Hair fall is one of the most common problems we face today. What is also common is our lack of knowledge about the wonderful and simple ways through which we can treat the condition.
Hair fall is common in both men and women. While genes play a major role, there are a lot of other factors that cause hair loss.
Causes Of Hair Fall
Hair fall can be caused by a number of factors. These include:
- Physical or emotional stress
- Inadequate protein intake
- Genetics
- Anemia
- Aging
- Hormonal changes
- Prolonged illness
- Deficiency of vitamin B6 and folic acid
- Overstyling
- Thyroid diseases
Home Remedies For Hair Fall Control
Now that you know the various causes of hair fall, let’s go ahead and check out the home remedies that can treat the condition.
- Coconut Milk
- Aloe Vera
- Neem (Indian Lilac)
- Amla (Indian Gooseberry)
- Greek Yogurt
- Methi (Fenugreek)
- Licorice Root
- Beetroot
- Onion Juice
- Chinese Hibiscus
- Green Tea
- Coconut Oil Massage
- Egg White Mask
- Potatoes
- Lemon Juice
- Coriander Juice
1. Coconut Milk:
What You Need
1 cup coconut milk
What You Need To Do
- Apply coconut milk to your scalp using a hair dye brush.
- Then cover your head with a towel and leave it on for about 20 minutes. You can ideally prepare coconut milk at home by grinding the grated coconut and squeezing its milk.
- After that, remove the towel and rinse your hair with cold water.
- Follow up with a shampoo.
When You Need To Do This
You can follow this process once in a week.
Why This Works
Coconut milk is rich in vitamin E and fats that help to moisturize your hair and keep it healthy. The milk is rich in potassium, another vital ingredient for hair growth (1). It also has antibacterial properties that protect the hair from damage.
2. Aloe Vera
What You Need
A leaf (or even a stalk) of the aloe vera plant
What You Need To Do
This is the traditional way of using aloe vera for treating hair growth.
- Extract the pulp content from the leaf or stalk and rub into your hair.
- Ensure your hair is already washed before you do this.
- Massage the pulp into your scalp in circular motions.
- Leave it on for about 15 minutes, and then rinse with cold water.
When You Need To Do This
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Repeat the process thrice a week, ideally in the morning after you have taken a head bath.
Why This Works
Aloe vera plays a crucial role in balancing the pH levels of the scalp and hair. It penetrates deep into the scalp and hair, thereby promoting hair growth (2), (3).
Caution
The yellow-colored sap of the aloe vera plant contains toxins, and can irritate the skin if you are latex-intolerant. You can ideally boil the plant (that converts the toxins into natural salicylic acid, which is harmless to the skin) before extracting the pulp content.
3. Neem (Indian Lilac)
What You Need
- 10 – 12 dry neem leaves
- A vessel containing water
What You Need To Do
- Boil the neem leaves in water till the water level comes down to half its quantity.
- Wait for the mixture to cool.
- Rinse your hair with this mixture.
When You Need To Do This
You can use this remedy as a last rinse after shampooing your hair. It can ideally be done once every week.
Why This Works
Neem has excellent antibacterial properties that help you get rid of dandruff. This ensures the scalp is healthy and promotes hair growth (4). It also stimulates blood flow to the skin, thereby nourishing the hair roots. Neem is even found to eliminate head lice and nits (5).
Caution
Using neem for hair (especially in the case of dandruff) can cause your eyes to burn. So, be careful while washing off the neem water and ensure it doesn’t get into your eyes.
4. Amla (Indian Gooseberry)
What You Need
- 4-5 Indian gooseberries
- 1 cup virgin coconut oil
What You Need To Do
Boil the dried Indian gooseberries in coconut oil till the oil turns black.
Wait for it to cool, and then massage your scalp with this oil.
Leave it on for about 20 minutes, and then shampoo as usual.
When You Need To Do This
You can follow this twice a week.
Why This Works
Amla is rich in vitamin C, a nutrient essential for the growth and strengthening of hair (6). Vitamin C also helps build collagen that is vital for hair growth. Apart from this, vitamin C also helps absorb iron, thereby keeping your locks strong and healthy. Amla also helps prevent premature graying of hair (7).
