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tWhen you look down in the shower and notice one too much hair circling the drain, or notice some thinning spots on your scalp, it can certainly cause a lot of unwanted stress (check out 3 herbal teas that reduce stress and stomach inflammation!). Of course, you should consult your doctor, trichologist, or dermatologist for any possible underlying causes, but there are many over-the-counter products on the market that can nourish your hair follicles and help revive hair growth. And, considering how important scalp health is, you want to make sure it’s free of buildup, able to produce its natural oils, balanced, and hydrated. Basically, when your scalp thrives, your hair thrives, too! That’s why finding the right scalp treatment for you is essential if you suffer from thinning hair. To learn more about the best scalp treatments (serums, shampoos/hair rinses, and scalp scrubs!) for hair growth, we spoke with Ghanima Abdullah, a cosmetologist at The Right Hairstyles. Find out more below!
Serums
Hair loss has been on the rise for years. While it may not affect your overall physical health, thinning hair can be psychologically damaging—especially when you can't figure out the cause. "There are different reasons for hair loss—genetics, hormone imbalances, fungal conditions of the scalp, stress, autoimmune diseases, and nutritional deficiencies—but there are some things you can do to naturally regrow your hair," Abdullah explains. One powerful treatment that she can't recommend enough for hair growth is scalp serums.
"Serums can work faster than treatments to grow hair because their ingredients are more concentrated," Abdullah says. "Act + Acre Cold Processed Apple Stem Cell Serum. This serum contains one of my favorite ingredients for regeneration, stem cells. Stem cells are needed by the hair follicles to build hair. Having more stem cells available, even plant stem cells, help the hair follicles to regenerate more quickly after the telogen phase and to produce more hair."
"[Mielle Organics Rosemary and Mint Scalp and Hair Strengthening Oil] contains biotin to increase circulation to the scalp. Healthy scalp circulation is the premise of medicinal hair growth aids like Rogaine, only this has no side effects," she continues. Biotin also improves the health and shine of skin and nails. "It also contains castor oil, lavender, rosemary, aloe vera extract, and peppermint to encourage hair growth. It also contains a host of ingredients that nourish the hair follicles to help produce and maintain healthy hair." This oil is especially hydrating for very dry scalps which can help promote hair growth.
Shampoos and hair rinses
Other scalp treatments that Abdullah believes can help with hair fallout are shampoos and hair rinses. As you know, healthy hair usually begins with a healthy scalp. That's why using a specially-formulated shampoo for thinning hair, like the Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo which she recommends, can help improve scalp conditions that contribute to hair loss.
"Product buildup and heavy dandruff can impede hair growth. This foaming product scrubs everything away with charcoal and deposits peppermint and castor oil to improve growth," Abdullah explains. She also recommends a hair rinse, which is sort of like a hair conditioner treatment that provides your hair with a variety of benefits. She specifically suggests the dp Hue ACV Hair Rinse for a healthier scalp.
"This apple cider vinegar rinse is applied directly to the scalp. Unlike other scalp cleansers, it removes buildup from the scalp without your having to scrub. It balances the pH of the scalp, which is usually alkaline after washing," Abdullah notes. Apple cider vinegar has also been shown to improve gut health and reduce stomach inflammation. "Alkalinity, when not balanced, can cause dry, irritated scalp and dandruff, both of which can impede growth. This rinse contains aloe vera and lavender for hair growth. It functions in place of a conditioner and makes your hair super shiny."
Scalp scrub
Finally, a good scalp scrub, like the Aromatica Rosemary Scalp Scrub that Abdullah suggests, can promote hair growth. As the title suggests, scalp scrubs are scrubs for your scalp. Similar to body scrubs that exfoliate your legs and arms, scalp scrubs remove product buildup, excess oil, and dead skin cells that will naturally gather at the root of your hair.
"This scalp scrub uses salts to remove debris, oil, and buildup from the scalp. It also contains rosemary, caffeine, and ginger to aid hair growth. It also contains salicylic acid to combat dandruff," Abdullah says. Noted!
Bottom line
"Generally speaking, having a balanced diet will aid hair growth all by itself. The hair follicles that produce your hair need proper nutrition to do so. It's important to ensure that you don't have any nutritional deficiencies when you're trying to grow your hair," Abdullah emphasizes. "Being anemic, in particular, can cause stunted growth because oxygen can't reach your hair follicles in sufficient quantities." You can also take collagen supplements to help strengthen the hair you have so that it can grow back longer and healthier than ever.
If you want to improve your hair, come up with a plan and stay consistent. Remember that it may take months to start noticing any results. And, it's important to be creative with the remedies and mix them up in a way that works best for you. Do your best to maintain a healthy lifestyle that complements your hair treatment plan and talk with your doctor to determine if there's an underlying issue that's causing hair loss. And, if you're still struggling, there are countless hairstyles that can feign volume and hide gaps in your hair!
