13 Effective Tips on How to Treat Hair Loss

If you’re looking for effective tips on how to treat hair loss, I understand how frustrating and lonely it can be. At 25, I was diagnosed with Telogen Effluvium, a temporary hair loss condition affecting thousands worldwide. During my hair loss journey, I lost about 60-70% of my hair within just 3 months. It was the most devastating time of my life and it felt like no one understood what I was going through. I’m here to tell you that you’re not alone and that the solution may not be as difficult as you think! Throughout my journey, I’ve learned these 13 effective tips on how to treat hair loss.

There are numerous treatments available that can help restore your crown of glory and boost your self-confidence. From natural remedies like essential oils and biotin supplements, to medical options such as laser therapy and medications. There is something out there for everyone! In this blog post, I will go over why I believe these are the best tips on how to treat hair loss.

1. Understand the Cause of Hair Loss

It is important to understand that not all hair loss conditions are the same. From hormonal factors to genetics and medical conditions, there may be several reasons why people lose their hair. Understanding the cause of hair loss helps with treatment and promoting healthy hair growth. Some conditions have treatments, while others are genetic and may not be treatable.

Hair loss in women can be caused by hormonal changes during pregnancy, menopause, or thyroid issues. This can cause thinning, excessive shedding, and even full on hair loss. Hormones aren’t always the problem though. Genetics and lifestyle choices can also have a significant impact.

If you believe you’re going through postpartum hair loss, you can learn more about why it happens and how to combat it on this blog post.

Stress is also frequently an underlying contributor to the visible effects those factors have. Unfortunately, stress is what triggered my hair loss condition and it could be what is triggering yours, too. I highly suggest not taking a guess and visiting the doctors as there can be a more serious underlying issue. Read more on how you can prevent further hair loss by managing your stress levels here.

Some other factors may include eating a poor diet, smoking, or wearing tight hairstyles. A poor diet can deprive your scalp of essential nutrients, hindering hair growth and lubrication. Smoking on top of this can take a cruel double toll on shine, thickness, and texture. Lastly, hairstyles such as tight braids, ponytails, and extensions worn for too long can lead to a hair loss condition called Traction Alopecia. 

2. Natural Remedies to Treat Hair Loss

Hair loss is a common concern that many people face. While there are various treatments available, some individuals prefer to explore natural remedies. One natural remedy that has gained popularity is the use of essential oils such as rosemary and mint. Many believe that rosemary essential oil stimulates hair follicles, promoting hair growth. Its antioxidant properties may also help in preventing damage to the hair and scalp. Mint essential oil cools and soothes the scalp, potentially reducing hair loss caused by inflammation.

In addition to essential oils, there are several other natural ingredients that may help address hair loss. Aloe vera is one such ingredient, known for its soothing and hydrating properties. Applying aloe vera gel directly to the scalp can nourish hair follicles and promote healthy hair growth.

Another natural ingredient that has shown promise is onion juice. Rich in sulfur, onion juice can improve blood circulation to the hair follicles, stimulating hair growth. It may also have antimicrobial properties that can help combat scalp infections, which can contribute to hair loss.

Eggs are another potential natural remedy. They contain proteins and nutrients that can strengthen the hair strands, making them less prone to breakage. Applying an egg mask to the hair and scalp can provide the necessary nutrients and improve hair health.

Many people believe that green tea also has hair benefits. Rich in antioxidants, green tea may help in preventing hair loss by reducing inflammation and promoting blood circulation in the scalp. Simply steeping green tea bags in hot water and using it as a rinse after shampooing can provide these potential benefits.

3. Maintain a Healthy Diet

Maintaining a healthy diet plays a crucial role in both overall health and treating hair loss. When it comes to addressing hair loss, focusing on nutrition is essential. A well-balanced diet provides the necessary nutrients that support hair growth and overall hair health.

