Treating Hair Loss with Natural Approaches Part II

6. Increase your intake of omega-3 fatty acids

Omega-3 fatty acids used on the scalp have been shown to increase the numbers of hair strands. Increasing the amounts of omega-3 fatty acids in your diet may be useful for hair loss. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in:

• Varieties of fish, including salmon, mackerel, herring, sardines, and bass
• Eggs
• Flaxseed oil
• Soybeans
• Chia seeds
• Walnuts

7. Avoid shampooing too often

Frequent shampooing can strip hair of natural oils. Frequent shampooing doesn’t really cause hair loss, but if you are stripping the oils from your hair, it can make the hair more fragile and likely to break. Many professionals advise their clients not to shampoo daily, but instead recommend 2-3 times a week.

• Avoid shampoos that are loaded with chemicals, such as sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), parabens, and ammonium chloride, especially if you have thin, fragile, or treated hair.
• Also, remember not to “over condition” your hair. Conditioners can weigh down the roots of the hair and damage the hair follicles. Use a conditioner 1-2 times a week and avoid using conditioner on the scalp.

8. Avoid damaging hairstyling techniques

When brushing or combing your hair, be gentle and don’t get “over-vigorous.” Use a wide-toothed comb to untangle your hair, especially when wet, to avoid pulling out your roots and breaking the hair strands.

• This also includes avoiding heat styling tools. Let your hair air dry.
• Avoid dyeing, chemically straightening, perming, or bleaching your hair.
• Avoid extensions, weaves, and tight hairstyles that can lead to hair loss.

9. Massage essential oils into your scalp

You can massage oils into your scalp to help improve hair growth. These can nourish the hair follicles, increase blood flow to your scalp and promote relaxation. Oils you can use include coconut oil, argan oil, emu oil, castor oil, and almond oil.

• Pour a quarter-sized amount of oil into the center of your palm, and use your fingertips to apply it around your scalp. Then massage the oil into your entire scalp. You can do this for 5-10 minutes once a week or more often if you prefer.
• To further reduce stress add 1-2 drops of essential lavender oil to two ounces of oil. Lavender has also been shown to increase hair growth. To promote healing and hair growth, try 1-2 drops of calendula oil in two ounces of oil.

10. Add other herbs to your essential oil mix

There are a variety of other herbs that have shown positive results. You can try adding some of the following to your essential oil mix:

• Serenoa repens (saw palmetto), Cimicifuga racemosa (black cohosh), Urtica dioica (nettles), and Pygeum africanum (African prune) contain 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors similar to those found in finasteride, which is a hair loss treatment. There have been some positive results in small clinical trials using these herbs topically on the scalp.
• Green tea increased hair regrowth in one study in rats and has been used traditionally as a rinse to increase hair growth. Green tea also has 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor activity similar to that found in finasteride.
• Anti-inflammatory herbs, including onion and garlic, licorice root, panax ginseng, and ginkgo biloba have been used traditionally to reduce inflammation and promote hair growth. Licorice root also inhibits androgen activity and may be useful for both male and female pattern baldness. Onion juice has been tested and stimulated hair growth in both men and women as well. Rinse well after using the onion juice, and use the onion juice only once a week.

11. Manage stress

Since chronic stress is a major cause of telogen effluvium (see above), try techniques to help manage the stress in your life. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends the following “emergency” stress relievers:

• Count to ten before speaking
• Take 3-5 deep breaths
• Handle stressful situations later when possible
• Go for a walk
• Admit when you’ve made a mistake, and don’t be afraid to say you’re sorry
• Avoid the stress of running late by setting your watch 5-10 minutes ahead
• Break big problems down into smaller, manageable parts
• Drive in the slow lane or avoid busy roads to help you stay calm while driving
• Try smelling a rose, hugging a loved one, or smiling at your neighbor
• Consider meditation or prayer to break the negative cycle

12. Try progressive muscle relaxation

The American Psychological Association (APA) suggests progressive muscle relaxation to help reduce stress. Start with your feet and lower legs and first tighten them as much as possible for roughly thirty seconds before slowly releasing the tension. Move on to your upper legs and repeat, Move onto your hands and lower arms, upper arms and shoulders, and finally your stomach and abdominal muscles. Repeat daily.

13. Take a mental vacation

Another technique suggested by the APA is taking a mental vacation. Take a few deep breaths, relax, and close your eyes. Imagine the most beautiful place you have ever been. Try to experience that place as fully as you can, smelling the smells, feeling a breeze, hearing the sounds, etc. Repeat daily.