5. Greek Yogurt
What You Need
- 2 tablespoons Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 lemon
What You Need To Do
- Take the two tablespoons of Greek yogurt in a bowl. To this, add honey and the lemon juice extracted from the lemon.
- Mix the ingredients thoroughly and make a paste.
- Using a hair dye brush, apply this pack to the scalp and hair roots.
- Leave it on for about 30 minutes, and then rinse thoroughly with cold water.
When You Need To Do This
Ideally, you should apply this pack once a week. But if you have dry hair, then you can use the pack twice a week.
Why This Works
Greek yogurt acts as a natural conditioner for hair. It contains vitamin B5 and proteins that are extremely beneficial for hair (8). Honey contains antibacterial properties that protect hair from damage (9).
Greek yogurt contains probiotics, which, according to studies, make the hair grow (10).
6. Methi (Fenugreek)
What You Need
1 cup fenugreek seeds
What You Need To Do
- Soak fenugreek seeds in water overnight.
- The next morning, grind the seeds and make a paste. Ensure the paste is thoroughly ground and spreadable.
- Apply this paste to your hair, from the root to tip, and cover with a shower cap.
- Leave it on for about 40 minutes, and then rinse using cold water.
When You Need To Do This
You can apply this once or twice a month.
Why This Works
Fenugreek seeds enhance hair growth and help in the rebuilding of the hair follicles. They also make hair shiny, strong, and long (11).
7. Licorice Root
What You Need
- 1 tablespoon ground licorice root
- 1 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon saffron
What You Need To Do
- Add the ground licorice root and saffron to the cup of milk and mix thoroughly.
- Before going to bed in the night, apply this mixture to the bald patches and leave it on overnight.
- Wash your hair the next morning.
When You Need To Do This
Do this twice a week.
Why This Works
Licorice root has healing properties that soothe the scalp and eliminate scalp irritation or dandruff. This helps in maintaining scalp health and promoting hair growth (12).
8. Beetroot
What You Need
- A few beetroot leaves
- 1 tablespoon henna
What You Need To Do
- Firstly, boil the beetroot leaves in water till the water level comes down to half its quantity.
- Grind the leaves and add henna.
- Make a paste and apply it to your scalp.
- Leave it on for about 20 minutes and rinse with water.
When You Need To Do This
Do this thrice a week.
Why This Works
Beetroot contains potassium, protein, and vitamins B and C, all of which are essential for healthy hair (13).
9. Onion Juice
What You Need
- 1 onion
- A cotton ball
What You Need To Do
- Grate the onion and extract its juice.
- Dip the cotton ball into the juice, and apply it directly to your scalp, ensuring the hair strands are covered from the root to the tip.
- Leave it on for about 30 minutes, after which you can rinse with cold water.
- Shampoo as usual.
When You Need To Do This
You can apply onion juice to your hair once in a week.
Why This Works
Onion has antibacterial properties that can eliminate the bacteria that can cause scalp infections (14). It also has a high sulfur content that improves blood circulation to the hair follicles and encourages hair growth. Sulfur is also known to treat infected hair follicles (15).
Caution
Be careful while applying the juice to your hair. If the juice gets into your eyes, wash them thoroughly with cold water. Though not harmful to your eyes, onion juice can cause a burning sensation and extreme discomfort.
10. Chinese Hibiscus
What You Need
- 10 Chinese hibiscus flowers
- 2 cups virgin coconut oil
What You Need To Do
- Add the Chinese hibiscus flowers to the coconut oil and heat the mixture.
- When the flowers are charred, strain the mixture and collect the oil.
- Apply this oil every night and wash your hair thoroughly the next morning.
When You Need To Do This
You can try this remedy two to three times every week for about a month.
Why This Works
Chinese hibiscus contains vitamin C, phosphorous, and riboflavin, the essential nutrients for smooth and strong hair. The flower also contributes to toxin elimination and promotes circulation, thereby enhancing hair growth (16), (17).
11. Green Tea
What You Need
- 2 green tea bags
- 2 – 3 cups of hot water
What You Need To Do
- Steep the two green tea bags in the hot water and wait till the water cools down.
- Now remove the tea bags, and use the solution to rinse your hair.
- Massage the solution over your scalp.