Protein plays a crucial role in healthy hair growth since hair consists primarily of a protein called keratin. Sources of lean protein include poultry, fish, eggs, and legumes in your diet can provide the building blocks for strong and vibrant hair.

Vitamins and minerals are also vital for treating hair loss. Vitamin A helps in the production of sebum, which keeps the scalp moisturized and promotes healthy hair growth. Foods rich in vitamin A include carrots, sweet potatoes, and spinach. Biotin, a B-vitamin, strengthens hair strands and reduces hair breakage. You can find it in foods like eggs, nuts, and whole grains. Furthermore, research has linked hair loss to deficiencies in iron and zinc. Therefore, incorporating iron-rich foods like lean red meat and leafy greens, as well as zinc-rich foods like oysters and pumpkin seeds, can be beneficial.

Eating a variety of fruits and vegetables provides antioxidants that help protect hair follicles from damage caused by free radicals. These free radicals can contribute to hair loss, so consuming colorful produce like berries, citrus fruits, and dark leafy greens is important.

Lastly, incorporating omega-3 fatty acids, found in foods like fatty fish, walnuts, and flaxseeds, can help nourish the scalp and promote healthy hair growth. These healthy fats have anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce scalp inflammation, which may contribute to hair loss.

4. Manage Your Stress Levels

This is an essential tip that you should NOT ignore! Going through a hair loss journey is already stressful as it is. Trust me when I say that stressing and worrying about it will only make it worse. Clearly, saying it is much easier than actually doing it!

It’s important to know that excessive stress can disrupt the hair growth cycle and lead to increased shedding. It can even trigger temporary hair loss conditions such as Telogen Effluvium. By continuously having high stress levels, you are putting yourself in an endless cycle of hair loss. Thus, finding effective ways to manage stress is crucial for maintaining healthy hair.

One approach to stress management is incorporating certain supplements to help manage stress and promote hair health. Some popular and well known stress relieving ingredients include ashwagandha, magnesium, l-theanine, or ginseng. By incorporating these supplements into your daily routine, you can promote a sense of calm and reduce the potential triggers for hair loss.

Prioritizing self-care activities is essential in treating hair loss caused by stress. This includes getting enough sleep, maintaining a balanced diet, and practicing good hygiene. Adequate sleep allows the body to repair and rejuvenate, supporting optimal hair growth. Eating a nutritious diet rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants helps nourish the hair follicles from within. Additionally, maintaining proper scalp hygiene ensures a clean environment for healthy hair growth.

It is also beneficial to identify and address the root causes of stress in your life. This might involve seeking support from a therapist, making adjustments to your lifestyle, or establishing healthy boundaries. By actively managing stressors, you can significantly minimize their impact on hair loss.

5. Include Exercise into Your Routine

Regular exercise is not only beneficial for overall health but can also play a role in treating hair loss. One way exercise helps with hair loss is by promoting better blood flow to the scalp. Engaging in physical activity increases heart rate and circulation, delivering oxygen and essential nutrients to the hair follicles. This improved blood flow nourishes the follicles and supports healthy hair growth.

Exercise also releases endorphins, which are natural mood elevators. As stress and anxiety are common contributors to hair loss, the release of endorphins through exercise can help reduce stress levels and promote a sense of well-being. As mentioned above – managing stress is crucial in treating hair loss, and exercise provides an outlet to alleviate stress and its impact on hair health.

Furthermore, exercise improves overall health, including hair health. Regular physical activity supports a healthy immune system, which contributes to a healthier scalp environment. A strong immune system defends against scalp infections and conditions that may cause hair loss.

6. Use Shampoos and Conditioners Made to Treat Hair Loss

Using the right shampoo and conditioner is vital in treating hair loss and promoting healthier hair growth. When selecting products, it’s important for you to actively look for specific ingredients that scientific evidence has proven to support hair health. These ingredients include biotin, keratin, saw palmetto, niacin, caffeine, rosemary oil, and peppermint oil. I will include a breakdown of why you should look for these ingredients below along with my top shampoo and conditioner recommendations! 

