Experiencing hair loss or thinning can be devastating, especially when you’re young and feeling otherwise healthy.
After all, hair loss and thinning are supposed to be a middle-aged male problem, right? Wrong.
Unfortunately, many people, including women, experience hair loss, hair thinning, or general lack of hair luster in their younger years.
But just because it’s become common doesn’t mean it’s normal or you have to live with it.
The good news is it is possible to make your hair grow naturally and stop all that worrisome shedding. And remember, it’s best to talk to a doctor or dermatologist if you are concerned about your hair loss.
In this article, you’ll learn the causes of unexplained hair loss and how to make your hair grow naturally using diet, lifestyle, herbs, and the best hair-strengthening products.
15 Little-Known Causes Of Hair Loss
The first step in making your hair grow back naturally is to understand and identify what could be causing hair loss.
The good news is that hair loss can be caused by multiple factors that are within our control to change.
The Following are 15 Little-known Causes of Hair Loss
For nutrient deficiencies, supplementation may help! We linked to some products from our sister brand, Country Life, for some of the applicable potential hair loss causes. Your doctor or healthcare professional can help you decide if this is a good option for you.
- Stress: Acute or chronic stress can cause hair loss for several months or even years.
- HPA Axis dysfunction (also known as adrenal fatigue): Tired adrenals can also cause hair loss and may be connected to other underlying health issues. This is usually caused by stress.
- Thyroid health issues: Thyroid problems, like hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s, caused by lack of thyroid hormone, can cause hair loss, even if they are subclinical.
- Lack of protein in the diet: Protein is essential for hair growth, structure, and strength.
- Iron Deficiency: Getting enough iron is essential to hair growth and health.
- B-vitamin and biotin deficiency: B-vitamins, particularly biotin and vitamin B12, are essential for hair follicle health, growth, and a healthy stress response.
- Genetic variations like MTHFR can impair the absorption of certain forms of B vitamins
- Having a baby: Postpartum hair loss is very common and usually due to hormonal changes. It may or may not relate to other issues as well, such as chronic stress and postpartum thyroiditis.
- Hormonal imbalances: Estrogen, testosterone, and cortisol can affect hair follicle health.
- Heredity: Heredity can play a role in hair loss, but it’s important to rule out other causal factors first, as these same issues may have affected your mother, father, grandparents, etc.
- Certain medications: Although medications may be necessary in some cases, some, like birth control pills, can deplete essential hair nutrients, like B vitamins. If that is a concern, it’s important to talk to your doctor about your medications and supplements.
- Lack of sleep: Lack of sleep deprives the body (and hair) of the rest it needs to regenerate. It also can lead to hormonal imbalance which may impact hair growth.
- Extreme changes in diet: From drastically cutting calories to cutting out entire food groups, drastic changes in diet can create a shockwave that impacts hair follicles, especially if you aren’t getting enough nutrients like protein, B-vitamins, essential fatty acids, zinc, and iron. A multivitamin might be a good option here.
- Chronic illness: Various chronic conditions, including autoimmune disease, can affect hair growth.
- Over-styling and processing hair and using the wrong hair care products: Many synthetic chemical hair products, such as hair dyes and those made with petroleum products, damage the hair and/or plug up hair follicles, leading to hair loss and thinning.
This isn’t a complete list of reasons you might be losing hair, but it should give some clues as to potential causes.
As mentioned, if you suspect a health issue, be sure to discuss it with your healthcare practitioner.
8 Ways To Make Hair Grow Faster Naturally
Now that we’ve examined some causes of hair loss, let’s explore some simple solutions to help hair grow naturally using diet, lifestyle, and nourishing hair products.
1. Swap Synthetic Hair Products for Natural Hair Care Alternatives
Synthetic hair products may work great for a while.
However, many conventional shampoos, conditioners, and hair styling products contain petroleum-based ingredients, like surfactants and alcohols, that can dry, damage, strip, and plug hair follicles while creating build-up, which can lead to hair loss.
Conversely, natural hair care products with nourishing oils like jojoba, tea tree, and argan and naturally derived surfactants (foaming agents that remove dirt and oil) are gentle and restorative to the hair, which may help prevent hair loss and bolster strength.
For example, Desert Essence Green Apple & Ginger Volumizing Shampoo and Conditioner give your hair noticeable volume and thickness while naturally strengthening with ginger, a traditional herb known to support healthy hair growth.
These products are excellent paired with Desert Essence Lemon Tea Tree Clarifying Shampoo or Italian Lemon to remove build-up once a week (lemon has also been shown effective for hair growth), and Desert Essence Anti-Breakage Conditioner and Anti-Breakage Hair Mask with Keratin, Provitamin B5, and Saw Palmetto to help reduce breakage by up to 61%.*
Shop all Desert Essence hair care products here.
