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Ultrax Labs Hair Plush Hair Review

There is no shortage of hair care products on the market, but there is a shortage of great hair care products on the market. Unfortunately, most products that market themselves as the only product you’ll ever need usually fall way short of expectations. The question today is, will Hair Plush Hair Growth Thickening Serum from Ultrax Labs be any different? Keep reading for my full Hair Plush review.

Ultrax Labs Hair Plush Hair Ingredients

Keratin

Keratin makes up the majority of your hair, and low keratin levels are one reason people start seeing less hair, or much weaker hair over time. Hair Plush contains hydrolyzed keratin, which actually coats your hair and strengthens it. It can protect your hair from harsh chemicals as well as protect it from the elements, such as cold, dry air. It does so by strengthening and thickening your actual hair, it helps rebuild the keratin that your body naturally makes and gives your hair a little health boost.

Biotin

Biotin is an extremely common substance in hair growth products. Unfortunately, most products rely too heavily on biotin, and it cannot do the job on its own, which is why most other products do not work. However, it does have some great benefits, such as aiding in hair growth. It will not grow hair by itself, but it makes so that your body has the right nutrients to grow hair. Biotin is just a B vitamin, but if you do not get enough of it in your diet, it can be very hard to see good hair growth. This is an easy way to get biotin directly on your hair without having to change your diet or take extra pills every day.

Caffeine

Caffeine is used in several of Ultrax Labs products, probably because it has years of scientific studies backing it up. Caffeine is known to thicken your hair and stimulate hair growth. It stimulates growth by increasing blood circulation to the area, which means more nutrients are being delivered to the area. More nutrients, like keratin, means more growth. Who knew caffeine had so many uses other than keeping us awake at work?

Niacinamide

Niacinamide works similarly to caffeine, in that it is designed to increase circulation to the area. Niacin is another B vitamin that you may be lacking in your everyday diet. However, this is an easy way to reap the rewards of niacinamide without having to do anything you wouldn’t already do.

Peppermint Oil

No hair serum is complete without a little bit of peppermint oil, in my opinion at least. Peppermint oil is what gives your skin a refreshed, cooling sensation. Peppermint oil has also been known to promote hair growthby increasing circulation. Peppermint oil is extremely common in hair products because it is so effective, with daily use of peppermint oil, people have seen results in just a couple of weeks.

Ultrax Labs Hair Plush Hair Review

When I first got Hair Plush, the bottle was bigger than I expected. Other serums that I have seen and tried in the past have come in itty-bitty bottles. Don’t get me wrong, it doesn’t come in a huge bottle or anything, but it is bigger than most other serums.

I applied a small amount to my hands and rubbed it around in my palm a little bit to get a feel for the texture. It is very light and oily, but not like unnaturally greasy or anything. Once I applied the serum to my hair, my hair had a glow to it, but it wasn’t the same type of shine you get when it is way too greasy. It’s hard to explain, but I would call it a healthy shine, which I very much enjoyed.

Since it is already liquidy, it was also much easier to put on than other hair oils I have tried. Other products you have a workaround in your hands a little bit to get it to melt, but that problem is non-existent with this serum. Overall, although I did not see results after my first use, I did not expect to, and I would still say I have a positive experience in the beginning.

Does Ultrax Labs Hair Plush Hair Really Work?

If you are looking for a quick, overnight solution, this isn’t it, (and it probably doesn’t exist). But if you are patient and you use this serum every day, you will start seeing results. Whether you have long or short, curly or straight hair, daily use of this serum will stimulate hair growth. Although I have not personally used it long enough to see significant growth, I was recommended this product from a friend who saw a lot of great results on himself.

Ultrax Labs Hair Plush Hair Side effects

Other hair growth products may come with some unwanted side effects, like irritated skin, or a warm sensation, especially if you are ingesting niacin, but I haven’t had a bad reaction to any of the ingredients in Ultrax Labs Hair Plush when it is applied topically. My hands are sometimes a little slippery afterward, but I just rinse them off or wipe them on a towel and I’m good to go. There are no side effects that would make me hesitant about buying this product again. If you are still unsure, the best way to test it out is to do it for yourself. If you start noticing negative side effects, which is very unlikely, stop using the serum and talk to your doctor.

Alternative Solution

Although you can’t get much better than Hair Plush if you are in need of a hair growth serum and don’t have $60 to shill out every time you run out, a less pricey option is Amplixin Intensive Hair Growth Serum. This serum is a popular choice that uses natural ingredients, such as biotin, to boost hair growth. There is no need to spend money you don’t have when you can get a product that will work for less money. That being said, although it will work, if you can afford it  I still recommend Hair Plush over Amplixin.

Great Add-Ons

Since Hair Plush will not give you overnight results, I would also suggest using a few other Ultrax Labs products. Using a combination of products gives you the best chance of seeing results and ensures that your hair is being completely taken care of. The products I recommend are Hair Surge hair growth shampoo, Hair Rush growth stimulating vitamins, and Hair Solaye one of the best hair growth conditioners money can buy. All of these great products come from Ultrax Labs so they all work well together, you don’t have to worry about one reacting badly with another or canceling out the effects of another product.

Final Thoughts

With Hair Plush hair thickening serum, you can finally have that full, healthy head of hair of your dreams. I have been using it with other Ultrax Labs products and my hair already feels healthier, stronger, shinier, and thicker. Even if it takes a while to see significant growth, the other benefits alone make it worth it to me. If you have very thin or fragile hair, it may be frustrating to apply this every day and still not see results, but I would urge you to continue using it for at least 6 weeks. It only takes a very small amount of serum, so one bottle should last you about six weeks. It might be a good idea to take a picture of your hair before you start using the serum. You look at your face every day and you’re very used to it, so in the beginning, small growth may be hard to notice without a picture to compare it to.

If you just want to know if this stuff is worth the money, I say absolutely. Hair health is so important and often overlooked, but this is a simple, easy way to keep your hair healthy and strong.

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Ultrax Labs Hair Vigor Mask Review

Chances are you probably already know a lot of the different kinds of products you can use on your hair. There are oils, balms, shampoos, conditioners, serums, sprays, and more. But did you know you can also use masks? Not Halloween masks, but vitamins and nutrient-rich masks for your hair. Masks have several benefits, some are universal to all hair masks, while others are specific to a certain hair mask. When it comes to hair growth, the Hair Vigor Mask from Ultrax Labs has everything you would want, to find out what that is, keep reading below to get to my Hair Vigor Mask review.

Ultrax Labs Hair Vigor Mask Top Ingredients

Caffeine

Caffeine is a common ingredient in Ultrax Labs’ products. At first, I thought it was kind of strange and honestly useless, I didn’t see how caffeine could be linked to hair growth. But after reading about it, I have learned that caffeine is a natural stimulant, which makes sense when you think about its effects when you ingest it, but that also translates to stimulating hair growth. It does this by increasing the amount of blood to the area. Better circulation might be all you need to get your hair going, but it’s not all that this mask has to offer.

Aloe Vera Gel Juice

The aloe vera gel juice in this mask work to relieve several skin conditions, as well as moisturize your hair and skin. Aloe vera is known for being extremely soothing and helps provide a healthy area at your scalp for hair to grow. If you have irritated skin on your head or unsightly dandruff, the aloe vera gel is what is going to help get rid of it. On its own, it has a very cool, refreshing feeling to it that kind of gets lost within all the other ingredients in this mask. Nonetheless, you still get all the great benefits of aloe vera gel.

Jojoba Oil

Jojoba oil is just one of the many oils used in this mask. Oils, in general, are known for their moisturizing properties, a big part of what makes this mask so great. Specifically, jojoba oil strengthens the entire length of the hair, keeping it strong from the roots to the ends. As you can imagine, this helps prevent breakage and is especially useful if you want to grow long locks. Although it is an oil, jojoba oil does not leave behind an oily or greasy sheen to your skin. It is also non-allergenic, which means you won’t have any negative reaction from using it.

Argan Oil

Argan oil is essential to the proprietary blend of oils in this mask. Argan oil is another great moisturizer and adds a natural shine to your hair. The shine isn’t residual grease either, it is just your hydrated, healthier hair. Argan oil also reaches down to the skin, moisturizing it and relieving dry skin. It can even relieve the effects of eczema and dermatitis.

Sunflower Oil

Lastly, sunflower oil is a very light oil, and although it may not work as hard as jojoba, it is still very much important to the oil blend. Sunflower oil coats and protects the skin from the sun due to its large amount of beta carotene. It is also known to reduce the signs of aging, by preventing wrinkles and helps secure your skin’s elasticity.

Hair Vigor Mask Review

When I bought Hair Vigor, I could tell after the first use that it was going to last me a long time. It isn’t a product that you have to use every day, using it once or twice a week is enough to see the benefits. Although you do want to get good coverage of your hair, it still doesn’t take a whole lot. I know how much I have used in a month, and I expect this jar to last me 5 or 6 months, honestly.

After using it for the first time, I immediately could tell a difference in the texture of my hair and overall appearance. No, it didn’t grow my hair right away, but after the first use, my hair felt luxuriously soft. Before, it would get really dry and rough and irritate my skin, making me really itchy. But Hair Vigor moisturized it so well that it felt like a completely different head of hair when I washed it out. Since my hair was no longer as dry and rough, my hair also looked smoother and was much easier to groom.

You have to leave the mask on a little longer than regular conditioner, but it is so that the oils and other ingredients can penetrate deep and moisturize thoroughly. It is recommended you leave the mask on for 5 to 10 minutes, but for the most part, you are still able to move around and do simple stuff, you aren’t stuck in the bathroom for 10 minutes. After the 10 minutes are up, you just wash it out and continue with your normal hair care routine.

Does Ultrax Labs Hair Vigor Mask Work?

From everything that I have seen and experienced, I can say yes, Ultrax Labs Hair Vigor works. Now, my hair insanely soft, and it was really easy to get it this way. Like I said earlier, this isn’t a product you have to use every day to see results. However, you will not see the hair growth right away. After using this mask a couple times each week, along with a few other Ultrax Labs products, I started noticing new hair growth, and that’s in addition to the healthy sheen and moisturization I was already getting from it.

Ultrax Labs Hair Vigor mask side effects

Unless you’d call having a soft, luxurious head of hair a side effect, I haven’t had any side effects. The only thing to come from using this mask is a healthier head of hair and a happier man. As long as you follow the directions and wash it out when you’re supposed to, you shouldn’t have any negative side effects. This mask uses ingredients that are easy on the skin and not known to cause side effects. If you do experience side effects, talk to a medical professional.

Alternative Product

If Hair Vigor just doesn’t sound right for you, there are other great hair masks for hair loss out on the market that you can try out.  Another one worth trying is the Mask Against Hair Loss from Belita Viteks. It does a good job of moisturizing and is a great second choice.

Add-Ons to Ultrax Labs Hair Vigor Mask

For maximum results in as little time as possible, combine the hair mask with daily use of the following products:

Hair Surge Growth Stimulating Shampoo

Hair Solaye Growth Stimulating Conditioner

Hair Rush Growth Stimulating Vitamins

All of these products are from Ultrax Labs, the same people who make Hair Vigor, and they are all designed to stimulate hair growth and revitalize the hair you already have.

I know using all of them can be kind of expensive, and although that would give the best results, if you don’t want to buy and use all of them, you can pick and choose. Maybe you’ll just buy the shampoo and conditioner, or just the shampoo, either way, using the mask in combination with some other product is always better than by itself.

Final Verdict

Overall, this is one of the better, maybe the best, hair mask for both men and women on the market. I haven’t tried another mask that has been able to condition and moisturize and thoroughly as Hair Vigor. And in my experience, it doesn’t just go away, which is why it isn’t necessary to use every day. One application of Hair Vigor will keep your hair hydrated for a couple days before you really need to use more. Even if you wash your hair in between mask applications, you can still feel the effects of the mask, which is incredible. Pick up a jar and see for yourself! And if you enjoyed my Hair Vigor review, check out my other Ultrax Labs products reviews as well.

