The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
MSM
Posted by Cherin (Texas) on 06/30/2016
★★★★★
I have alopecia and even though I haven't found a way to stop it I have found something to help with the tender scalp. I found msm in lotion form and put it in with my shampoo and wash my hair it doesn't change the texture at all but helps with the tenderness. Try it, t I think you will love the relief you get from just one use. You can also just put the lotion on your scalp by itself and feel the relief but it does leave your hair greasy of done like that I suggest putting it in your shampoo.
Anesthesia-Related Hair Loss
Posted by Teresa (Arkansas) on 04/24/2016
★★★★★
Hair loss most likely from surgery, not the ACV! Anesthesia is murder on hair! Your hair dresser will caution you not to color or perm within 6 to 8 weeks of any surgery because of its effect on your hair. Keep the ACV.
Onion Juice
Posted by Rob (Kentucky) on 02/13/2024
★★★★★
Onion juice (Allium cepa L.), a new topical treatment for alopecia areata
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12126069/
Abstract
Alopecia areata is a patchy, non-scarring hair loss condition. Any hair-bearing surface may be involved, and different modalities of treatment have been used to induce hair regrowth. This study was designed to test the effectiveness of topical crude onion juice in the treatment of patchy alopecia areata in comparison with tap water. The patients were divided into two groups. The first group [onion juice treated] consisted of 23 patients, 16 males (69.5%) and 7 females (30.5%). Their ages ranged between 5-42 years with a mean of 22.7 years. The second group [control; tap-water-treated] consisted of 15 patients, 8 males (53.3%) and 7 females (46.6%). Their ages ranged between 3-35 years with a mean of 18.3 years. The two groups were advised to apply the treatment twice daily for two months. Re-growth of terminal coarse hairs started after two weeks of treatment with crude onion juice. At four weeks, hair re-growth was seen in 17 patients (73.9%), and, at six weeks, the hair re-growth was observed in 20 patients (86.9%) and was significantly higher among males (93.7%) compared to females (71.4%) P<0.0001. In the tap-water treated-control group, hair re-growth was apparent in only 2 patients (13%) at 8 weeks of treatment with no sex difference. The present study showed that the use of crude onion juice gave significantly higher results with regard to hair re-growth than did tap water (P<0.0001), and that it can be an effective topical therapy for patchy alopecia areata.
Onion Juice
Posted by Jane (Mass) on 04/02/2014
★★★★★
Onion juice will regrow hair. The Allicin in the onion juice stimulates follicle growth and draws blood supply up to the root. Blend one medium onion in a blender, you can add 2 tbs honey and tbs olive oil. Put into a squirt bottle. Massage onto your scalp before bed and wear shower cap, wash off in morning. There was a study in Journal of Dermatology, 80% of subjects showed hair growth within one week. You can use nightly until you get the amount of growth desired and then use once a month for maintenance.
MSM
Posted by James As Commonly Called ;-) (Rugby, Uk) on 11/05/2013
★★★★★
Do also look into the benefits of Organic Sulfur ( msm crystals ) for hair problems. Good luck.
Biotin, Bamboo Extract
Posted by Shannon (Charlotte, North Carolina) on 04/17/2013
★★★★★
Hi, I have found that Biotin (5000mcg) and Bamboo Extract (900mg) daily have helped a LOT with hair loss from hypothyroidism. I have been taking Biotin for years (when I started Synthroid) and Bamboo Extract for about 6 months. My hair looks so much better. I have also recently started drinking ACV 3x per day and I think that is helping too. Good Luck!
Lugol's Iodine
Posted by Miranda (Campbellsville, Ky) on 11/06/2012
★★★★★
I have been suffering with hypothyroidism for 20 years. One year ago I started using Lugol's iodine. 3 drops in about a cup of water or juice everyday. After about 3 months, I thought I was cured and therefore quit using my thyroid medication (Naturethroid). I was so wrong and so discouraged that I almost quit using the Lugol's. However, I decided to just keep using it anyway, it was helping my symptoms: hairloss, being extremely tired, can't think, feeling bad all over, etc. As a bonus, it cured my fibrocytic breast (they hurt really bad for a while while using it, but then they got better, then well).