• Biotin, also known as vitamin B7, helps strengthen hair strands and reduce hair breakage. It nourishes the hair follicles and promotes healthy hair growth. Look for shampoos and conditioners that contain biotin to provide the necessary support for your hair.
• Keratin is a protein that makes up the structure of the hair. Using a shampoo and conditioner enriched with keratin can help restore strength and vitality to damaged hair, preventing further breakage and loss.
• Saw palmetto extract can benefit addressing hair loss caused by hormonal imbalances. Researchers have found that saw palmetto extract inhibits the production of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone associated with hair loss. By reducing DHT levels, saw palmetto extract can help prevent further hair loss and stimulate hair growth.
• Niacin, or vitamin B3, promotes blood circulation to the scalp, ensuring that the hair follicles receive an adequate supply of nutrients and oxygen. This increased blood flow can help revitalize hair follicles and encourage healthier hair growth.
• Caffeine stimulates hair follicles, and essential oils like rosemary oil or peppermint oil show improvement in scalp health and stimulation of hair growth.

Many shampoos and conditioners exist that specifically target treating hair loss and promoting hair growth. These ones are my personal favorites and have noticed great results!

7. Promote Hair Growth with Scalp Massages

While shampooing your hair or applying a hair mask, it’s good to develop the habit of gently massaging your scalp as experts recognize it as a beneficial practice for treating hair loss and promoting healthy hair growth.

I personally like to use this scalp massager that I found on Amazon. This simple yet effective technique involves gently massaging the scalp using circular motions or applying light pressure with fingertips. Scalp massages can help address hair loss in several ways. 

Firstly, scalp massages stimulate blood flow to the hair follicles. Increasing blood circulation delivers more oxygen and nutrients to the follicles, which are essential for optimal hair growth. Improved blood flow also helps flush out toxins and promote a healthier scalp environment. 

In addition, scalp massages can help reduce stress and tension, which as we know are common contributors to hair loss. Massage techniques promote relaxation and release endorphins, providing a sense of calm and well-being. As stress can disrupt the hair growth cycle, managing it through scalp massages can be beneficial for preventing further hair loss.

Furthermore, scalp massages can help unclog hair follicles and remove excess sebum and debris that may hinder hair growth. By keeping the scalp clean and free from blockages, the hair follicles can function properly and facilitate healthier hair growth.

Incorporating essential oils can enhance the effectiveness of scalp massages and provide additional benefits. Oils like lavender, rosemary, or peppermint have stimulating properties and can help nourish the scalp and strengthen hair follicles when you use them. During the massage, you can dilute these oils with a carrier oil and apply them or use them as pre-shampoo treatments.

8. Topical Treatment for Hair Loss: Minoxidil

Minoxidil, a widely used topical medication, has demonstrated effectiveness in treating hair loss. It is available over-the-counter and works by increasing blood flow to the scalp, revitalizing hair follicles, and promoting hair growth. When applied directly to the affected area, minoxidil widens blood vessels, allowing for improved nutrient delivery to the hair follicles. This increased blood circulation helps stimulate dormant follicles, encouraging them to enter the active growth phase.

One key advantage of minoxidil is its versatility, as both men and women experiencing various types of hair loss, including Androgenetic Alopecia (pattern baldness) and alopecia areata, can use it. I personally love using this one made for females, but they also have one made for men.

Typically, individuals apply minoxidil twice daily, and the results can vary from person to person. While some people notice visible hair regrowth within a few months, others may require a longer duration of medication usage before experiencing significant changes.

In addition to its hair growth-promoting properties, minoxidil is relatively safe to use. Side effects such as scalp irritation or dryness are generally mild and temporary. However, it is important to follow the instructions provided and consult with a healthcare professional before starting minoxidil treatment, especially if there are underlying medical conditions or allergies to consider.