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Ultrax Labs Hair Rush Review

Ultrax Labs is known for their superb hair care products, and their Hair Rush supplement is no different. Patchy or thinning hair can be embarrassing, which leads many people to try supplements to help stimulate hair growth, but not all supplements are created equal. Keep reading for my full Ultrax Labs Hair Rush review.

Top Ultrax Labs Hair Rush Ingredients

Nettle Leaf Powder

Nettle leaf powder is packed full of vitamins and nutrients, including vitamin A, C, D, K, and B. It also contains high amounts of amino acids and protein, both of which strengthen hair. Nettle leaf powder helps mitigate the effects of hair loss and promotes hair regrowth, along with preventing dandruff. Nettle leaf powder is especially known for making hair shinier and restoring the natural color.

Pumpkin Seed Oil

Pumpkin isn’t exactly the first thing I think of when I think of restoring hair loss, but maybe it should be. Pumpkin seed is rich in fatty acids, which help the hair retain moisture. This will keep your hair from drying out or feeling especially brittle during winter months.

Gotu Kola Powder

Although it may have a strange name, Gotu Kola powder plays a key role in preventing hair loss, although no one knows exactly why. It can be used for several different things, including treating stress and anxiety. Sometimes it is stress and anxiety that is causing hair loss, so some people think it prevents hair loss by relieving your stress. Now that’s what I call a 2 for 1. However, it has also been shown that Gotu Kola actually stimulates hair growth, regardless of stress levels. It helps increase blood circulation to the scalp, which in turn promotes hair growth.

L Lysine Hydrochloride

L lysine hydrochloride, rolls right off the tongue, doesn’t it? Okay, maybe this one doesn’t sound as natural and harmless as the others, but it isn’t harmful at all, it is actually a very important part of the proprietary hair stimulating blend that is in the vitamin capsules. L lysine is an essential amino acid and has been proven to help fight hair loss. Collagen is one of the most important components of hair, but it cannot be created without L lysine there to absorb calcium. With the L lysine absorbing calcium, your body is able to make more collagen, which means it can make more hair, and healthier hair.

Keratin

The other key component of hair is keratin. Hair is actually about 90% keratin, so it is easy to see why extra keratin would promote hair growth. One possible cause of hair loss, or weak hair, is a keratin deficiency. There are a couple of different ways to get more keratin in your body, but what’s easier than just taking 2 pills once a day?

Ultrax Labs Hair Rush Review

My first impressions of Ultrax Labs Hair Rush were neither negative nor positive. I didn’t see immediate results from the supplements, but over time I could tell they were working. I am a pretty forgetful person, but going into this I thought I’d be able to remember to take the supplements every day with breakfast. I remembered every day for about a week, then I started forgetting a day every now and then, which might have been why it took me a while to see results. There are 60 capsules, so if you take 2 capsules each day, per the instructions, one bottle should last you an entire month. If you are serious about seeing results, you should be consistent with taking them every day. And be sure to take them with a meal, they’re not great on an empty stomach.

Something else I loved about these supplements was that there was no weird aftertaste when I took the pills. I have taken supplements in the past, such as fish oil, only to have the most horrendous burps later or to be left with a lingering aftertaste that makes me nauseous. It was really nice to be able to just take the pills and forget about them.

Before trying the supplements, I had been using Ultrax Labs’ shampoo and conditioner and was pleased with the results, but figured these could get me my desired results even faster, and I ended up being right. I could definitely tell that the supplements were doing more than the shampoo and conditioner were doing by themselves.

Does Ultrax Labs Hair Rush Really Work?

To cut right to the point, yes, Ultrax Labs Hair Rush supplements really work. Like I said, I’ve been noticing a difference, and I expect to continue seeing results the longer I use it. I have almost used all of the bottle I got, and when it’s gone I plan on getting a second one because it is recommended to use it for at least 90 days and I want to see what kind of results 90 days will get me.

Any side effects while using Ultrax Labs Hair Rush?

Since trying these supplements, I haven’t noticed any side effects. Nothing in them indicates they would be unsafe, but I’m not an expert so don’t go down a whole bottle all at once to try to make your hair grow faster. Obviously, if you are allergic to anything in the pills, like pumpkin, you should avoid taking them or talk to your doctor first. It’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor about any pills you are taking, in case you are taking other medications that might react with it, but I personally have not had any negative side effects, not even a bad aftertaste.

Alternative Solution

Hair Rush is the ideal supplement for growing your hair, but the price tag might be too much for some people. If this is the case you find yourself in, don’t fret, a great alternative is Newopure from Pure Results Nutrition. It is a very well received supplement, even though it is not quite as good as Hair Rush.

Newopure promises many of the same things as Hair Rush, such as thicker, stronger hair, and nourishment right at the roots. Although it isn’t as good as Hair Rush, using Newopure with other products is almost a sure fire way (and cheaper) to see results.

Great Add-Ons to Hair Rush

Relying solely on supplements to give you a great head of hair probably won’t go the way you want. Other products you are using, such as your shampoo, may be what is hindering hair growth in the first place. For the best results, you should use these supplements in conjunction with other Ultrax Labs products, which is how they were intended. One such product is their Hair Solaye Stimulating Conditioner. It penetrates deep to moisturize your hair and scalp underneath. Their Hair Surge shampoo provides key nutrients directly to your hair shafts and follicles, which gives you much faster results than the supplement alone. Lastly, I recommend also using their hair thickening serum, Hair Plush. It will instantly make your hair feel softer and after continued use, it will also thicken your hair and give it a healthy shine.

Conclusion

In the end, although Hair Rush will not give you instant results, I would highly recommend trying it for at least 90 days. After 90 days, if the results are not worth it then there is no use in continuing, but give it a fair shot before you rule it out. I have only been using it for a month and I am already seeing some results. As I mentioned, it is best to use these in conjunction with other Ultrax Labs products, especially if you want those immediate results. While everyone could benefit from Hair Rush, I would especially recommend it to men who have a hard time growing hair, but it is safe enough for use by women as well without messing with your hormones or giving you horrible side effects.

Hair Rush is not the only great product from Ultrax Labs, I have also reviewed a few other of their products and I recommend you check those out too. If you have found my Ultrax Labs Hair Rush review helpful at all, you will probably also enjoy the others.

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Ultrax Labs Hair Solaye Conditioner Review

I was blown away when I learned how many hair and hair problems exist. However, there are products that help mitigate these problems, such as Ultrax Labs Hair Solaye Caffeine Hair Stimulating Conditioner. Below, is my review of Ultrax Labs’ Hair Solaye.

Top Ultrax Labs Hair Solaye Conditioner Ingredients

Caffeine

As the name suggests, this conditioner’s key active ingredient is caffeine. You probably already know that caffeine is a natural stimulant, that’s why you get a little kick of energy after your morning coffee, but did you know it can also kick-start hair growth? Caffeine has been proven to stimulate hair growth, making your hair longer. But length means nothing if it is weak and falling out, so it is a good thing that caffeine also strengthens hair at the root, and makes it live longer, meaning it won’t fall out so fast and will look much thicker.

Jojoba Oil

Jojoba oil is an amazing moisturizer, making it essential to this conditioner. It leaves not only your hair feeling softer, but your skin too. The jojoba oil works so well because it is extremely similar to human sebum. Sebum is an oil that you produce naturally, and since jojoba is so similar to it, it does not irritate or dry out skin.

Chamomile Extract

Chamomile has a surprising number of practical uses, including being used in tea, soothing an upset stomach, fighting insomnia, and acting as a hypoallergenic, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory remedy to skin irritation. In this conditioner, chamomile extract is used to moisturize your hair and keep the skin area under and around your hair healthy. It has been known to relieve issues such as eczema, dermatitis, and dandruff.

Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus smells great and promotes hair growth. Eucalyptus is a common ingredient in hair care products for this very reason. Like chamomile, it also possesses antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, which help keep your skin healthy and non-irritated.

Aloe Vera Gel

Aloe vera gel is another skin soother. It is known to soothe irritated skin due to its anti-inflammatory properties, which can also help to relieve many skin conditions. Aloe vera is famous for soothing even the worse of sunburns by getting in deep and soothing multiple layers of burnt skin. Similarly, Aloe vera also penetrates deep and conditions your hair and scalp, nourishing it and strengthening it. Lastly, aloe vera gel promotes hair growth by getting rid of dead skin cells that might be blocking the passage of nutrients.

Ultrax Labs Hair Solaye Review

I was really hopeful for this product after a friend recommended it to me and I read several positive reviews online. I know it usually isn’t a good idea to get your hopes up about products you haven’t tried, but in this case, I didn’t get let down.

My first impression of Ultrax Labs Hair Solaye was “wow this smells great.” I went a little overboard in the beginning so the smell was pretty strong, but it is very pleasant. The conditioner itself is a very thick, white cream that looks very similar to regular conditioner, however, a little bit of this stuff goes a very long way. The mistake I made was assuming that I would need more because it was so thick, but it’s actually the complete opposite.

Once I got it on, my hands felt a little greasy, but just because some of the conditioners was left on them because I used too much. I was able to rinse it off easily since I was already in the shower, and two minutes later I rinsed out the conditioner. Once it was rinsed out I could immediately tell a difference. My hair felt softer than it had before, almost silky soft, it didn’t feel as dry or brittle, and it shortened my after shower routine. Usually, when I get out of the shower I’ve got to put on a bunch of products to get it soft and moisturized, but the Ultrax Labs Hair Solaye did the job by itself.

Once my hair was dry, it wasn’t as silky as it was when it was wet, but it has always been the same way with normal conditioner as well. However, it was still significantly softer than it was before I tried it, which makes it a success in my book. It also smelt great all day, and after a few days of using it, my wife even commented on how much she’s liked my hair.

Does Ultrax Labs Hair Solaye Conditioner Really Work?

I have found that Ultrax Labs Hair Solaye Caffeine Hair Stimulating Conditioner does exactly what it says. I have been using it for a couple of weeks now and my hair does look fuller and thicker. I’ve been noticing fewer strands of hair falling out when I wash or comb my hair, so I could definitely see how this would help people with thin hair. Overall, my hair just feels healthier, not to mention a lot less itchy. I didn’t have really bad dandruff before, but sometimes my scalp would get very irritated and it’d get sort of flaky, but I haven’t been noticing that problem since I’ve started using this conditioner.

Ultrax Labs Hair Solaye Conditioner Side effects

Since starting this conditioner, I haven’t had any negative side effects. My hands get a little greasy sometimes, but like I said, that is easily washed off. But I haven’t had any kind of allergic reaction or irritation using it. As long as you use it as the directions state, you shouldn’t have any negative side effects either.

Alternative Product

This conditioner is great, but if it doesn’t sound quite right for you, another great choice is PURA D’OR’s Hair Loss Prevention Therapy Conditioner. I personally prefer Ultrax Labs, I just think it is higher quality and overall better, but I admit it isn’t too nice to your wallet. If you are on a budget, PURA D’OR’s is effective and way better than nothing.

Great Add-Ons

As I mentioned earlier, this conditioner works best with the Ultrax Labs Hair Surge Shampoo. It has many of the same benefits of the conditioner, but it really focuses on delivering key nutrients to your hair, not moisturizing it. However, it still promotes hair growth using several different essential oils and vitamins.

Another great product that you can use in combination with the conditioner is Ultrax Labs Hair Plush Hair Thickening Serum. It is a great, lightweight serum that you can put on after your shower. It’s easy to use and does a great job of thickening up hair. If you really desire thicker hair and you have a way to go, it is best to use these products together for best results.

Lastly, I recommend Ultrax Labs Hair Rush. These are vitamins that you take daily that will promote hair growth. These will not give you immediate results and should be taken for at least 90 days, but the results are worth it, especially considering it only takes a matter of seconds each day and can maximize the benefits of the shampoo and conditioner.