Anyhow, one month ago, to my suprise, my pharmacy informed me that my nurse practicioner reduced my medication from taking 5 pills a day to 3. I had given up hope that it was going to work because I'd had this problem for so long (my thyroid felt like a rock). I'm not cured yet, but I have renewed hope that I possibly could be someday. I do know this: anytime you begin a thyroid Rx medication, change a medication, or stop a medication, one of the side effects is hair loss for up to 3 months! The Lugol's has given me my hair back - Thank God. Chances are, if you tell your doc that you're going to try this, they will probably not approve. So, I didn't tell mine, but whenever I felt like my thyroid was off, I would get them to check it. If someone begins the iodine therapy, just have your doctor monitor your thyroid profile as closely as possible because it can cause you to become hyperthyroid because of too much Rx medication. However, needing to reduce or eleminate the Rx medication eventually is a good thing. I'm really hoping FDA doesn't interfere any further with this wonderful healing elixer. I will try to keep everyone updated with any progress. Good luck. God bless.
Edgar Cayce's Hair Loss Remedies
Posted by Maria (Gippsland, Australia) on 01/28/2012
★★★★★
Hi Mary (from Rural, Va), As hair loss can be a symptom of iodine deficiency I think you have found your answer, congratulations. With shrimp and kelp containing iodine plus the iodine painting you are correcting your deficiency. Could you please tell me which form of iodine you are using for the painting? Thanks.
Edgar Cayce's Hair Loss Remedies
Posted by Antonia (Rural Ms) on 12/29/2014
★★★★★
I have been losing hair for the last several years and I am slowly balding. I started taking a coconut oil supplement lately and hope it will help. I stopped using iodized salt several years ago too. Could doing this create an iodine deficiency? Also, I use to eat shrimp quite often, but have eaten very little in the last couple of years.
Oiling the Hair
Posted by Dana (Nyc, Ny) on 01/21/2012
★★★★★
Peace & Love. I have been losing my hair since I was 9 years old, I am now 21. I was using Rogaine when it first hit the market, I was only 12. I used all sorts of crappy pills and "chemical" stuff. I was a young growing female, so I had obvious vitamin deficiencies. I was never seriously ill my entire life, nor have I ever had a bacterial infection on my skin/hair. Female baldness, however, DOES run in my family, BUT none of the women started losing their hair until they were in their mid thirties or higher.
I do believe that baldness/hair loss (for most people who arent ill) is half your genetics and half of what you put in and on your body. I have completely stopped using chemical based products on my skin or hair and will hopefully cut them out of my diet one day as well (and I mean ANY sort of chemical, don't use anything thats not EARTH GROWN on your hair and skin) I don't use those fake 'organic" ones you find at health food markets. I'm telling you ladies and men that have a history of hair loss without physical illness, to take up AYURVEDIC remedies. A nice Indian lady once told me "These Americans don't put oils on their hair that's why when they're old they are all balding!" And I swear to you it's the truth.... I dont care if you "think" you're not losing hair and you "think" your hair is lush... But compared to Eastern folk, Latin folk, and Island folk, all of us Americans look "bald". Our hair lacks lustre body and youth. YOU HAVE TO OIL UP YOUR HAIR!
Put the below list of ingredients into your hair 2-3 times a week, depending on how oily or dry your hair is (mine can get oily quick so I put it in twice a week for now)
Get Amla oil, Brahmi oil, Henna leaves or dried Henna, Coconut oil, Aloe Vera, Honey, Milk, Eggs, Some fresh cut red chillies, Castor Oil, Almond Oil, Mustard Oil. Mix it allllll up, rub it on your scalp and all through you hair *The trick is to massage it well into your scalp for 3 minutes. Wash it out in the morning with Shikakai powder (natural cleaner like baking soda) and some baking soda in water.
