6 Steps To Reverse Hair Loss

Hair loss (alopecia) can affect your scalp, eyelashes, eyebrows and entire body.

Have you noticed that your hair is getting thinner and thinner? Then you’re probably looking for some proven ways to reverse hair loss before it’s too late.

But did you know that losing hair is normal? In fact, based on the American Academy of Dermatology, we typically lose about 50-60 hairs a day, which is considered natural. However, if you lose far more than that, you might be experiencing excessive hair loss, called alopecia.

If you are struggling with hair loss there are solutions that can help promote regrowth of your hair, decrease bald spots, reduce hair-thinning, and increase hair thickness, luster, and health. The first step is to consult with your dermatologist or trichologist to identify the root cause of hair loss, and equip you with personalized tools for regrowing hair.

In this article, we’ll share the 6 most effective treatments for hair loss, backed by scientific research to help you reverse hair loss.

But first, let’s find out the reasons behind why you are losing hair.

What are the causes of hair loss?

The causes of excessive hair loss typically vary from individual to individual. The reason is that multiple factors can contribute to hair loss. Some of the most common factors that can lead to hair loss include hormonal changes, specific medical conditions, genetics, or even stress.

Some people even think that hair loss is related to gender, as it’s more common in men than women. Even though this condition is actually more common in men (ages > 85), it turns out that 55% of women also experience excessive hair loss. Still, the pattern of hair loss is related to gender because, as studies prove, the female pattern of hair loss significantly differs in the male and female genders (Chen et al., 2021).

One thing is for sure — anyone can experience hair loss, and it’s usually determined by a number of different factors. According to Dr. Yasmin Akhunji, thyroid doctor and endocrinologist at Paloma Health, some of the most common reasons for hair loss in women tend to be thyroid dysfunction and menopause. However, looking for solutions without having determined the real reason behind this cognition isn’t useful as it requires personalized treatment.

As she proves, heredity is the most important factor in understanding the reasons for hair loss. Therefore, before looking for solutions, you should ask yourself the following questions and share your thoughts with your doctor to help them determine the right treatment plan:

• Is your hair loss stable, or does it progress?
• Is it all over your scalp or in one particular spot?
• What is your typical hairstyle? Do you dye your hair? How often do you braid it or wear ponytails?
• Do you consume any medications?
• What does your typical diet look like?
• Did you experience significant life events like menopause or illnesses like Covid-19?

After answering these questions, your doctor will have enough information to understand the reasons for your hair loss and develop a suitable treatment plan.

6 Scientifically Proven Ways to Reverse Hair Loss

Based on dermatological studies, some forms of hair loss can be reversed by several natural ingredients (e.g., Ezekwe et al., 2020). In this section, I’ll share some tips and tricks to help you take advantage of natural remedies and help you reverse your hair loss.

1.   Gotu Kola

Purchase Dr. Nicole’s favorite Gotu Kola HERE

Purchase Dr. Nicole’s favorite hair-growth blend, Luminous by Vitanica HERE

*To view and order, you will be asked to log in.

Gotu Kola is a perennial plant traditionally used in Chinese and Indonesian medicine. It is widely known as an alternative treatment for varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency in Western medicine. Surprisingly, it turns out that this herb also promotes hair growth in two ways:

• Gotu Kola extracts stimulate the growth of hair follicles and regenerate the genes responsible for hair growth.
• Gotu Kola improves blood circulation in the scalp, and as a result, it can supply the hair follicles with needed nutrition and oxygen. This promotes the strength of your blood vessels and results in strong and healthy hair.

Besides these benefits of this herb for alopecia and other conditions that cause hair loss, Gotu Kola also offers certain cognitive (e.g., Farhana et al., 2016) and mental health advantages, such as improved memory and mood, decreased anxiety, and enhanced focus. It can prevent brain fog and degeneration of brain cells, which is why it’s considered an anti-aging remedy.

2.   Horsetail

Purchase Dr. Nicole’s favorite Horsetail tincture HERE

Purchase Dr. Nicole’s favorite hair-growth blend, Luminous by Vitanica HERE

*To view and order, you will be asked to log in.

Horsetail, or Equisetum debile, is another natural remedy to reverse hair loss. Even more — it’s something you should definitely take advantage of if you’re looking for ways to promote hair growth.

The reason why this plant can reverse your hair growth is that it works as an anti-inflammatory agent. In particular, horsetail reduces IL-6, an inflammatory cell that irritates the bottom parts of your hair follicle.

This plant is especially effective for male pattern baldness, where hair loss is caused by excessive amounts of dihydrotestosterone (DHT). The way horsetail works is that it doesn’t allow 5 alpha-reductase enzymes to transform testosterone into DHT (Chaiyana et al., 2017). Keep in mind that this remedy is beneficial for male pattern baldness in both men and women.

3.   Biotin Rich Foods

Purchase Dr. Nicole’s favorite biotin supplement, Biotin 5000 mcg by Protocol for Life Balance HERE

*To view and order, you will be asked to log in.

Dermatologists frequently recommend consuming biotin or vitamin B7 to patients who complain about hair loss. While supplements that contain vitamin B7 tend to be generally safe, you can also get enough biotin by eating foods that contain this vitamin. Some of the most common biotin-rich foods are eggs, dairy products, wheat germ, nuts, fish, sweet potatoes, seeds, and mushrooms.

Keep in mind that, in this case, you don’t need to put anything on your scalp. Just having a biotin-rich diet is enough to stimulate hair growth and reverse hair loss.

4.   Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is another natural way to promote hair growth and reverse your alopecia. It’s especially effective in cases where hair growth is caused by building up too much sebum in hair follicles. Coconut oil consists of vitamins that can naturally release your scalp from sebum and, as a result, it promotes the growth of new, strong, and healthy hair in your follicles.

While there are not enough studies to prove the effectiveness of this natural remedy, Rele & Mohile (2003) found out that coconut oil can prevent hair damage.

5.   Onion Juice

Even if this seems like an unscientific method to reverse hair loss, a study has demonstrated that onion juice promotes hair regrowth in people with alopecia and improves hair structure (Sharquie & Al-Obaidi, 2002).

The way to use this to reverse hair growth is to cut an onion into halves, squeeze its juice, apply it to your scalp, and massage it for a few minutes. This technique will promote your hair growth if you consistently use it for 2 weeks.

6.   Thyroid Hormones

And finally, the last science-based remedy for hair loss that I want to share is thyroid supplements. In simple terms, the thyroid is a gland that takes part in regulating metabolism. Since healthy hair growth is related to metabolism, thyroid problems can contribute to hair loss. In fact, both over-producing and under-producing thyroid hormones can damage the proper functioning of hair follicles’ ability to regenerate themselves.

Considering this, taking thyroid hormones might help promote hair growth and avoid symptoms such as dry skin, weight gain, or brittle nails. Keep in mind that one of the most common signs of thyroid-related hair loss is losing hair on the eyebrows.

So, if you notice this or any other symptoms of excessive hair loss, consider getting your thyroid levels tested to avoid the risks of more serious conditions.

Learn more about how to be your own holistic health expert by joining the Holistic Wellness Collective!