Thinning hair is a fact of life for many of us, especially as we age. Genetics, hormonal changes, and the passing of time can contribute to less hair than you had in your teens and twenties, and the entire experience can be extremely stressful (noticing strands of hair accumulate on your brush or comb certainly doesn’t help matters). But experts say you can take steps to help prevent hair loss and treat thinning hair — and these methods needn’t break the bank.
Your first step when dealing with thinning hair should always be to visit a dermatologist to help determine the cause of your hair shedding. For example: a vitamin deficiency or hormonal imbalance may be treated with supplements, but only a doctor can really help you determine if that is the right course of action for you. In the meantime, Celebrity Hairstylist and PURA D’OR Partner Clyde Haygood and Nate Masterson, a hair expert for Maple Holistics, say these ingredients, products, and habits can help treat thinning hair at home.
Step One: Scalp Massage
Using a scalp scrubber like one offered by Maple Holistics (which is made from high-grade silicone and wheat straw for exfoliation and root-to-tip care) can help give your hair follicles a boost and promote hair growth. “This all-in-one scalp scrubber is designed to brush away flakes and dirt from the surface of your scalp, improving scalp health and leading to more efficient hair growth,” Masterson says. “By using the scalp scrubber to massage your scalp in gentle, circular motions, you are stimulating blood flow and enhancing the health of your hair follicles, which leads to hair that looks and feels healthier.”
Aim to give yourself a scalp massage at least once a day. Using an oil like rosemary oil (more about that in a sec) can also help.
Step Two: Take a Supplement
To reiterate: it’s a good idea to visit your dermatologist before starting a supplement routine because if you do have a mineral or vitamin deficiency, you’ll want to make sure you are taking that specific nutrient to address your hair loss. But, generally speaking, there are several hair supplements on the market that provide the basic nutrients associated with healthier hair, including biotin, keratin, and zinc.
Step Three: Rosemary Oil Is Your Scalp’s BFF
Rosemary essential oil is known for its stimulating properties, particularly in relation to the scalp, Masterson says. “It helps increase blood circulation to the hair follicles, potentially promoting nutrient delivery and oxygen supply to the scalp, which are vital for healthy hair growth. Research suggests that rosemary essential oil may have a positive impact on hair growth. It has been shown to stimulate the activity of dermal papilla cells, which play a crucial role in hair follicle formation and hair growth.”
By promoting the proliferation of these cells, rosemary essential oil may contribute to improved hair growth. And the best part? You can find rosemary oils at every price point, and they’re usually well within budget.
Step Four: Change Your Shampoo & Conditioner
Have you ever really taken a hard look at your shampoo and conditioner’s ingredients list? Things like sulfates and harsh alcohols could be contributing to your hair issues, and considering how many highly rated products there are out there that specifically cater to thinning hair, there’s no need to make do with inferior products.
“Look for products that minimize dryness, have ingredients that can help stimulate hair growth and have moisturizing properties such as aloe vera, tea tree, peppermint and argan oil and caffeine — all of these nourish and stimulate the scalp while reducing the appearance of flakes due to dryness,” Haygood says. “There has been some research done to indicate that caffeine can reduce hair loss in both men and women. When you drink caffeine, the cells inside your body become hyperactive and work more efficiently. When you put caffeine topically onto your scalp, your hair follicles become stimulated and increase the amount of energy your cells have, possibly boosting hair growth.”
PURA D'OR has an entire line of shampoos, conditioners, serums, and more than address thinning hair. Haygood points out two products that he suggests adding to your routine:
“The PURA D’OR Hair Thinning Therapy Energizing Scalp Serum delivers stronger, thicker, healthier hair and invigorates the scalp,” Haygood says. “It’s my recommendation to any client with dry, weak or thin hair that tends to break easily. It includes caffeine as one of the key ingredients and it comes with the perfect applicator to deliver the product straight to the scalp & roots to revitalize hair and improve hairs elasticity.”
The PURA D’OR Hair Thinning Therapy Intense Moisturizing Masque (which also contains caffeine) is ideal for thinning hair, Haygood adds. “This intensely hydrating treatment masque treats hair from the root to invigorate the scalp and lock in moisture to nourish hair while a powerful combination of 15 key active ingredients helps to improve volume, thickness, shine and split ends.”
Massage, supplement, change up your products, and visit a dermatologist — these are your first methods of attack when you notice your hair thinning. And be kind to yourself: change can be stressful, but you are so much more than your hair.