And try more ayurvedic recipes, many of which can be found online that are pure and organic. Take what you think would be best for you. Stop taking all the pills and chemicals, and use ONLY what you can eat. That's the trick. If you can't eat it dont put it on your body!
Once you start oiling your hair, try other remedies, like eggs and milk for a hair mask, and mix some good ayurvedic oils in the mask as well. Trust me a combination of oiling your hair and hair masks once or twice a month will do the trick and NOOOOO shampoo. Only shikakai and occasional baking soda or borax. After a while oiling you hair 2-3 times a week, your hair will being to balance between oily and dry and you can either oil your hair every night or once a week. :-) I'm telling u it works.
I have been doing this for over a year and my hair loss has been cut in half and my hair looks beautiful! My hair was always dull in color, easily tangled, and FLAT as hell.. But now its bouncy and pretty and I can even grow it long again (almost past my waist yayy! ) without having to worry about it being "too heavy" and falling out more cuz it's long (that's a buncha doodoo) :-). I'm telling you ladies, find the ayurvedic recipes that's the only way to go. I mean look at Indian ladies hair! They must be doing something right then!
Half is your genes and the other half is WHAT YOU DO! Your hair loss will be cut in half I promise that, and your hair will look more youthful which is also a plus. Hope this helps guys :-)
Iodine, Selenium
Posted by Bodulica (Barrie, Ontario, Canada) on 10/31/2011
★★★★★
For all of you losing hair: maybe is your thyroid. In that case you need iodine and selenium supplements. Be careful with selenium dosage. Some sources are saying that over 200 mcg is already poisonous, some say 400 mcg is still allowed...
Dietary Changes
Posted by Koltton (Scottsdale, Arizona Usa) on 10/28/2011
★★★★★
For the last 5 years when I see clients coming in with good hair I ask what they eat... So 90% consistent with good head of hair is..... A daily consumption of apples, oatmeal, milk, peanuts, dark leafy greens. This is really interesting too.... all of them had cooler body temperature...
Question: I may have hyperthyroidism and noticed when I take zinc my scalp feels better. Any thoughts?
Eggs, B Complex
Posted by Oscar (Syracuse, New York) on 09/06/2011
★★★★★
I had noticed I was developing baldness when some doctor switched my pain medication from codeine to Darvon. This darvon stuff made me go bald on the top of my head. I had the doctor switch me back to codeine and then I began eating two eggs and taking one vitamin B-complex tablet every day and the bald spot went away.
That was about 20 years ago and that bald spot never came back....oscar
Cayenne Pepper, Olive Oil
Posted by Bulbultuk (Bangalore, Karnataka, India) on 09/09/2010
★★★★☆
Today at 58 years of age I am very happy to say that after many years I have succeeded to grow hair on bald areas of my scalp. I have Male Pattern baldness from at least 10 years. I tried all treaments including Minoxidil etc. But to no avail. Finally desparately I started searching the NET for natural cures. I came across The Cayenne Pepper E V Olive oil and started using it on 15th August. Today its 24 days and I can see new hair sprouting. Maybe I have to wait for a longer period, say 3 months to see a noticeable growth. The new hair is thin and looks almost transparent or colourless you may say. I want to know how this new hair can be nourished to thicken and grow longer. I request readers to suggest a remedy for this. I shall update about future progress as things change. Also I will guide anyone on this cure. Please email me your queries. Thanks. Bbtk.
Cayenne Pepper, Olive Oil
Posted by Bulbultuk (Bangalore, India) on 01/22/2011
★★★★★
Try a mix of organic olive oil and cayenne pepper. Add 50 grams of cayenne pepper to 500ml olive oil and store in a tight bottle for 15 days. Let the transfusion season by shaking the bottle every day 2 minutes. The oil will become red and ready for use. Apply thrice a week on scalp before going to bed. Wear a shower cap to keep scalp warm and aid circulation. Wash with shampoo next morning. It may sting if the water flows to the eye, though its harmless. Done regularly will see positive results in a month or so. Eat a hair friendly diet containing omega3 fatty acids. To remove harmful toxins from the system consume half inch piece of raw ginger with each meal. Add lots of fruits and veggies to your diet. Best of luck.bbtk.
