Some people say aloe vera helps with hair growth, but there's no scientific proof. However, researchers believe that aloenin, a chemical compound in the plant, is a primary factor in promoting hair growth, as found in people with a hair-loss condition called alopecia.
People who have noticed that they have thinning hair or are experiencing hair loss may find that aloe vera promotes hair growth. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health , people have historically used aloe vera to treat baldness and thinning hair.
Topical minoxidil
Minoxidil, commonly known as Rogaine, is a topical treatment that's easy to apply and can be easily purchased over the counter. Minoxidil works to help the hair grow faster once the follicle is no longer under attack by the immune system and is capable of producing hair.
Better Hair Loss Treatment Options. As much as aloe vera might provide a benefit to your hair loss problems, it is by no means a recommended method for regrowing hair. As such, you're better off with more proven treatments.
It is totally safe to use aloe vera for hair and leave it overnight. You can apply fresh aloe vera gel in your hair before going to bed and wash off in the morning for soft and healthy hair. Do it once or twice a week. Doing it daily may cause cold as it also possesses cooling properties.
It depends. “If a follicle has closed, disappeared, scarred, or not generated a new hair in years, then a new hair wouldn't be able to grow,” Fusco says. But if the follicle is still intact, yes, it is possible to regrow the hair—or to improve the health of the existing thinner hairs.
There is no cure for alopecia areata. If you have a few, small patches of hair loss on your head, it's likely your hair will grow back within a few months. Your doctor may not prescribe treatment in those cases. For larger areas of hair loss, your doctor may prescribe steroid injections under your scalp.
Aloe vera gel is rich in proteolytic enzymes that heal and repair damaged cells in the scalp. In this turn, improves the health of hair follicles and boosts hair growth. Proteolytic enzymes also stimulate the dormant hair follicles, promoting regrowth of hair.
Ways to Stop Alopecia Areata from Spreading or Worsening
Avoiding unnecessary hair or scalp trauma, reducing stress and analyzing your diet are all worthwhile endeavors when attempting to prevent alopecia areata from spreading.
“Alopecia areata may be reversed through diet, possibly with antioxidants or an anti-inflammatory diet, probiotics, zinc, biotin and healthy oils,” Kimberly Langdon, MD, an OB/GYN based in Ohio who works at Medzino, tells WebMD Connect to Care. Add probiotics to your diet.
Prescription-strength corticosteroids in liquid form can be applied directly to the scalp. This is often an effective treatment for children affected by alopecia areata. Corticosteroid injections into areas of patchy hair loss on the scalp may help revive hair growth within several weeks in people with alopecia areata.
Can Alopecia Be Reversed? Whether your hair loss is caused by hormones or an autoimmune disorder, regrowing your hair by using new medications and modifying your diet can be possible as long as you start treatment early.
Alopecia areata (AA) occurs when the immune system attacks the hair follicle. Studies have shown a relationship between AA and low vitamin D levels. Vitamin D should be supplemented if levels are low. However, more studies are needed to determine the effect of iron and zinc supplementation on AA patients.
Foods to avoid
The protein found in milk is a source of irritation to the immune system. And this worsens the symptoms of alopecia areata. Polyunsaturated fats comprise of corn oil and sunflower oil. These are not good fats.
“It's all to do with the menthol and eucalyptus which can be found in Vicks,” she says. “These ingredients won't cause hair that has been lost to traction alopecia or female pattern hair loss to regrow, but they may help existing hair to grow in length although we wouldn't recommend putting Vicks onto scalps.
No. That's a myth that persists despite scientific evidence to the contrary. Shaving has no effect on new growth and doesn't affect hair texture or density. Hair density has to do with how closely strands of hair are packed together.
Shaving your head will not have any effect on the treatment of your baldness. That being said, the new hairs will be free from chemical damage and other elements in the environment, and this can make them look better and healthier.
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.
It depends. If you are using aloe vera gel for hair as a leave-conditioner, then you can apply it on wet hair after your usual conditioner. But if you are using it as a mask, then you should apply it on wet hair and wash it off after a couple of hours.
Apply it to your scalp as well as the length of your hair. Give your scalp a gentle massage. You can leave it on for 3 to 4 hours before washing. Mix 1/2 a cup of aloe vera gel and 15 drops lavender essential oil in a bowl.