Eat a Healthy Diet Hair strands are made up of a protein called keratin. Therefore, it's important to get enough protein in your diet. Eat plenty of chicken, lean beef, lentils and beans to maintain healthy hair follicle function. Other nutrients that benefit hair growth include zinc, iron, B vitamins and silica.
Hair follicles are mostly made of protein, and the lack of it promotes hair loss. Proteins 'feed' the hair from the inside. Foods high in protein, vitamins A, C, and E, minerals like zinc and iron, and omega-3 fatty acids can contribute to healthier hair.
There are a variety of methods available for the regrowth of hair follicles, from using medication to massaging your scalp to stimulate your hair directly. Currently, the most effective way to reactivate your hair follicles is by using medication, such as finasteride and minoxidil.
Electrolysis. This method sends an electrical current through a hair follicle, which will damage the follicle and prevent hair from growing. Because hair grows in cycles, it takes several sessions to get permanent hair removal. You'll also find kits that allow you to perform electrolysis at home.
When a hair follicle goes dormant, it cannot be restored. So any ads for hair “restoration” that you might see are actually ads for surgical transplantation of hair follicles—taking hair from one part of the scalp and moving it to another.
The B vitamins that affect hair growth are Vitamin B6, folic acid, and Vitamin B12. These vitamins are important for proper formation of red blood cells, which carry oxygen to the tissues, including the hair.
Biotin. Biotin, also known as vitamin B7, is a complex B vitamin that is often touted for having hair growth benefits. And some of that hype may actually be worth it. Biotin has functions in “creating red blood cells, which carry oxygen and nutrients to the scalp and hair follicles,” says Dr. Green.
Iron deficiency (ID) is the world's most common nutritional deficiency and is a well-known cause of hair loss.
Only riboflavin, biotin, folate, and vitamin B12 deficiencies have been associated with hair loss.
“Some ingredients that stimulate growth are herbs like saw palmetto, horsetail, and vitamin B3,” Stevens says. “Oils like coconut oil, vitamin E oil, pumpkin seed oil, peppermint oil, rosemary, tea tree, and thyme oil are additional options.”
"ACV unblocks follicles in the scalp so that strands have freedom to thrive," Ruggeri says. (Note: If you do use dry shampoo, Ruggeri advises spraying it on the mid-lengths of hair, rather than the roots, to prevent clogging the follicle).
Dead hair follicles are most evident when the scalp's skin (where the hair once grew) becomes smoother and shinier in appearance. In other words, there'll quite literally be no hair there/no signs of regrowth if your hair follicles are completely dead.
A number of essential oils including lavender, rosemary, thyme, and cedarwood are effective in boosting hair growth. Some carrier oils like jojoba oil, coconut oil, olive oil, almond oil, castor oil, etc. can also be used to improve hair growth. So use them the right way to start noticing new strands of hair!
Can magnesium deficiency cause you to lose hair? The short answer is 'yes. ' Magnesium plays a vital role in growing new hair as well keeping the hair that you already have. Believe it or not, Magnesium is one of the most under-rated minerals that may contribute to healthy hair growth.
Sources of Biotin
Foods that contain the most biotin include organ meats, eggs, fish, meat, seeds, nuts, and certain vegetables (such as sweet potatoes) [2,12].
Vitamin B7 is found in a number of foods, though in small amounts. This includes walnuts, peanuts, cereals, milk, and egg yolks. Other foods that contain this vitamin are whole meal bread, salmon, pork, sardines, mushroom and cauliflower. Fruits that contain biotin include avocados, bananas and raspberries.
Some of the best sources of biotin include legumes, egg yolks, organ meats, nuts, seeds, mushrooms, avocados, sweet potatoes, and yeast. Biotin supplements are available as well, but most people can get all of the biotin they need by eating a balanced diet.
Biotinidase deficiency (BTD) is the most common cause of biotin deficiency. BTD is a rare inherited disorder where the body is not able to use biotin and leads to biotin deficiency.
Here's the truth: You can't change the size of your hair follicles. If you were born with fine hair, it's genetics, and no product will completely alter that. Of course, there are ways to maintain your hair health, add volume, and keep it from getting any thinner.