Edgar Cayce's Hair Loss Remedies
Posted by Myway (Wilmington, De) on 11/18/2014
If you go to the Foxfire book, volume 3, there is an old folk remedy that my father used - burnt car oil, on dogs who had skin conditions. Dad used it on several dogs back in the late 60's and 70's. The dogs would stop itching and their hair would grow out. Back then, the dogs ran all over the place....country life. We didn't have money or resources so, the Foxfire book was the go-to for old time remedies and cures. This oil method always worked for the dogs. My point? Edgar Cayce's crude oil treatment most probably works very well for hair loss. Good luck!
Joyce's Remedies
Posted by Joyce (Joelton, Tn) on 02/03/2010 490 posts
★★★★★
Hello Deirdre,
I have been visiting my favorites since answering Cindy's email and thought I would give you some information found to pass on to all EC'ers with hair loss problems. I will e-mail you the articles I gleaned the information from in case you want to read them afterwards, but I will give a short shot of helpful hints that I think will be all that most of our EC family will want. Going to the plant database I found several chemicals listed as anti-alopecics (anti-baldness).
They are linoleic acid, palmitic acid, inositol, oleic acid, linoleic acid and zinc.
Zinc is found in meats, seafoods, dairy products, nuts, legumes, whole grains and you'll even find 23 parts per million of zinc in turmeric or curcumin, and 13-17 parts per million in the coconut. If you take zinc supplements it is recommended that you not take more than 50 mgm. per day and stay with zinc gluconate as it consistently holds the lowest amount of cadmium which naturally occurs with it. (Cadmium is that toxic metal in the news now because it is being found in children's and adult jewelry made in India and China). Zinc has many other functions besides preventing hair loss, but this what we are concerned with today. You can easily search them on line to learn the others.
Inositol is "vital for hair growth", also combines with choline to form lecithin and reduces cholesterol. It's calming effect on the nervous system is thought to have an effect on depression, panic attacks obsessive-compulsive disorder and bipolar affective disorder (used to be called manic-depressive disorder), plays a role in preventing and treating cancer, improves nerve conduction velocity in diabetics, and used in constipation therapy by improving peristalti action. Inositol is found in dried beans, calves liver, cantaloupes, citrus fruits (except for lemons), garbanzo beans (chick peas), lecithin granules, nuts, oats, pork, rice, veal and whole grains. The resin, exudate and sap of the coconut palm has 690 parts per million of inositol.
The coconut (seed) also has 584-18,694 parts per million of another anti-alopecic chemical called linoleic acid. Our lovely, tasty coconut also has 770 parts per million of magnesium in its seed which adds another long list of anti-chemicals to this coconut. The coconut hull husk also has lignin 294,000 parts per million which is antibacterial, anticancer, anticoronary, anti-diarrheic, anti-HIV, antioxidant,antitumor, antiviral, chelator, hypocholesterolemic, laxative, and pesticide. Over consumption of caffeine products (carbonated beverage drinkers may be getting more than the coffee drinkers) or prolonged taking of antibiotics can decrease the body's supply of inositol.
Fatty acids in foods are incoporated into complex lipids such as triglycerides, cholesterol esters, and phospholipids. Our bodies can synthesize some fatty acids in adipose tissue and the liver. It cannot synthesize some essential fatty acids: linoleic acid (Omega 6) or alpha-linoleic acid (Omega 3). Both Omega 3 and Omega 6 are found in vegetable oils like corn and canola. Walnuts are also a good source of alpha-linoleic acid.
