Do you suffer with dry, brittle or thinning hair? Or worse, hair loss? I struggled with this during and after thyroid cancer and I know how frustrating and scary it can be. We will talk about causes of dry, brittle hair and home remedies you can use to help reduce the problem and hopefully prevent hair thinning and loss.
This image is actually the hair I lost after shampooing and styling my hair one time. This was one of the first signs that I had thyroid problems. After having my thyroid removed, it took a while to get my medicine balanced and stop the hair loss. Now if this happens, it is my first sign to call the doctor and let them know my thyroid meds may need to be increased.
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What Causes Hair Loss?
There are many things that can cause hair loss. Below are the main reasons that your hair could be dry, brittle or thinning.
Medical Conditions – Talk to your medical professional about your hair loss. Some of the medical conditions could be:
- Thyroid issues
- Alopecia Areata, an autoimmune disease causing hair to fall out in round patches (learn more here)
- Hormonal changes (can you say menopause?)
- Some medications or supplements
- Diabetes
- Lupus and other autoimmune conditions
Excessive hairstyles (think tight pony tails)
Stress – Read my blog about stress here
Family history/genetics – Can't stop this one
Age – Yes, it happens
Significant weight loss – especially if you are not getting enough protein
Prevention
Protect your health – Visit your medical professional at the first sign of increased hair loss. They should suggest some tests, especially for your thyroid.
Unfortunately, my regular thyroid tests were normal for over a year, making it difficult to find my problem. I had to continue to press to finally find the nodule growing on my thyroid. I'll write a blog soon about my thyroid cancer journey.
Avoid excessive hairstyles – Tight ponytails or twisting your hair can cause damage. Using hot tools on your hair every day can also cause damage. Give your hair a break now and then and wear natural styles.
Protect wet hair – Be gentle when towel drying your hair and use only a wide tooth pic, comb or a wet brush like this one that I use.
Avoid direct sunlight – Wear a hat when outside.
Stop Smoking – Please stop smoking for various reasons but also because it has been linked to thinning hair.
Eat clean – I agree with my friend Regina, this is probably the most important tip. Eating a clean whole foods diet is the best thing you can do for your entire body. Make sure you get in plenty of protein such as eggs, chicken, beef, broccoli, etc.
Use a satan pillowcase – This helps cut down on frizz and damage. I have one like this one.
Vitamins – Best vitamins for hair are A, C, E, B's, Biotin, and Zinc. I found a brand that has all of these and more in one pill and I take 2 with dinner.
This brand is my favorite because it has no Wheat – Soy – Milk – Preservatives – Artificial Colors – Artificial Flavors – Artificial Sweeteners or Magnesium Stearate and has recyclable packing.
Collagen – Use a powder, drink bone broth or take in pill form
Periodic trims – These help keep dead ends at bay and help hair look healthier
Home Remedies
There are many ideas out there for conditioning and thickening your hair. Some ideas are:
- Eggs
- Deep Conditioner with heat
- Beer (Being gluten free, I didn't want to use this)
- Rosemary oil
- Coconut oil
- Deep conditioning treatments at the salon
- Castor oil (making a comeback, my mom SWORE by this stuff)
- Aloe vera
My Treatment
I didn't think this through when I started my home remedy treatment today because nobody was here to help me take before and after pictures. ? I will post the selfie pictures here but they are not the best.
Before home remedy
So here is what I did:
What you will need:
- 2 small bowls
- 1 fork or small whisk
- 2 large spoons
- Towels
- Shower cap
- Castor Oil (or olive oil)
- Shampoo and Conditioner I used this one with Rosemary as an ingredient and mixed it with Desert Essence organic coconut conditioner.
