photo by Anastasia Leonova on Unsplash
We lose from 50 to 100 hairs daily (some dormant, some growing and some shedding). So give it a good 3 months to notice any difference for supplements and oils. If your hair is damaged, it’s best to just lop your locks off and start again, to avoid damaged ends travelling up the hair shaft, which can slow hair growth. Massaging the scalp is good as is yoga (avoid inversions during menstruation or for heart problems or glaucoma). These remedies won’t work for alopecia or male pattern baldness.
Good food helps. It’s not true that ‘vegans have thin hair’ any more than anyone else. What’s important is to eat good nourishing natural foods (whatever your diet) with plenty of plant-based proteins and lots of water. Use a natural shampoo from the health shop (or search this site!) Some believe that modern shampoos using sodium lauryl sulphate (used in industry as a degreaser) can stop hair growth. Give it a few weeks, as your hair will likely look worse before it looks better.
a supplement to help your hair grow
If you thought that millet was just for budgies, Feel Hair Loss Support (code partner20 for 20% discount excluding bundles/existing subscriptions) is likely the best hair loss supplement. It’s clinically proven to work in 3 months, vegan, not tested on animals and sold in sustainable packaging. Check with doctor first for medical conditions or if taking supplements/medications.
We lose from 50 to 100 hairs daily (some dormant, some growing and some sheeding). So give it a good 3 months to notice any difference, though you should start seeing results in about 8 weeks or so. But after 3 months, trials show a 50% reduction of hair loss for those taking this supplement.
This supplement has double-blind trial proof to work in 90 days on both hair growth and volume, as well as brightness and shine. And as nails are also made from keratin, you’ll also see good results if you have flaky thin nails. This trial found that 91% of women observed a reduction in hair loss, compared to a placebo group (women not taking it).
The secret ingredient is Keranat™ which on entering their bulb, increases insulin-growth factor IFGI secretion, which increases collagen thickness around the bulb, and produces stronger hair roots. People also find scalp dryness improves. So what is this secret ingredient made of? Millet! In the science term, it’s made from miliacin (a molecule found in millet seeds) along with a few other ingredients, that together target skin underneath the hair bulb, and stimulate hair cell proliferation by 140%.
The formula also includes vitamin B7 (common in hair supplements, biotin is good also to strengthen the hair follicles and can also help to reduce hair loss by enhancing keratin production). Some evidence suggests that low levels of this vitamin is one reason for hair loss.
natural hair growth shampoos & oils
The Powder Shampoo for Hair Loss contains thyme-capsuled to promote hair growth along with ginger and gingeng extract to strengthen the hair bulb, and is enriched with bergamot oil to boost oxygen to the hair. Avoid essential oils for pregnancy/nursing and medical conditions and near pets.
Awake Caffeine Rosemary Shampoo is a powder sold in an aluminium bottle, made with rosemary oil, as a natural alternative to ‘caffeine shampoos’. Three times more concentrated (so cheaper), and is safe for bleached and colour-treated hair. Made with organic coconut milk and guarana (a caffeine-rich herb to stimulate the scalp). Together the ingredients block DHT, a hormone that can cause hair follicles to shrink. Use with Scalp Scrub (avoid during pregnancy/nursing, due to hibiscus).
Ayumi Hair Growth Oil has good reviews. Based on Indian Ayurvedic medicine, it’s messy to use but effective for many people. Made with organic oils of coconut, castor and sesame to increase production of collagen and elastin, warm it up gently to a liquid, then apply to strands and massage in for 15 to 20 minutes. Use a few times weekly. Don’t leave essential oils on your hair overnight, if pets sleep on your bed. Never pour neat essential oils down drains, this can harm aquatic life.
Beauty Kitchen hair growth & scalp oil ((US)is a purchase from over the pond, which has fabulous reviews. Made from natural oils (rice, neem, cotton, kukui and aragon), it’s scented with essential oils of rosemary, mint, tea tree and floral ylang ylang. Sold in a handy 2-ounce bottle (buy a few to save on shipping charges from abroad).