Pork has 40% saturated fatty acids (SFA)
45% monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA)
15% polyunsaturated faty acids (PUFA)
Olive Oil has 14% SFA
74% MUFA
12% PUFA
Good old avocados are also rich in antialopecics. So to all of you who want more hair, improve your diets and if necessary, supplement with the above nutrients.
Biotin
Posted by Leelannee (Sussex, Nj) on 09/08/2009
Okay, the iodine doesn't seem to be working as well for the dandruff anymore...still working, just not as miraculously. About a week ago I had a massive outbreak of flakes on the top of my head near my hairline. Having read that milk of magnesia is great for skin & itching, I impulsively doused that area, left it on for about 1/2 an hour, then rinsed it out--without using shampoo or conditioner, to make sure nothing else affected my "experiment". My hair felt like it was full of glue and baby powder (washed out fine the next day), but it seems that Milk of Magnesia really helps the dead skin slough off!!! I had to brush out lots of flakes but since then my scalp has been pretty clear, and much less itchy.
I also patted some Milk of Magnesia on my face and let it dry. My skin was SO soft afterwards, for days, and a couple of rough rashy patches are cleared up!
Iodine
Posted by Rob (kentucky) on 07/26/2024
★★★★★
Iodized Collodion in Alopecia. - Dr. Chatelain (Monit. Thérap ) recommends the treatment of alopecia areata by Iodized Collodion, in the proportion of one part of iodine to 300 of collodion (a viscous solution used to coat wounds). The patch is rubbed with a 1:1000 solution of corrosive sublimate, and then painted with the collodion. The iodine is thus allowed to remain in contact with the patch of alopecia for a long time. When the artificial pellicle falls off, the process is repeated. Cases rebellious to other forms of treatment are frequently cured within two months by means of iodized collodion, it is claimed.
From the Book: MERCK'S MARKET REPORT AND PHARMACEUTICAL JOURNAL, September 1893, page 278.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Tamara (Fort Collins, Colorado, Usa) on 05/31/2013
The reason that she mentions her eyebrows getting thicker is that thinning eyebrows is a sign of hypothyroidism, and coconut oil is one remedy that people use in order to help correct thyroid imbalances. Your thyroid helps to regulate your metabolism as well, so taking coconut oil internally can help your thyroid function better, and therefore raising your temperature to a more normal 98.6 F if it was too low. However, if you should have a mustache, then it can also help with fungal problems that can cause hair loss. You shouldn't have any need to worry that CO will cause unwanted hair growth.
Pine Tar Soap
Posted by CJ (northern, wisconsin) on 04/02/2008
★★★★★
Over ten years ago, I experienced clumps of hair suddenly falling out overnight. Stress, I suppose. I had 3 patches of total hairlessness ranging from the size of a quarter to a half dollar. I mean, no hair, at least I could comb over at the time. Also, thin spots that weren't totally bare. A month went by with no improvement and then my sister happened to mention to me about a couple other people she knew who had the same type of hair loss and who had used the kind of soap we Finlanders use in the sauna, ____ Pine Tar Soap, and their hair grew back. I lived near a soap shop at the time and immediately went and bought a bar and washed my hair with it right away. I washed my hair with it daily for over a month. Within the first week, the bald patches filled in with peach fuzz hair within 4 weeks, you could not tell where the bald patches had been. My hair has not fallen out since and I only wash my hair with it occasionally as "insurance." It's easy to use bar soap to wash hair but they also make it in a liquid shampoo. I don't know why it works but it's only couple bucks for the bar soap and worth a try.