2. Reduce Stress
It may be easier said than done, but reducing stress is one of the easiest and most inexpensive ways to enhance hair growth, beauty, and luster.
Although we cannot control our circumstances, we can learn to control how we respond to them—either in stress and frenzy or with acceptance and calm.
This doesn’t mean you become divorced from your emotions; it just means you learn how to balance the effects of stress with better self-care and self-awareness.
Here are some stress-reducing practices to try:
- Exercise daily by doing something you enjoy. Hiking, dancing, and practicing yoga are all excellent ways to reduce stress and keep your body fit.
- Journal. Journaling your thoughts, worries, gratitudes, and hopes is a fantastic way to reduce anxiety, calm your busy brain, and practice creativity, all of which will reduce stress.
- Get outdoors every day. Sunlight and fresh air are nature’s best stress-busters and will even help you sleep better. Get double-benefit by taking your workout or journaling outdoors!
- Spend time with friends. Building community and fostering friendships takes our minds off our troubles and reduces loneliness, a top cause and contributor to stress.
- Drink tea. The simple act of slowing down and drinking a cup of tea has been shown to reduce stress.
- Practice mindfulness. This doesn’t have to mean sitting in the lotus position chanting a mantra. Mindfulness is simply enhancing awareness of the present moment and can be achieved by doing anything that puts you into a flow state, such as silent walking, writing, spending time in nature, bike riding, painting, or other creative pursuits.
Dedicate a small portion of your day to stress-reducing practices and you’ll notice a difference in your hair growth, and overall health & happiness.
3. Consider More Natural Hair Color Solutions
As you’ve probably noticed, coloring your hair with conventional color can lead to significant hair loss.
In this case, you have two choices:
- Stop coloring your hair, or
- Switch to less damaging, more natural hair color products
Fortunately, there are several lower-tox or even all-natural hair color options available.
Look for products free from common hair-damaging ingredients like ammonia, PDP, toluenes, heavy metals, and petroleum products.
Consider henna, indigo, herb blends, and hair pigment restoration products for all-natural options.
Unlike the messy bright red henna of the past, new henna products are typically combined with other herbs to help achieve various colors such as blondes, brunettes, reds, and blacks. They can even cover gray when applied as directed.
No matter what products you use, be sure to use a restorative and protective shampoo like Desert Essence Italian Red Grape after coloring to reduce damage and prevent fading.
4. Try a Natural Hair Oil Treatment
Deep-conditioning natural hair oil treatments have a long history of use globally to treat hair conditions, including hair loss, and maintain hair health and shine.
Hair oil treatments are fantastic for hair growth because they’re easy to use, customizable, and can be applied at home.
Some of the best oils for promoting hair growth and strength include:
- Jojoba: This balancing, non-greasy oil is rich in vitamins and minerals that hydrate and nourish hair, including vitamins C, E, B vitamins, zinc, and copper. It’s also been shown to penetrate the hair shaft and reduce protein loss, which may help restore hair growth and prevent hair loss
- Moringa Oil: Moringa is an Ayurvedic herb traditionally used internally and topically to promote healthy hair, skin, and nails. Animals studies also suggest it may be effective against hair loss
- Cannabis sativa (hemp) oil: The rich omegas in hemp oil may have promote hair growth, moisture, and strength
- Coconut oil: Coconut oil is used all over the world to strengthen, moisturize, and repair damaged hair
- Oregano Oil: Oregano oil or essential oil can be mixed with jojoba or coconut to help stimulate hair growth and address any scalp issues that may be hindering hair growth.
- Coffee oil: Caffeine has been shown effective for hair growth. Plus, coffee contains various nutrients that nourish hair follicles
- Argan oil: This oil is rich in essential fatty acids and is particularly helpful for damaged or colored hair
Check out Desert Essence’s Organic Coconut Jojoba and Coffee Oil, Cannabis Sativa & Jojoba Pure Oil Blend, Moringa, Jojoba, and Rosehip, and 100% Pure Organic Jojoba Oil to create your own hair growth-stimulating treatment.
Learn more in: The Ultimate Guide To Hair Oiling
5. Try a Biotin Supplement
Most hair, skin, and nail supplements contain biotin (vitamin B9) as the leading ingredient.
That’s because biotin deficiency or insufficiency is associated with hair loss and thinning.
Biotin is a water-soluble vitamin, meaning your body will excrete what it doesn’t use. It’s found in various foods including egg yolks, legumes, nuts and seeds, organ meats, sweet potatoes, and mushrooms, but many people don’t get enough to support hair growth.
Biotin supplements are inexpensive and widely available as standalone products, in hair, skin, and nail products, multivitamins, and B-complexes.
For hair growth, look for a high-potency biotin supplement with 5 to 10 milligrams (mg) of biotin, and be patient. Most people notice results in a few weeks.
Our sister company, Country Life Vitamins, offers various biotin supplements, including:
Always check with your healthcare practitioner before taking supplements.
