What naturally grows hair?

How To Stimulate Hair Growth Naturally

You are not alone if you are wondering how to stimulate hair growth. The average person loses about 70 to 100 strands of hair every day. However, this is typically not noticeable because they fall out over the course of the day and are replaced by new hair growth.

Every human hair goes through a growth cycle that allows the hair follicles to grow hair, rest, and then allow the hair to fall out. With the fall of an old hair, the growth of a new one comes in and the process starts over again.

Even though the process of hair loss and hair growth is natural, it can be discouraging to lose hair, especially when we seem to be losing hair faster than we are growing hair naturally. Many people wonder what to use for hair growth so they can stimulate their hair follicles and promote hair growth at a faster rate.

Fortunately, there are several different ideas and methods for how to grow hair naturally at a faster rate than your body would likely accomplish on its own. A variety of natural remedies for hair growth have been tested over time, and specially designed products featuring natural ingredients for hair growth are also available to promote hair growth.

If you think you may be experiencing hair loss or want to grow your hair quicker, check out all of these different ways to help stimulate hair follicles to promote hair growth.

Natural Remedies To Help Promote Hair Growth

Many people experiencing hair loss are interested in how to naturally grow their hair back. Knowing what to use for hair growth can be tricky because every person is different, and some natural remedies for hair regrowth may work for one person but not for another.

Some ideas for how to grow hair naturally focus on the need to stimulate hair follicles, while many other natural remedies for hair growth involve applying something to your scalp to deliver helpful vitamins and nutrients. Give more than one of the following ideas a try to see which of these natural remedies for hair growth work best to help with growing your hair naturally.

1. Massage your scalp with essential oils, several of which are natural remedies for hair regrowth. Try this recipe: One tablespoon of almond oil, three to four drops of rosemary essential oil and peppermint essential oil. Mix them together and rub it into your scalp to stimulate hair growth.

For a different kind of hair stimulator, you can also try to rub your scalp every morning with a mix of three ounces of cayenne pepper and 1/5 of vodka. Just rub a small amount of mixture into your scalp once every morning to help stimulate your hair follicles and increase blood circulation.

2. Take a vitamin B supplement. The B vitamin biotin is especially important for hair growth and is one of the natural ingredients for hair growth in many natural hair health supplements.

3. Brush your hair every morning with a naturally bristled brush, for example with boar bristles, since brushing can stimulate your hair follicles.

4. Use castor oil, which is rich in omega-9 fatty acids and vitamin E that facilitate healthy hair growth. It is very thick and sticky so you can help increase its efficacy by mixing one ounce of castor oil with four drops of rosemary essential oil and massaging it into your scalp. Rinse out after 30 to 45 minutes.

5. Eggs are a great source of protein , which your hair needs. Whisk two egg yolks together with two tablespoons of olive oil. Apply it to your scalp and massage it in, then leave on for 15 to 20 minutes. Rinse it off with cold water and then shampoo.

6. Use lemon juice. When applied to the scalp, lemon juice stimulates circulation and prevents hair loss. You can mix it with oil and rub it into your scalp for half an hour before washing it out5. .

Lifestyle Changes to Consider Making

While home treatments featuring natural ingredients for hair growth can be helpful, in order to really stimulate hair growth and get a healthy scalp, it’s important to have good overall health. Improving your health might require you to make some changes from the inside.

Increase good stomach acids . It may sound strange, but one idea for how to grow hair naturally is to increase the number of certain stomach acids within your body. With the right kinds of foods, you can increase the right kinds of stomach acids to promote healthier hair growth. That is because the acids in your gut are responsible for your nutrient assimilation. The better your body can process nutrients, the more nutrients it can make available to help your hair grow.

Consume collagen or gelatin . Could a boxed gelatin dessert be part of the answer for how to naturally grow hair? Gelatin is a natural hair stimulator that contains a mix of amino acids that promote the growth of hair, nails and healthy skin. You can find unflavored gelatin base in your local food stores, typically in the baking aisle. Mix with soups, smoothies or tea for an extra boost of gelatin to help stimulate hair growth.

Balance out your hormones . Cortisol, estrogen, and thyroid hormones all need balancing. Estrogen dominance is a common hormone imbalance in women . It can sometimes be caused by toxins like pesticides and BPA that act like estrogen in the body, resulting in an imbalance. Elevated levels of estrogen often contribute to hair loss for both men and women.

Cortisol can spike due to stress on the body. It needs to be regulated in order for us to function daily and for hair growth to happen.

Thyroid hormones can typically be regulated with a healthy metabolism. Both work together to promote healthy hair growth.

Conclusion: What to Use for Hair Growth?

Trying some of these tips should help stimulate healthier hair growth, but a hair stimulator that works well for one person may not be as effective for someone else. Try them all, or just a few, and use a combination of what works for you. There are also great hair health supplements on the market that only use natural ingredients and could be another good option to promote hair growth. Whatever treatment or products you choose, with time and consistency, you will likely have healthier looking hair.

