If you suffer from thinning hair you probably already know that there is no shortage of treatments and styling tricks to make it thicker (or at least look thicker!). Unfortunately though, you also probably know how much money you can spend on what seems like an impossible endeavor. But, how many of these products, treatments, or styling techniques, actually works? Thankfully, there are some topical treatments that experts say practically guarantee results.
They say that rosemary oil or lotion and biotin and pumpkin seed oil are natural and effective ways to stimulate growth at your hairline. Experts agree that using an oil and a supplement simultaneously is a simple and affordable strategy for stimulating hair growth.
Before you go bankrupt trying to get thick, luscious hair, take these tips from Jean Lopez, hair expert and co-founder of LilyHair, Meerika Khanna, a cosmetic formulator and founder of Rthvi, and Ghanima Abdullah, a hair expert and cosmetologist at The Right Hairstyles, who swears by these hair treatments to promote faster regrowth. Read on below for more tips!
1. Rosemary Oil
Khanna says rosemary oil is the "number one ingredient to look for in a hair serum for hair growth," adding that you may also "find it in other forms like rosemary water, rosemary leaf extract, and rosemary essential oil in a serum." Rosemary, she explains, contains carbonic acid. This plant can promote hair growth because it can improve scalp circulation and encourage nerve growth.
"As a cosmetic formulator, I have found rosemary oil‘s performance and efficacy closest to minoxidil," she says, comparing it to the common hair growth solution. "It’s a great ingredient if you want to avoid chemical-based hair growth products or if your scalp is sensitive to minoxidil."
Abdullah agrees. She also points out that rosemary oil works "against the hair loss hormone, DHT." The hairline and crown are common areas of thinning for women with hair loss related to age. "This is why it seems to work better in those areas," she adds and recommends applying the oil to that part of the scalp. Rosemary oil is "gentle enough to use for the hairline," Abdullah says. She notes that you don't need "much in your oil or lotion" to make a difference and really only requires "a few drops to a 4 ounce bottle of lotion."
In Abdullah’s opinion, lotion is preferable to oil because it absorbs quicker into the skin. "Use the solution twice daily," she continues. She also stresses that you should "not expect to see results overnight." It will take at "least six months," she says.
And, if you're not sure what type of hair loss you have, Abdullah says to "use more than one essential oil in your lotion." If you suffer from the hair loss hormone DHT, she says you can add a few drops of rosemary to "counter DHT and peppermint to stimulate the hair follicles. Still, it will take time before you see results," she emphasizes. Abdullah recommends visiting your dermatologist, trichologist, or hair stylist for more advice regarding your thinning hair situation.
2. Biotin And Pumpkin Seed Oil Supplement
Another great topical treatment for thinning hair, Abdullah says, is biotin. This supplement is a "worthy" choice for those of us with flat, fine, or thin hair as it increases "circulation to the scalp to aid hair growth, and stop hair thinning."
Biotin, Abdullah explains, is a "building block for keratin, which is also used by the hair, skin and nails." It contributes to "longer, stronger, shinier hair and nails and better skin elasticity" and it helps "increase circulation to the scalp, which helps the hair follicles produce a better quality of hair and more of it." It's believed that a "deficiency of biotin leads to hair loss," Abdullah acknowledges. She also suggests trying a "pumpkin seed oil supplement," as it has been "scientifically proven to grow more hair and aid those who have thinning hair," she notes. Who knew?
The Bottom Line
So, experts recommend the topical treatments rosemary oil or lotion and biotin and pumpkin seed oil supplement to encourage hair growth. And, to truly ensure you get all of the benefits of these treatments, be sure to also massage your scalp once a week. "The blood flow and hair development can be improved by gently massaging your scalp with hair oil or masks," Lopez says. "As it specifically targets the dermal papilla cells, which are crucial for the growth of new hair, a massage can increase hair thickness." Of course, before starting any new hair treatment, you should always be sure to visit your dermatologist, trichologists, or hair stylist.