6. Get Your Iron Levels Checked
Low or insufficient iron levels are a common cause of hair loss.
Unfortunately, iron deficiency (also known as anemia) is common, especially among women, with the World Health Organization estimating approximately 30-37% of women are deficient worldwide.
Your doctor can order lab work, such as CBC (complete blood count) and ferritin (stored iron) tests, to determine your iron status.
If you’re deficient, your doctor will recommend dietary changes to restore iron levels. This should help stop hair loss and promote regrowth.
7. Eat More Protein
Did you know your hair, skin, and nails are made up of a protein called keratin?
This is why getting adequate protein is essential to preventing hair loss and promoting growth.
So, how much do you need?
Although various experts recommend more or less, the official RDA (Recommended Dietary Allowance) is 0.36 grams per pound of body weight.
So, a woman weighing 150 pounds would need to consume at least 54 grams of protein daily.
Meats, beans, legumes, dairy products, tofu, tempeh, nuts and seeds, and eggs are the best sources of protein.
High-quality, clean protein powders are also a great source of protein and are often recommended for hair growth.
Our sister company, BioChem, offers a variety of ultra-clean whey and vegan protein powders that are certified gluten-free, sustainably sourced, tested for contaminants, free from artificial sweeteners and ingredients, and incredibly tasty.
Check out Biochem's offerings and recipes here.
8. Swap Heat Styling For Breezy Au Naturale Looks
Regular heat styling with blow dryers, flat irons, and curling wands can dry and damage hair, leading to breakage and hair loss.
Cutting back on heat styling even a couple times a week can make a huge difference to your hair—and it needn’t mean sacrificing style.
Natural styling products, like Desert Essence Smoothing Hair Primer and Coconut Soft Curls Hair Cream, can help you create easy, breezy, no-heat looks like scrunchy curls, beach waves, and more without damaging your hair.
You can also search “overnight hairstyles” to discover dozens of ways to set wet, damp, or dry hair before bed and wake up to beautiful, heat-free hairstyles.
Try Desert Essence Coconut Hair Defrizzer and Heat Protector Spray on heat-styling days to minimize damage.
Final Thoughts on How to Make Hair Grow Naturally + Recap
It’s been said our health is reflected in the look and quality of our hair, skin, and nails.
Although many factors can contribute to hair loss, it’s essential to get to the source of the problem.
This may mean something as simple as switching hair care products or styling routines or talking with your healthcare practitioner about nutrient deficiencies, thyroid health, or other factors.
Regardless, the tips in this article can help you on your journey to restoring your hair’s natural beauty, growth, and youthful luster.
Here’s a Quick Recap of Recommended Products for Hair Growth:
Hair Care
- Organic Coconut Jojoba and Coffee Oil for deep conditioning hair oil treatments
- Desert Essence Italian Red Grape to reduce damage from hair coloring and protect color from fading
- Desert Essence Green Apple & Ginger volumizing shampoo and Conditioner for added volume and thickness
- Desert Essence Lemon Tea Tree Clarifying Shampoo or Italian Lemon to remove build-up (lemon has also been shown effective for hair growth)
- Desert Essence Anti-Breakage Conditioner and Anti-Breakage Hair Mask with Keratin, Provitamin B5, and Saw Palmetto to help reduce breakage by up to 61%*
- Organic Coconut Jojoba and Coffee Oil, Cannabis Sativa & Jojoba Pure Oil Blend, Moringa, Jojoba, and Rosehip, and 100% Pure Organic Jojoba Oil for hair oiling
Supplements
Protein Powder
Sources mentioned in this article:
- “How chronic stress leads to hair loss”. The Harvard Gazette.
- “Impact of Thyroid Dysfunction on Hair Disorders”. Cureus.
- “Female pattern hair loss may be triggered by low oestrogen to androgen ratio”. Endocr Regul.
- “Are you getting enough protein? Here's what happens if you don't”. UCLA Health.
- “The Role of Vitamins and Minerals in Hair Loss: A Review”. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb).
- “Blood levels of homocysteine, folate, vitamin B6 and B12 in women using oral contraceptives compared to non-users”. Thromb Res.
- “Anaemia in women and children”. World Health Organization.
- “Modulation of Hair Growth Promoting Effect by Natural Products”. Pharmaceutics
- “Hair Cosmetics: An Overview”. International Journal of Trichology.
- “Hair Protective Effect of Argan Oil (Argania spinosa Kernel Oil) and Cupuassu Butter (Theobroma grandiflorum Seed Butter) Post Treatment with Hair Dye.” Journal of Cosmetics, Dermatological Sciences and Applications.
- “Anaemia in women and children”. World Health Organization.
- “The Potential of Moringa (Moringa oleifera Lamk) Seed Oil as Anti-Alopecia”. Pharmacogn J. 2022.