Home Remedies for Hair Regrowth

What am I putting in my hair?

Today, we will go over ingredients that are commonly used in hair restoration solutions and everyday hair products, many of which are readily available for home use. We will discuss their beneficial properties supported by different studies and the studies' factors that can cause concern.

It is important to acknowledge that these natural ingredients do not replace standard medical therapy, such as minoxidil, finasteride, laser light therapy, PRP, and microneedling. Even though these ingredients cannot replace conventional medical therapies and hair transplant surgery, they can be a part of a daily routine that improves overall hair health.

Azelaic acid

Azelaic acid comes from fungus and is derived from grains such as wheat and barley. The acid is anti-androgenic since it blocks 5α-reductase.

You should be aware that it can induce irritation and that there have been no studies for androgenic alopecia. There has been only one study performed for alopecia areata, which was not placebo-controlled.

Biotin

Biotin, also called B7, has a function in keratin production, which means that it has a role in the growth of healthy hair and nails. It can be found in foods we often eat- egg yolks and spinach, for example.

A small percentage of people who are deficient in biotin seem to have hair regrowth benefits from supplement use. However, there has been no randomized study that proves the efficacy of biotin supplements in healthy individuals.

Caffeine

Caffeine is known to stimulate hair growth in both male and female human hair follicles in vitro. A study done in 2022 found that caffeine can counteract stress-induced hair damage and possibly prevent hair loss that results from stress.

Curcumin

Curcumin is an anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating agent. The chemical decreases dihydrotestosterone (DHT), high levels of which are associated with hair loss. Moreover, curcumin has been shown to minimize hair loss by inhibiting androgen receptor expression.

Garlic

Garlic boosts blood circulation in the scalp and increases collagen production. 

A study done in 2007 found that garlic gel significantly added to the therapeutic efficacy of topical betamethasone, a corticosteroid used to treat alopecia areata.

Green tea

According to several different studies, green tea is anti-inflammatory and anti-cancerogenic. A study demonstrated its effectiveness in hair loss within mice. Thirty-three mice that received green tea extract in their drinking water showed hair growth within six months. What can raise doubt is that the percentage of mice in the control group that may have experienced hair growth was not stated.

Olive oil

A case study showed improvement when olive oil was used for psoriatic alopecia, but not necessarily for androgenic alopecia. There have been no known controlled trials confirming the efficacy of olive oil in treating hair loss.

Pumpkin seed oil (PSO)

Pumpkin seed oil has beneficial nutrients such as essential fatty acids, β-keratins, lutein, tocopherols, and phytosterols. It blocks 5α-reductase and has anti-androgenic effects on prostate gland enlargement.

There is a promising randomized placebo-controlled trial of 75 men with androgenic alopecia that showed a 25% net hair count increase at 12 weeks and a 30% increase at 24 weeks using the phototrichogram.

Rosemary oil

Rosemary oil comes from a medicinal plant that has been shown to enhance microcapillary perfusion. A research study showed that topical rosemary solution was as effective as minoxidil 2% in the treatment of androgenic alopecia.

However, the actual efficacy of rosemary oil is not shown in the study while many studies do show minoxidil's efficacy for hair growth.

Saw Palmetto

Saw Palmetto is comprised primarily of fatty acids and phytosterols such as β-sitosterol, β-keratin, vitamin E derivatives, and polysaccharides. It is a natural inhibitor of types 1 and 2 5α-reductase which prevents the conversion from testosterone to dihydrotestosterone and which is how it helps decrease hair loss. 

Saw Palmetto is used as an alternative treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH. Several human studies have demonstrated modest hair regrowth using oral and topical Saw Palmetto-containing products among patients with androgenic alopecia.

How can we apply this knowledge?

Part of proper hair care is being aware of the ingredients that go into the products that we use, such as shampoos, conditioners, and different serums. Four natural ingredients that seem to be helpful are caffeine, curcumin, pumpkin seed oil, and Saw Palmetto.

Caffeine is useful because of its potential to counteract stress-induced hair loss. Curcumin is listed for its anti-androgenic and anti-inflammatory properties. Furthermore, pumpkin seed oil seems to be anti-androgenic and seems to perform well in studies. Lastly, Saw Palmetto is commonly used for hair growth and overall hair health as it is anti-androgenic and anti-inflammatory. 

Sources:

The content of this newsletter is for entertainment and educational purposes only. This content is not meant to provide any medical advice or treat any medical conditions. Patients must be evaluated by an appropriate healthcare provider on an individual basis and treatment must be tailored to meet that patient’s needs. Results and particular outcomes are not guaranteed.

Written by Aleksandra Božović | Edited by Dr. Gary Linkov
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