Did you know that there are a wide variety of factors that can cause hair thinning and hair loss in women? Hair thinning in women along with hair loss can be attributed to stress, menopause, hormones, nutrient deficiencies, and medications.
If you're searching for hair growth products, you’ll find a plethora of options, including vitamins, shampoos, supplements, and serums - but not all of the hair growth products for women are created equal, and many of them don’t have research to back up their claims!
To help you decide, we’ve reviewed the latest technology, at home hair growth devices, and the best methods for promoting hair growth at home. Keep reading to learn our recommendation on the best hair loss treatments for women.
The Best Hair Growth Products for Women That Work
1. Low Level Laser Therapy
Low level laser therapy, also known as LLLT, is a non-surgical treatment to help with hair loss using laser light to simulate cell growth and the hair follicles. In a 2019 study published in Lasers in Medical Science found that a novel laser therapy helmet increased hair thickness and covered bald patches in men and women with androgenetic alopecia.
The laser light that’s used in LLLT produces a particular wavelength, which has a unique ability to be absorbed by the molecules of the hair follicles. The light helps to shift hair follicles into the growth stage in multiple ways.
When it penetrates the scalp, it stimulates the stem cells responsible for the regeneration of the hair follicles, encouraging hair regrowth. It also works to increase the production of ATP and the metabolic process of the cells for faster hair growth.
The light acts to increase blood flow in the targeted region of the scalp, therefore increasing the delivery of nutrients and oxygen to the hair follicles, causing the hair to grow with greater length and diameter. This helps to produce thicker hair shafts and results in fuller looking hair overall.
2. Infrared Hair Combs
3. Prioritize Scalp Health
Getting to the root cause of hair thinning and hair loss is heavily dependent on the health of the scalp. With stress and pollution levels on the rise, it's important to address the root of our hair concerns by nourishing the soil from which our hair grows out of, and fighting inflammation that can wreak havoc on hair growth.
Each hair grows out of an individual follicle on the scalp. Sebum, also known as oil, is also produced by each individual follicle via the sebaceous gland, which varies from person to person. For optimal hair growth, it's essential that the follicle and the scalp are clean, clear, maintained and healthy.
Buildup of sebum or blocked by dead skin, dandruff or infection will have an impact on the quality of hair growth. In fact, permanently blocked or obstructed follicles may eventually stop producing hair at all!
Detox + Exfoliate Your Scalp
The scalp is made up of cells which divide and continually work their way to the surface and then shed – as such, it is essential that dead skin is removed by brushing or washing, but also by weekly exfoliation. Over time, dead skin cells and product residue can buildup on the scalp. This combination can make the scalp inflamed and makes it challenging for hair to thrive.
If you want to maximize the benefits of stimulating the scalp while getting a deep clean on your wash day, use a pre-shampoo treatment, like Save Me From Product Overload, that will rid your scalp of bacteria and any irritation from too much build up. We created this buildup banishing, detox pre-shampoo mask to address these issues all while replenishing hair moisture instead of stripping.
For an invigorating scalp scrub, add 1 teaspoon of sugar to this geo-thermal clay mask, and leave on the scalp for 5 minutes for a tingly + deeply cleansed scalp.
If you currently have any scalp issues or have a dry scalp you may notice flakes shedding from the scalp. Unlike true dandruff flakes, however, the flakes associated with dry scalp tend to be smaller and whiter. Dandruff flakes are larger and may be yellow-tinged or look oily.
If you have an itchy scalp, this can be from a lack of washing or due to an excessive product buildup on the scalp that can buildup over time on the external layer of the scalp, increasing the scalp pH, increasing bacteria + yeast that can cause dandruff. Your scalp can also be really dry, which could be causing the itching.
We recommend that hair is washed every other day as a minimum for preventing buildup on the scalp. City dwellers may prefer to wash daily because of the general levels of surface dirt attracted to skin and hair (think about car exhaust, smoke, dust, and other debris).
