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Stimulating hair follicles is a method to promote hair growth. Alongside certain dietary adjustments and supplements, stimulating hair follicles can help hair grow slightly faster than the average rate. The effectiveness of these methods has been verified, and most natural approaches to stimulating hair follicles can be done at home.
Steps
Scalp Massage
Consider whether you plan to use oil during a scalp massage. Many experts recommend applying oil while massaging the scalp. This not only stimulates hair follicles but also nourishes the scalp and hair roots. Without oil, hair may become tangled or experience excessive pulling. Recommended oils include:
- Coconut oil
- Jojoba oil
- Olive oil
- Almond oil
- Egg oil (Eyova)
- Avocado oil
- Castor oil
Determine the best time for a scalp massage. You have several options here, primarily depending on whether you use oil during the massage.
- While shampooing in the shower (no oil needed)
- Before bathing
- Before bedtime
Warm a small amount of your chosen oil in a small bowl. If you prefer using oil for your scalp massage, warm a small quantity. You can place the bowl in hot water or heat it gently in a pot.
- Use no more than 1 tablespoon of oil.
Place your fingertips on your scalp and begin massaging in small circular motions. Your fingertips help stimulate blood flow to the scalp.
- If using oil, dip your fingertips into the warmed oil before touching your scalp, then massage the oil into your scalp with small circular motions. Use the minimum amount of oil to avoid greasiness.
Massage your entire scalp for up to 5 minutes. You can divide your hair into sections and massage each for about a minute, or simply work your way slowly across your entire head.
- Use a variety of techniques. Try tapping, kneading, stroking, and rubbing your scalp.
- Some methods suggest flipping your hair upside down during the massage to increase blood flow to the scalp. This is not a proven method, so proceed with caution, especially if you have health concerns like pregnancy or dizziness.
Wrap your hair in an old T-shirt, a thin towel, or a shower cap. Wrapping your hair allows the oil time to penetrate the hair follicles and strands, enhancing its nourishing effects. Leave it wrapped for up to 2 hours.
- Thick, heavy towels can cause hair breakage, so opt for an old T-shirt or a lightweight microfiber towel.
- This step is unnecessary if you did not use oil during the scalp massage.
Wash your hair thoroughly if you used oil for the massage. Any hair type can become greasy if too much oil is left on the strands. This is especially true for fine hair, as oil tends to weigh it down.
- Shampoo and condition as usual. You may need to shampoo twice to completely remove the oil.
Use a scalp massager if you prefer not to use oil. You can find these devices at beauty supply stores. This tool allows you to massage your scalp without oil. Some scalp massagers are battery-operated.
Repeat this treatment 2 or 3 times a week. Avoid massaging your scalp daily, as washing your hair every day to remove oil can dry it out. Instead, limit scalp massages to 2-3 times a week. You can do dry massages or incorporate them into your shampoo and conditioning routine in the shower.
Incorporate essential oils into your scalp massage
Purchase rosemary and peppermint essential oils. You can find these oils at natural product stores, health stores, or online.
- Rosemary and peppermint essential oils have been proven to stimulate hair growth when used in scalp massages.
Add 3-4 drops of essential oil to a carrier oil. Any oil you use for scalp massage can serve as a carrier oil. When massaging your scalp, mix a few drops of rosemary and peppermint essential oils into the carrier oil.
- You can also look for shampoos and/or conditioners that contain these essential oils.
- Avoid using essential oils without a carrier oil to prevent scalp irritation.
Massage the mixture into your scalp. Use small circular motions with your fingertips, avoiding your nails. Slowly work your way across your scalp for about 5 minutes.
- You can section your hair if preferred, but ensure the entire scalp is covered.
Leave the oil on your hair for nourishment. After massaging, consider leaving the oil on your hair for up to 2 hours. Use an old T-shirt or a thin towel to wrap your hair or cover it with a shower cap.
Rinse your hair thoroughly. To completely remove the oil, you may need to shampoo twice, followed by your regular conditioner.
Use a hairbrush to stimulate hair follicles
Purchase a hairbrush with natural bristles. To effectively stimulate hair follicles and encourage the scalp to produce natural oils, the most recommended method is using a hairbrush with natural bristles.
Brush your hair to detangle it. Start brushing from the ends, gradually working your way up to the roots. You can apply a leave-in conditioner before brushing to prevent tangling.
Bend over to flip your hair upside down. You’ll need to temporarily hold this position to brush the underside of your hair at the nape of your neck.
Brush your hair with long, gentle strokes from the nape. Brush your hair forward over the crown and down toward the ends, pointing toward the floor.
- Move the brush along the nape and up toward the sides of your ears. You can also part your hair to reach difficult sections.
- Brush for about 3-5 minutes.
Slowly return to an upright position. Prevent dizziness by gradually standing up straight, allowing your body time to adjust.
Repeat the brushing process as before, starting from the roots and moving to the ends. This time, brush for 3-5 minutes, covering the entire scalp.
- Use gentle, slow strokes to avoid breakage and to stimulate the scalp.
- Section your hair if necessary.
Repeat this method up to three times daily. You can brush your hair with a natural-bristle brush up to three times a day, but it’s recommended to do it at least once daily.
Apply onion juice to the scalp
Purchase a few onions. While it’s best to make onion juice in small batches to avoid spoilage, having extra onions on hand is useful for future batches.
Peel the onions. Use your fingers to peel the onions, or cut them into pieces to make peeling easier.
Determine how much juice one onion can yield. You have three options, depending on the kitchen tools available:
- Juicer: Cut the onion into small pieces and process it in a juicer.
- Blender or food processor: Quarter the onion and blend it in a blender or food processor. Strain the mixture through a metal sieve or cheesecloth over a bowl to extract the juice.
- Grater: Halve the onion and grate each half. Strain the pulp through cheesecloth over a bowl to collect the juice.
Apply onion juice to a small, hidden area of skin to test for allergies. Pure, fresh onion juice is potent and may cause allergic reactions.
- Discontinue use if you experience an allergic reaction.
Apply onion juice to your scalp and massage it in. Carefully pour the onion juice onto your scalp, then use your fingertips to massage it in. The massage helps enhance the effectiveness of stimulating hair follicles.
Leave the onion juice on your scalp for at least 30 minutes, up to 1 hour. For optimal results, keep the onion juice on your scalp for at least half an hour.
Wash your hair as usual. After the waiting period, shampoo and condition your hair normally to remove the onion scent.
Repeat this treatment three times a week. It is recommended to use onion juice three times a week for about two months to achieve the best results.
Tips
- Always use your fingertips when massaging your scalp to avoid scratching it with your nails.
- Clean a natural-bristle hairbrush by using a wide-tooth comb to remove hair strands. Hold the comb perpendicular to the bristles and gently push to dislodge trapped hair. Then, rinse the brush and place it bristle-down on a towel to dry.
Warnings
- Test any new treatment on a small area of your scalp before applying it fully to check for skin reactions.
