This post has been updated since it was originally published on June 13, 2022.
Hair loss is an extremely common beauty issue many women deal with as they age. It can stem from a number of factors, from a lack of essential nutrients to prolonged periods of stress—it may even be genetic. However, no matter what the source of the issue is, there are many solutions that may help your hair grow back to its full potential.
To discover the best tips and tricks that can help prevent and reverse thinning hair, we checked in with beauty expert and cosmetologist Ghanima Abdullah. She gave us three of her go-to hacks that every woman experiencing hair loss should try out. Read on for all of her helpful insights!
1. Exfoliate Your Scalp Weekly
Abdullah says one of the major causes of hair thinning is a buildup of product on your scalp and excessive skin cells clogging your hair follicles. For this reason, exfoliating your scalp once a week can be a great way to stop the issue at the source. "We remember to exfoliate the rest of our skin, but the scalp typically takes a back seat," she says. It's time to change that!
Abdullah recommends choosing scalp exfoliators that are "as natural as possible," since "scalps can be sensitive, and you don't want anything that's going to make you break out or start itching." Noted! For an exfoliator mild, natural ingredients, she suggests using Sunday Riley Clean Rinse Clarifying Scalp Treatment Serum.
Additionally, you may want to exfoliate twice a week with a special scalp massaging brush, like the Tangle Teezer. "These are very relaxing to use on dry scalp or when you're in the shower shampooing," Abdullah says. A brush like this will also works to encourage circulation—and, in turn, thicker hair.
2. Use A Hair Growth Oil or Serum
In addition to exfoliating your scalp, it's always helpful to add a special hair growth product to the mix. Abdullah recommends using an oil or serum along with your scalp massager. "This will help the hair growth product to enter your hair follicles while they already have heightened circulation," she explains. Sounds perfect!
When choosing a hair growth oil or serum, Abdullah warns against petrochemicals like mineral oil and silicone. "These can block the good ingredients in a formula from reaching your follicles," she notes. Some of the best ingredients to search for in products include peppermint, lavender, rosemary, black seed oil, castor oil and pumpkin oil, which all encourage thicker hair. If you're really feeling crafty, Abdullah says you can even make your own oil blend—a perfect choice for those who want a highly personalized option!
3. Take A Biotin Supplement or Use Biotin Shampoo
One of the best nutrients to promote hair growth is biotin. Not only is biotin helpful when it's part of your diet—whether you get it from food or supplements—but it's also a fantastic shampoo ingredient. "I like to double up on biotin because it's so good for hair growth," Abdullah says. She notes that "if you have it in your shampoo, it's working directly on your hair follicles," while a supplement can be extremely helpful for anyone whose diet may be lacking this nutrient.
So, why not add both to your routine? "When you start seeing baby hairs coming in or you have undergrowth as your hair grows in thicker, you'll have biotin to thank for it," Abdullah concludes. Nice!
