7 Natural Treatments for Hair Loss and Various Causes of It

An estimated 35 million men and 21 million women suffer from hair loss or thinning in some form[1]. There are several causes of hair loss and seemingly just as many ways to combat the problem. This article discusses the research and science supporting the leading natural solutions and home remedies for hair loss.
Causes of Hair Loss
According to the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery, a worldwide non-profit medical association, there are many factors for hair loss or thinning, and people can experience multiple causes at the same time. Hair loss can be caused by medication, genetics, illness, stress, or more.
Pinpointing the cause of fallout is critical to determining treatment, lifestyle, or medication changes, or even considering options for permanent loss. Still, there are home remedies for hair loss in every case, whether it is to regrow lost hair, thicken thinning hair, or retain and improve fullness with permanent hair loss.
Can We Stop Hair Loss and Regrow Hair Naturally?
It would be great to answer it with a resounding, “Yes,” but there is no uniform answer. In most instances where the cause is not genetics or illness, the root can be pinpointed to something that can be changed, removed, treated, or allowed to improve with time. However, conditions like cicatricial alopecia and secondary cicatricial alopecia[2] are a result of autoimmune disorders. In these cases, the goal is to make the hair that remains appear thicker and fuller.
In managing hair loss, one may opt for an alternative with safer ingredients. As lifestyle changes, one might include wearing loose-fitting, protective styles, or coverings. Removing certain stressors is helpful to some. But, in cases of illness, genetic, and unsolved situations, most people turn to more invasive, costly solutions, or conceal the problem with shaved heads, wigs, and everyday hats. Keep on reading to discover some home remedies for hair loss and the science that explains why they work.
Home Treatments for Hair Loss and Thinning
1. Egg Masks
Chicken egg yolks contain water-soluble peptides [3] that have been shown as an effective home remedy for hair loss, even in treating female pattern hair loss.
2. Coconut Milk
Coconuts or Cocos Nucifera belong to the Aceraceae family. Recent studies provide the science to support the effects of coconut milk that has been cold-pressed into oil, in preventing hair from prematurely turning white or gray as well as its effectiveness in preventing hair loss while encouraging hair growth.
3. Green Tea/ Green Tea Masks
Whether you drink green tea, use it in a mask, or other means of application, the key ingredient is polyphenolic compounds[4]. These compounds are naturally found in many foods, but green tea, barley, grape seed, and apples have significantly higher quantities. When these are included in the diet, made into a rinse, or extracted, they can cause a marked improvement in hair regeneration and retention.
4. Greek Yogurt and Honey
Yogurt and honey are the evolution of milk and honey for skin and scalp care. Honey[5] removes dandruff and encourages growth while yogurt, especially the less processed and sugary Greek varieties, can moisturize and contain moisture while encouraging hair growth.
5. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera contains 20 amino acids and a host of vitamins and minerals that can be used in cosmetology and medicine covering hair, skin, nails, lips, and the orbital area. For the hair, it is an effective scalp treatment that can slow down or prevent hair loss and support regrowth.
6. Fenugreek Hair Masks
Fenugreek hair mask is a rising trend in hair augmentation. The components of fenugreek leaves and seeds that are most beneficial for hair growth and retention are the protein compounds that comprise 22-25% of the plant.
7. Onion Masks
Despite the smell, onion juice has been scientifically proven to work as a home remedy for hair loss. Onion juice[6] has even been shown as a viable treatment for alopecia areata.
Questions and Answers
How to Stop Hair Loss Immediately From Home?
The first step to ending hair loss and retaining it is to identify the cause. If it is a temporary condition, some immediate solutions include changing to a protective hairstyle or covering, changing tools such as from a fine-tooth or bristled brush to one with wider teeth or bristles, and removing stressors. If hair fall is ongoing or more than 100 strands per day for a certain period, the best option is to seek help from a specialist, like a dermatologist or an endocrinologist.
What is the Best Remedy for Hair Fall?
The most important thing to do is to attack the root cause of hair loss. Then, consider natural remedies that provide a solution at the root or from the inside out. Many natural solutions or home remedies for hair loss are botanicals or food items that can have positive effects when either consumed or applied to the scalp or hair. Based on science, the listed remedies strongly support hair retention, growth, and regrowth.
How can I Make My Hair Grow Faster and Thicker?
While any approach listed should encourage thicker and longer hair, on average, it grows at different rates from person to person and one ethnicity to another. However, natural remedies are more one-size-fits-all with little side effects than pharmaceutical solutions. Any solution detailed above should encourage faster and thicker hair growth.
How Quickly Will I See Results?
Some effects, like shine and luster or even thickness, may be immediate and continue to improve over time. However, the hair typically takes one month to grow ½-1 inch, depending on care and ethnicity. Knowing your current rate of growth for comparison will help track improved growth. With your selected home remedies for hair loss, it would likely be best to allow 1-3 months to observe results, continued use to see long-term effects, and discontinuation, if there is no change or improvement within a few weeks to a few months.
How will my Hair Look and Feel?
Each at-home solution can wash and rinse the hair completely, just like any mask, shampoo, or conditioner. Most of these home treatments are moisturizing, hydrating, and conditioning and should improve the look, feel, and overall health of your hair.
Bottom Line
Hair fallout, loss, and thinning are problems faced by more than 50 million adult Americans and more people globally. There are several cosmetics, medicinal, and surgical treatments available, but most of them are costly, ineffective, or come with side effects that could make the condition worse.
The safest and most effective solution is to try a few of these home remedies for hair loss. While there are overwhelmingly many natural solutions as well, these are the best and most effective based on scientific and medical research.
References
1] https://www.westlakedermatology.com/blog/interesting-hair-loss-statistics/2] https://www.thinninghair.com/types-of-hair-loss/permanent-hair-loss/241-types-and-causes-of-permanent-hair-loss
3] https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/jmf.2017.4101
4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2569505/
5] http://188.190.33.55:7980/jspui/bitstream/123456789/3903/1/WEBPDU-18-30-33.pdf
6] https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1346-8138.2002.tb00277.x?sid=nlm%3Apubmed