Whether you’re a young woman or middle-aged woman, we typically think hair loss and thinning hair happens because we’re aging and getting old. Some of us think it’s an “old lady” problem but thinning hair and hair loss in women is more common than you think.
If this is what you're currently experiencing, and you're freaking out wondering "why is my hair thinning?", "why is my hair falling out?" and "what are natural ways to grow my thinning hair without taking medications?", then today's post is for you!
Hair loss isn’t just a male issue. According to the Canadian Dermatology Association, 40% of women signs of thinning hair or hair loss by the age of 50.
It can affect the self-confidence and emotional wellbeing of many women as they age. However, whether you’re younger or older, there are a few causes behind sudden hair thinning or hair loss. The main causes of hair loss include hormonal imbalances, thyroid imbalance, stress, exposure to toxins, and lack of essential nutrients.
HORMONAL IMBALANCES
Hormones are chemical messengers in the body that help your body develop, grow, and function as how they should.
Estrogen
Estrogen is a hormone responsible for female characteristics, and is the main female sex hormone, although estrogen is present in everyone. Estrogen is crucial for the sexual and reproductive development in women, and it’s produced mainly in the ovaries, fat cells, and adrenal gland.
If your hair starts thinning or falling out more than usual during menopause or post-pregnancy, then don’t freak out! Women going through menopause and post-pregnancy go through drops in their estrogen levels.
A pregnant woman may have a thick and full head of hair during pregnancy but as the body’s hormonal levels change, that hair will shed and begin to fall out. However post-pregnancy hair loss/thinning is temporary and should only last for a few months.
For women experiencing menopause, this can be a more permanent issue because the body is going through a significant and permanent reproductive change, however there are natural ways to get more estrogen into your body. Such methods include drinking lots of water, eating foods rich in Vitamin D and calcium, eating leafy green vegetables, and eating estrogen-rich foods like flax seeds, nuts, fruits, and oats.
Progesterone
Although low estrogen can cause hair thinning and hair loss, excess estrogen with a low level of progesterone can cause the same problem. Progesterone is another female hormone produced by the ovaries that helps the body that helps regulate the menstrual cycle, ovulation, and maintaining pregnancy.
Testosterone
Testosterone, which is the hormone responsible for male characteristics, can convert into dihydrotestosterone (“DHT”), which is a stronger form of testosterone. DHT can damage hair follicles and play a role in hair loss and hair thinning. But guess what? Progesterone helps prevent the conversion of testosterone into DHT. Natural ways of reducing DHT include pumpkin seed oil, biotin (B vitamins), pygeum bark (herbal supplement).
A woman’s body will go through hormonal changes, it’s inevitable but you can take proactive steps to keep your hormones balanced so that the side effects don’t take control of life. Proactive steps include drinking two to three litres of water per day, eating lots of sustainably grown protein, healthy fats, and vegetables (including lots of leafy greens) so that you can ensure that you’re eating a wide variety of vitamins and minerals that are essential for balancing hormones. Reduce your exposure to highly toxic products in your skin care routine or household cleaners as these toxins and chemicals are absorbed by the skin and stored in our body’s cells. Your best choice is to research and use eco-friendly and green products.
Today we’re sharing with you five natural hair mask remedies that are proven effective for hair growth! Give these a try and let us know how thick and beautiful your hair growth looks after a few months of use!
Fenugreek Hair Mask
Fenugreek is a powerful seed, native to India, that touts multiple health purposes. It’s mostly used in cooking but fenugreek seeds can promote hair follicle growth, combat dandruff and scalp irritation, and prevent premature greys.
Take the fenugreek seeds and soak them overnight in water.
Grind the seeds in a spice grinder, food processor, or with a mortar and pestle into a fine paste, and apply to your scalp and hair.
Leave it in for about 30 – 45 minutes. Cover your hair with a disposable shower cap.
Rinse your hair with water.
Do this weekly.
Coconut Milk & Fenugreek Hair Mask
Coconut milk is rich in essential fats and proteins, which will help promote hair growth.
Take 1 cup of full-fat coconut milk, and add 1 tsp ground black pepper and 1 tbsp ground fenugreek seeds.
Apply this mixture to your scalp and hair.
Leave it in for 20 – 30 minutes.
Rinse your hair with shampoo and conditioner.
Do this twice a month.
Onion Juice Hair Mask
Yes! As gross as it sounds, onion juice is evidentially proven to help promote hair growth because of its high sulfur content. Sulfur is nourishing to the hair follicles and assists with blood circulation in that area. Coconut oil is high in lauric acid and vitamins, and can help to keep hair naturally healthy and restore oil balance.
Peel 1 – 2 onions and grate them.
Put them in a blender or food processor, and process them until they’re mushy and expelling liquid.
Strain them through a cheesecloth or nut milk bag to extract the juice. Discard the pulp.
Melt 2 – 3 tbsp of coconut oil so it is in liquid form. Add it to the onion juice, mix well.
Apply to your scalp and hair. Cover your hair with a disposable shower cap.
Leave it in for 30 – 45 minutes.
Wash your hair with shampoo and conditioner.
Do this twice per month.
Amla Powder Paste Hair Mask
Amla aka Indian Gooseberry, is a fruit native to India and Burma. It’s a powerful herb that is good for health, skin, and of course, great hair! This fruit that touts anti-inflammatory and restorative properties, is known for strengthening and promoting hair growth, and has been used for a long time as the star ingredient in many hair tonics, shampoos, and oils.
Combine 1/4 cup of water with 2 tbsp of amla powder and 2 tbsp of lemon juice. Mix into a paste.
Apply to your scalp and hair.
Leave it in for one hour at minimum, or cover your hair with a disposable shower cap and leave it in overnight.
Wash your hair with shampoo and conditioner.
Do this weekly.
Aloe Vera & Castor Oil Hair Mask
Aloe vera has healing properties because it contains enzymes that help speed up the recovery and regrowth process. This same principle applies to your hair follicles, and it’s rich in minerals, vitamins, and protein.
Combine 1/4 cup plain yogurt with 4 tbsp of aloe vera gel and 2 tbsp of castor oil. Mix together into a paste.
Apply to your scalp and hair. Cover your hair with a disposable shower cap.
Leave it in for 45 minutes.
Wash your hair with shampoo and conditioner.
Do this weekly or twice a month.
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