Final Verdict

Overall, I would give this conditioner an A+, it does exactly what it claims to. It also offers a solution to a problem that many people suffer from. It is safe enough to use on your beard hair and head hair, and can even be used by women. I highly recommend this conditioner to anyone who wants thicker, healthier hair. It is the complete package, it moisturizes hair, the skin surface, and even deep within the skin. It feels like 3 or 4 products in one, I love it. It moisturizes hair, strengthens hair, soothes skin, prevents dandruff, and promotes hair growth, I’m not sure what else you could ask for in a conditioner.

If you enjoyed my Ultrax Labs Hair Solaye Caffeine Hair Stimulating Conditioner review, be sure to check out my other Ultrax Labs product reviews. It’s a good way to decide what products to use and which ones to pass on.

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Ultrax Labs Hair Surge Review

People tend to assume everyone can grow hair, but this isn’t true. Some people can grow a thick, healthy head of hair without any assistance, whereas others will see very little to no growth for months at a time. Whether you fall into one of those two categories, or somewhere in between, odds are you could benefit from a hair stimulating shampoo for your hair. I’m talking about Ultrax Labs Hair Surge, one of the most popular hair growth shampoo on the market, below is my full review of Hair Surge from Ultrax Labs.

Ultrax Lab Hair Surge Top Ingredients

Caffeine

Caffeine is what really sets this shampoo apart from others and what gives a little boost to your hair and scalp. Unlike other products that use a very small amount of caffeine, Ultrax Labs completely harnesses the power of caffeine to stimulate hair growth. It stimulates hairs right at the follicle, which is where hair production is taking place. Caffeine also extends the life of hairs, which means hair falls out less often, which in turn means thicker hair. As if that isn’t enough, since caffeine can reach all the way down to the hair follicle, it can nourish and strengthen the root directly at the follicle.

Ketoconazole

Ketoconazole is an antifungal and helps keep your hair and scalp healthy by killing the fungus that leads to several different skin conditions, including eczema, skin irritation, and dandruff. It is also a natural exfoliant and scoffs away sebum that may be clogging your hair follicles. It’s a very popular solution to dandruff, so if you have bad dandruff, this is pretty much the only product you’ll need to fight it.

Saw Palmetto

Saw palmetto is often used to treat prostate problems, but they might also prevent hair loss. There have been studies linking saw palmetto to increased hair growth, which is why Ultrax Labs chose to put it in this hair growth stimulating shampoo in the first place. Saw Palmetto has not been fully studied, but the studies that have been done give a positive outlook for the use of saw palmetto to treat hair loss.

Peppermint Oil

Peppermint oil serves multiple purposes in this shampoo. One purpose is the minty fresh scent it provides. It helps the scalp feel clean and refreshed, like a cooling breath of fresh air. Peppermint oil also really helps thicken up hair, and although it cannot completely reverse hair loss on its own, it can give you more volume. Peppermint oil also increases circulation to your scalp. More blood in the area means more nutrients are reaching the area, thus stimulating hair growth.

Mango Butter

Mango butter is a product of the mango tree, extracted from the fruit kernels, with extraordinary moisturizing powers. Mango butter can do all sorts of things, like heal rashes, relieve itchy scalps, moisturize dry skin, and treat skin conditions such as dermatitis, dandruff, and eczema. As you can imagine, this simple butter can work wonders on your hair, which makes it a great ingredient to include.

Ultrax Labs Hair Surge Shampoo Review

I was able to see immediate results from Hair Surge, which really surprised me. I thought I would have to use it for at least a week before I saw any results, but after the first wash, what’s left of my hair felt stronger and fresher. Before, I just used the same shampoo that my wife uses, and it did a good job of keeping it clean but did nothing to keep it healthy. It actually dried my hair out pretty bad and I had to use a lot of products when I got out of the shower to get my hair smooth and manageable. But after my first wash with Hair Surge, and especially after the first few washes, I have been able to see some of the results I was looking for.

One thing I was not expecting from this shampoo is the very thick consistency. It isn’t necessarily bad, it was kind actually kind of nice compared to my old runny shampoo that would drip right off my head when I tried to put it on, but it does take a little bit more to work through your scalp.

Speaking of different, I was expecting this shampoo to have a very strong scent. I’m not sure why, but I know when I have tried various special shampoos in the past, they have smelt very strong, and it was not usually pleasant. Thankfully though, Hair Surge isn’t too strong and the scent is quite nice. It kind of smells like a sweet peppermint and it has a nice cooling sensation when you wash it off. My scalp felt very fresh after using it and the skin under my hair felt like a cool breeze was whisking over it. It was more open, like all the dirt got scrubbed off, and didn’t feel as flaky or rough.

Does Ultrax Labs Hair Surge Really Work?

Hair Surge from Ultrax Lab is the best hair growth shampoo on the market that I’ve tested. It works the way it is supposed to, and after several weeks of use, I have been seeing more results than just a nice peppermint scent. My hair has definitely been regrowing on the temple where I had not had regrowth for years. I had a feeling it would make my hair regrow and feel nice, but I did not think I would actually see much growth.

Update: I recently trimmed my hair and got it to the shape I want, not just a long frizzy mess, and I was able to do it without having to worry about what would happen if it didn’t grow back. If you find yourself in a similar situation, I would recommend you trying Hair Surge for yourself. While it is likely that you will see some of the benefits right away, other benefits may take a while, so be patient. Your hair isn’t going to grow an inch overnight, but with daily use and patience, you will see results.

Any possible side effects while using Ultrax Labs Hair?

Since starting Hair Surge, I haven’t had any negative or off-putting side effects. The caffeine does have the same effect when you apply it topically as it does when you ingest it, which is something I was worried about. But I haven’t felt the side effects of increased caffeine or anything else. I would recommend only using this shampoo according to the directions, never ingest it. As long as you don’t ingest it, you shouldn’t have any bad side effects to deal with.

Alternative Solution

If you don’t like what’s in Hair Surge, but you are still looking for a good shampoo for hair loss, I would recommend PhytoWorx Organic Hair Loss Shampoo. It helps regrow hair and can be used every day.

Great Add-Ons

If you’ve seen how great Hair Surge is, and you��re wondering what else you can use to boost your hair growth, I’ve got the answer. In addition to the shampoo, you can also use Hair Solaye, the hair growth stimulating conditioner from Ultrax Labs. This will replace your usual conditioner and works to intensely moisturize and repair your damaged hair. You can also try Hair Surge vitamins by Ultrax Labs, which are small capsules full of vitamins meant to boost hair growth and health. And lastly, there is the Hair Plush thickening serum from Ultrax Labs. It works to make your hair look thicker and fuller.

Final Verdict

To finish off this Ultrax Labs Hair Surge review, my final verdict on this product is that it is definitely worth the money, especially if you use other Ultrax Labs products with it. I have seen more results than I ever expected to, and I’m excited to see what results continued use will have. I highly recommend this product to anyone in the market for a better shampoo that will also treat hair loss and stimulate new hair growth naturally.

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The Ultimate Guide on How to Regrow Hair Naturally for Men

Learning how to regrow hair naturally is not an easy task. The most common cause of hair loss in men is something called androgenetic alopecia, which can occur in both men and women. However, when it occurs in men—which it most often does—it’s commonly called male pattern baldness—a term you’ve probably heard your entire life and wondered if it would ever apply to you.

The truth is, about half of all men do experience a certain degree of male pattern baldness by age 50. It’s generally caused by genetics, and usually occurs because your hair follicles shrink, producing thinner hair over time until they just stop producing hair. It’s important to note that while the follicle stops producing hair, it’s still capable of producing hair, because it’s still alive, albeit dormant. That means that regrowing lost hair is technically possible. (Providing there is no scarring, which does cause permanent, non-fixable hair loss.)

While male pattern baldness is certainly the most common cause of hair loss in men, it’s not the only cause. Medical conditions, certain medications, nutrient deficiency, eating disorders, hormonal imbalances, and even lead poisoning can all cause hair loss that is entirely unrelated to male pattern baldness; for most of these causes, it’s important to treat the root cause. (As always, if your hair loss is caused by a medical attention, seek professional care from a doctor who can treat you for things like poisoning or hormonal imbalance.)

According to medlineplus.gov, male pattern baldness typically starts off with thinning hair at the front and temples, forming a sort of M shape that further recedes until you have a bald dome on top. Other causes of hair loss may present differently, like overall thinning of the hair, hair coming out in patches or clumps, hair breaking off in the shaft or near the root and more.

Regardless of your type of hair loss, there are steps you can take to stop current hair loss and regrow your hair.

Hair growth cycle

Hair grows in cycles. Every strand of hair on your head is at a different phase in the growth cycle than the next, which is a good thing, because it keeps our hair looking mostly consistent, no matter how much hair we have in general on our heads.

The anagen phase of hair growth is also known as the active phase. This is when hair actively grows. Not only does your hair grow in the anagen phase, but it stays in the anagen phase ranging anywhere from 2 to 6 years. Most hair on your head at any given time is in the anagen phase. That means that about 90% of the hair on your head is always growing.

The catagen phase follows the anagen phase. This is a very short phase, only lasting about two weeks. During this phase, hair stops growing.

The telogen phase is the phase that typically concerns those with balding or thinning hair. The telogen phase is when you shed hair, and it can last for 100 days. The good news is that no more than 8% of your hair is going through the telogen phase now, meaning the average person loses around 100 hairs per day. The reason the telogen phase concerns so many people is, obviously, if you have thin hair, it’s going to be more noticeable when you’re going through the telogen phase.

By now, you may be a bit freaked out about the hair growth cycle which. Though it happens to every single human on the planet, every second of every day, it may sometimes seem as though it is targeting you personally, because when the telogen phase is at its peak, it can definitely be a confidence-drainer and make you feel a little isolated as a result. But the good news is that by promoting healthier hair growth and stopping hair loss in its tracks, you can reduce how noticeable the telogen phase is and have fuller, thicker hair in the process.

For more info about the hair growth cycle, check out this video:

Genetic and hormonal reasons your hair stops growing

There are a few reasons that hair stops growing, most of which have different root causes (no pun intended). The causes can range from genetics to health problems to anxiety and more.

For male pattern baldness, the main cause is genetics, though dihydrotestosterone, which is a male hormone, is also thought to be a common cause of male pattern baldness. (It should be noted that this does not apply to women suffering hair loss, as the causes of female pattern baldness are not yet understood.)

From a genetic standpoint, you essentially inherit a predisposition for losing your hair. This infographic from BusinessInsider.com says that male pattern baldness is inherited through both sides of your family, your mom and your dad. (Remember, we get 50% of our DNA from each parent, including genes determining everything about your hair from number of follicles, to growth rate to baldness potential.)

However, the traditional view—which is still held by mainstream science, and the most likely to be true, honestly— is that you should look to your mother’s father’s hair to ascertain your likelihood of future hair loss, because tendency for baldness is passed down from mother to child and not so much father to son. Note the distinction. Mitochondrial DNA is passed down from mothers to both female and male children. Men also pass down mitochondrial DNA that they inherited from their mothers, however, unlike women, men pass down Y-chromosomal DNA as well, which is only passed father to son. This means you, as a man, aren’t going to inherit any of your paternal grandmother’s father’s Y-DNA because he didn’t pass it down to his daughter or to her son, your father. So, as you can see, because of the specifics of genetics, the whole mother-to-son phenomenon is pretty provable.

When you have male pattern baldness, hair stops growing because something—usually genetics—has signaled to a large number of your hair follicles that it is time to shrivel up and stop producing hair. Once the hair follicles have shrunk enough, those follicles go from producing very thin hair to producing no more hair at all. But as stated above in the intro, the hair follicles aren’t dead. They’re just dormant and not producing hair, so it should be possible to regrow the hair from those dormant follicles.

For a brilliant and short breakdown of the genetics of hair loss, check out this vid:

How to Regrow Hair Naturally

Don’t worry, you’re not a lost cause, neither is your hair loss problem. I have identified and broken down a lot of techniques on how to regrow hair naturally in less than a year.

