Take a look at the hair care aisle in your local grocery store and you’re likely to find dozens upon dozens of products geared towards solving the issue of hair loss. Hair loss and premature balding have long been the most common hair-related issues, and the number of products and remedies geared towards solving these problems goes to show how difficult it has been to find an effective cure. Thankfully, there are several natural products that you might already own that can help you on your journey to better hair growth!
Aloe Vera
It’s very likely that you already have this in your medicine cabinet, as aloe vera has been used for decades as a useful sunburn remedy. But did you know that its benefits extend to the world of hair care, as well? What makes aloe so effective in soothing sunburnt skin is its naturally soothing and hydrating properties that help to reduce inflammation and accelerate the healing process. Given that scalp inflammation is one of the leading causes of hair loss, it makes sense that aloe, when applied to an inflamed or irritated scalp, can help to reduce hair loss as well! As if that weren’t enough, aloe is packed with multiple vitamins, minerals, and amino acids that help boost hair and scalp health.
Rosemary
Beloved by many for its relaxing, tranquility-inducing scent, rosemary oil is beginning to gain traction as an effective ingredient in skincare and hair care applications. Rosemary oil has been proven to be a natural antibacterial and antifungal ingredient, making it an excellent option for treating fungal and bacterial infections which may impede hair growth. When looking at its chemical compounds, rosemary is packed with triterpenoids such as ursolic acid, rosmarinic acid, camphor, and betulinic acid. These triterpenoids possess potent anti-inflammatory and skin-healing properties, which assists in healing scalp inflammation, one of the key contributors to hair loss. Additionally, rosemary has been theorized to contain components which help prevent the expression of DHT, which is a testosterone-linked hormone proven to cause hair loss in men.
Peppermint
Aside from evoking feelings of the winter holidays, peppermint oil has long been a staple in personal care products such as body washes, shampoos, and conditioners due to the stimulating, tingling sensation it provokes when applied to skin. This stimulating feeling is a result of the oil increasing blood circulation in the applied area, which is caused by its active chemical compound, menthol. Menthol is the active ingredient in countless pain-relief products due to its ability to both soothe inflammation while stimulating blood circulation to promote the healing of damaged muscle and tissue. Similarly, menthol, when applied to the scalp via peppermint oil, can potentially soothe and calm inflamed and irritated scalps while also stimulating blood circulation to expedite the healing process. Additionally, this extra circulation could potentially stimulate underactive hair follicles, which can help boost the natural hair growth process.