Looking for a natural way to get healthy hair? Pure aloe may be your best friend.
Pure aloe vera comes from the aloe vera plant. It’s an all-natural resource that has a multitude of benefits. From calming skin irritation and sun-burns, to aiding digestions, aloe vera is a great natural remedy.
Recently, aloe vera has shown to have hair benefits as well. When applied to the scalp, aloe promotes hair growth, nourishes the hair follicle, reduces inflammation and swelling, and calms scalp irritation.
Why is aloe so beneficial?
Aloe contains amino acids, proteolytic enzymes, antifungal, anti-viral, and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as a plethora of nutrients. This nutrient concoction stimulates hair growth, improves overall scalp health, and helps hair grow longer and stronger.
How can you reap the benefits of aloe?
Pure aloe vera can be found at your local health foods store in plant, extract, or supplement form. While all methods benefit the body, you’ll want to use the pure plant or bottled extract methods to reap the hair benefits.
Once you have an aloe gel concentrate, you can combine it with other hair-healthy oils to create a super-hair concoction. Great oils for your hair include castor, avocado, and sunflower oils. Combine the aloe and oil of your choice and apply to the scalp. For added benefit, try warming the oil using the hot water submersion method, and massage the aloe-oil serum into the scalp for 3-5 minutes. This warmed serum massaged into the scalp increases blood-flow and circulation, which improves hair health and stimulates growth.
How often should you use aloe?
Aloe is safe and effective so it can be used as much or as little as you like. To see desired hair results, you should utilize aloe at minimum once a week. To see faster results, apply the aloe serum before every wash.
Tag Archives: holistic hair growth
Herbs for hair growth
There’s a reason so many body-care products like shampoos, lotions, and soaps contain natural herbs. Herbs are enriched with natural nutrients that are beneficial to our bodies.
Best of all, using natural, organic ingredients in your body and hair-care product reduces the risks and side effects that come with using chemical-filled products.
Herbs can be used to benefit hair specifically by moisturizing, conditioning, restoring, soothing, cleansing, and even stimulating hair growth.
Below, is a list of the most beneficial herbs for your hair and how to implement them in your daily routine.
- Rosemary – rosemary promotes hair growth and keeps hair healthy. This herb is full of antioxidants which are free-radical fighters. This wards off grey and thinning hair. Rosemary revitalizes hair by increasing shininess, bounciness, and softness. Additional benefits of rosemary are soothing scalp irritation caused by itchiness or dandruff. You can utilize rosemary in your hair care routine by doing a rosemary rinse, making rosemary oil, or using store-bought rosemary serum.
- Nettle – while itchy when you run into them in the wild, this herb is rich in vitamins A, C, K, iron, and omega-3 fatty acids. All of these vitamins and nutrients are great for your hair. Nettle benefits your hair by stimulating the scalp via improved circulation. Additional benefits of nettle is reducing oil-production, adding volume, and increasing the strength of your hair. You can use nettle safely on your hair by making a DIY nettle tea and apple cider vinegar rinse or drinking nettle tea.
- Fenugreek seeds – fenugreek seeds are full of natural proteins as well as vitamin C. Protein and vitamin C are two nutrients essential to healthy hair and hair growth. The seeds work great as a conditioner due to their viscosity or ‘mucilage.’ Benefits of fenugreek seeds are softer, bouncier hair that is easier to manage. The seeds work great as a rinse, mask, or conditioner.
Saw palmetto for hair loss
Saw palmetto is a plant with small berries found in nature across the U.S. For years, it was used by Native Americans as food and medicine. It is believed that saw palmetto treats hair loss, bladder infections, and enlarged prostates.
Evidence on the effectiveness of saw palmetto for hair loss is limited. But the initial research and reviews are promising.
So how does it work?
Saw palmetto may block the enzyme that converts testosterone to DHT. If you are unfamiliar with DHT, DHT is responsible for scalp hair loss in many individuals. You can read more about DHT here.
Saw palmetto works similarly to prescription medications that work to block DHT, such as finasteride.
If you are interested in trying saw palmetto, you can find it in four different forms: whole dried berries, tablets, liquid extract, and powdered capsules. The research studies that have been done used tablet and capsule forms of the natural medicine in their patients.
Due to the increased research on saw palmetto for treating hair loss, there are now some shampoos and conditioners that contain the plant extract.
Because of the side effects of saw palmetto, you should be cautious of drug interactions. Because the natural remedy acts similarly to finasteride, therefore the two should not be taken together. Additionally, saw palmetto may cause the blood to thin which causes increased bleeding. Make sure to inform your doctor before any procedures or new medications are prescribed.
Should you use it?
Saw palmetto may be a great natural remedy option to halt hair loss and promote hair growth. This plant extract works similarly to finasteride but is not as strong as the hair loss prescription drug.