Diet

Regrowing your hair naturally through diet is always the first step you should take to curing and preventing hair loss. For one thing, it’s the safest route to take, because whether you’re sick or healthy, eating healthy foods is always a good idea. It’s also one of the most readily available methods for curing hair loss as well, which is another reason all men trying to regrow their hair should consider a healthy diet to go along with any other methods they want to try.

Mainly, you want to opt for protein. Hair is made out of keratin. Eating keratin is gross and does nothing to promote hair growth, contrary to what snake oil salesmen might tell you. However, protein is a nutrient that is a crucial ingredient necessary for your body to make its own keratin. Go for healthy, lean proteins like fish, lentils and eggs, because you can get the extra protein you need without adding a bunch of unnecessary calories from fat. Additionally, these foods tend to contain things like Omega-3 fatty acids, selenium, iron and zinc—all of which are great nutrients to help your hair grow.

It may be tempting to get B Vitamins naturally from brown rice, as it is a great source. However, it’s important to note that rice—but especially brown rice—contains traces of arsenic, which can affect your health if you eat too much of it. That said, rice is perfectly fine in moderation. Just be sure to mix it with other healthy B Vitamin-containing whole grains.

For healthy hair-promoting foods and recipe, check out this awesome book called SkinnyTaste.

Exercise

One of the biggest hair loss myths out there is that exercise makes you go bald. This is actually a bald-faced lie. (Pun intended.)

This myth comes from the somewhat related myth that exercise causes you to produce more testosterone, which makes your beard grow, and that a great beard directly correlates with a bald head, ergo exercise causes baldness. This is false for so many reasons.

First things first, all men have roughly the same levels of testosterone. The ability to grow thick facial hair is down to how your body reacts to the testosterone you have, which is determined by genetics. So, if you were to boost your testosterone with exercise, your genes are still going to determine how that testosterone affects your body. So, there it is. Exercise does not cause hair loss.

In fact, male baldness is now starting to be counted as a risk factor for heart disease, which is typically caused by things like smoking, poor diet and a sedentary lifestyle (as in no exercise). Correlation does not necessarily equal causation, but exercise can certainly make your body overall healthier, which will help reduce many different types of hair loss, like stress-related hair loss, and can promote hair regrowth too.

How to regrow hair naturally through improved circulation

Above, we touched on how exercise is actually good for hair regrowth, contrary to certain prevalent myths. One of the biggest reasons to exercise to promote hair regrowth is exercise, because it is the best way to improve circulation. Improved circulation means better blood flow to your whole body, including your scalp, which is a great and ultra-healthy way to naturally encourage hair regrowth.

The best way to improve circulation is through aerobic exercise. Aerobic exercise, also called cardio, involves getting your heart rate up to an “aerobic level”. (What that is for you, personally, is age-based, and is essentially 55%-85% of your estimated maximum heart rate; there are calculators to get a better estimation for your specific target heart rate.) Your heart is the most important muscle in your body. You exercise your biceps and triceps, but it’s even more important to exercise your heart to keep it strong and power you through your life.

If you’re unable to do aerobic exercise for any reason (such as a health condition), talk to your doctor about whether or not gentler exercises are suitable for you. Prevention.com has a list of 5 low-key exercises that improve circulation. Yoga is another great low-impact alternative to boost circulation and overall health.

Vitamin supplements

The reason it’s so important to eat a healthy diet to naturally regrow your hair is because of all the vitamins you get from whole foods that haven’t been processed, and thus stripped of their nutrients. That said, even the healthiest eaters can be low on key hair-boosting vitamins, and when that happens, supplements are called for.

Biotin and B5—both B vitamins—are essential for hair growth. While most of the hair growing attention goes to biotin, B5 is actually more important for hair growth. Biotin improves hair health allowing it to grow longer; B5, on the other hand, actually encourages your hair itself to grow, which is arguably more useful for men suffering from male pattern baldness or illnesses which cause hair loss.

Zinc is super important for guys in general, but also for hair loss. Zinc is actually sort of the super mineral when it comes to hair loss because it helps every kind naturally occurring hair loss. (Meaning genetic, autoimmune and stress-related.) Your doctor can even test if your serum levels of zinc are low, which, in some cases, indicates a need for a higher dose of zinc. (But never take more than in standard US supplement forms without your doc’s go ahead, as you can overdose on it, like any other mineral.)

Sports Research Vitamin D3 is particularly effective for fighting hair loss associated with autoimmune disorders like alopecia areata, all forms of lupus hair loss, and others. D Vitamins work closely with your body’s immune system by regulating it in a way that teaches it to behave more normally. This means that people with healthy levels of Vitamin D in their body are less likely to have autoimmune diseases flares, and the flares they do have tend to be less severe. And because your immune system is behaving like it should when you’re good on Vitamin D, you’re also less likely to have cancer, because your immune system is busy beating up on early cancer cells before they become a problem, instead of ignoring them—or worse, ignoring them while attacking your healthy tissue.

Many people can get enough Vitamin D to be healthy simply from staying in the sun for 10 minutes. However, this advice only holds true if you’re relatively close to the equator and live in places like Los Angeles or Atlanta that lie at southerly latitudes as far as the US goes. For those living in Buffalo, New York, or Anchorage, Alaska or even London, England, you’re likely not going to get enough Vitamin D from 10 minutes of sun exposure and the amount of sun exposure you would need to get Vitamin D from the sun could put you at risk for sunburns or even skin cancer down the road.

And remember, melanin is natural sunscreen. The only reason humans have different skin colors throughout the world is because they evolved to have the amount of melanin they need to get the correct amount of Vitamin D in the area their ancestors lived for thousands of years. This means that people who are very dark skinned aren’t going to get enough Vitamin D from the sun far away from the equator, period. People who live near the equator have skin pigmentation that is 6 times less effective at synthesizing Vitamin D from UVB rays than those with light skin, who had to evolutionarily adapt to the lack of UVB rays in the far north.

And there’s another problem with the whole sun-as-the-perfect-source-of-Vitamin-D thing: People with certain autoimmune disorders can’t be in the sun at all, because it triggers their disorder to become active—which would make autoimmune hair loss worse in these cases.

Luckily, Vitamin D is another vitamin that you can get a blood test for. That means if your levels are so low that an over-the-counter Vitamin D3 (the standard form of Vitamin D) supplement can’t correct them, your doctor can prescribe you prescription strength Vitamin D2. Vitamin D2 differs from Vitamin D3 in that it’s usually only taken once a week, and the dose is quite high. That may seem intimidating, but the benefits are well worth it if your Vitamin D serum levels are so low that your doctor has determined prescription Vitamin D2 is necessary for your health.

If you’re an otherwise healthy guy who doesn’t have an extreme deficiency that requires medical attention, go for a high-quality hair growth vitamin supplement to stop hair loss and regrow hair. That way, you’ll get all the necessary hair-boosting vitamins in one easy place.

DasGro Hair Formula is a supplement for hair growth that’s made in the USA in an FDA-approved facility. It contains all of the necessary hair-promoting vitamins like Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid), Biotin, Vitamin D, Iron, and Zinc plus other ingredients to promote hair growth and overall health.

Herbal supplements

If you’re looking for a way to regrow hair that’s found in nature, herbal supplements are a good place to start. The key with herbs is to always go for a reputable brand—preferably one that is made in the US, because even though supplements aren’t FDA-approved, they’re required to be safe when used as directed/intended. This means you’re less likely to run into with unsafe herbs being used as filler, or herbs that are just outright dangerous, period. Remember, herbal isn’t synonymous with safe. Do your research and always take herbs in the amount that is recommended. It’s also important to note that many of these herbal supplements are also diuretics, so don’t stack multiple diuretics on top of each other, and don’t take with prescription diuretics or if you have kidney issues. (Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you’re unsure about anything.)

Humans have been using herbs since the Paleolithic Era to treat pretty much any illness, complaint or imbalance the human body can muster. And for almost all of human history, herbs were the only medications available, period. Starting in the nineteenth century, with advances in various scientific disciplines, we began to learn which herbs are safe and how effective they are on certain issues. Because we now know so much about herbs on a chemical level and how they interact with our bodies, we know which work and which don’t. All the herbs listed here have been shown to be effective for treating hair loss and promoting natural hair regrowth.

Saw Palmetto

Saw Palmetto is native to the Southeastern United States, commonly growing in the subtropical coastal regions of Alabama, Georgia, and Florida, with the plant being widespread throughout the entire state of the latter. It has been used by Native Americans for centuries, if not longer, to treat a number of ailments, and it was so valuable that, prior to European contact, Native Americans from the south were trading it as far north as New York.

Saw Palmetto has a long history of being used to treat hair loss. It works by regulating your body’s testosterone levels, and preventing imbalances with the male androgen hormone DHT, which is a common cause of male pattern baldness. If you’re a guy of a certain age, it’s important to note it’s great for prostate health as well.

Nature Made Super Saw Palmetto 480mg Extract is a high-quality Saw Palmetto supplement that uses special extraction methods to ensure you’re getting the most out of your supplement. Nature Made is a brand that is popular with pharmacists, because they voluntarily submit their vitamins to be evaluated by the USP, a third-party agency that tests for quality. The Saw Palmetto in this supplement is delivered through small, easy-to-swallow softgels and contains 480mg of Saw Palmetto extract—the ideal amount for natural hair regrowth.

Horsetail

Horsetail is an herb that is basically synonymous with hair growth. It’s an excellent source of silica, which makes collagen, which ultimately is a building block of hair. It also contains selenium and other vitamins that promote hair growth. For a breakdown of everything you need to know about Horsetail, check out this article.

Swanson Horsetail Herbal Supplement 500mg contains all the daily Horsetail you need to get the herb’s benefits, and it’s made in the United States and known for quality. (Note that Horsetail can make you pee—it’s a bit of a diuretic—so this won’t be suitable for people already on diuretics or those who have low potassium. If you have questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.)

Stinging Nettle

Stinging Nettle is an herb that has a lot of benefits, such as treating hay fever and urinary issues. One of its most popular applications is to treat hair loss because it decreases the likelihood of testosterone being converted to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Stinging Nettle can be taken in capsule form or as a tea to fight hair loss and help regrow hair naturally.

NOW Stinging Nettle Root Extract 250mg comes in 90 vegetarian capsules, so it’s perfect for guys who don’t eat meat. According to the description, Julius Caesar used Stinging Nettle Root back in the day. Julius Caesar, according to contemporaries, was very concerned about his hair loss, which is why he combed his hair forward to hide it. He was also a smart dude and finicky dude, so if it worked for him, chances are it is very result-heavy. (Remember that Stinging Nettle is also a diuretic and does interact with certain meds like NSAIDS and lithium, so talk to your doctor or pharmacist to ensure you and Stinging Nettle Root are a good match.)

Traditional Medicinals Organic Nettle Leaf Tea is USDA-certified organic, and is also Kosher. It’s a great alternative if you prefer herbal teas to capsules. The company says it has a slightly hay-like taste, but many find they like that. And remember: It’s a supplement, it’s not going to taste like Earl Grey, but, again, it’s widely reported to be not that bad.

Gingko Biloba

Gingko Biloba is an herb most commonly used as a memory aid and to boost mental clarity, but it’s a well-kept secret that it actually helps you regrow hair. It also prevents hair loss, so it’s really a double-whammy.

Nature’s Bounty Gingko Biloba Standardized Extract comes in 100 capsules that are easy-to-swallow, and if you prefer, you can actually open them up and use them as tea, according to the label.

Parsley

Parsley is one of the most common herbs out there—and one of the most overlooked. It’s a super-nutritious member of the carrot family…and yet we often relegate it to unwashed restaurant garnish, which is a huge waste of its potential. Parsley is thought to regulate a gene that promotes hair growth and prevents hair loss in men. It also freshens your breath, so your wife will thank you for taking it too. Additionally, it’s high in iron, which can address any iron deficiencies you may have that are causing all the hair loss.