While minoxidil can be an effective option in the treatment of hair loss, it is essential to understand that results may vary and individual responses differ. It is advisable to have realistic expectations and maintain consistent usage to achieve the best outcome.

9. Oral Treatment for Hair Loss: Finasteride

If you’re seeking an alternative medication, consider finasteride. The FDA has approved this oral medication for common use in treating male pattern baldness, also known as Androgenetic Alopecia. Finasteride works by inhibiting the enzyme 5-alpha reductase, which converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Finasteride targets DHT, a hormone that has the ability to shrink hair follicles and contribute to hair loss in genetically susceptible individuals.

By reducing DHT levels, finasteride helps to slow down hair shedding, promote hair regrowth, and potentially increase hair density. Typically, individuals take it once daily in tablet form. While doctors primarily prescribe finasteride for men, they may also prescribe it off-label to women experiencing hair loss under certain circumstances.

The main difference between finasteride and minoxidil lies in their method of application and mechanism of action. Individuals take finasteride orally, which targets DHT internally, while they apply minoxidil topically to the scalp to enhance blood flow externally. Depending on the individual case, doctors may combine these medications for hair loss treatment to achieve a synergistic effect.

It’s important to note that both finasteride and minoxidil may have potential side effects and efficacy can vary among individuals. Consult a healthcare professional or dermatologist to assess the suitability of medications and determine the appropriate treatment plan.

10. Treat Hair Loss with Supplements

When it comes to treating hair loss, certain supplements have gained popularity for their potential benefits in promoting healthy hair growth. These include MSM (methylsulfonylmethane), DHT blockers, multivitamins, biotin, and collagen.

Many believe that MSM, a sulfur compound, supports hair growth by providing the necessary building blocks for keratin, a protein found in hair strands. It may also help reduce inflammation and improve circulation, which can enhance the health of hair follicles.

DHT blockers, such as saw palmetto or pumpkin seed oil, target dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone that can contribute to hair loss. By inhibiting DHT production or blocking its effects on hair follicles, these supplements may help slow down hair shedding and thinning.

Multivitamins, particularly those containing essential vitamins like vitamin A, B vitamins, vitamin C, and vitamin E, provide a comprehensive array of nutrients that support overall hair health. These vitamins play important roles in cell regeneration, collagen synthesis, and maintaining a healthy scalp environment.

Biotin, a B-vitamin, often gets associated with promoting hair growth and strengthening hair strands. It plays a crucial role in the production of keratin, making it an essential nutrient for healthy hair.

Lastly, collagen supplements have gained attention for their potential benefits in improving hair thickness and strength. Collagen is a protein that provides structural support to hair follicles, and supplementing with collagen may help fortify the hair shafts and improve overall hair quality.

While these supplements have shown promise, it’s important to note that individual responses may vary. Luckily, I am able to see amazing results from the supplements I use on a daily basis! I noticed my hair has been growing much faster than its normal rate and it only sheds a few strands per day. 

11. Consider Laser Therapy for Hair Growth

Laser therapy, also known as low-level laser therapy (LLLT), is a non-invasive treatment option that has shown promise in helping to treat hair loss. This is the laser helmet that I personally used during my hair loss journey. It’s a bit more on the pricier side, but I believe it did help my hair grow back so I would say it was worth it! 

It helps with the use of red light or near-infrared light wavelengths to stimulate hair follicles and promote hair growth. The light energy emitted by the devices used in laser therapy is believed to penetrate the scalp and reach the hair follicles. This stimulates cellular activity within the follicles, enhancing blood circulation and nutrient delivery to the hair roots. The increased blood flow brings vital oxygen and nutrients to the follicles, revitalizing them and promoting hair growth.

