To be or not to be: folk remedies for hair loss

How to stop hair loss? It is best to ask this question to the trichologist at a personal consultation. But few of us decide to go straight to the doctor and at first self-medicate, experimenting, among other things, with folk remedies for hair loss. What does folk wisdom suggest?

Do folk remedies help with hair loss?

Hair is sensitive to any damage, any imbalance in the body:

  • deficiency of vitamins and minerals (most often vitamins C, D and group B, selenium, zinc and iron);

  • lack of protein;

  • weakened immunity (for example, after covid);

  • hormonal disorders, etc.

Hair begins to fall out due to stress, intoxication, taking certain medications (anti-inflammatory, vascular, antibiotics), due to improper care, frequent dyeing and abuse of irons and hair dryers. And if the problem is not found and solved in time, the process can become irreversible. That is why it is better to consult a doctor as soon as possible – a general practitioner, dermatologist or trichologist. The specialist will prescribe tests and examinations (by an endocrinologist, immunologist, etc.). You should not waste time looking for a magic pill and trying out “grandmother’s” ointments, lotions, masks, decoctions and other folk methods against hair loss. They won’t help on their own!

Check out what your hair is missing with this test.

Rating of folk products for hair strengthening

Folk remedies for hair loss, some magical natural products that “applied, washed off – and hello, lush hair”, do not exist. But thanks to the moisturizing and tonic properties, vitamins and antioxidants, plant components are really capable of:

  • improve the condition of the scalp;

  • activate blood circulation in the root zone thanks to massage;

  • improve nutrition and stimulate hair growth.

What ingredients should you pay attention to?

Aloe

Almost the most popular folk remedies for hair loss for women (and for men too) are based on aloe. This plant is in almost every home, and adding a couple of drops to a homemade mask is not difficult. Aloe:

  • perfectly moisturizes;

  • soothes the scalp, fights peeling;

  • heals wounds and scratches;

  • nourishes.

Aloe perfectly moisturizes and nourishes – add a couple of drops to any mask.

Nettle

It has more vitamin C than a lemon! There are also many trace elements (manganese, calcium, copper, chromium), phytoncides and organic acids – that is why nettle decoctions are called a real nutritious hair cocktail. Nettle also has tonic properties, which promotes hair growth.

Birch

In recipes for hair loss, you can find not only leaves, but also buds, bark and birch sap. They are rich in carotenoids, magnesium and calcium salts, phytoncides, which have anti-inflammatory effects. Birch decoction:

  • slows down hair loss;

  • contributes to their nutrition and recovery;

  • gives splendor, smoothness and shine.

Camomile

It is often used to lightly lighten hair, making it smooth and shiny. It also has a wide variety of properties:

  • anti-inflammatory;

  • soothing;

  • bactericidal;

  • strengthening and regenerating, that is, it helps to restore the structure of the hair.

What Ingredients Does Your Hair Need? Find out by taking our quiz.

Decoctions and tinctures for hair loss at home

Decoctions and tinctures are prepared from plant materials. For a decoction, take 2-3 tbsp. l. vegetable mixture, pour 1 liter of water and heat for 20-30 minutes over low heat (you can’t heat it longer, otherwise all the beneficial substances will be destroyed). Prepare it immediately before use and do not store it, but use it immediately.

Infusion do so. Raw materials are poured with boiling water and infused for 30-40 minutes, sometimes even several hours or days. It is believed that this method of cooking is more gentle, nutrients are better preserved. Rinse the clean strands with a decoction and infusion and, without washing off, dry it, or wrap the hair in polyethylene, wrap it in a towel and leave it for 15-30 minutes.

With coltsfoot

1 st. l. dried flowers and leaves are placed in a ceramic teapot, poured with hot (not boiling!) Water, covered with a lid and infused for 2 hours. Then filter and rinse clean hair with warm infusion.

With dandelion flowers

3–4 tbsp. l. fresh leaves and flowers of dandelion are placed in a thermos, pour 1 liter of boiling water, leave for 30 minutes, filter and rinse clean hair with warm infusion.