Nature’s Way Parsley Leaf Capsules are non-GMO and a highly convenient way to boost your parsley intake. Remember that parsley is a diuretic, so don’t take it if you have kidney issues or take diuretics to regulate fluid retention or high blood pressure. Talk with your doctor if you have questions.

Gotu Kola

Gotu Kola is a popular Indian herb with a lot of health benefits when taken in safe amounts. It fights hair loss in two ways: 1.) It strengthens your follicles, priming them to grow healthy hair; 2.) It improves scalp circulation, encouraging hair growth in dormant follicles.

Swanson Gotu Kola adheres to FDA guidelines and is made in the USA, and is an easy-to-swallow capsule form of this classic Ayurvedic remedy.

Maybe buying each herbal supplement one by one isn’t your thing. You can always try a multiherbal supplement for hair growth. (Bear in mind, however, that some of the effects of these herbs—like their diuretic properties stack, so this isn’t a good option for anyone who has health problems or takes medications.)

Hair Growth Maximizer Natural Hair Growth Vitamins are a combination of top hair growth vitamins, like biotin, combined with top herbal hair growth supplements, like Gotu Kola and Horsetail extract. It’s a really convenient way to get all the herbs and vitamins you want for hair growth in one handy place. Plus, they’re made in the USA, and are vegetarian and formulated without common allergens like wheat or shellfish.

Topical herbal supplements

There are a lot of topical remedies to help you regrow your hair. Many of them are common foods, herbs and essential oils that are super easy to find.

Rosemary oil is one of the best natural topical hair regrowth products available, period. Not only is it a very safe oil (it’s made from a common herb and often used as an all-natural food additive), it’s highly effective. Rosemary oil was proven in a scientific study to be just as effective as minoxidil when it comes to regrowing hair. That is a powerful claim, but as the methodology of scientific studies improves, we’re bound to learn all sorts of interesting things about hair growth and regrowth in the near future.

Radha Beauty Therapeutic Grade Rosemary Oil is 100% pure with no fillers and comes in a hefty 4oz bottle, so you can easily make your own rosemary hair oil remedy with it. The simplest method is to simply mix it with a nourishing carrier oil like olive oil.

Bhringraj is an herb used in Ayurveda to prevent baldness and promote hair growth. It improves hair’s quality and scalp circulation, making it an awesome hair regrowth ally.

100% Bhringaraj Powder (eclipta alba) from Metiista is a convenient way to treat your scalp with Bhringaraj. Mix it with soothing coconut oil to form a hair and scalp mask to promote natural hair regrowth.

If you drink beer, you’ve had hops before. But did you know that hops are an excellent topical treatment for hair loss? Not only do hops cause your hair to grow, they cause it to come in thicker and healthier.

EOX Hop Essential Oil 5ml is a 100% certified pure form of hops essential oil with no added fillers. To preserve the life of the oil, they package it in an amber glass bottle. 5ml is a great size for personal use once you mix it with the carrier oil of your choice, like coconut, but they do have two larger sizes if you find this is a good long-term solution for you.

Collagen supplements

Collagen is a supplement that a lot of people don’t think about when it comes to regrowing hair, but they should. Collagen is a long-chain amino acid, which are the building blocks of protein. Collagen is crucial to your body’s ability to function as a whole, and constitutes 30% of the amino acid makeup in your body.

As a necessary part of the makeup of protein, collagen plays a role when it comes to skin and hair. (Remember that hair is very similar to skin, both being composed of keratin.) Collagen makes your scalp healthier and more elastic, which promotes better follicle quality. Also, because collagen makes protein, it’s good for keratin production; in turn, keratin production is good for producing high-quality, thicker hair.

There are a few different ways to take collagen in supplement form, mainly: collagen powder, collagen pills/capsules, gelatin, and broths. Generally speaking, the form in which you choose to consume collagen is a matter of personal preference; that said, it’s important for overall health—including hair, scalp and circulation—to get all three types of collagen: Type 1, Type 2 and Type 3. (Sometimes they are listed with Roman numerals instead, but it’s still the same thing.) However, collagen Type 1 and Type 3 are often the collagens used in collagen supplements, because those are the ones that have the most benefits toward hair, skin and a healthy circulatory system.

Collagen powder is a super easy way to up your collagen intake. It can be flavored or flavorless, with the latter generally being preferred due to its versatility in that it can be mixed with pretty much any liquid.

Pure Hydrolyzed Collagen Peptides from Sports Research is a collagen supplement powder that contains Collagens Type 1 and Type 3, which are both crucial for growing healthy hair as well as promoting scalp and circulatory health. This collagen supplement is paleo-friendly, gluten-free, non-GMO and comes from grass fed bovine sources. It’s also GMP-certified. Better still, it’s tasteless so you can easily mix it with your favorite morning drink.

Collagen tablets and caplets are another great and easy way to take in collagen as a supplement for hair regrowth. Mainly, they’re just super convenient and easy to remember if you store them next to your usual vitamins.

youtheory Collagen Advanced Formula I, II & III is a collagen supplement in tablet form that features the three main collagen types, providing for better hair growth while giving your joints and boost as well. Liquid collagen supplements are a newer way to boost your collagen intake—and they’re extremely convenient.

Goson Copitmal Liquid Collagen Formula is a marine-based liquid collagen supplement. Marine-based collagen is rich in Collagen Type 1, which is ideal for improving your scalp’s health and promoting hair growth. The cool thing about this supplement is that it comes in individual bottle daily drinks, so you don’t have to worry about drinking a giant jug of it before it expires. Also, it’s citrus-flavored, making it quite tasty.

Because collagen is an animal-based amino acid, vegetarians and vegans are basically kinds of left out of the whole collagen-is-awesome thing. However, we humans are also animals and can produce our own collagen. Vegetarian and vegan collagen supplements do just that: They are a vegan formula that encourages your body to make collagen itself instead of having to take it in from animal sources.

Garden of Life Organic Plant Collagen Builder uses silica and other nutrients that form the basis of collagen or otherwise stimulate its production. The result is your body ends up making more collagen and keratin on its own, all in a cruelty-free, vegan-friendly way.

Gelatin is another great alternative to traditional collagen supplements, because when collagen breaks down, it becomes gelatin, and some folks find this is an easier way to get the protein building blocks they need. Plus, it’s reportedly good for people with food sensitives.

Great Lakes Gelatin Collagen Hydrolysate is a rapidly absorbing gelatin-collagen supplement that is made entirely from kosher beef. Plus, it’s unflavored and soluble in cold water, so you can literally mix it with any drink.

Finally, another way to get all the hair regrowing benefits of collagen/gelatin is the old-fashioned way—bone broth.

LonoLife All Natural Beef Bone Broth is a classic beef bone broth—with a modern twist. Paleo-friendly, it’s individually packed in K-cups for Keurig-style brewers. Not only is this a super convenient way to get bone broth—each cup contains a healthy 10 grams of protein, so you’re also upping your protein intake for the day, which is another hair regrowth necessity.

Ayurvedic remedies

Ayurveda is a form of medicine and general wellness knowledge that has been practiced on the Indian subcontinent for thousands of years, with evidence of its use and education via oral tradition dating back to around 5,000 BCE. The term Ayurveda comes from the Sanskrit words “ayus” meaning “life” and “veda” meaning “knowledge”, so it literally means “life knowledge”. And indeed, since prehistoric times, Ayurveda was covering aspects of medicine and physiology that Western medicine only came to terms within the twenty-first century. Because of the close attention to detail and reliance on evidence exhibited by these ancient Vedic medical practitioners, many of the herbal and natural remedies in Ayurvedic healing are actually very effective, especially compared to many modern herbal remedies that don’t have much basis in evidence.

Brahmi is a very powerful Ayurvedic herb. Its name comes from the Hindu manifestation (or personified form) of God in the form of creator and self-born, Brahma. Perhaps the reason for giving it such an important name is the fact that Brahmi is somewhat of a cure-all, as evidenced in its benefits for hair. It nourishes follicles to strengthen them and promote hair growth, it makes your hair healthier from root to tip, and it is anti-inflammatory, which reduces any inflammation-related issues which may be causing your hair loss. All in all, it’s one of the best natural remedies for hair loss and a great tool to regrow your hair.

Brahmi Hair Oil from Vadik Herbs is an Ayurvedic hair oil conditioner blend that uses the Brahmi herb as its main ingredient, along with other hair-boosting Ayurvedic herbs and coconut oil, to soothe and heal your scalp and promote natural hair growth and quality from the scalp and follicle all the way down the shaft.

In Ayurveda, hair loss is associated with having an overactive pitta dosha. Pittas are fiery people. (Disclosure: I myself am a pitta.) So, we tend to love spicy and acidic foods like jalapeños and zesty tomatoes and anything with habanero in it. But the key to the whole dosha theory is balance. And when your dosha is out of balance, in this case pitta, you start to experience problems associated with pitta overload. And one of these is hair loss.

One of the easiest Ayurvedic remedies to hair loss is to make your own natural shampoo, like the article suggests. Go for an easy-to-find, proven hair ally like amla, also known as Indian Gooseberry. You could alternatively make your own conditioner or hair/scalp mask, depending on your preference.

Terrasoul Superfoods Amla Powder (Organic) is USDA-certified organic amla powder that uses high-quality lab testing on every bath they process to ensure it is 100% pure amla with no contaminants that are common in the agricultural industry, such as lead and arsenic, mold and bacteria. Their alma is actually food-grade, so if you were looking to take it internally as well as topically. (Always make sure herbs are food grade if you intend to take them internally as a general rule of thumb.)

Hair loss shampoo

Naturally regrowing your hair with shampoo is one of the easiest, hassle-free ways to go about it, period, because chances are, you shampoo your hair pretty regularly, which means you’ll be reaping the benefits every time you hop in the shower.

Different hair loss shampoos tackle the issue differently. Some have ingredients to literally stimulate growth from the follicle; others have ingredients that nourish the follicle to encourage to grow; others still have formulations that prevent breakage and further damage. The route you take on this really just depends on your specific needs.

For instance, if you have male pattern baldness, you’re going to want to either stimulate growth or nourish the follicle—typically both. Meanwhile, someone with hair breakage due to a health issue might want to focus on protecting the hair shafts themselves. So, again, assess your specific situation and take action based on that.

Caffeine has long been used by women to boost the skin under their eyes to get rid of that sunken in, dark circle look that can, unfortunately, happen to women of any age—and for women, they may say that is their version of male pattern baldness because it is often hard to treat and difficult to hide. That said, caffeine is one of the most effective treatments for that issue, and the reason is simple: caffeine stimulates the skin.

That same logic can be applied to your scalp and its hair follicles, which is why caffeine-containing shampoos are one of the most effective shampoo types to regrow your hair.

Ultrax Labs Hair Surge is a shampoo that stimulates your hair follicles, causing them to wake up and grow hair, via its main active ingredient, caffeine. Not only does it contain caffeine, but it contains Saw Palmetto, which we all know is a great hair growth booster. More than that though, Ultrax Labs Hair Surge has a secret weapon that kicks it all up a notch—2% ketoconazole. Ketoconazole is actually an anti-dandruff shampoo. The kicker is it makes your hair thicker. Okay, that sounds like a cheesy 1940’s ad campaign, but it’s so true nonetheless. So, here is a triple whammy of a hair stimulating shampoo that also has an accompanying and complementing hair conditioner.

Argan Oil Shampoo from Maple Holistics is a unisex sulfate-free shampoo that treats hair loss while preventing future hair loss through the aid of nourishing oils like argan and avocado and through hair-healthy vitamins like B and E. This is great for those who want a more natural approach in their hair loss shampoo.

Biotin Growth Support Volumizing Shampoo Hair Loss Therapy treats hair to a healthy dose of B Vitamin Complex (obviously including biotin), caffeine and argan while also volumizing thin hair to improve its appearance while the vitamins and herbs are busy working to restore and regrow your hair.