One of the advantages of laser therapy is its convenience and ease of use. Devices can vary from handheld combs to caps or helmets, making it possible to incorporate the treatment into daily routines. The one I use is a helmet and it has a portable battery, so I was able to do my normal activities at home. Treatment times are usually short, ranging from a few minutes to around 30 minutes per session, depending on the device used.

It’s important to note that individual responses to laser therapy may vary, and consistent use over an extended period may be required to achieve noticeable results. Overall, laser therapy offers a non-invasive and convenient option for individuals seeking to address hair loss concerns. However, it is important to manage expectations and understand that results may differ depending on the underlying cause and severity of hair loss.

12. Incorporate Micro-Needling

Microneedling, a minimally invasive procedure that involves using a device with tiny needles to create microscopic punctures on the scalp, has gained attention as a potential treatment for hair loss. This technique, also known as collagen induction therapy, stimulates the body’s natural healing response and can help address hair loss concerns.

When microneedles penetrate the scalp, they create controlled micro-injuries, triggering the release of growth factors and increasing blood flow to the area. This process stimulates the production of collagen, a protein that is crucial for maintaining the structural integrity of the hair follicles.

The increased collagen production helps strengthen the hair follicles and improve their ability to anchor hair strands. It also stimulates dormant follicles, encouraging them to enter the active growth phase and produce new hair. Additionally, microneedling can enhance the absorption and effectiveness of topical hair growth products, such as minoxidil or serums containing growth factors.

Studies have shown promising results with microneedling as a treatment for hair loss, particularly in individuals with androgenetic alopecia (pattern baldness). However, it is important to note that individual responses may vary, and multiple sessions of microneedling may be required to achieve optimal results.

The best part about this is that you can do this treatment right at home! During my hair loss journey, I incorporated micro-needling into my routine about once a week. My favorite tool was this one that I found on Amazon. However, if you are not comfortable with doing this on your own, you could also get this treatment under the supervision of a trained professional or dermatologist. They can tailor the treatment plan to suit individual needs and ensure proper hygiene and safety protocols are followed during the procedure.

13. Surgical Option: Hair Transplant

This tip is included mainly for ones who cannot genetically grow hair, have a hair loss condition that cannot be reversed, or feel like it’s their only option left. It is a costly option but it is considered one of the most effective and long-lasting solutions for treating hair loss.

A hair transplant is a surgical procedure that involves harvesting hair follicles from one area of the body, known as the donor site, and implanting them into the thinning or balding areas of the scalp, known as the recipient site. 

The two main techniques used in hair transplantation are follicular unit transplantation (FUT) and follicular unit extraction (FUE). FUT involves removing a strip of scalp from the donor site and dissecting it into individual hair grafts, while FUE involves extracting individual hair follicles directly from the donor site.

Once the donor hairs are harvested, they are carefully implanted into tiny incisions made in the recipient site. The transplanted hairs typically continue to grow and behave like natural hair, producing permanent results.

Recovery time after a hair transplant can vary. Most individuals can resume their normal activities within a week to ten days. It is recommended to consult with a qualified and experienced hair transplant surgeon to assess candidacy, discuss treatment options, and understand the potential risks and benefits associated with the procedure. 

Conclusion

Well, that wraps it up! These are my top 13 most effective tips on how to treat hair loss. It is still exciting to see how much my hair has grown and transformed since I implemented these tips and treatments. It feels like just yesterday that I was struggling with hair loss, feeling self-conscious and frustrated. 

But now, thanks to the combination of understanding the cause, incorporating natural remedies, maintaining a healthy diet, managing stress, using the ight products, and exploring various treatments, my hair is flourishing. I’ve noticed thicker, healthier strands, and even areas that were once sparse are now filling in beautifully. 

It’s been an incredible journey, and I couldn’t be happier with the results after applying these tips on how to treat hair loss. I highly encourage you to give these tips a try and seek professional guidance if needed. Remember, every individual’s experience is unique, but with patience, consistency, and the right approach, you too can witness the transformative power of these practices and regain your confidence.