When You Need To Do This
You can use this green tea solution as an after-shampoo conditioner. Repeat the procedure twice a week, after shampooing your hair.
Why This Works
Green tea is known to stimulate hair follicles and boost hair production. It also increases your metabolism, which has been linked to an increase in the rate of hair growth (18).
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12. Coconut Oil Massage
What You Need
1 – 2 tablespoons of virgin coconut oil
What You Need To Do
- You can begin by slightly warming the oil and putting it into a small bowl.
- Gently apply the oil to your scalp and the hair roots. Massage in small, circular motions.
- You can either leave the oil on for about 30 minutes or overnight, and then shampoo as usual.
When You Need To Do This
Do this every alternate day till you see the results.
Why This Works
Coconut oil contains antioxidants that strengthen hair and give it a natural sheen (19). It also has antimicrobial properties that help fight scalp infections.
Caution
Make it a point to wash your hair within a day of applying the oil. Otherwise, your hair would appear greasy and can attract dust and dirt as well.
Note
You can also use almond, olive, and amla oils instead of coconut oil for similar results. Olive oil has been found to improve the elasticity of the hair, thereby preventing it from breakage. Almond and amla oils also help prevent hair loss and make it stronger (20).
13. Egg White Mask
What You Need
2 eggs
What You Need To Do
- Break open the two eggs in a bowl.
- Separate the yolks from the egg white.
- Mix the egg white thoroughly till you get a thick and even consistency.
- Using a hair dye brush, apply the egg white to your scalp and hair.
- Cover your head with a shower cap and leave it on for about 20 minutes. Then, rinse with cool water followed by a mild shampoo.
When You Need To Do This
Repeat the remedy twice a week.
Why This Works
Eggs are a rich source of protein, B vitamins, and essential nutrients for optimum hair health (21).
14. Potatoes
What You Need
- 1 potato
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 teaspoon water
What You Need To Do
- Wash the potato thoroughly and peel its skin.
- Cut it into small pieces and put them in a blender to get the puree (You can add a little amount of water to the puree if it’s too thick).
- You can further strain the puree into a bowl using a muslin cloth. This will give you the potato juice.
- To the juice, add a teaspoon each of honey and water. Mix well.
- Apply the mixture to your scalp and hair, and leave it on for about 30 minutes.
- Wash off with a mild shampoo.
When You Need To Do This
You can do this once a week.
Why This Works
Potatoes contain potassium, vitamin C, and iron, all of which are vital for maintaining hair health. It has also been found that a deficiency of potassium could lead to hair loss (22).
15. Lemon Juice
What You Need
- 2 – 3 lemons
- 1 cup warm water
What You Need To Do
- Cut each of the lemons and prepare a cup of lemon juice.
- Strain the juice into a bowl using a muslin cloth, and mix it with the warm water.
- After you have washed your hair in the bath, gently pour the mixture over your scalp, massaging it into your scalp at the same time.
- Leave the mixture on your hair for about five minutes, and then wash it off with cool water.
When You Need To Do This
In the morning, after a bath. Do this once or twice a week.
Why This Works
Lemons are excellent astringents. They tighten the pores in your scalp, thereby controlling hair fall. If you have oily hair, a lemon juice rinse is what you can try out.
Lemons also contain alpha-hydroxy acids that exfoliate dead cells, eliminating dandruff in the process. Lemons are rich in vitamin C, an essential nutrient that helps maintain hair health (23).
Caution
Despite being safe, lemons contain acids. Hence, close your eyes as you pour the mixture over your head. Also, remember not to use the lemon juice remedy too frequently or for a long duration; it can dry out your hair.
16. Coriander Juice
What You Need
- 1 cup freshly chopped coriander leaves
- 3 – 4 tablespoons water
What You Need To Do
- Grind the coriander leaves and mix them with water to form a paste.
- Extract the juice from the paste, and using a hair dye brush, apply it to your scalp and hair.
- Leave it on for an hour, and then shampoo as usual.
When You Need To Do This
In the morning, before taking a bath. You can try this out twice or thrice a week.
Why This Works
Coriander is known to make your hair soft and prevent hair loss. Apart from this, it is also effective in promoting hair growth (24).