10 Home Remedies + Prevention Tips For Thinning Hair

Nowadays, your hair has to fight with so many things out there to stay healthy and thick. Stress, pollution, and hormonal changes contribute to your hair thinning at an alarming rate. Don’t give up just yet because a few home remedies for thinning hair can do just the trick.

Your hair thinning could be a sign of a poor diet, allergies, changes in hormones, poor lifestyle choices, or an underlying medical condition. While various medical treatments treat hair loss quickly, a few ingredients from the pantry can effectively treat your problem and give you strong and healthy hair in the long run. In this article, we look at a few home remedies and tips you can follow to reduce thinning hair. Check them out below!

Home Remedies For Thinning Hair

1. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera contains proteolytic enzymes that help heal and repair dead skin cells (1). This could help stimulate hair growth from dormant hair follicles, thus increasing hair volume (2). Daily consumption of aloe vera juice is also recommended to help promote hair growth.

You Will Need

• 2 teaspoons aloe vera gel

Prep Time

• 5 minutes

Processing Time

30 minutes

Process

1. Extract about 2 teaspoons of gel from an aloe vera leaf. You can do this by slicing the leaf with a knife and simply scooping the gel out.
2.  Blend the gel so that it gets to a smooth consistency.
3. Start massaging the gel into your scalp with your fingertips.
4. After massaging your scalp for about 5 minutes with the gel, leave it on for an additional 25 minutes.
5. Rinse it out with warm water.

How Often?

Twice a week.

2. Eggs

Eggs are a rich source of protein and sulfur that stimulate hair growth  (3). Frequent protein treatments are crucial for hair shine and thickness.

You Will Need

• 1 whole egg
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Shower cap

Prep Time

5 minutes

Processing Time

20 minutes

Process

1. In a bowl, combine one egg with one tablespoon of olive oil. Stir until you get a smooth mixture.
2. Apply the mixture to your hair and scalp, working it in from the roots to the tips.
3. Once your scalp and hair are completely covered in the mixture, leave it on for about 20 minutes.
4. Cover your hair with a shower cap during this time to avoid a mess.
5. Proceed to wash your hair with shampoo and cool water. Do not use warm water to wash your hair at this point as it can ‘cook’ the egg.
6.  Finish by conditioning your hair. (You may skip this step if you have oily hair.)

Naznin Azeez, a blogger, shared her experience of preparing a similar hair mask. However, she used egg yolks instead of the whole egg and rinsed the mask simply with plain water. She says, “I washed really well and I felt the olive oil in it didn’t actually make my hair ‘oily’. So I preferred not to use a shampoo (i).” She recommends using the mask once or twice a week and adds, “This mask STINKS. Such a horrid smell. But the result it gives is fantastic and I don’t mind tolerating the smell for that!”

How Often?

1-2 times a week.

3. Avocado

Avocado contains vitamins A, B6, C, and E (4). These nutrients help support healthy hair growth (5). It also contains omega-3 fatty acids and essential amino acids that deeply nourish and condition your hair and follicles (4), (6).

You Will Need

• 1 ripe avocado
• 1 ripe banana
• Shower cap

Prep Time

5 minutes

Processing Time

30 minutes-1 hour

Process

1. Mash the avocado and banana in a bowl until you get a smooth, lump-free mixture.
2. Apply the mixture to your hair and scalp, working it in from the roots to the tips.
3.  Once your scalp and hair are completely covered in the mixture, leave it on for about 30 minutes to an hour.
4. Cover your hair with a shower cap during this time to avoid a mess.
5. Proceed to wash your hair with shampoo and cool water.
6. You can skip conditioning as the hair mask will leave your hair feeling soft and smooth.

How Often?

Once a week.

4. Amla

Amla helps in hair strengthening and promotes hair growth (7). It is a powerhouse of antioxidants and `. The high amounts of vitamin C in this pack help boost the collagen levels in your scalp, thus increasing hair growth (8).

You Will Need

• 1 tablespoon amla powder
• 1 tablespoon lime juice

Prep Time

5 minutes

Processing Time

15-20 minutes

Process

1. Combine equal parts of amla and lime juice until you get a smooth mixture.
2. Apply the mixture to your hair and scalp, working it in from the roots to the tips.
3. Once your scalp is covered in the mixture, leave it on until it dries up.
4. Proceed to wash your hair with shampoo and cool water.

How Often?

Once a week.

5. Fenugreek Seeds

Fenugreek is traditionally used as a remedy for hair growth. Although there is no scientific evidence that fenugreek possesses the ability to induce hair growth, animal studies have found that it can treat dandruff (9).