With nettles

2 tbsp. l. dried nettles are placed in a saucepan, poured with cold water. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for another 15 minutes. Then filter and rinse clean hair with warm decoction.

With hop cones

100 g of cones are poured into 1 liter of boiling water and kept in a water bath for 20 minutes. Then filter and rinse clean hair with warm decoction.

With succession

100 g of cones are poured into 1 liter of boiling water and kept in a water bath for 20 minutes. Then filter and rinse clean hair with warm decoction.

With calendula

1 tsp fresh calendula flowers are poured with 1 glass of alcohol and infused for 10-12 days. Then filter, dilute with warm water in a ratio of 1:3 (1 part of the tincture and three parts of water) and rinse with clean hair.

Folk recipes for hair masks against hair loss

You will have to tinker with masks longer (both with preparation and application), but some believe that they are more effective than decoctions and infusions. Here are some remedies for hair loss prepared by women at home.

Mustard mask

Ingredients:

  • 2 st. l. mustard powder;

  • 1 tbsp. l. hot water;

  • 1 egg yolk;

  • 2 tsp castor oil;

  • 1 tsp honey

How to prepare and use

  1. Dilute the mustard with water.

  2. Add the rest of the ingredients, mix.

  3. Rub the mixture into the hair roots.

  4. Put on a plastic cap, wrap your head with a towel.

  5. After 15-30 minutes (depending on tolerance, mustard can burn very strongly), wash off the mask with warm water. It is not necessary to endure if it burns badly, it is better to wash off the mask earlier and try some other remedy.

from aloe

Ingredients:

  • 2-3 leaves of aloe;

  • 2 tsp honey

How to prepare and use

  1. Grind aloe leaves with a blender.

  2. Mix with honey.

  3. Rub the paste into the hair roots.

  4. After 15 min. wash off with warm water.

Onion

Ingredients:

  • 1 st. l. onion juice without pulp;

  • 1 st. l. castor oil;

  • 1 tsp tinctures of calendula;

  • 1 tsp. honey;

  • 1 tsp cognac;

  • 1 egg yolk.

How to prepare and use

  1. Mix all the ingredients.

  2. Rub the mixture into the hair roots.

  3. Put on a plastic cap, wrap your head with a towel.

  4. After 40-50 min. wash off the mask with warm water.

Egg

Ingredients:

  • 1 a glass of milk;

  • 1 egg;

  • 2 Art. liter. lemon juice;

  • 2 Art. l olive oil.

How to prepare and use

  1. Beat all ingredients with a whisk until smooth.

  2. Apply the mask to the roots of the hair, spread over the entire length.

  3. Put on a plastic cap, wrap your head with a towel.

  4. After 40-50 min. wash off the mask with warm water.

Banana

Ingredients:

  • 1 large ripe banana;

  • 1 Art. liter. olive oil;

  • 1 st. l. aloe juice;

  • 1 tsp honey

How to prepare and use

  1. Mash the banana with a fork.

  2. Add the rest of the ingredients, mix.

  3. Apply to clean dry hair.

  4. After 20 min. wash off with warm water.

These super-ingredients are in every home.

Effective cosmetic products to combat hair loss

In our opinion, the main advantage of folk remedies is availability: most of the ingredients can be found in every home. But they, undoubtedly, lose to the store ones in convenience and efficiency. In addition, folk remedies for strengthening or against hair loss, unlike industrial products, are not tested for safety of use, as well as for effectiveness. In a word, we are in the editorial staff of Healthy-Food so that if hair falls out a lot or the problem has just appeared, use not folk remedies, but seek the advice of a doctor and reconsider home care. Today, there are many shampoos, balms, masks, serums created to strengthen hair and help with hair loss. Below are our favourites.

Anti-hair loss remedy for women Dercos Aminexil Intensive, Vichy

It acts on the scalp, roots and hair fiber, helping to effectively fight hair loss. The aminexil molecule slows down hair loss, arginine improves the condition of the hair fiber and intensely nourishes from root to tip. The piroctone and vitamin E complex soothes the scalp and has an antimicrobial effect.