What you eat promotes radiant hair, skin and nails naturally

From lotions and moisturizers to conditioners and argan oil to nail-growth polish and supplements, money spent on products to promote shiny hair, supple skin and sturdy nails can add up fast. Instead of spending your hard-earned money on these products, spend it on groceries.

Diet is a major factor in the condition of your hair, skin and nails. If you’re on point with your nutrition, natural beauty can follow.

When you’re getting the right amount of vitamins and minerals every day, your body will function better. That means hydrated skin, shiny hair and strong nails.

Though you should be getting the right amount of vitamins, minerals and water every day, your body functions at its best. That can lead to hydrated skin, shiny hair and strong nails. Vitamins A, E and D; iron; healthy fats; carbohydrates; and protein are especially important for skin, hair and nail health.

Avoid too much of a good thing

If you’re already eating a balanced diet of vegetables, fruits, grains, lean proteins and healthy fats, you shouldn’t need pricey supplements. While supplements are necessary for some, they’re not for everyone. However, if you’re considering a supplement, opt for a multivitamin that provides 100% of essential vitamins and minerals.

One mistake is consuming too much of one vitamin or taking unnecessary supplements. Your body gets rid of excess vitamins and minerals, leading to money wasted on unneeded nutrients. Also, taking too much of one vitamin or mineral may deplete another.

Zinc and copper are prime examples. Research shows those taking extra zinc often leads to a loss of copper, a mineral important in bone health. Too much copper can deplete zinc.

Lock in moisture, support growth

Healthy fats lock moisture into your hair, skin and nails. And since your hair is primarily protein, eating the recommended amount of protein is needed for hair growth.

Lacking essential nutrients can not only prevent you from gaining radiant hair, skin and nails, but also can worsen their current condition. Those who consume low-calorie or low-carbohydrate diets sometimes experience thinning and brittle hair strands.

The calories from carbohydrates produce energy for vital organs and tissues. When carbs are drastically reduced, the body may not have enough energy to support hair growth. Also, people who greatly restrict their calories may not get enough of the essential nutrients, especially those healthy fats and proteins.

Here’s a breakdown of where you should get calories every day:

• 20% from protein
• 20%–30% from healthy fats
• 45%–60% from carbohydrates

Choose these foods for hair, skin and nail health

Keep a balanced diet by eating a variety of foods to supply the healthy fats, carbs, protein, vitamins and minerals your body needs every day. Your hair, skin and nails will thank you.

Check out this quick guide to sources of nutrients that will help you gain flawless hair, skin and nails:

Healthy fats

• Unsaturated fats, such as olive or canola oil
• Omega 3, which is found in nuts and seeds, such as almonds, chia and flax
• Plant-based fats from avocados

Protein

• Poultry, such as chicken and turkey
• Lean red meat, 85% lean or higher
• Seafood, such as shrimp
• Fish, such as salmon and tuna

Iron

• Lean red meat
• Leafy green vegetables, such as spinach
• Fortified cereals

Vitamin A

• Cooked yellow vegetables, such as sweet potatoes and winter squash
• Liver or liver oil
• Cooked leafy greens, such as kale, turnips and collards

Vitamin E

• Nuts and seeds, such as almonds and sunflower seeds
• Fish, such as salmon and rainbow trout

Vitamin D

• Eggs, specifically the yolk
• Fish, such as salmon, herring, sardines and canned tuna

How to Grow Natural Hair

It’s no secret that there are plenty of old wives’ tales mixed in with proven methods when it comes to natural hair growth.

From a rice water rinse to nourishing natural hair products to using oil to moisturize hair, and more, the list can go on and on. And while you may have tested out a few theories, there’s plenty about how to grow natural hair that you may not be aware of.

In all honesty, natural hair growth comes down to the health of your hair, your routine, and other steps you take on an everyday basis. While you may hope that you can grow natural hair in a flash, patience is fundamental to get the long, thick strands you desire. With that said, you may need to make some changes to your routine to start your journey toward longer hair. Here, we’re sharing a complete guide on how to grow natural hair, with tips from Cataanda James, the Senior Technician at the New York Technical Center for L’Oréal USA. Let’s get into it!

How to Grow Natural Hair: 8 Tips

From using the best natural hair products to protecting your hair at night, there are plenty of ways to boost natural hair growth. Here are eight hair growth tips straight from an expert.

1. Maintain a healthy diet. Just as a healthy diet is essential for your overall health, it’s also crucial for natural hair growth. In fact, what you eat is the foundation for healthy growth. James shares, “The blood vessels nourish the cells in the hair bulb, which is the base of the hair follicle, so what you consume is vital.”

There are lots of foods that can help with growth. According to James, these include everything from liver to whole wheat bread. Yep! Other examples of food for hair growth include cauliflower, kiwi, papaya, and green vegetables. The reason these foods can help you boost growth is that they are full of healthy vitamins and nutrients. Seek out foods with vitamin K, C, and A to take your hair care routine to the next level.

Is this advice sounding familiar? Per James, “Taking your mom’s advice and eating all your veggies and fruits is the best practice for continuous growth of your hair!”

2. Drink plenty of water. Not only does drinking water ensure that your body functions properly, but it also helps in your quest to grow out your hair. Water contains tons of minerals and vitamins that your body needs. Plus, since natural hair is always craving moisture, you’ll be able to provide your strands with hydration from the inside out to work your way to more gorgeous hair.