Conditioner

Maybe you have a shampoo you like and are afraid to part with, but want to branch out into a hair regrowth conditioner. Or maybe you just want a natural hair regrowth conditioner to add to your already robust hair regrowth regimen. Either way, hair regrowth conditioner is great because it conditioners your hair (obviously) while providing the same hair regrowth benefits as hair regrowth shampoos.

Amplixin Revitalizing Hair Growth Conditioner is a unisex hair conditioner designed specifically for men and women with androgenic alopecia (or male/female pattern baldness). It contains ingredients like red clover that restrict your body’s DHT production, stopping the trigger for genetic hair loss at its root (literally).

DermaChange Thick and Full Hair Growth Conditioner is not only an organic hair growth conditioner, making it very health-friendly, it’s also pH-balanced. What a lot of people don’t realize is that your hair and skin are acidic and need to be kept that way to be healthy. Harsh cleansers and conditioners strip hair of its pH causing damage and breakage. In extreme cases, hair care products that aren’t pH-balanced can even cause hair loss, which is why this 5.5pH conditioner is perfect for guys looking for a healthy natural hair regrowth.

Hair Oils

Quality therapeutic-grade oil is a great way to naturally regrow hair. It can either be a straight oil known for hair-friendliness or it could be an essential oil that you can use as aromatherapy or part of a homemade oil blend for a scalp massage. The most used ones for hair regrowth are Coconut oil, Olive oil, Tea tree oil and jojoba oil. Additionally, there are also branded blends of hair regrowth oil out there if you prefer to leave the oil mixing to the experts.

Maple Holistics 100% Pure Coconut Oil, Fractionated Therapeutic Grade is a great example of an optimal oil for hair growth, because it can be used on its own or part of a larger recipe as a carrier oil for essential oils or as part of a homemade shampoo.

Thyme Premium 100% Pure Therapeutic Grade Essential Oil can be used with coconut as a carrier oil as part of a homemade thyme-based hair growth treatment. Thyme has long been regarded as a great herb for hair growth.

Laritelle Organic Hair Loss Treatment for Men is a blend of natural oils that stop hair loss while promoting hair growth by nourishing the scalp and stimulating your follicles to go forth and produce hair.

Hair serum

Hair serums are an easy way to boost hair growth right at the scalp, and they’re often packaged small enough to travel, so they’re a great solution for guys on the go who refuse to settle for a break in their hair regrowth regimen.

Ultrax Labs Hair Plus is a compact hair thickening serum that uses caffeine to make your follicles wake up and get back to work producing the hair they were born to make.

REKZE 24 Anti-Hair Loss Treatment is dermatologically tested and contains 24 hair-benefiting ingredients to tackle hair loss and hair growth from every angle, but most importantly, by blocking DHT, so your follicles can reinvigorate naturally.

Hair tonic

Hair tonic is pretty similar to hair serum; sometimes, the difference is just a matter of consistency and viscosity. In cases like that, it’s about personal preference, but they still deserve their own category, because every product type is unique, regardless of what appear to be strong similarities.

Maple Holistics Hair Tonic for Thinning Hair is a unisex hair tonic designed to thicken hair while also repairing damage to your scalp and follicles. Plus, it’s natural, which is always a nice way to pamper your body as a whole.

Aubrey Organics Men’s Stock Ginseng Biotin Energizing Scalp Tonic is decidedly male-oriented and contains two of the best baldness fighting badasses: ginseng and biotin. Ginseng is an herb synonymous with energy, and it goes to work stimulating your hair to grow. Meanwhile, the biotin works in tandem with the ginseng to give your hair the fuel it needs to grow. It’s a dynamic duo of hair growth, if you think about it.

Rogaine/Minoxidil

Minoxidil is a medication used to treat high blood pressure when taken by mouth. However, when it’s applied to the scalp, it can stimulate hair growth in those with androgenic alopecia (male pattern baldness) and alopecia areata, the autoimmune disorder.

Minoxidil is one of those hair regrowth regimens that takes a long-term dedicated use to see results. The site also notes that you won’t get increased or faster hair growth from upping your dosage, so remember: with minoxidil, colloquially known as “minox”, there are no shortcuts.

Typically, minoxidil is delivered either through a medicated foam or through a medicated topical solution. Both delivery methods are effective and really just depend on your preference or if your hair type is more suited to one delivery method over the other.

Kirkland Signature Extra Strength Minoxidil for Men is an unscented 5% minoxidil solution that comes in a handy 1-year supply with childproof applicator, in case you have kiddos running the house. Because any form of minoxidil can take a year to show results, it’s important to keep up with the regimen if this is your chosen course of hair regrowth action.

Men’s Rogaine Hair Regrowth Treatment is also 5% minoxidil and this particular version is an aerosol foam, though they also have other delivery methods. Rogaine is by far the most prevalent branded form of minoxidil; that said, it’s important to note that all 5% minoxidil that is USP-tested is the same and that only the delivery method (both on a macro and micro scale) varies from brand to brand.

Finasteride

Like minoxidil, finasteride is a medication that was originally intended to treat something other than hair loss—though prostate issues, in this case. However, it’s also a very effective treatment for hair loss in men, and is indicated for androgenic alopecia. (Important to note: Women and children can’t have finasteride, so no sharing with family on this one.)

As of now, there is no over-the-counter (OTC) form of finasteride, so you’ll have to see your doc if you want some. It’s important to note, however, that the results you get from finasteride may take a year to show up and may disappear after you stop taking it, so be sure to get the facts before you start it.

Dutasteride

Dutasteride is prescription only and is a medicine similar to finasteride, and is also given for BPH. Unlike finasteride, however, it has not yet been cleared for use for hair loss. Also, very early indicators suggest it may be more successful with treating male pattern baldness in men. (Women shouldn’t even touch dutasteride, so they should never take it.) But like finasteride, it also comes with risk, so even if it does become approved, this may not be your first line of defense for natural hair growth.

Red light therapy/near-infrared light therapy/low-level laser therapy (LLLT)

For the purposes of this article, red light therapy, near-infrared light therapy and low-level laser therapy (LLLT) are grouped together because a lot of the FDA-approved consumer products that use these technologies are quite similar.

Without getting too technical, studies have shown that low-level laser therapy (LLLT) stimulates the scalp and follicles and pushes the follicles back into the anagen phase where they begin to grow hair again. In mice, this has proven effective not only in individuals with alopecia areata but also chemotherapy-related hair loss. But this hasn’t just been studied in mice. Studies on both male and female humans have proven the benefits of LLLT for treating hair loss and regrowing hair.

iRestore Laser Hair Growth System is an FDA-cleared laser therapy helmet designed to treat hair loss in both men and women. Like many other hair regrowth methods, you have to have dedication, but iRestore says people tend to see results in less than 24 weeks—sometimes as few as 12 weeks. Additionally, it can be used to boost other natural hair regrowth treatments, like Ayurvedic remedies or scalp-stimulating shampoo.

Capillus82 Laser Hair Growth Cap takes a more covert approach to wearable LLLT therapy in the form of a baseball style cap. You can wear it watching the game with the guys without drawing any undue attention toward yourself. Also, it’s FDA-approved and comes with its own carrying case.

This infrared lamp provides a more diffuse form of infrared light that gently lights the whole body—especially the hair—while you’re using it. And because the light reaches your whole body, you get whole-body benefits, which is awesome because a healthy body is simply better able to support hair growth.

Scalp massagers

Basically, there are two kinds of scalp massagers: scalp massagers designed for massaging dry hair and scalp massagers designed for use with shampoo. Each has its own benefits and some guys find they like to have both for the qualities each brings to the table.

Body Back Company’s Scalp Massager is ideal for stimulating circulation in the scalp to wake up those hair follicles and push them back into the anagen phase while giving them the nourishing blood flow that they need. Also, it’s a great de-stresser, which also works to prevent hair loss by keeping you from stress shedding, providing a double-dose of hair-saving goodness.

Rolencos Hair Scalp Shampoo Brush is a scalp massager designed for use in the shower while you’re shampooing your hair. Not only does it encourage the shampoo to go further on your hair and scalp, providing better coverage, it also stimulates blood flow and the sebaceous glands that lie next to your hair follicles, encourage new hair growth.

How to gain confidence while waiting for your hair to regrow

There is no overnight cure to regrow your hair. It takes dedication and effort, no matter which method you decide is right for you. In the meantime, while you’re waiting for your treatments to take effect, it’s important to be confident. Confidence lowers your stress levels and encourages your hormones to naturally regulate themselves. (Read more about stress and hair loss here.)

Take decisive steps to boost your confidence as you wait for your hair to regrow. One easy way to get that boost you need is to learn how to style your hair better to hide the problem. Check out this awesome tutorial for some styling tips every guy with thinning hair should know:

If you decide to shave your head (or otherwise cut it very short) while you’re waiting for new hair growth to kick in, consider growing a beard. Guys who go bald are statistically better at growing beards, because of the way their bodies react to testosterone.

The post The Ultimate Guide on How to Regrow Hair Naturally for Men appeared first on Grooming Adepts.

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How To Grow A Beard in 2018 – The Ultimate Beard Guide

If you’re a guy, you’ve probably thought about growing out your beard at some point. Lucky for you, the internet is rife with information about how to grow a beard. The downside is that most of it is pretty vague and none of it is very centralized. The Ultimate Beard Guide is designed to be a complete overview of everything you ever wanted to know about beards and beard care—all in one convenient place. Before we get started, let me answer some questions you may have regarding your future beard.

The anatomy of a beard

Beard hair grows out of the tiny thousands of follicles located on your face. As we know, the number of follicles you have and what quality of hair grows out of them are determined by genetics, but the basic anatomy of the beard is the same for all guys.

Essentially, the parts of a strand of hair are: the medulla, the cortex and the cuticle. For understanding hair as it pertains to your beard needs, you can forget the medulla, which is the inner core and lacks structure, and focus on the latter two. The cortex is the middle layer where hair gets its structure from, and the shape of the cortex—round or oval—determines how curly or straight your hair is. (Curlier hair has a more oval shape whereas straight has a more rounded shape.) Melanin lies here in the cortex as well and works to give your hair its color. The cuticle is the outer layer of your hair and it’s what repels excess water that your cortex layer has drawn in.

Inside your hair follicles is the bulb of the root of your hair. Hair grows from here towards the root proper and out of the hair follicle where it becomes the hair shafts that you see when you look at your beard in the mirror.

Beard hair growth cycle

Human hair follows a very structured growth cycle. The parts of the cycle are:

Anagen phase: The longest phase of the hair growth cycle which can last anywhere from two to six years. This is the cycle where your hair grows and almost all of your hair (85%-90%) is currently in the anagen phase at any given time.

Catagen phase: The resting phase, or catagen phase, is where your hair follicle quits melanin production and shrinks. It lasts only about two weeks and only 1% of your hair is going to be in this phase at any given time.

Telogen phase: Up to 15% of your hair is going through the telogen phase at any particular time and that’s good news, because this is the shedding phase. After the catagen phase, hair stays put for one to four months until towards the end of the telogen phase where the old, spent hair is pushed out. Two weeks later, new hair begins to emerge as the anagen phase begins again for that hair follicle.

As you can see, every strand of your hair is always on a different phase of the cycle. It’s because of this that most of us don’t notice we’re shedding. Those who experience a prolonged or pronounced telogen phase may actually notice some hair loss, but as long as it comes back, it’s simply part of the whole hair growth process.

Knowing about the growth cycles your beard hair goes through will help you understand better how to take care of it—and stop you panicking the next time you notice a few falling hairs.

Remember that stress is one of the leading causes of an abnormally long telogen (shedding) phase, as is poor nutrition. Check out the relevant topics in the rest of this guide to power through that telogen phase and get back to your hair-producing glory.

How long does it take to grow a beard?