Don’t expect a miracle. If you have just recently begun noticing hair loss or thinning, then saw palmetto may be a good option for you. But if you’ve been experiencing hair loss for some time, the plant extract is unlikely to be beneficial. Remember that once a hair follicle dies, there is no bringing it back to life.
For those with prolonged hair loss, you may need to take a more aggressive course of action. Read up on alternative methods of hair restoration here.
Caffeine for hair loss
New evidence suggests caffeine is a natural aid to reducing hair loss and stimulating hair growth. While more research needs to be done to confirm the effects, the testimonials and reviews looks promising.
Let’s explore how and why caffeine may help those experiencing hair loss.
Caffeine is a stimulant. Most commonly, its consumed as a drink, like through coffee or black tea. It can also be taken as a supplement.
When taken internally, caffeine boosts energy, halts hunger, improves mood, and keeps you awake. It does this by boosting your metabolism. Metabolism is a cellular process in which cells are excited and get to work. In laymen’s terms, caffeine stimulates your nervous system, promoting an active and engaged body and mind.
When applied externally, like to the skin or scalp, caffeine helps rejuvenate and liven skin cells. This rejuvenation of the skin cells comes from the ingredient’s natural stimulant properties. Many people report a fresh, tingly sensation after using skin or hair products with caffeine.
Caffeine to reduce hair loss and promote hair growth.
Early research shows that caffeine can help to extend the life cycle of your hair, which means more and longer hair growth. This is believed to be due to the metabolic effect caffeine has on our cells.
One theory is that cellular stimulation counteracts the miniaturization of the hair follicle. Another is that caffeine counteracts the negative effects of testosterone on the hair follicle which causes hair loss.
Many individuals state that short-term, their hair feels stronger, healthier, and shinier after applying the caffeine stimulant. Long-term benefits include increased hair length and increased hair growth density across the scalp.
While caffeine is sounding to be like a great natural method to promote hair growth and halt hair loss, you shouldn’t expect a miracle. If you’ve been experiencing hair loss for some time, introducing a caffeine-boosted shampoo isn’t going to reverse your past years of hair loss. Remember that once a hair follicle has died, there is no bringing it back to life.
Scalp massage for hair growth
Is your hair feeling unhealthy or not growing as much as it used to?
Try scalp massages to bring health and growth back to your hair.
Scalp massages are easy, take minimal time, and can be done by you every day!
This little act has a great impact.
When the scalp is massaged, the skin and hair follicles underneath are stimulated. Stimulation in the scalp means improved blood flow and circulation. Improved blood flow and circulation means more nutrients being fed to your scalp and follicles.
Scalp massages can be done while shampooing and conditioning in the shower, utilizing hot oils, or when relaxing after a long day.
Benefits of scalp massages include more nourished hair and even hair growth. If you’ve been experiencing lack of hair growth and unhealthy-feeling hair, scalp massages could be just the thing you need to get your hair back to health and growth. Consider adding warm oils which increase the benefits.
If you’ve been experiencing hair loss, it is unlikely scalp massages will help. When we begin experiencing hair loss, we need to take more aggressive approaches to stop the hair loss and possibly reverse it.
If you’d like to learn more about your options for stopping and reversing hair loss, give us a call for a consultation.
8 things you should never do to your hair
There are some things that should just be plain avoided if you’re wanting to have healthy, strong, beautiful hair. Certain behaviors, products, and habits you do every day may be causing your hair to become damaged, dull, frizzy, and to stop growing.
Below is a list of 8 things you should avoid to keep your hair growing, healthy, strong, and beautiful.
- Sleeping in your hair products – sleeping in your hair gel, hairspray, or mousse can irritate the scalp and cause buildup. Buildup on the scalp means clogged pores and suffocated hair follicles. Make sure to wash or rinse the hair products out of your hair before bed.
- Hair ties – have you ever noticed fly-aways or hair breakage about halfway down the hair strand? This is caused by tight hair bands. When you wear your hair in a tight hair tie it causes delicate surface strands to break, leaving you with a frizzy, damaged ‘do. Try hair clips instead. You get the same look with less damage.
- Towel-drying hair with cotton towels – tying your hair up in a towel post-wash is a very common practice. But it may actually be causing hair damage. Cotton bath towels are rough on our locks. The fibers grip and pull on the hair, contributing to frizz and breakage. Your best bet – go for a microfiber towel instead. You’ll notice your hair will dry faster and look better.
- Hot styling tools on damp hair – hot styling tools like straighteners and curling irons should never be used on damp hair. After washing our hair, the cuticle is open. This means your hair is in an extremely fragile state. Applying hot tools on it will cause damage deep into the cuticle. This means dullness, frizz, breakage, and split ends. Practice patience and wait until your hair is dry.