3. Use the right natural hair growth products. Whether you’re dealing with low or high porosity hair, all curl types need moisture and hydration. Choosing the best natural hair products for growth is key. What you might not expect is that the best hair growth products aren’t one-size-fits-all. According to James, they can vary from person to person.

Think about what your hair needs to be healthier—the same things are likely to aid in growth. James recommends the Monoi Repairing System, a collection of products that prevents future hair breakage and promises stronger hair that can grow longer. Keep in mind, if your hair is always breaking, it won’t be able to grow very long.

You can build a complete hair care routine using the system, starting with the Monoi Repairing Sulfate Free Shampoo and Repairing Conditioner. You’ll also want to stock your shower and medicine cabinet with the Monoi Repairing Hair Mask, which is an intense treatment that reverses damage, and the Monoi Repairing Anti-Breakage Spray for a leave-in conditioner that can help end shedding.

4. Get regular trims. You had to have known that this was coming. Getting regular trims is a must if you want to grow beautiful natural hair. While cutting hair does not make it grow faster—despite what you may have heard—skipping cuts can be problematic.

Trimming your hair helps to get rid of damaged, broken, or split ends, and what’s the point of having long hair if your ends are so badly out of shape? There’s also the factor that breaks can eventually travel up your hair and damage more than just your ends, and even lead to the hair completely breaking off—definitely not what you want when trying to encourage growth. Always make sure to get your hair trimmed at least every 10 to 12 weeks.

5. Scalp massages. Scalp massages are a great way to increase blood circulation to the hair follicles and increase hair growth levels. The more you stimulate the scalp, the quicker you can begin to see hair growth. A great way to incorporate this tip into your routine would be to do so during your cleansing session by including a gentle scalp massage when shampooing or conditioning.

6. Protect your hair at night. An excellent way to complement your natural hair routine is by protecting your hair at night. When you sleep on your curls, tossing and turning can cause a lot of friction and remove moisture from your hair. As you already know, moisture goes hand-in-hand with natural hair. Sleep on a satin pillowcase or cover your hair with a silk bonnet to maintain hydration.

7. De-stress. Loosening up may be an obvious tip, but it’s important to de-stress. Stress can get in the way of your natural hair growth and can even lead to hair loss. For this reason, it’s a great idea to minimize stress whenever possible. How about tackling two birds with one stone by indulging in a self-care session complete with a strengthening hair mask?

8. Take your vitamins. With your quest for natural hair growth, it’s not a bad idea to add vitamins to your routine. What might surprise you is that while biotin is often touted as the ultimate hair growth vitamin, it may not be the best option. According to James, “Like all B vitamins, the body doesn’t store biotin, nor does it naturally produce it,”

So, what vitamins should you take? A hair, skin, and nails vitamin is a great option for growing natural hair. “They contain all of the vitamins and minerals your body needs for proper nourishment,” James says.

Can You Use Home Remedies for Hair Growth?

Do you really need to go out to the store and buy a bunch of products? There are so many DIY hair growth treatment ideas and natural home remedies for hair growth that get recommended on Pinterest and Instagram; maybe those are the way to go. As it runs out, James reveals that there are home remedies that can help your natural hair grow. With that said, the best remedy to boost hair growth is to maintain a clean, healthy scalp and get regular trims. This means that staying consistent with a natural hair care routine and maintaining healthy habits are both musts to get results.

How Long Does It Take to Grow Natural Hair?

We can’t share the best hair growth tips without tackling this question: How long does it take to grow natural hair? As it turns out, like many things in life, how fast hair grows varies. James shares, “If the hair follicle is infected or weakened, this could temporarily slow down and even prevent hair growth,” continuing, she says, “If the follicle is permanently damaged or dead, there is no cell regeneration, and it will not regrow hair at all.” Generally, you can expect healthy hair to grow about half an inch per month.

Editor’s note: Wondering about hair growth for your edges? If damage has done a number on your baby hairs, here’s How to Grow Your Edges Back.

How Can I Speed Up Hair Growth?

Whether you want to rock a specific long hairstyle or are in the process of switching to natural hair, it’s not out of the norm to wish you could make your hair grow faster. While there are some ways to accelerate the length of your strands, it’s essential to realize that it’s not an overnight process. You likely have heard talks about how to grow hair faster in just a week, but James says it’s simply not possible.

How can you grow your hair faster? A good diet and regular exercise can stimulate hair growth. How does the latter work? James says, “It increases blood flow to the scalp resulting in better circulation, which promotes a stronger hair growth cycle.”

Scalp massages, which we touched on earlier, can also help speed things up. Indulge in a gentle scalp massage with the pads of your fingertips to increase blood flow. “The more you stimulate the scalp and get the blood flowing, the quicker you will begin to see growth,” she shares. So, what are you waiting for? Next time you’re washing your hair (or co-washing), give your scalp a nice massage.

Speaking of which, now that you know the best hair care tips for growth, make sure you know How to Wash Curly (And How Often to Do It).