You Will Need

• 2 tablespoons fenugreek seeds
• 1/2 cup water

Prep Time

8 hours+ 10 minutes

Processing Time

30 minutes

Process

1. Soak the fenugreek seeds in half a cup of water and leave it overnight.
2.  In the morning, blend the seeds with a little bit of the water that it was soaked in until you get a thick, smooth paste.
3. Apply the mixture to your hair and scalp, working it in from the roots to the tips.
4. Once your scalp and hair are completely covered in the mixture, leave it on for about 30 minutes.
5. Proceed to wash your hair with shampoo and cool water.

How Often?

Once a week.

6. Henna Leaves

Henna contains phenolic compounds that combat a number of hair issues like lice and dandruff (10). Such phenolic compounds also have the potential to boost hair growth and combat alopecia areata(11). Along with alopecia treatment, some anecdotal evidence suggests that henna conditions hair and makes it more manageable.

You Will Need

• A bunch of fresh henna leaves
• 1 cup water
• Shower cap

Prep Time

5 minutes

Processing Time

3 hours

Process

1. Grind the fresh henna leaves with some water until you get a smooth mixture.
2.  Apply the mixture to your hair and scalp, working it in from the roots to the tips.
3. Once your scalp and hair are completely covered in the mixture, leave it on for about 3 hours.
4. Cover your hair with a shower cap during this time to avoid a mess.
5. Proceed to wash your hair with shampoo and cool water.

How Often?

Once a month.

7. Coconut Oil

Coconut oil contains compounds that naturally condition your hair and promote growth. It can also be mixed with other oils like castor oil or almond oil. It is rich in essential minerals, lauricacid(a fatty acid), iron, and potassium that prevent hair breakage (12). Lauric acid also has antimicrobial properties that help maintain scalp health and dandruff prevention (13).

You Will Need

2 tablespoons coconut oil

Prep Time

2 minutes

Processing Time

45 minutes

Process

1. In a bowl, heat the coconut oil for a couple of seconds until it is slightly warm.
2.  Use your fingertips to massage the oil into your scalp.
3. After massaging your scalp for about 15 minutes, work the oil into the rest of your hair and leave it on for an additional 30 minutes.
4. Optionally, you could sleep with the oil in your hair and then wash it off in the morning.
5. Rinse the oil out with shampoo.

How Often?

2-3 times a week.

8. Green Tea

Green tea is loaded with antioxidants that help fight off the damaging free radicals, keeping your scalp and hair healthy (14). It also helps stimulate new hair growth (15).

You Will Need

1 cup freshly brewed green tea

Prep Time

10 minutes

Processing Time

1 hour

Process

1. Brew a cup of green tea and let it cool.
2. Pour the green tea through your hair and give yourself a scalp massage.
3. Ensure that your hair is completely saturated with the tea. Leave it on for one hour.
4. Rinse your hair with lukewarm water.

How Often?

1-2 times a week.

9. Witch hazel

If you have an oily scalp and dandruff, witch hazel can help curb these issues and unclog your pores. It is also a strong antioxidant (16).  Thus, it may help fight oxidative stress, which can prevent hair loss. This remedy is perfect for people with oily and combination hair types.

You Will Need

• 2 teaspoon witch hazel
• A cotton pad

Prep Time

1 minute

Processing Time

5 minutes

Process

1. Comb out your hair to get rid of any tangles.
2. Dab witch hazel onto your scalp using a cotton pad.
3. Leave it on for about 15 minutes and then wash your hair as you normally would.

How Often?

2-3 times a week.

Quick Tip

Always use alcohol-free witch hazel. You may also use witch hazel buffered with aloe vera and rose water. These ingredients make witch hazel more tolerable.

10. Onion Juice

Onions are known for their excellent hair growth-stimulating properties. They not only curb hair loss and boost hair growth but also stimulate hair regrowth from dormant follicles (17).

You Will Need

1 large onion

Prep Time

5 minutes

Processing Time

15 minutes

Process

1. Peel the onion and cut it into small pieces.
2. Use a food processor to puree the onion and then extract its juice using a cheesecloth. You can also use the boil method.
3. Massage the onion juice onto your scalp for about 5 minutes and then leave it on for an additional 10 minutes.
4. Proceed to wash your hair as you normally would.

How Often?

2-3 times a week.

Quick Tip

Daily brushing your hair gently in one direction with a soft brush with fibers reduces hair thinning.

These home remedies may help improve your hair health and reduce thinning hair. However, understanding the causes behind it may help you figure out the right treatment for it. Scroll down to the next section to find out.