- Vitamin E Oil
- Rosemary Oil (I got mine from Plant Therapy, use your favorite good quality brand)
- Coconut oil (optional)
- 2 eggs (I buy cage free or better from a local farmer)
- Tree tea oil (optional – if you have dandruff, this helps)
- Beat egg in bowl (I used 2, if you hair is shorter, you can use 1)
- Add 4-6 drops of rosemary oil and 2 Tablespoons of Castor Oil
- Wet hair (no shampoo)
- This gets messy so put a towel down on the counter
- Use the spoon or your fingers and just start putting this mixture all over your hair
- Be sure and rub it into your scalp because it needs the protein and rosemary oil
- Comb through hair
- Place shower cap on head and let sit 30 minutes
- Do not go outside in the heat or rinse with hot water as you will have “scrambled egg head” ?
- After the 30 minutes is up, rinse with COLD water and shampoo your hair
- You can rinse the shampoo out with warm water
- Mix conditioners, coconut oil, 1 Tablespoon of Vitamin E Oil and 4 drops of rosemary oil in a bowl
- Apply this to hair ensuring you pay close attention to the ends
- Place another shower cap on your head or clean the first one
- Let this sit for 30 minutes
- Now is a good time to apply some type of heat. You can go outside in the sun, blow dry the shower cap with indirect heat, wrap a warm towel around it or what I did was sit in my infrared sauna for 30 minutes. (ah, it was nice) You can also leave the cap on while you take a shower, letting the steam work on the conditioner.
- Rinse hair with warm water
- Style as normal. I always use a heat protectant like this before I blow dry or use a heat tool. I also use a leave in conditioner/hair cream and a little coconut oil.
I was happy with the results.
I use this process about 1 -2 times a month, use conditioner every time I shampoo, take the vitamins mentioned above and use all the preventive techniques.
I hope this helps you or a friend that might be suffering with hair loss. Do you have any ideas to leave in the comments?
To your health,
Jamie
P.S. I created a recipe book of over 20 of my Keto favorites, including a Keto friendly pizza. Go here to receive the book to your inbox along with future information and recipes.
Remember, I am not a licensed medical professional and the advice on this page is from my personal experience or from the experience of friends and family. You should talk with your medical professional about starting a new diet or exercise routine.
So many people have no clue that fast growth shampoos (of course with no sulfates, no parabens and no DEA) exist. Folks now may achieve longer hair and experience more possibilities. Undoubtedly worth checking out.
If you’re studying alopecia, damaged hair, preventing hair disorders, hair growth, hair health in general, very similar thoughts actualize.
In general, you want to avoid hair treatments and products that contain chemicals like parabens, DEA and sulfates.
What is healthy for your hair is beneficial for your skin all the same.
Clearly your content on this page is so useful for so many reasons. It steers away from the usual pitfalls and traps so many fall into: using horrible alternatives. Greatly appreciated!
My dad is experiencing hair loss, and that is why he would like to try the PRP hair restoration service. Well, it’s a good thing that you shared here the importance of talking to a doctor since this could be a cause of a serious health problem. Anyhow, I’ll also keep in mind to tell him that he must wear a hat when he’s out so his hair will be protected from the sunlight too.
An amazing home remedy that works too. And yes, castor oil and coconut oil both work great for getting healthy hair. Thanks for sharing
So many have no idea that fast hair growth scalp therapy shampoos (obviously with no sulfates, no parabens and no DEA) exist. Hair styling enthusiasts now may achieve longer hair and attain more alternatives. Surely worth reading.
If you’re exploring alopecia, hair damage, preventing hair disorders, fast hair growth, hair care more often than not, very similar thoughts become relevant.
Generally, you have to avoid hair treatments and products that use chemicals like parabens, DEA or sulfates.
What is healthy for your hair is healthy for your skin as well.
It goes without saying the content on this page is so useful for many reasons. It stays away from the usual mistakes and mistakes most fall into- getting horrible alternatives. Keep it up!
Thanks for finally talking about >Secrets To Help Dry, Brittle, Or Thinning Hair, Including Home Remedies for Hair Loss – Healthy with Jamie <Loved it!
Thanks! Glad you liked it.
Hey! This is my 1st comment here so I just wanted to give a quick shout out and say
I really enjoy reading your posts. Can you recommend any other blogs/websites/forums that go over the same subjects?
Thanks a ton!
It’s going to be finish of mine day, except before ending I am reading this great article
to improve my know-how.
Thank you!