Brushing Technique
Posted by Pamela (Houston, Texas) on 11/24/2008
★★★★☆
I don't know if this brushing technique will grow hair back. But, I gotta tell you I have been doing it for 3 days now and I am hooked on it. It feels so good to me that I look forward to doing the brushing. I don't have a lot of hair loss but some thinning on top thought I would give it a try. Will let you know if my hair thickens up. Thanks
Baking Soda, Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Angelo (New York) on 08/22/2010
★★★★☆
I have been waiting a little over a year to write this letter expecting better results than what I have. Unfortunately, I believe the benefits of fighting Male Pattern Baldness with baking soda and ACV may have been exaggerated. I've been using ACV & baking soda since Aug. 9, 2009 (today is Aug. 22 2010) and the difference in my hair regrowth is only slight at best. The shape of my head is still quite visible. I've found that drinking horsetail tea on a regular basis and adding it to the ACV rinse helped with the MPB even more so but again only slightly. However, until something better comes along I'm going to continue using baking soda & ACV because it's a wonderful treatment for dandruff. Also, every shampoo & conditioner I've investigated contains Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and/or Sodium Laureth Sulfate. These two chemicals are what are used to make soap nice and lathery but they also destroy hair follicles. I must also add that baking soda & ACV restored my hair color. It didn't get rid of the gray hairs but restored the youthful shine & got rid of the dullness that comes with age. As I continue the baking soda & ACV treatment, if anything should favorably change, I will make sure to write.
Apple Cider Vinegar, Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Shemika (Hightstown, Nj) on 06/19/2010
I am grateful for Mary's story about topically applying acv to her head by mistake when she had a fungal infection and thus losing all her hair.
I unthinkingly slapped some acv on my head before bed last night as I do from time to time, but this time I woke up disturbed and vaguely recalling her post so I got up and reread it as well as Teds instructions about the subject since I hadn't read them in a couple years. I realized I was making the same mistake Mary had because I likely also have a fungal infection due to my parasite infection.
In Jan just when my hair was starting to see some real progress I absentmindedly put a little acv on it and continued to do so on occasion. Soon afterwards I was combing my hair and it started falling out in clumps. Not making the connection I continued over the past five months to put acv on my hair from time to time, wondering why it kept getting shorter and wouldn't grow any more. Sure enough, topical acv is likely part of the reason why my hair fell out and hasn't grown. I had credited it all to the meds I took about the same time which are known to cause hair loss, which is also likely part of the reason as well. Now I hope to get it right by using tea tree oil and the proper remedies instead. I will let that be a lesson I have to be more careful. Thanks for your site.
Apple Cider Vinegar, Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Bb13 (New Jersey) on 07/22/2015
★★★★★
I am a licensed beauty professional as well. ACV is not what made Mary's hair fall out, it was most certainly the peroxide. But I will say, unless it is a conditioner, I don't recommend leaving any product on overnight. Everyones skin is different, including your scalp, and will react different. Also, vinegars are cleaning agents, as are baking sodas...mixing these products together is essentially stripping the hair of anything. Salons use baking soda to strip the hair. ACV is a great product, but should not be applied to the hair in full strength (more is not better in this case). In fact, (I did not see it so I cannot be sure) but I would be willing to bet that Mary's hair did not fall out, but actually broke off. Am I saying not to use it, absolutely not, I love ACV, I use it all the time...use it in moderation...equal parts with water, do not leave it in overnight.
It's in the Water
Posted by skip (Washington, DC) on 07/02/2007
★★★★★
YES I can vouch that since I came to AMERICA my hair are falling. The water here has either chlorine or too much remnants of estrogen wich causes hair loss and feminizing men!
Probiotics
Posted by Nic (South Africa) on 12/30/2022
★★★★★
Please also try probiotics. A good quality liquid or capsule kept in fridge with multiple strains and high bacterial count. If it's a gut issue, this will quickly remedy the hair loss.
Potato Oil or Juice
Posted by Katzie (Calgary) on 08/15/2022
★★★★★
Update: It's been 3 months now and my potato oil is still working like a charm!
I am halfway thru my bottle, and have found it is best to use at least 1x/week. Remember, ya don't have to worry about the length of your hair as you're not supposed to coat the lengths; potato oil is for the scalp only.
I once went about 3 weeks where I only used it twice, and sure did notice a difference! More hair loss, for sure, as I found I was pulling my hair from bathroom drains again, so once a week it is for me. It has been SO nice not having to pick out my fallen strands from the shower & sink drains! Such a treat.