Causes Of Thinning Hair

Here is a list of facts that may cause thinning hair:

• Using hair products containing harsh chemicals.
• Overdoing hair color treatments, relaxers, and perms.
• Wearing tight hairstyles like ponytails.
• Vitamin and mineral deficiencies like riboflavin, folate, selenium, and zinc (18).
• Stress (19).
• Hormonal changes (20).

Most causes of thinning hair can be prevented if you take care of your hair. Scroll down to the next section for some simple ti[s to help prevent thinning hair.

Prevention Tips For Thinning Hair

1. Use mild sulfate-free shampoos that are free from harmful chemicals.
2. Enrich your diet with proteins and essential nutrients.
3. Avoid using heat styling tools.
4. Keep a check on your medications. Consult your doctor to find out if any of your medicines can cause hair loss.
5. Keep yourself hydrated.
6. Massage your hair with essential oils, such as jojoba oil, rosemary oil, lavender oil, and tea tree oil (diluted in a carrier oil).
7. Do not comb your hair when it is wet.

Infographic: 4 Easy Home Remedies For Thinning Hair

Factors like pollution, hormonal changes, and stress contribute to thinning hair today. The good news is that a few simple ingredients from your kitchen can stimulate hair growth and improve your overall hair health. We have rounded up 4 natural ways of reducing thinning hair in the infographic below! Scroll down to know more!

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Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

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Frequently Asked Questions

What to eat for thicker hair?

Maintaining a healthy and balanced diet is a vital part of ensuring hair thickness. A lot of the time hair fall is directly related to a vitamin or mineral deficiency. For hair fall prevention, here’s a list of foods that you should include in your diet to avoid nutrient deficiencies:

• Spinach
• Salmon
• Yogurt
• Cinnamon
• Guava
• Oatmeal
• Eggs
• Oysters
• Lentils
• Liver
• Poultry
• Barley
• Sweet Potato
• Nuts and Seeds
• Shitake Mushrooms
• Halibut
• Bok Choy

What are the best vitamins for treating hair thinning?

Vitamins A, B, C, D, E, and K are all extremely important when it comes to maintaining hair health. Deficiencies in any of these vitamins can have adverse effects on your hair. However, the most important of these vitamins are vitamin C, Niacin (vitamin B3), Panthenol (vitamin B5), and Biotin (vitamin B7) (21). The most commonly taken hair vitamin is Biotin. While supplements can be largely beneficial, it is crucial to consult a health care professional before you start taking any.

How much biotin should I take for hair thinning?

It is recommended to take 700mcg-1000mcg of biotin per day. Not only will biotin improve hair health, but also improve the health of your skin and nails.

Does thinning hair look better short or long?

Short hairstyles like blunt cuts and bobs suit thin hair better because there is less weight pulling it down and flattening it.

How often should you wash thinning hair?

Washing your hair three times a week is enough to keep the scalp clean. However, avoid frequent shampooing and limit it to 1-2 times a week. Your washing schedule also depends on the overall scalp and hair health.

Can thinning hair grow back?

Thinning hair might regrow depending on the causes of the thinning. If it is due to an underlying condition, treating it may help restore your normal hair growth cycle. However, hair regrowth is possible only if the follicles are healthy and intact.

A little extra care might be just the thing you need to kiss your hair fall woes goodbye. All of these home remedies for thinning hair are simple and can be prepared in less than 5 minutes. Do you know of any other ways how to fix thin hair naturally? Tell us what worked for you in the comments section below.

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

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Tiffany YoungCertified Trichology Practitioner

     

Tiffany Young is the CEO and founder of ThinHairThick and a certified trichology practitioner with 6 years of experience. She is also a recognized expert in the hair and beauty industry with celebrity clientele. Her own personal struggles with hair loss created an opportunity for her to deep-dive into learning all things related to medical conditions and external factors that...more

Arshiya SyedaSenior Editor

 

Arshiya Syeda is a senior editor at StyleCraze with 7 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer and combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care. She holds a bachelor's degree in literature and psychology from Osmania University, Hyderabad, and a post-graduate diploma in psychological...more

Anjali SayeeAssociate Editor

Anjali is an associate editor at StyleCraze. She specializes in hairstyles and hair and skin care and has written over 200 articles in these domains. She has 7 years of experience, and her philosophy about hair and skin care is simple: if you love and care for it, it will be healthy. She has taken it upon herself to show...more

Swathi ESenior Beauty & Lifestyle Writer

Swathi has a postgraduate degree in English literature from The English And Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and over two years of experience in writing on health and lifestyle. She also has a diploma in English journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Kottayam, and is a certified skincare coach. She writes on skin care and aims to present well-researched...more