You wake up, brush your hair, and then sadly look at your brush and see a gob of strands in the tines or the lingering locks on your pillow—sucks, but it happens, especially as we age. The main cause of thinning hair (women can suffer from a receding hairline too) is iron deficiency. As we gracefully get older, our bodies process vital nutrients for strong and healthy hair, like iron, more slowly.
When iron levels are too low, it becomes nearly impossible for the body to transport oxygen to cells—oxygen that is needed for hair to grow. Iron deficiency can be caused by a lack of iron in the diet, as well as losing too much iron during menstruation. Thankfully, there are at-home remedies to promote growth. Ahead, we’re sharing six ways to prevent excessive loss and maintain your lovely mane.
Add a scalp massager to your in-shower routine. The tool helps to increase blood circulation, which invigorates the roots of your hair and prevents thinning. The massage motion of this method helps stimulate the scalp and can improve hair thickness by encouraging cell turnover. It doesn’t hurt that this is also an overall relaxing experience.
Before scalp massagers were a thing, Kourt used to hang upside down on her bed while talking on the phone to allow the blood to deeply rush to her scalp and enter the hair follicles.
Revival™ Stimulating Therapy Massager
Price: $16
Briogeo Scalp
Give your body a biotin boost to increase hair growth and promote stronger nails. Add the supplement to your morning routine, and over time you’ll start to see results (i.e., thicker and shinier locks).
Liquid Multi-Vitamin Supplement
Price: $45
DL.MD
If you’re looking for a professional treatment to help with hair growth, Dr. Jason Diamond recommends PRP. “Platelet-rich plasma, otherwise known as PRP, has a high concentration of growth factors, platelets, and proteins, all of which combine to increase circulation and tissue regeneration to the scalp and damaged hair follicles. It is imperative to determine the appropriate potency of platelets so that the efficacy of the treatment is optimized,” he explains.
Our team is hooked on Vegamour’s vegan and cruelty-free haircare line. Although our editor, Michelle Scanga, was skeptical at first, she now stans the brand. “It definitely took a solid two to three months to start seeing results, but the left side of my part (where I was seeing um, IDK, partial balding) is starting to grow back and fill in. I use the GRO serum daily plus the nourishing shampoo and conditioner. All you have to do is fill the droplet with the good-for-you serum and trace your hairline with the product. Then use your fingers to rub it in. Your hair will look greasy for like 20 minutes post-application but then once it dries you’ll never be able to tell there’s product in it. That’s one of the reasons I love it too. It doesn’t make your hair feel crunchy or greasy,” she shares.
GRO Hair Serum
Price: $52
Vegamour
We learned this all-natural treatment from Kim: rice water. Many Eastern countries have used the all-natural recipe for years, reaping its healing and nourishing perks. Below, we’re breaking down instructions on how to do the hair-enhancing treatment at home.
What you’ll need:
1 cup organic rice (any type as long as it’s organic)
Bowl
Water
Instructions:
1. Rinse the uncooked grains and then drain the water.
2. Place the clean rice in a bowl and add 1-1 1/2 cups of water. Let it soak for at least an hour (you can let it sit for up to 24 hours).
3. Strain the rice and save the water.
4. Shampoo and rinse your hair.
5. Massage the rice water into your hair and scalp and let it sit for at least 20 minutes (and up to an hour).
6. Rinse.
We recommend doing this 1-2 times a week.
Read more about the benefits of this trick here.
A neem comb can help reduce dandruff and promote scalp health, ultimately leaving you with stronger and less frizzy tresses. We love this natural comb that’s crafted from wood, making it a great alternative to plastic. The comb is handmade in India and is extremely gentle on hair.
Neem Comb
Price: $15
Fable & Mane
Shop our beauty collection:
The content provided in this article is provided for information purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice and consultation, including professional medical advice and consultation; it is provided with the understanding that Poosh, LLC (“Poosh”) is not engaged in the provision or rendering of medical advice or services. You understand and agree that Poosh shall not be liable for any claim, loss, or damage arising out of the use of, or reliance upon any content or information in the article.
Up next, shop the newest items from the Poosh Shop here.