7 All-Natural Remedies for Hair Growth

Vegan & All-Natural Remedies for Your Hair

It’s time to prep and strengthen our hair for cold weather, and just a general good time. There are plenty of products that promise to solve all of your hair issues. However, if you take a closer look, you’ll realize that they’re just packed with ingredients that are animal-derived, or are simply not good for you or the environment! That’s so not 2023. We should be treating our body, the planet and all the creatures who live on it respectfully.

The best solution is to use vegan and cruelty-free hair care products, but the ones who are free from harsh chemicals and artificial fragrances. Vegan products are also free from any and all animal products, and some of them are made with all-natural and organic ingredients. This not only means high-quality care for your tresses, but also a more sustainable and responsible consumption.

So, what makes vegan and natural hair care products all the rage? Well, the proof is in the pudding. They’re packed with ingredients that are derived right from nature – not manufactured in a lab. Here are just a few.

Coconut oil

Coconut oil is made up of medium chain fatty acids (e.g. Lauric Acid) that are beneficial for the body and easily absorbed by the hair. What does this mean? Well, it protects your hair from the inside out to make it strong, healthy and shiny. Unlike so many “wonderful” ingredients, coconut oil’s unique moisturizing and protecting capabilities are backed up by science (2003 study).

Even celebrities swear by it. Eva Mendes says, “I’ll just leave it in my hair and put a shower cap on it and sleep with it overnight. I go after that beachy look, but obviously, that can leave your hair feeling unhealthy, so I really like this coconut oil trick.” Who are we to tell Eva is wrong?

Essential Oils

There are thousands of different kinds of oils and combinations that you can use depending on what you need. Those oils are so potent that applying just a tiny drop of a high-quality essential oil can pack a real punch!

• Lavender and peppermint oils are great for stimulating hair growth
• Rosemary oil helps to strengthen and thicken hair
• Cedarwood and lemongrass oils can help to prevent or reverse dandruff
• Thyme essential oil is great for preventing hair loss
• Tea tree oil has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties (plus an amazing tingly feeling) that helps to unplug hair follicles to reduce dandruff and stimulate hair growth.

Essential oils contain extremely potent ingredients that can cause allergies. Before applying essential oils on your scalp, you should:

• seek for medical advice from your dermatologist
• test one or two drops on a sane part of your skin – e.g. your forearm- first. If no allergic reaction occurs, you’re good to go.
• dilute essential oils with a carrier oil such as coconut oil, jojoba oil, olive oil, argan oil…

Aloe Vera

Most people already know that aloe is great for the skin, especially after a sunburn. It’s lesser known, however, that aloe vera gel can be just as good for hair growth. The proteolytic enzymes it contains help to repair damaged skin cells on the scalp. Moreover, aloe vera contains vitamins A, C, and E, who contribute to healthy cell growth. Combine that with its ultra-hydrating power, and your strands are left nourished, smooth, and shiny.

However, there are no studies that show aloe vera being effective in fighting hair loss. But you can try it anyway: aloe vera is gentle and safe on every types of skin.

Turmeric

If you have a head full of natural curls, vegan hair care products with turmeric should be familiar to you. Turmeric is rich in curcumin, an excellent anti-inflammatory and antiseptic. These properties help with scalp issues like itchiness and dryness. At the same time, curcumin helps your hair to absorb vitamin D so your curls can grow long, healthy and strong. It is also known to have beneficial outcomes when treating dandruff symptoms. It’s important to note that just like any essential oil, turmeric oil must be diluted with a carrier oil.

Even Gabrielle Union’s personal hairstylist, Wankaya knows the benefits of turmeric for curly hair! She has been known to make her own hair masks with coconut milk, turmeric and manuka honey.

Avocado Oil

If you’ve been using natural hair products for a while, you might know that coconut oil is all the rage. But a close challenger – named avocado oil – is giving it a run for its money! Just like coconut oil, avocado oil is made up of medium chain fatty acids that are easily absorbed by the hair. When oils are absorbed into the hair, rather than sit on top of it, you end up with strong and nourished tresses that are resistant to breakage.

Oscar-winning actress, Lupita Nyong’o swears by avocado oil for not only her hair – but her skin and nails, too! “I discovered it last year,” she said. “And at first, I was using it just on my body, but then I realized it works on my face, and my hair too, for that matter! It’s a one-stop shop.”

Coffee

Nooo, we are not crazy. Okay, maybe a little coffee addicted. And yes, coffee can actually have great benefits for your hair.

In fact, a study (2007) shows that coffee can help men who are starting to bald as the age. Hair loss is typically caused by a sex hormone called dihydrotestosterone or DHT. The hormone like to attack hair follicles, causing them to be damaged and no longer produce hair. Well, that 2007 study proved that coffee can actually help to block the effect that DHT has on hair follicles and prevent hair loss for starting or progressing.

Added bonus of coffee on your hair: you can get a little bit of grey coverage!

Lemon Juice

Lemons are packed with nutrients that help to make them an excellent vegan hair care product. For starters, they have tons of vitamin C which helps your body’s natural collagen production which makes hair nice and strong. The acidity in lemon juice also makes it great for getting down into your follicles and unclogging them of dead skin cells. Once your follicles are cleared up, your hair will have more room to grow.

Vegan Tip: If you press your lemon juice, drink it right after it’s pressed. Once in your glass and in contact with air, vitamin C tends to oxidize very quickly (with oxygen), resulting in major vitamin loss.