How long it takes to grow a beard largely depends on a combination of genetics and the beard length and beard fullness you’re aiming for, as well several other factors. Naturally, growing a short beard will result in a shorter growth time. A close-cropped, stubbly beard can come in a week or two. Long beards, on the other hand, can take years of growing for even the fastest hair growers.

Age can play a factor in how fast beards grow. Men have the best chance of growing a thicker and longer beard between the ages of 25 and 35, because that is when the hair goes into the longest anagen phases of the hair growth cycle, which is when hair grows, which means you’ll experience the most growth then. (The hair growth cycle is covered in fuller detail in an above section if you want to learn more.)

There isn’t really anything you can do about the hair growth genes you inherited (yet), but what you can do is make some lifestyle changes to cut out anything that might be stunting hair growth to cut down on the time it takes to grow a beard. Get some sleep, exercise and ensure that you’re getting enough nutrition—especially protein. This will shorten beard growth time tremendously because a healthy body is more likely to grow hair.

How to grow a beard

Growing a beard is a lot less daunting than it seems at first and much easier than regrowing hair on your head. After all, you’re a man. You’re biologically programmed to grow a beard. While the characteristics of your beard will vary from other men, because we’re all unique, it’s still important to remember that you can do it. Even if it takes longer to grow your beard than it took your best friend to grow his, you can still do it. And being calm about the whole thing will prevent hair loss and allow your hair to grow at its normal rate.

So, now that we’ve firmly established that any man can grow a beard, we have to make something clear: It takes dedication to learn how to grow a beard the right way. Why? Because proper beard maintenance requires effort and patience, which not every guy has. But if you’re the kind of guy who can stick with something, learning how to grow a beard will be easy for you.

Here are the chronological steps of how to grow a beard:

Accept that your beard will come in, even if it takes a while.

Kickstart beard growth with adequate protein and beard-boosting vitamins.

Soothe new beard itch with conditioner, moisturizer and anti-itch products.

Carefully tweeze ingrown hairs that may appear in freshly sprouting stubble.

Shampoo and condition your beard as the stubble grows longer to ensure cleanliness and softness, both of which will reduce itch.

Trim away stray hairs as your beard grows out—but don’t go overboard. Just do the obvious ones.

This is also around the time you can really start to style your new beard.

Once your beard really starts to come in, you can shape it. For noobs, it’s important to keep it simple and pick proven styles that suit your face shape until you develop a better eye for beards. (And if you are completely devoid of all artistic talent or discernment, don’t be ashamed to go to a barber at this point—he or she will get you on the right track.)

For some guys, their beard is their baby. Dads will know this definitely has parallels for guides for new parents, which goes to show you the time and patience growing out your beard requires.

If videos are more your thing, this one goes is a condensed view of the whole beard growing process, including helpful tips:

The fastest way on how to grow a full beard

The bad news is that there is no commercially available gene therapy available to make your beard grow faster. But even though you can’t change your genes, you can help your beard grow faster by doing a couple of things.

For starters, get rid of every habit that could be making you lose hair or that is stopping your hair from growing. This is everything from pulling on it to smoking to crash dieting. Any habit that makes the hair fall out on your head will make your beard fall out as well.

Sometimes hair refuses to grow for other reasons. By and far the most common of these is vitamin deficiency. Americans have very poor diets because, as a people, we eat a lot of highly processed food that has been stripped of its nutrients. Taking a quality beard-oriented vitamin supplement, like Beard Boost from Better Beard Club, can get your beard out of its resting phase and help it transition back to the growth phase of the hair cycle. Trying to get your hair back into the growth (anagen) phase truly is the fastest way to grow a beard.

How to grow a thicker beard

A lot of guys want to grow a thicker beard. We’ve discussed the role beard vitamins play in beard growth elsewhere in this guide, and growing a thicker beard is no different. But there are other things you can do to grow a thicker beard as well.

Before going further, it’s important to reiterate that the thickness of your beard is somewhat limited to your genetics. The goal for thickening your beard should be achieving the maximum beard thickness your genetics allow for. Also, if you’re a teen or even a guy in his early twenties, be advised that your beard is likely nowhere near its level of adult fullness, so you probably won’t be able to achieve maximum beard thickness for a few more years anyway simply due to your age.

Exercise is perhaps the best thing you can do for promoting a thicker beard. Facial hair happens because of the way your body reacts to testosterone. By naturally boosting your testosterone levels through exercise, you give your body more testosterone to react to. A thicker beard is often the result. Anecdotally, girls often say their eyebrows come in fuller after they start exercising regularly, so it makes sense that this phenomenon would transfer to beards for guys.

How to grow a longer beard

The obvious answer to how to grow a longer beard is don’t shave it. But I’m going to assume you already know that and move on to other ways to grow a longer beard.

Maintaining your beard’s health is crucial for growing a longer beard. The key is preventing the hair from breaking before your beard reaches your desired length. Firstly, get enough vitamins and eat enough protein. Once you do that, you can look at topical remedies for breaking beard hair.

Beard oil, like the woodsy-scented Beard Oil by Mountaineer Brand, goes a long way towards strengthening your beard, thereby allowing it to grow longer. A good beard oil replaces the natural oil that other products and environmental pollutants strip away. A lack of protective oil is a leading cause of hair breakage both at the ends (as in split ends) and at the shaft itself; all of that breakage is hindering your beard from reaching its full length and must be destroyed. Beard balm can also help with this issue, if that’s more your thing.

When you trim your long beard, keep it simple. Do only what you need to do to maintain the shape you want and no more. By practicing adequate nutrition, good beard care and some common sense, you’ll be able to get your beard to your desired length in no time.

How to grow a healthier beard

To grow a healthier beard, it’s important to become a healthier you. Ditch empty carbs and go for protein instead, like omega-3-containing fish and other lean protein. Get on a vitamin regimen and be sure to devote at least 7 hours a night to sleep. And as always, exercise—it promotes beard growth.

Once you optimize your body and prime it for beard growth, focus on keeping your beard healthy from the outside. Only use beard shampoos and conditioners, which will contain the right pH for your beard and face. Beard moisturizer and beard oil are two of the best products you can use to promote healthier hair grow. Try something like this Beard Oil Conditioner from Urban Prince; not only does it condition your beard, but it moisturizes it and treats it with protective oils. Using products like this before your beard becomes damaged is crucial to growing an overall healthier beard.

How to reduce the itch while growing your beard out

Beard itch should only be a temporary phenomenon, occurring only in the first few weeks of growing out your beard. Any beard itch that lasts longer or is very severe could be the sign of a medical condition, such as fungus, allergies or some dermatological issue like rosacea. If you have severe itching, itching that lasts longer than a few weeks, or itching accompanied by unexplained redness, welts or flaking skin, see your doctor.

All of that said, once again, itching usually occurs when you’re just starting to grow out your beard. While it can drive you crazy, there are some easy ways to manage it that will help you get over the hump, so to speak.

For general beard itching, it’s important to follow proper beard hygiene. Remember that beards catch a lot of debris like pollen and bacteria. While this is great for your health, because you’re not actually ingesting these unfriendlies, it can still lead to a lot of skin irritation as your beard grows out. To solve this problem, cleanse with a quality beard shampoo like Medicine Man’s Anti-Itch Beard Wash; what’s great about this product is, not only does it clear away the nasty debris, it’s specifically designed for men with itchy beards like yourself.

Follow up your shampoo with some beard conditioner, like Zeus Beard Conditioner Wash for Men. Not only does it soften all that new beard bristle you’re experiencing, it has a manly, subtle verbena lime scent that will make the ladies swoon.

You may think your beard-softening job is done after conditioning your beard, but not so fast—beard moisturizer will kick that softening up a notch, which is exactly what you need if you’re experiencing an itchy beard. Go for a beard moisturizer with added benefits, like Percy Nobleman’s Face and Stubble Moisturizer. Not only is it designed specifically to soften new beard growth, but it also reduces wrinkles and skin damaged. Better still, it’s pH-balanced to keep both your skin and your beard at their healthiest.

After you’ve cleaned and softened your beard, you may feel 100% better. But for beard itch that’s just a little bit tricky, you may have to take some additional steps.

Take a look in the mirror and see if you can spot any ingrown hairs. In general, they will have some redness around them, maybe a little bit of pus. If the problem is minor, take some tweezers and pluck out the offending hair; the itchiness in that local area should resolve, and you can always apply some anti-itch ointment like Neosporin Eczema Essentials Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream. The hydrocortisone aspect will reduce inflammation around the ingrown hair area while the anti-itch part will sooth residual itchiness while the spot heals over the course of a day or so. (Remember that products containing cortisone and its relatives are a type of steroid, which is why they are so great at reducing inflammation; the double-edged sword with these topical treatments are they can actually thin skin long term, so be careful not to overuse.)

That said, if an ingrown hair is super-infected or has warning signs like red streaks coming out of it, see a doctor and get on some antibiotics because facial infections are no joke. And if you don’t take that seriously, consider a bad infection could have dire consequences for your beard, so it’s important to get severe ingrown hairs professionally treated.

Be sure to follow a regular brushing or combing regimen for your beard to encourage your beard to grow in a uniform direction to prevent future ingrown hairs. Try something like this Beard Brush and Beard Comb Kit for Men by Repsol Care. It’s made with natural materials like boar bristles and real wood, and with the combo kit, you’ll be sure to have the right tool at all times.

How to make your beard softer

A softer beard starts with a good foundation. Wash your beard with beard shampoo only, so that your beard’s natural pH is maintained and you aren’t exposed to any harsh abrasives that might roughen up your hair.

Beard conditioner is the first beard softening product every man should know about. Conditioner is what sets your beard on the path to softness. Like beard shampoo, you always want to go with a beard conditioner as opposed to whatever you’re using on your head. The Art of Shaving’s Beard Conditioner is a good example of the sort of conditioner you should be using on your beard. It’s a very general beard conditioner that works with most beard types.

Go for a beard and facial moisturizer combination to soften your beard while simultaneously shortening your beard care routine, like this one from Stubble & ‘Stache.

Beard oil and beard balm are also great beard softeners and should be among your beard care essentials. This beard oil and beard balm kit from Topher’s Beard Company come in their Drunken Pirate scent, which is their interpretation of Bay Rum.

Finally, it’s important to note that you should be brushing your beard if you want it to be softer. (But really, just in general you should be brushing your beard to keep it well-groomed and stuff.) Use something like this Boar Bristle Beard Brush from Huntsman Beard to detangle and soften your beard like a boss.

How to trim and shape your beard

If you’re new to the whole having a beard thing, it can seem like a challenge to learn how to trim your beard. In reality, it’s not as difficult as it seems and can be broken down into a few simple steps.

Comb your beard: You should comb your beard all over, even in places you usually neglect, and ensure it’s 100% tangle-free. Also, comb the hair into a single direction to ensure you get a nice, even trim.

Use your clippers to evenly trim your beard: If you don’t have a lot of experience using clippers, it’s always best to start with a bigger guard. This ensures you don’t accidentally trim too much and you can always go smaller if you find you need to.

Trim and fade your neckline: Generally, the most desired place is an inch above Adam’s apple.

Fade your cheek line: This avoids that artificial-looking hard stop on the cheeks. Though, it must be said not every guy has to worry about his cheekline—this step primarily depends on your beard growth pattern and if you have any hair there to manage.

Use scissors to detail your beard and trim your mustache: Some guys are petty adept at using clippers to trim their mustaches, but that can be somewhat tricky. The safer thing to do is to use scissors. Scissors are also crucial to detailing your beard and getting rid of stray hairs.

Finish up with beard oil and/or moisturizer: Don’t skip this step—it’s important to nourish and soothe your beard after a trim!

If you’re in need of a more visual guide, check this one out:

How to choose the right beard style your face shape

The key to choosing the right beard style for your face shape really boils down to trimming and styling your beard so that it complements the shape of your face. What that means, basically, is that you want your beard to make smaller than average facial features look larger and larger than average facial features look smaller. Essentially, you’re styling your beard to even out your face, which immediately makes you more handsome.

