Hair loss happens when the hair growth cycle decelerates, and excessive hair falls. Some loss is to be expected as part of your hair growth cycle, particularly when washing and brushing hair, but if you are seeing 150 or more strands in your hands at one time or persistently high volumes of shedding for a few weeks then it’s likely you are suffering from loss. Lost hair does come back as most cases are temporary but there are ways to encourage hair to regrow naturally such as using naturally derived products and even exercising regularly to ensure you are encouraging blood circulation. It’s possible to see some improvement in as little as 3 weeks with impactful results by weeks 8 to 12 in your hair regrowth journey.

Although most hair loss is temporary, it is important to investigate causes of shedding or balding you may be experiencing to rule out medical conditions but also to look at how to effectively treat it. The most common causes of hair loss are as follows:

•   Medication- a side effect of certain drugs, such as those used for cancer, can cause hair loss. Although this loss is likely to be temporary, the loss won’t reduce until treatment is concluded.
•   Hormonal changes- hair loss is a very common result of hormonal changes or imbalance. Postpartum hair loss occurs in as many as 40-50% of women but other changes such as menopause and thyroid issues can also cause excess shedding or female pattern baldness.
•   Stress- it is common for people to experience thinning if they have had a shock, both physical and emotional.
•   Hairstyles-regular use of hairstyles that pull hair tight such as ponytails or cornrows can cause a hair loss known as traction alopecia.
•   Extensions- another cause of traction alopecia is the use of hair extensions particularly if they are applied using a hot fusion bonding method. If you choose to have hair extensions, it is always best to have them professionally applied and take regular breaks from having them installed.
•   Salon treatments- hot oil hair treatments, colouring and other services such as relaxing and perming can cause a physical stress to the hair, leading to fall out. Even excessive use of hair styling tools, both at home and in the salon can see an increase in fallout. Try to minimise exposure to chemical treatments and reduce the temperature on your tools to reduce damage to your locks.

Naturally formulated products including our Black Seed Oil Elixir are ideal to introduce to your routine to encourage growth and reduce hair loss. Essential oils such as peppermint are good topical treatments to use for hair loss as this can bring on the hair growth phase of your cycle. 

Peppermint oil, and products that contain this potent ingredient, can start showing regrowth signs in as little as 2 weeks. Mixing several drops of peppermint with a carrier oil such as coconut and applying bi-weekly should see rapid results. Alternatively use a premixed treatment like the Black Seed Oil Elixir which contains a blend of 33 natural ingredients, crafted with stimulating ingredients such as peppermint, thyme and hibiscus oils designed to stimulate blood flow and promote hair growth.

Another wonderful restorative oil to introduce to your hair care routine would be marula oil. It’s a multi-purpose liquid with nourishing qualities whilst also treating scalp complaints and repairing damaged hair follicles.

Onion juice can help regrow hair. It has long been known as a home remedy for hair loss and growth. It reduces balding due to its high amounts of sulphur, increasing circulation and blood flow to the scalp. It is also thought to regenerate damaged hair follicles and reduce scalp inflammation which in turn lowers the amount of hair fallout experienced. Being high in vitamin C, magnesium and potassium also make it a great tool to aid your hair loss recovery.

Taking vitamin supplements are a good way to boost your immune system and support your hair regrowth. Vitamins and nutrients known to aid hair loss and growth are vitamin B12, calcium, magnesium, zinc and iron. A daily multivitamin may help to boost the presence of these in your body.

A poor, unbalanced diet can contribute to hair loss and balding. Foods known to encourage hair growth include spinach, meat, eggs, oily fish and avocados. Many of these food items are rich in proteins, vitamin A, and omega-3 which are known to improve growth and leave you with thick, healthy hair.

You might not instantly associate your hair loss with your headwear choices, but tight caps and hats can restrict blood flow to your scalp therefore, discouraging regrowth. If you like to wrap your tresses, or use a hair scarf, then make sure you avoid cotton or polyester fabrics and invest in satin or silk. 

Silk may be a pricier option but it is known throughout the haircare industry to protect and nourish hair, reducing breakages. Using a silk wrap at night, over time will replenish the structural keratin within the hair shaft making strands stronger and more elastic again. It will also better hydrate hair and reduce tangles which can lead to hair loss due to heavy brushing and scalp damage. If a hair wrap is not something you wish to use, consider switching to a silk or satin pillow for similar benefits.

Taking part in regular exercise will be of particular benefit if your hair loss is stress-related. Exercise is proven to relieve the symptoms of stress and according to The American Institute of Stress, just 20-30 minutes of walking is enough to reduce tension, anxiety or depression you may be experiencing that contributes to your hair loss. Exercising consistently is a healthy habit to adopt but it will also improve your circulation which will further encourage hair regrowth.

It is a common misconception for people that hair washing causes hair loss. Washing hair often sees a larger volume of loose strands being washed away but if you don’t regularly wash your hair, you are allowing dirt and oils to build upon the scalp which clogs pores, causing further loss and preventing regrowth. Overtime, dirty hair and clogged pores can lead to conditions such as folliculitis which can further exacerbate hair loss.

Engage in regular hair washing to help your hair loss recovery and prevent further fallout. Straight hair can be washed almost every day to encourage hair growth. For coiled or curly textured hair, wash once to twice a week as the sebum produced by glands takes more time to travel down the hair shaft than your straight-haired counterparts. Using a natural shampoo and cleanser is also best, such as the Baobab Hair Detangler and Cleanser we provide. It will work to eradicate the dirt and grime that can contribute to any hair loss problems you may be experiencing.

Some people believe you can boil an onion and use the water for your hair, but you need to chop it up, blend to a pulp and then strain. The juice you are left with can be applied, paying particular attention to the roots and scalp, rinse it off after 30 minutes and perform weekly to see effective results.

Using oils such as black seed or hibiscus are known to stimulate hair follicles and encourage regrowth. Another oil known for its ability to strengthen hair follicles is marula oil which coats hair strands and penetrates the scalp. The application of an onion juice treatment weekly will also help with this. Another good stimulation technique is regular scalp massage and adding a daily 10-minute routine into your schedule will not only help with healthy hair follicles but also acts as a great stress reliever!

Introducing eggs into your diet is a great idea to help regrow hair as they are a source of protein. Some believe applying raw egg to the scalp as a treatment mask may help encourage hair to grow but this is not scientifically proven and so our advice is to stick to the edible scrambled (or poached…) variety!

Black seed oil is known for its hair regrowth abilities and is highly recommended as a treatment for those suffering with male or female pattern baldness or alopecia. Its hydrating characteristics help with scalp health as well as hair elasticity to prevent further breakages and loss.  Read a more in-depth blog about the benefits of black seed oil here.