderly women aren't the only ones who struggle with thinning hair; stress, hormones and even your diet play a part in hair loss. Topical hair-growth medications can help, but these aren't ideal for every woman. Natural remedies, such as scalp massage and relaxation techniques, offer a gentler way to potentially boost hair growth.
The right foods can promote hair growth. (Image: Fuse/Fuse/Getty Images)Step 1
Eat more eggs. (Image: MeePoohyaphoto/iStock/Getty Images)Eat foods rich in iron, folic acid and B vitamins. Vitamin B-7, also known as biotin, may contribute to healthy hair and nail growth. Hair-friendly foods include eggs, carrots, beans, rice, nuts, spinach and other leafy green vegetables. Consult your doctor to determine whether you may have a vitamin deficiency, and take supplements if your doctor recommends them.
Step 2
If you feel anxious, go to your happy place. (Image: anyaberkut/iStock/Getty Images)Practice relaxation techniques if you're feeling stressed, because stress can shock the hair follicles and cause them to stop producing. When you feel anxious, close your eyes and inhale slowly through your nose. Hold your breath for a second, then let the air out through your mouth. Imagine yourself in a peaceful place, such as a forest or the beach, or play soft music as you relax.
Step 3
Let your hair dry naturally as often as possible. (Image: DAJ/amana images/Getty Images)Brush your hair gently to avoid breaking strands. Cut back on the use of blow dryers, curling irons and other heated styling tools, which can weaken hair and make it prone to breakage.
Step 4
Shampoo normally after the oil treatment. (Image: Choreograph/iStock/Getty Images)Practice scalp massage, which may stimulate hair growth. Pour 2 to 4 tablespoons of sesame oil into a small cup. Dip your fingers into the oil, then massage the bony ridge above your neck with firm, circular motions. Repeat these motions as you massage your entire scalp. Rinse your hair off in the shower, then shampoo as usual.
Step 5
Use unsweetened coconut milk. (Image: Monkey Business Images/Monkey Business/Getty Images)Create a scalp-enhancing paste by combining 1/2 teaspoon fenugreek powder with 3/4 cup unsweetened coconut milk in a small bowl. Massage the mixture into your scalp, then cover your head with a shower cap and let it set for 30 minutes. Shampoo as usual. Repeat twice per week for two months.
Step 6
A woman drinking tea. (Image: michaeljung/iStock/Getty Images)Drink tea that contains nettle, horsetail, licorice, rosemary, burdock root or saw palmetto, which are herbs that can help promote and sustain hair growth. For example, horsetail contains selenium and silica, which can boost scalp circulation. Burdock root dissolves fatty deposits thought to obstruct hair growth.
Step 7
You can use store-bought or fresh aloe. (Image: ChViroj/iStock/Getty Images)Apply aloe vera gel to your scalp to stimulate hair follicles and promote a fuller head of hair. Apply a quarter-sized amount all over your scalp, leave it on until your scalp starts to tingle, then rinse it out in the shower.
Things You'll Need
Sesame oil
Small cup
Shampoo
Fenugreek powder
Unsweetened coconut milk
Small bowl
Shower cap
Nettle, horsetail, licorice, rosemary, burdock root or saw palmetto tea
Aloe vera gel
Tip
It's common to experience thinning hair after having a baby because of changing hormone levels. Hair growth should go back to normal about three to six months after giving birth.
Look for fenugreek powder in the spice section of a grocery store. Check Indian markets if your grocery store doesn't carry it.
