I’m a cosmetologist – try 3 ingredients to kickstart hair growth and an ‘even better’ add-in to speed up the process
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A COSMETOLOGIST has revealed the best haircare ingredients to stimulate rapid growth.
She shared tips for restoring thinning tresses and styles to avoid causing further hair loss.
Ghanima Abdullah is a cosmetologist at , an online magazine covering everything from hairstyle inspiration to tutorials.
Speaking to The U.S. Sun, she shared advice for treating the most common causes of shedding locks.
“Hair loss is caused by some form of damage to the hair follicles,” she said.
“In genetic hair loss, the damage can be caused by hormones like DHT [Dihydrotestosterone].
“DHT is a testosterone derivative that destroys the hair follicles.
“If the hair loss isn’t genetic, pulling tightly at the hair or using high heat or harsh chemicals can damage the hair follicles and sometimes put them out of action completely, causing hair loss.”
Abdullah said genetic hair loss requires a treatment that removes DHT from the scalp.
“Hair loss shampoos and serums might contain ingredients like saw palmetto or pumpkin seed oil to remove DHT,” she said.
“If your hair loss is because of harsh manipulation, high heat, and chemicals, you’ll have to start by reversing your behavior with your hair.
“Treat it gently and stop using high heat near the scalp or chemicals like perms, relaxers, or keratin smoothing treatments near the scalp.
“This is urgent, as you won’t see a difference in your hair just by using hair loss products.
“Also avoid using wigs and hats on a regular basis as these can stop the flow of oxygen from reaching the hair follicles, causing more damage.”
DHT, or dihydrotestosterone, is a hormone that the body produces.
A derivative of testosterone, it affects the sexual development of males but is also present in females.
It contributes to the growth of facial and body hair for boys during puberty. However, later in life, it can cause hair loss.
According to , it's thought to be the "main culprit" for hair loss and can kill follicles on the head.
When there's more DHT activity around the head, it can shrink hair follicles and shorten the hair growth cycle, according to the .
Because men typically produce more of it, baldness and hair loss due to DHT is more common in men.
Medications like blockers and inhibitors can reduce DHT.
There are also natural remedies. Studies have shown that pumpkin seed oil can block DHT. Green tea and saw palmetto are also thought to naturally block DHT.
“To get your hair growing again, use hair growth shampoos and serums that contain rosemary oil, lavender, or peppermint essential oil,” Abdullah said.
“These can help the hair follicles produce more hair. If the formula contains caffeine to accelerate the process, it’s even better.
“Also, look for serums that contain aloe vera extracts or black seed oil.
Hair follicles need nutrition like any other part of your body to function well.
Ghanima Abdullah
"These can help strengthen the hair follicles so your hair doesn’t fall out as easily.”
She recommended several products including , which contains rosemary to help grow hair and uses horseradish extract to stimulate the scalp.
She said can increase the speed of hair growth as it contains castor oil and caffeine.
“Castor oil helps with hair loss because there’s a component in it that mimics the hair growth compound PGE2,” she said.
“Alpecin is a caffeine shampoo that invigorates hair follicles to produce hair faster.
"It also contains proteins to help the hair look thicker.”
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Abdullah recommended taking multivitamins to support healthy hair growth.
“The hair follicles need nutrition like any other part of your body to function well,” she said.
“If you’re anemic, use multivitamins with iron.
"Iron deficiency means less oxygen will reach your hair follicles.
“They need oxygen to produce hair, so if you’re anemic consider taking iron.”