- Direct, unprotected sun exposure – this one is extremely important for those with dyed hair. Not only will the sun change the color of your hair, it will contribute to dryness, which means brittle, straw-like feeling hair. Consider changing your products to ones with SPF in them. And if you plan on spending time in the sun, wear a hat to protect your locks and color.
- Sleeping with hair in a ponytail, bun, or tight braid – your hair needs rest to. Give it a break and refrain from tying it up tight in a ponytail, bun, or braid. As you move around in your sleep, your hair is being stretched and pulled. This tension, also known as traction alopecia, can cause breakage and hair loss over time.
- Weaves – weaves are another tension hair loss culprit. Weaves are sewn into the tightly braided natural hair. This tension lasts for an extended period of time and wreaks havoc on the hair follicles. With continued use, you will experience hair loss known as traction alopecia. For which, there is no cure or reversal method, only hair transplantation.
- Over-styling hair – our hair needs a break sometimes too. Constantly using hot styling tools and products on our hair can quickly cause damage, breakage, and dullness. Every few days let your hair go au natural to give it a break from styling and products.
Are vitamins and supplements actually effective?
Vitamin and supplement sales are one of the most profitable areas in the health industry.
These vitamins and supplements claim to close nutritional gaps, boost energy, promote weight loss, improve sleep, improve skin, improve hair, the list goes on! But do they actually follow through when it comes to these claims?
Doctors advise that while vitamins and supplements can be beneficial when it comes to meeting minor nutrient deficiencies or gaps, they shouldn’t take the place of real, whole food in a healthy diet.
A simple blood test will tell you what nutrients you may be lacking in. Many individuals have below the recommended amount of calcium, magnesium, vitamin D, and vitamin B12 in their systems. Good natural sources of these vitamins are milk, green veggies, fruit, beans, fish, eggs, meat, and poultry. If you find you’re still low in a specific nutrient, vitamins may help you reach your goal.
Experts recommend taking a vitamin for exactly the nutrient you need as opposed to a broad spectrum multivitamin. Over the years, research has shown that multivitamins are less effective than their specific vitamin counterparts. This may be because of the concentrated amounts of nutrients within them. A multivitamin has low doses of many vitamins, while a specific vitamin, like b12 for example, has mostly, if not all b12 in it. This concentrated vitamin allows your body to absorb more of the nutrient you need.
If you’re looking towards vitamins and supplements to help you reach a certain goal, such as weight loss, hair growth, or improved sleep, remember that the best approach to health and wellness is a comprehensive one. A healthy diet and good habits, such as exercise, will help you in reaching your goals. If you find that behavior changes and supplementation aren’t cutting it, you may need to try another approach. Prescription medications are much stronger and more effective that vitamins and supplements. Regardless, vitamins and supplements are a great place to start in helping you reach your goals, especially if you aren’t quire ready for the prescription route. You should meet with your doctor to discuss all of your options.
Are these things keeping your hair from growing?
Many people who experience hair loss or who are trying to grow their hair have tried many products. These products such as oils, masks, shampoos, and pills all boast of their amazing hair regrowth abilities. Unfortunately, most individuals are disappointed to discover they see little success with these products.
What if it’s not so much about what products you need to take or use, but rather what products you should avoid?
You may be surprised to hear that there are things we consume and products we use everyday that can stunt hair growth. Below, I list some common hair growth enemies that you should avoid when working on re-growing your hair.
- Coffee and tea – coffee and tea make the body acidic. When the body is acidic it utilizes other nutrients to neutralize the acidity. These nutrients are often taken from non-essential tissues like the scalp. As we’ve talked about before, our hair needs all of its nutrients so that it can grow strong and healthy. Can’t bear the thought of cutting out coffee and tea completely? Moderation is key. Don’t consume more than 2 cups of coffee or tea per day.
- Processed foods – processed foods not only lack the healthy nutrients our bodies crave, but they also contain harmful chemicals and ingredients. Cutting out processed foods will not only make your hair feel better but your body as well.
- Lack of sleep – sleep is when our bodies heal and regenerate. It’s also when many bodily processes occur. Weight loss and hair growth are two of the many processes that occur during sleep. If you’re not getting an adequate amount of sleep or getting into REM sleep, those processes may not occur. Make sure you’re getting at least 7-8 hours of uninterrupted sleep per night.
- Smoking – everyone knows smoking is bad for you, but not everyone knows its linked to hair loss. It’s pretty black and white: the bad truly outweighs the good when it comes to smoking.
- Lack of exercise – exercise increases blood circulation, releases endorphin’s, and rids the body of toxins. All of these benefits promote healthy skin and hair. If you work at a desk or on a computer, try to break up periods of sitting every 2-3 hours. A simple walk around the building or a jog up the stairs allow you to keep blood flowing and nutrients moving throughout the body. Additionally, you should aim for a minimum of 20 minutes of purposeful activity per day.
