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Hair plays a vital role in protecting the skin and maintaining the body’s temperature balance. Hair growth follows a natural cycle, which is influenced by various factors such as hair location, age, family history, nutritional status, and environmental conditions. There are numerous ways to treat hair loss (specifically on the scalp), one of which includes using garlic. Below is a step-by-step guide on how to treat hair loss using garlic.
Steps
Prepare a Garlic Hair Care Mixture
Extract Garlic Juice. To treat hair loss, you can use a garlic-based mixture. Begin by preparing 6-8 garlic cloves and peeling them. Use a pressing tool to extract 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of garlic juice.
- If the juice is insufficient, you can add more garlic until you have extracted 25 ml of juice.
Prepare the Honey Mixture. Set aside the garlic juice once it has been extracted. Then, measure 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of honey. Mix the honey into the garlic juice and place the combined mixture in the refrigerator.
Brew Chamomile Tea. While waiting for the honey and garlic mixture to chill, you can brew chamomile tea. Prepare 2 chamomile tea bags or 3 teaspoons of loose leaf chamomile. Place the tea bags or loose leaf tea in a teapot, then pour 700 ml of water into the pot and simmer for about 30 minutes.
- Once the tea has steeped, pour it into a cup. If using loose leaf tea, strain the leaves before serving.
Complete the Mixture. After brewing the tea, remove the honey and garlic mixture from the refrigerator. Add the yolk of one egg to the mixture. It may take a few minutes for the ingredients to blend well, as honey is thick and sticky. Then, add 1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel and mix thoroughly.
Apply the Mixture. Once all the ingredients are fully mixed, find a clean spot to apply the mixture without spilling. Gently massage the mixture into your scalp (do not apply it to the entire length of your hair). Since hair grows from the scalp, it’s best to focus on massaging the scalp. Finally, cover your head with a clean cotton towel.
- Leave the mixture on your scalp for about 20 minutes.
Wash Your Hair. After 20 minutes, use baby shampoo or a mild shampoo to thoroughly wash your hair. Next, massage the yolk of one egg into your scalp. Finally, rinse your hair with warm water.
- Ensure the egg yolk is evenly distributed on your hair. Only rinse with warm water and avoid using shampoo for the second wash.
Complete the Process. After thoroughly rinsing out the egg yolk, it’s time to use the chamomile tea. Prepare a cup of chamomile tea and pour it over your scalp, using it as a final rinse. Apply this method 2-3 times a week until hair begins to grow back or shedding stops.
- Repeat this treatment twice a month.
Use Other Natural Ingredients
Try Another Garlic Remedy. You can also use pure garlic oil to treat hair loss. Massage garlic oil into your scalp before shampooing. For better scalp health, consider warming the garlic oil before use. Repeat this treatment 2-3 times a week until hair regrows or shedding ceases. Once results are seen, reduce to twice a month. Brands like Puritan’s Pride and Eclectic Institute offer pure garlic oil.
- You may also find hair masks containing garlic, such as Dabur Vatika Garlic-enriched Hair Oil or Alter Ego Garlic Mask.
- Alternatively, add fresh garlic to your mild shampoo. Chop 2-3 garlic cloves and mix them into the shampoo. Use this garlic-infused shampoo 2-3 times a week.
- Although there is no direct evidence that consuming garlic or using garlic supplements can treat hair loss, you can still try this approach. Add garlic to your meals or use it in supplement form to support hair health.
- Some studies combining garlic gel and steroid treatments for severe hair loss found that garlic significantly improved hair regrowth.
Increase Protein Intake to Stimulate Hair Growth. Contrary to what shampoo and conditioner manufacturers might tell you, strong and healthy hair needs to be nourished from within. Hair is primarily made up of protein, so for faster hair growth, it’s essential to consume high-quality protein. Focus on a variety of complete protein sources that provide essential amino acids to build strong hair.
- Eat more eggs, dairy products, quinoa, buckwheat, hemp seeds, chia seeds, soybeans, tofu, fermented tofu, natto, rice, and legumes.
Consume More B Vitamins. A diet rich in B vitamins is important for healthy hair follicles and overall hair growth. Foods rich in B vitamins include spinach, parsley, mustard greens, Romaine lettuce, kale, amaranth, broccoli, beets, radishes, bell peppers, beans, lentils, beef and calf liver, and B-vitamin-fortified cereals.
Boost Mineral Intake. Iron is the only mineral directly linked to hair loss. Although low levels of zinc and selenium are associated with hair thinning, it's still uncertain whether deficiencies in these minerals are a major or minor cause of hair loss. You can supplement with iron, zinc, or selenium and increase your intake of foods rich in these minerals.
- Include more iron-rich foods like eggs, lean meats, grass-fed red meat, dark leafy greens, beans, lentils, and liver. Zinc can be found in seafood, shellfish, spinach, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and nuts.
- Applying omega-3 fatty acids to the scalp has been shown to increase hair strand count. Increasing omega-3 intake may support your hair regrowth efforts. Omega-3 fatty acids are abundant in salmon, mackerel, eggs, flax seeds, soybeans, chia seeds, walnuts, herring, sardines, and perch.
- If opting for supplements, be cautious not to overdo it. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions to avoid mineral overdose.
Alter Hair Care Habits
Avoid Over-Washing Your Hair. Reducing hair loss can be achieved by changing your hair care habits. Avoid washing your hair too often, as it doesn’t directly cause hair loss but strips away natural oils, making hair more prone to breakage.
- Experts suggest washing your hair only 2-3 times per week.
Stay Away from Shampoos with Harsh Chemicals. Some shampoos contain harmful chemicals that can damage hair, leaving it dry and worsening hair loss. Instead, choose natural shampoos with nourishing ingredients that help retain essential nutrients in your hair.
- Avoid shampoos with ingredients like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), parabens, and ammonium chloride, especially if your hair is thin, prone to breakage, or has been chemically treated (straightened, curled, dyed, etc.).
Don’t Overuse Conditioner. Using too much conditioner can contribute to hair loss. Conditioners can weigh down the hair roots and damage follicles, leading to hair shedding. Apply conditioner only 1-2 times a week and avoid putting it on your scalp.
- Consider trying natural conditioners like Nature’s Gate, Babo Botanicals, WEN, and Intelligent Nutrients.
Hair Loss Treatment Medications
Seek Medical Attention. If you're experiencing frequent hair shedding, it’s essential to identify the root cause. It's best to see a doctor for a proper evaluation. Several health conditions feature hair loss as a symptom, so pinpointing the underlying reason is crucial. However, there are also various ways to manage hair loss before deciding to consult with a healthcare provider.
Medications for Men. The primary medications used to treat hair loss in men are Proscar and Propecia, both of which are 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors. These drugs help block hormones that damage hair follicles. Minoxidil is another option, known to stimulate hair growth.
- While Minoxidil is generally less effective than Finasteride, it can be applied directly to areas of hair loss.
Medications for Women. Though women account for 40% of hair loss cases, female hair thinning often receives less attention. 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors are not commonly used in women due to potential side effects on female hormones. Minoxidil 2% is often prescribed for women because it can be applied directly to the scalp with fewer side effects and greater effectiveness. Other medications for hair loss include Aldactone, Tagamet, and Cyproterone Acetate.
- For women, hormone replacement therapy may be beneficial. Pregnant women should exercise caution when using hair loss treatments, as certain medications may cause birth defects.