Elseve Power Mask against hair loss “Ultra strength”, L’Oréal Paris

Biotin, vitamin B5 and arginine are a great trio of active ingredients that help fight hair loss due to brittleness. The tool does not contain silicones, it can be used both as a mask and as a leave-in treatment.

Toning shampoo against hair loss Dercos, Vichy

Fights hair loss due to thinning and brittleness. Contains an aminexil molecule and a vitamin complex (panthenol, vitamin B6 and PP). Hair after application becomes noticeably stronger, livelier and denser.

Fructis Strengthening Shampoo for thick hair “Thick and Luxurious”, Garnier

Thanks to a specially designed fibracilan molecule, hair becomes denser and more voluminous every day. And pomegranate extract provides an antioxidant effect.

Toning firming conditioner against hair loss Dercos, Vichy

Aminexil and a complex with ceramide, B vitamins and vitamin PP are the main active force of this remedy. The conditioner intensively nourishes and promotes hair restoration, enveloping them with a protective film, thus preventing them from falling out due to brittleness.

Shampoo against hair loss Botanic Therapy “Castor oil and almonds”, Garnier

The creamy cake scent helps strengthen hair from the roots and combats hair loss due to breakage. Castor oil and almond extract in the shampoo nourish, strengthen, stimulate hair growth. The formula includes glycerin, responsible for moisturizing effect.

Intensive action hair mask “Growth in full force”, Garnier Fructis

The task of this mask is also the fight against hair loss as a result of brittleness, as well as strengthening and nutrition, and it does an excellent job. The composition includes ceramide and apple extract, which contribute to the restoration of the hair structure, have a nourishing and moisturizing effect.

Balm “Growth in full force”, Garnier

Contains lipid replenishing ceramide & active fruit concentrate. Apply the after-shampoo product to dry or towel-dried hair from roots to ends, do not rinse and enjoy the result: gradually the strands will become stronger and more resistant to hair loss.

Mask against hair loss Botanic Therapy “Castor oil and almonds”, Garnier

Its main components – castor oil and almonds – literally bring hair back to life. The mask fights hair loss due to brittleness, makes them elastic, restores shine. The formula strengthens the structure of the curls, as a result, they become stronger and less break.

What else can you do to keep your hair from falling out?

Hair loss is not a local problem, unless it is associated with hair breakage due to aggressive procedures (for example, lightening, perming, etc.). Whatever industrial and folk remedies for hair loss you choose, this is unlikely to be enough, an integrated approach is required. What else can you do at home to keep your hair from falling out?

  1. If hair falls out, consult a doctor (dermatologist, trichologist), here we wrote how to recognize the problem of hair loss.

  2. Make sure your diet has enough protein, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Drink plenty of water.

  3. Get regular head massages.

  4. Wash your curls correctly – apply shampoo only to the roots, and balms and masks – only to the length of the hair (unless otherwise indicated in the recommendations for use), rinse thoroughly with slightly warm, not hot water.

  5. Use hair dryers, flat irons and curling irons as little as possible.

  6. Do not brush wet hair.

  7. Don’t go to bed with wet hair.

  8. Do not use combs with natural bristles and metal teeth.

  9. Practice aroma combing – use a couple of drops of your favorite essential oil and a wooden comb for it.

Summary results

Briefly about the main thing.

Are home remedies effective for hair loss? 

“Any folk remedies for hair loss can only be an addition to treatment, and not replace it,” says dermatocosmetologist, trichologist Maria Nevskaya. Thanks to their moisturizing, tonic and antioxidant properties, they improve the condition of the scalp, stimulate nutrition and hair growth.

What is better to make masks, tinctures, decoctions for hair loss? 

We in the editorial office prefer store-bought products: they are more convenient and effective. But if you really want to experiment, try making decoctions and masks with aloe, nettle, birch leaf, chamomile, calendula, string, dandelion flowers, hop cones.

What should be done to maintain hair and prevent hair loss? 

  • Eat right.

  • Properly care for your hair (wash with warm, not hot water, rinse cleansing products and styling properly, do not comb with iron combs, do not abuse hot styling, do not use tight elastic bands).

  • Get regular head massages.

 

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