Minoxidil is a commonly used drug that can help promote hair growth, especially in severe cases of hair loss. But as we know there are always natural substitutes for almost every problem! It is just that it may take longer to see the results and patience is the key.
So what are the natural substitutes for minoxidil then? Well, this article has all the details ready for you, check it out below!
What exactly is Minoxidil?
Minoxidil is a well-known ingredient that is added to hair growth treatments that are used to help stimulate the growth of hair in adults (18 years or older) who are suffering from baldness or receding hairlines.
Minoxidil is known to be a vasodilatation drug that can help the blood vessels widen and allow better blood flow to the scalp’s hair follicles, thus increasing hair growth.
It can help increase the anagen phase of the hair (growth phase) and reduce or shorten the resting phase of the hair cycle.
The 3 Natural Substitutes to Minoxidil
1. Massage your scalp with oil – rosemary oil
When you massage your scalp after pouring oil onto the scalp and hair, it will help improve the blood circulation of the scalp and increases hair growth by stimulating the hair follicles. It can also improve hair texture, lustre and decrease hair loss. This is similar to the effects of using minoxidil on the hair.
How to scalp massage: Warm black seed oil just a little and do not make it too hot, as it will burn the scalp. This step is important as the warm oil can penetrate into the hair follicles more easily and soothe the scalp and stimulate hair growth.
Add in a few drops of rosemary essential oil and peppermint essential oil. Partition your hair and evenly apply the oil onto the scalp and hair. Massage the oil into your scalp using gentle and circular motions and do this for around 5 to 10 minutes. Start with the scalp and then work your way down to the hair until the tips of the hair.
2. Consume DHT blocker foods to reduce hair fall
DHT, also known as Dihydrotestosterone is a hormone similar to testosterone, which is associated with hair loss in both men and women. Our bodies naturally convert certain percentage of testosterone into DHT using an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase.
High levels of dihydrotestosterone in the body can shrink the hair follicles and shorten the hair cycle. This will result in the hair growing out thinner than usual and will be more prone to breakage and falling out as the hair becomes more brittle. DHT can also make the hair follicles take longer to grow back once hair has fallen out. DHT can be influenced by both external and internal factors.
DHT hair loss in men is of male pattern baldness and causes hair loss or hair thinning along the hairline or at the crown. DHT hair loss in women differs from men as it will reduce hair quantity on an overall level and thin down the hair. READ MORE – NATURAL HAIR GROWTH SUPPLEMENT FOR FASTER AND THICKER HAIR GROWTH
Here are certain foods than can help block DHT and prevent hair fall:
- Almonds
- Green tea
- Coconut oil
- Pumpkin seeds
- Onions
- Eggs
- Walnuts
- Foods containing lycopene (carrots, tomatoes, watermelon, guava, mangoes etc) and phytosterols (spinach, white mushroom, kale, etc)
3. Try micro-needling or derma roller on the scalp
Microneedling is a procedure that is well-known to help treat hair loss. Small needles are pricked into the skin on the scalp using a skin roller, in order to encourage the regeneration of hair growth from the hair follicle.
Using the process of micro-needling on your hair can also help other hair care and hair growth products penetrate deeper and more easily into the hair follicle and promote hair growth successfully.