If you have a dry scalp, consider an aloe vera rinse on directly on the scalp and massage it in, locking in the moisture with a shower cap + leave on for 30-60 minutes, and rinse it off. Repeat on every wash day. On wash days, your scalp will be getting an increase of moisture and using a topical scalp serum or oil to lock in the moisture will also aid in soothing a dry scalp. SAVE ME FROM Thermal Obsession is formulated with over a dozen rich butters + oils, along with hyaluronic acid to soothe and moisturize a dry scalp.
4. Invest in Healthy Hair Products
SAVE ME FROM scalp + hair wellness treatments are combined with science and nature to create high-performing results in optimal scalp + hair health, and aids in hair growth for women and men with our high-potency of hair growth actives found within our formulas. Although hair thinning and hair loss affects men and women, Save Me From has a variety of hair growth products targeted for women based on their lifestyle and help to stimulate hair growth for thicker, stronger, and more beautiful hair.
The Save Me From topical treatments contain sustainably harvested, organic plant actives that have been clinically shown to help improve visible hair growth, help reduce fallout and repair follicle damage while protecting the hair from external aggressors. Our formulas are designed to work in tandem to create the optimal ecosystem for healthy, abundant hair.
Style with Infrared Heat
Infrared heat styling tools are gaining popularity, which us a light wavelength that penetrates deeper into the hair shaft, heating the hair evenly and safely from the inside out. Infrared hot tools are designed to steam the hair instead of applying a direct heat.
This is a different technology from traditional hot tools that are notoriously harsh on the outer layer of hair, lifting up the cuticle, which can dry out strands, leaving hair looking frizzy and damaged.
Infrared hot tools allows you to use less heat, and alleviate styling stress on the cuticle which improves hair health, and hair looks shinier. This approach is much healthier for your hair in the long-term.
5. Protect Your Hair from Free radicals
Air pollution is everywhere around us, and our exposure to pollutants on a daily basis is on the rise. Free radicals from pollutants such as car exhaust, smoke, dirt, dust and other debris can inflame the scalp + disrupt our hair growth cycle.
These small particles and droplets in our air that we consider to be pollution—can also build up on the scalp over time. If the scalp and hair is not properly purified (and if the scalp does not receive proper protection) then this buildup can contribute to significant hair follicle damage, lead to issues such as inflammation, irritation, and eventually even lead to hair loss.
Air pollution doesn't just affect your scalp, but it can also build up on your actual hair, ultimately making it feel (and look) dirty, dull, and weighed down. This oxidative stress from common pollutants also contributes to premature aging of the hair, including a decrease in pigment (hair graying), decrease in hair production and the thinning of hair follicles.
Conclusion
Hair thinning can happen to anyone, no matter their gender or age. Luckily, the products and ingredients mentioned above can help slow down or even reverse the hair thinning process and keep hair looking thick and healthy. Although some of these over-the-counter products may help address certain types of hair loss, other health conditions can cause hair loss, so it’s important to consult any changes to your routine with your doctor.
References:
Han, L., Liu, B., Chen, X., Chen, H., Deng, W., Yang, C., Ji, B., & Wan, M. (2018). Activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling is involved in hair growth-promoting effect of 655-nm red light and LED in in vitro culture model. Lasers in Medical Science, 33, 637-645.
Reiman, P. (2005). Infrared light returns hair to 'growing phase'.
Schwartz, J.R., Henry, J., Kerr, K., Mizoguchi, H., & Li, L. (2015). The role of oxidative damage in poor scalp health: ramifications to causality and associated hair growth. International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 37.
Wijaya, W.H., Mun'im, A., & Djajadisastra, J. (2013). EFFECTIVENESS TEST OF FENUGREEK SEED ( Trigonella foenum-graecum L . ) EXTRACT HAIR TONIC IN HAIR GROWTH ACTIVITY *.
