Although hair loss doesn’t affect everyone, some young women may be surprised to find themselves shedding more than usual. Female-patterned hair loss is possible if you lose over 125 strands daily — normal shedding is about 50–100 hairs — and impacts about one-third of women.
There are several reasons women experience hair loss — genetics, giving birth, hormonal changes, natural aging, poor diets and overprocessing are just some of the causes.
If you want to stimulate hair growth for healthier, luscious locks, try incorporating these five habits into your daily routine.
- Eat a Balanced Diet
Nutrition plays a vital role in maintaining healthy hair — meaning you should consider overhauling your diet to improve regrowth. It’s possible to have vitamin deficiencies that otherwise promote stronger strands, so adding healthy foods to your eating plan is an excellent place to start.
Vitamins A, B, C, D, E, zinc and iron are scientifically proven to prevent hair loss. Foods that contain high quantities of these nutrients include the following:
- Eggs
- Salmon and other omega-3 fatty fish
- Avocados
- Leafy greens, such as kale, collard greens and spinach
- Red bell peppers
- Oysters
While zinc is essential for hair growth, too much could reverse the process and lead to hair loss — that’s why eating oysters and other zinc-rich foods ensure you get just the right amount.
- Take Supplements
Suppose you’re not a fan of oysters, kale and eggs. Where is a girl to get her vitamins from for hair regrowth? Fortunately, you can take supplements to make up for whatever essential nutrients you miss in your diet.
Biotin or vitamin B7 — found in eggs, bananas and almonds — is perhaps the most associated with hair growth. Biotin stimulates hair follicles by creating red blood cells that transport oxygen and nutrients to the scalp.
B7 also promotes keratin production that one would typically get from protein products — vegetarians especially may want to speak to their doctor about supplementing keratin for greater hair regrowth.
- Improve Gut Health
Research has shown that balancing your gut microbiome is crucial for stimulating hair follicles. Of course, diet and proper digestion play a role in improving the gut. For example, you only need to eat eight pecans to fulfill 11% of your daily fiber, which enables your colon to function correctly.
Consuming probiotics also boosts healthy gut bacteria and yeast and eliminates harmful toxins that could hinder hair regrowth. Probiotic-rich foods include yogurt, beans and legumes, whole grains and kombucha.
For instance, whole grains like quinoa and oats act as food for your cells to fight off bad gut bacteria. Meanwhile, asparagus is another gut-healthy food that helps stool form properly for regular bowel movements.
- Avoid Hair Trauma
What’s hair trauma, you ask? Think of the products and methods you use to stylize your hair. Do you dye or highlight your hair? Maybe you regularly pull it back into a tight ponytail. Some of you may be addicted to your flat iron.
Commercial hair products, dyes and heating tools cause significant damage to your hair — but finding less abrasive alternatives can help kickstart regrowth. Consider air-drying your hair instead of using the blow dryer — and if you need to straighten it, always use a heat-protectant spray first.
Additionally, a root concealer on your hairline is much better for hair than covering your entire head with chemical dyes. You can sprinkle or spray root concealer for temporary coverage, filling in areas that have thinned throughout your hair loss.
- Create a Hair Care Routine
Finally, a daily hair care routine effectively stimulates hair regrowth and could comprise natural hair masks and scalp massages. A recent study found that participants who massaged their scalp for 11–20 minutes daily for six months improved hair regrowth by 68.9%.
Other ideas for a healthy hair care routine include the following:
- Brushing your hair gently with a wide-tooth comb or soft-bristled brush
- Using wider, softer hair ties like scrunchies to pull hair back
- Regularly trimming split ends
- Moisturizing with natural hair masks
An egg mask is the perfect hair care recipe you can make at home — it also contains keratin for more remarkable hair growth. You’ll need one egg and a teaspoon each of coconut and olive oil — a hint of lemon juice can improve the smell if needed.
Pull the mixture through your hair, allow it to sit for 30 minutes and rinse it out under cool water. While an egg mask isn’t necessary daily, you could do it once weekly.
Create New Habits for Healthier Hair
Changes to your daily habits could stimulate hair regrowth for stronger, healthier strands. Examine your current process for styling hair and your overall health to determine what you can do to improve hair growth and maintenance.
