Who doesn’t want to look good or beautiful? I mean if someone asks me this question I’d never say ‘No’ and why‘d anyone ever say no to good looks. No matter how old or young, everyone wants thick, strong hair, from teenagers to oldies, everyone loves their hair because of the pivotal role it plays in defining one’s face and looks. Hair that has enough thickness, shine, length, and strength is something everyone wants to have.
Sadly, hair fall, loss of hair, and unbalanced & impaired hair growth are common issues that people face with their hair. Hectic lifestyles, pollution, and adulterated hair care products and so many other things with the change in the weather and environment are to blame. If you want an effective, safe, and easy solution for your hair growth problems, this article can help you.
Most important factors that influence hair growth
How your hair grows depends on a number of factors and how they supplement and interact with each other and work on your skin. Here is the list of the factors that can reduce your hair growth:
- Old age
- Unhealthy diet leading to vitamin, mineral, and protein deficiencies
- Weak immune system
- Hormonal imbalance
- Excessive use of hair products
- Environmental factors, such as a change in season, excess exposure to sunlight
- Excessive stress, trauma, and anxiety
Oh, there are so many factors! Isn’t it? And a lot of them seem to be out of our control. Out of all of the reasons listed above are natural and undoubtedly can happen to anyone. Hence, you should concentrate on taking care of your hair with natural hair treatments and the right diet and supplements to grow your hair. An added benefit of using home remedies is that they are inexpensive. It’s like having the cherry on the cake!
There are many natural remedies that deliver great results when used for hair growth. We have discussed each in detail below.
1) EGGS: Eggs are high in protein, which is essential for building thick, strong hair.
INGREDIENTS: 1 or 2 eggs (depending on the length of hair)
HOW TO APPLY:
- Beat 1 or 2 eggs together and apply to the scalp and damp hair.
- Leave the eggs in for approximately 30 minutes.
- Wash hair thoroughly with warm water and a mild shampoo.
2) OLIVE OIL: Olive oil is high in omega-3 fatty acids that support hair growth and prevent breaking. It also softens the hair and relieves dry scalp.
INGREDIENTS: Body temperature olive oil, enough to coat and cover the scalp and hair.
HOW TO APPLY:
- Massage the warm oil into the scalp and hair.
- Leave the oil in for 45 minutes to 1 hour.
- Wash hair with warm water and a mild shampoo.
*Olive oil is natural and gentle. Some people claim leaving it on 6-8 hours overnight inside a shower cap works better.
3) ORANGE PUREE: Oranges contain Vitamin C and acid, both of which help in growing hair thicker. Vitamin C also improves lustrousness and the acid helps get rid of residue from other hair products.
INGREDIENTS: 1 orange, 1 tablespoon lemon juice & 1/2 cup plain yogurt.
HOW TO APPLY:
- Blend 1 orange (along with the peel) to get a thick paste.
- Add the yogurt and lemon juice – mix well.
- Apply the mixture in the shower after shampooing.
- Let sit for several minutes.
- Rinse with warm water and air dry.
4) ALOE VERA: The aloe plant is soothing for the scalp. Applying directly to the hair and scalp helps to strengthen the hair, preventing hair loss and thinning.
INGREDIENTS: 1-2 aloe Leaves & 10 drops almond oil.
HOW TO APPLY:
- Using a cutting board, slice away both ends of the leaf. You’ll see the gel sandwiched between the layers of the tough skin.
- Separate the top layer of the skin and scrape off the gel.
- Mix the aloe gel with almond oil.
- Rub the mixture into the scalp and throughout the hair.
- Let sit for 30 minutes.
- Rinse with warm water and air dry.
5) COCONUT OIL: Coconut oil is high in hair-strengthening vitamins and fatty acids known for supporting hair growth and preventing loss.
INGREDIENTS: 4 tablespoons of coconut oil & 2 tablespoons of lime juice.
HOW TO APPLY:
- Warm the coconut oil into a liquid.
- Mix the coconut oil and the lime juice.
- Continuously massage the mixture into the scalp for at least 10 minutes.
- Let sit for 1 to 2 hours.
- Rinse with warm water and air dry.
What to Eat for Hair Growth? (DIET)
After this let’s talk about the equally important thing which includes our diet. Yes my friends, while taking care of our hair by applying all the things mentioned above, it is important to make a few dietary modifications to stimulate the process of hair growth and prevent hair loss.
First and foremost, these are the foods to avoid for healthy hair growth:
- Junk and processed food
- Aerated drinks
- Sugary food likes donuts, desserts, pastries, etc.
- Starch items like white bread, white pasta, and croissants
- Alcohol
Include vitamin and mineral-rich fruits and vegetables, whole grains, carbohydrates, omega-3 fatty acids, and protein-rich foods in your diet. These are beneficial for hair growth.
For your convenience below are the lists of some foods you can include in your daily diet for better hair.
Foods For Hair Growth
(i) Protein-Rich Foods
Our hair is made of a special protein called keratin. Try to include eggs, chicken, tofu, soybean, kidney beans, and other similar foods in your diet. These are the richest source of proteins for hair. They promote the growth of new hair and make your hair shiny and smooth.
(ii) Vitamin A
Vitamin A is beneficial for hair growth. Mango, papaya, orange, prunes, and carrots are a few foods that have a high content of vitamin A.
(iii) Vitamin B
Vitamin B helps in the production of hemoglobin in our blood which acts as the oxygen carrier. This leads to an increase in blood circulation in the scalp. Including potato, banana, chicken, oatmeal, fish, and beans in your diet can be helpful.
(iv) Vitamin C
Vitamin C is helpful in collagen production and in fighting the free radicals in the skin. Do not forget to include lots of fruits like amla, oranges, kiwis, and guavas in your daily diet.
(v) Vitamin E
The scalp capillary function is stimulated by the intake of vitamin E in your diet. It increases blood circulation and promotes hair growth. Cereals, sunflower oil, soybean oil, tofu, etc. contain good amounts of vitamin E. You must try and include as much of these foods in your diet as you can.
(vi) Green Vegetables
Try to include lots of dark green vegetables in your diet. These contain iron that is essential for hair growth.
Bottom line!
However, these home remedies for growing thick, strong hair are low risk and may be worth a shot! Try these effective home remedies for longer, stronger, and shinier hair. Usually, a combination of a few remedies works best. For long-lasting effects, make the recommended changes in your diet as well. Make these changes to your diet at the earliest, not just for healthy, long hair but also for a healthy body.
If you still feel there is excess hair loss/ hair fall then you must visit a hair expert doctor near you. He/ she will give proper guidance on how to take care of your hair and what is the best possible treatment for your hair problem.