A square jaw is ultra-manly, but if your jaw is exceptionally wide, go for a beard style that’s shorter on the sides. If your chin is small, you can grow the beard longer there. The result is that you’ve made your chin larger and your jaw smaller, averaging out your facial features.

On the other end of the spectrum, guys with rectangular faces, which are a much longer facial version of a square face shape, hence the name, should opt for longer hair on the sides and shorter on the chin so they don’t make their already long face even longer. This look is great for tall lanky guys who have narrow faces because it adds some extra bulk and substance to their visage.

There are a lot of named beard styles, as we’ve previously discussed. If you want to know which one is right for you, consider its characteristics. For instance, if that style is long on the sides, you’re going to want to avoid it if you have a round face because it will add extra width to you, which you don’t need.

And of course, there’s the Bandholz. As previously stated, the Bandholz is a beard style that looks universally good no matter what you look like underneath it. On the one hand, it is large so it pretty much covers your lower face and neck. But’s also got a slight squarishness to the silhouette which sharpens up men with softer features but doesn’t look like overkill on men with angular features. Because of this aspect, it truly looks good on anyone.

BeardBrand gives a good explanation of beards and faces shapes in this video:

How to fill in patchy beard hair

Some men will always have a patchy beard. This is genetics-based and occurs in men of all ancestries. If you fall into that category, embrace it. There’s nothing inherently wrong with patchy beards, and there are a lot of styling tips out there to optimize their appearance.

And if you’re a teenager or a guy in his twenties, remember that you won’t know your beard’s true density until you’re anywhere from late twenties to early forties. It’s only in this late stage—after adolescence ends—where men grow the thickest beards.

All of that aside, it’s important to note that most men will experience patchiness at some point in the growth cycle—even those who ultimately wind up with full, thick beards. A lot of this simply has to do with your hair growth cycle in general. You could theoretically have a lot of beard hair in the shedding stage at the precise time you’re growing it out, giving the appearance of a patchy beard when it’s really just temporary shedding.

Regardless of what causes your patchy beard, there’s a few things you can do.

Eat well and get adequate nutrition. Remember, inadequate protein intake and vitamin deficiencies are common causes of stunted hair growth. Go for grilled chicken breast and a decent beard growth vitamin, like Wild Willies Bad Ass Beard Growth Dietary Supplement, which nourishes follicles to encourage growth and simultaneously calms inflammation that may be hampering beard growth.

From a style standpoint, Eric Bandholz advises men to go with a shorter beard to make the patchiness less noticeable. Listen to his explanation in this video:

If you tackle the patchy problem from each of these angles while avoiding snake oil, it will usually all work itself out. Even if you beard stays patchy due to genetics, remember patchy beards can look awesome when you know how to maintain them.

What tools are necessary to groom a beard?

We’ve covered all the necessary products to care for your beard already throughout this guide, and top picks can be found in several selections below. What we haven’t talked about a lot are beard grooming tools.

Basically, there are a few grooming tools every bearded man needs:

A boar bristle brush

A beard comb

Beard trimmer

Styling scissors

There are some supplementary tools as well that aren’t necessary but can help you achieve your desired beard look.

If you have a curly beard (which is a topic covered earlier in this guide), you may also have need of a flat iron/hair straightener and a hair dryer with a diffuser and concentrator attachments.

There may be other gadgets out there, but these are the only tools you need. (I, personally, don’t refer to beard care products like beard shampoo and beard oil as tools, because specific language is important when you’re writing an instructional guide.)

Beard growth vitamins

Beard growth vitamins and beard supplements are pretty popular right now and tons of brands have crawled out of the woodwork as a result. Be sensible and avoid snake oil products.

Keratin is one of the big no-go ingredients that even some otherwise high-quality beard supplements contain. Remember, consuming keratin is like eating your own fingernails, so that’s always an ingredient to avoid.

Meanwhile, there are some vitamins that have some more exotic ingredient than the standard B vitamins and iron that most people already know about. Collagen is one of these ingredients. Supplements containing collagen are a good thing because it’s a building block of protein, which is crucial for new hair growth. Not all beard growth vitamins contain collagen, but you can supplement it with a separate collagen product if your chosen brand doesn’t have it as part of their ingredient mix.

A lot of people don’t realize the importance of Vitamin C in collagen production and protein synthesis. Your body can’t produce protein—and therefore a beard—without it, so it’s an important ingredient in today’s best beard vitamins, like Virilitas Beard & Hair Growth Support, which has levels of Vitamin C that specifically support protein synthesis for increased beard growth. Plus, it’s made in America; not only are you supporting American jobs when you buy it, you’re also buying from a company that has to comply with American product safety laws.

Beard tonic

Beard tonics are very similar to beard oils in that they are not only made of oil, but hold many oils in common to standard beard oils. The real differences are small and tend to focus towards specific goals like healing the skin below your beard or promoting beard growth.

Powell’s Beard Tonic is made in Arizona, USA, where the air is hot and dry, which can be harsh on skin. Because of their dry weather expertise, they’ve crafted a beard tonic that’s a great beard oil alternative for those living in ultra-dry climates—it’s great for getting rid of itchiness too.

Unlike most OTC products, Powell’s is FDA-approved—something not mandatory for non-prescription topicals like their beard tonic. It’s also USDA approved, which also isn’t required for their purposes—it’s an extra step they chose to take to ensure their customers of their exacting quality standards.

Beard oil

Beard oil is an absolutely necessary component in your beard maintenance routine. It goes a long way towards nourishing and hydrating your beard, and many beard oils can also function as a leave-in conditioner or a facial moisturizer, if you’re trying to be thrifty.

A lot of men don’t like a lot of scent period, or they prefer unscented beard oils as some scented beard oils contain harsh smelling oil like tea tree oil, which isn’t what you want to smell all day long right under your nose. If you fall into this category, go for an unscented beard oil like Leven Rose Beard Oil. It’s 100% organic and contains only two ingredients: Organic Moroccan Argan Oil and Organic Jojoba Oil. Limited ingredient products are also great for guys with sensitive skin, so that’s something to consider as well. Additionally, Leven Rose Beard Oil also functions as a leave-in conditioner.

Beard wax

Beard wax doesn’t have as many hair shafts and hair follicle benefits as beard balm, for instance, but it is a great product for styling your beard—particularly your mustache.

Percy Nobleman’s Hair & Beard Wax can be used or both hair and beards, as the name suggests. This is great if you’re a low-maintenance guy who doesn’t want to hassle with a bunch of different products.

Beard Balm

Beard balm is one of the most versatile beard care products out there. It can function as a solid beard oil, a wax and a leave-in conditioner because it provides hold, hydration and manageability all in one convenient product.

Smooth Viking Beard Balm uses rich shea butter and beard-friendly avocado oil, among others, to turn your beard into something just a bit more manageable. It also functions as a leave-in conditioner.

Beard butter

Beard butter is a product that we’re seeing more and more of. It typically has the consistency of something in between a cream and a balm, which, depending on your hair type, may be exactly what you need.

Maestro’s Classic Beard Butter in Wiseman’s Blend combines the unique texture and styling capabilities of beard butter with frankincense, rosewood and cypress to stimulate your senses. The result is a good styling product with a chill aromatherapy vibe.

Beard shampoo

Beard shampoo is the backbone of beard care. It cleanses debris out of your beard as gently as possible while maintaining your beard’s ideal pH balance, unlike scalp shampoo, which can be harsh on beards.

Beard Wash by Mountaineer Brand is designed to be extremely gentle while at the same time imbuing your beard with beneficial essential oils to promote better beard growth.

Beard Conditioner

After shampooing your beard, you should always opt to use a beard conditioner. It could be a leave-in conditioner (which many balms and oils double as) or it could be a conditioner you wash out. Either way, conditioner is important because it fixes roughness in your hair cuticle while protecting it from damage.

Professor Edward J Fuzzworthy’s Gentleman’s Beard Detangler Bar is both a beard conditioner and a detangler, which utilizes Tasmian beer—yes beer—and honey to soften your beard while getting out those stubborn tangles.

Beard moisturizer

Beard moisturizer is a little different than beard conditioner, and you’re definitely going to want to use it if you use a wash-out beard conditioner, because you need to put moisture and nutrients back into your beard.

Beardsley Lotion for Beards is a gentle, Bay Rum-scented beard moisturizer that is infused with keratin to nourish your beard. (I know I’ve railed against keratin in this guide, but I want to stress it is fine to use it topically and it has a lot of benefits topically.)

Beard thickening shampoo and beard thickening conditioner

Beard thickening shampoos and conditioners are, as the name would suggest, shampoo and conditioner that are made to thicken and volumize your beard hair. This is great for patchy beards.

The reason the beard thickening shampoo and beard thickening conditioner categories are combined for their product recommendation is because there is a set that has both covered:

Polished Gentleman Beard Growth and Thickening Shampoo and Conditioner work together to promote faster and thicker hair growth with key ingredients like biotin and rosemary extract, which have both been scientifically proven to promote hair growth, and oat amino protein to strengthen hair, give it a protein boost and pump up your beard’s volume.

Beard texture paste

Beard texture paste is one of those newer beard products that many men don’t really know about, but it can be useful for creating hold and texture simultaneously in your beard, which is great if you have super silky fine beard hair, which is rarer than other beard hair textures but does occur.

While not specifically for beards, Smooth Viking’s Styling Clay adds texture and hold to your beard without making it shiny or sticky.

Beard combs

Beard combs are an essential tool for any bearded man. You may not have much use of one if you have a very short beard, but the longer—and more tangled—your beard gets, you’re going to want a quality beard comb.

Ideally, the best beard combs are going to be made out of all natural woods with properties that are beneficial to beards, like the green sandalwood comb in the Beard Comb Kit for Men from Hunter Jack. It’s handmade and features handle dual action teeth, which makes it great for all hair types. The sandalwood itself smells nice and adds extra nourishment to your beard.

Beard brushes

A beard brush is another one of the beard tool essentials every bearded man should own. It’s even good if all you’re sporting is stubble because even short beard hair needs to be guided in a sensible direction every now and then.

Go for a natural boar bristle brush like this one from Smooth Viking, which features 100% black wild boar bristles. Boar bristle is superior to synthetics because it doesn’t irritate the skin below your beard and is easy to work with.

Beard trimming scissors

Beard trimming scissors are important for shaping and detailing your beard, as well as cutting stray hairs that you may have missed.

While you can use any good quality styling scissor for trimming your bear, it’s best to use a compact scissor like Percy Nobleman’s Beard and Mustache Scissors, because they’re small enough for you to do fine detail work that’s typically necessary if you have a mustache.

Beard Trimmer

If you want to maintain a short to medium-length beard, beard clippers are definitely going to be one of your absolutely necessary beard maintenance tools.

Choose a beard clipper that comes with the necessary attachments and a large assortment of built-in length settings, which are not only crucial to trimming your beard but also doing a nice neckline and cheek line fade, like the Philips Norelco Multigroom 5100 Grooming Kit. It’ll save you loads of time while maintaining your beard, and it has everything you need in case you start styling your beard differently, so it’s a pretty good value.

Hair dye for beards

Chances are, if you’re considering dyeing your beard, it’s because you’ve got a lot of gray beard hair. A lot of guys choose to rock the gray, but that’s not your thing, there are a lot of dyes available from Just for Men brand, which tends to be a cut above some of the alternatives out there, which are often of dubious quality.

If you want to get rid of some of the gray while holding onto a little, go for Just for Men Touch of Gray; it comes in a variety of shades, and it lets you keep that distinguished look while keeping your beard more in line with the hair on your head.

Natural beard care products

As the beard care industry grows, a lot of guys are looking for natural alternatives to their favorite beard care products.

Maple Hill Naturals Honest for Men Original Scent Beard Wash is a great example of a 100% all-natural beard care product, made out of pure ingredients like hemp seed butter and coconut oil, that maintains the high level of quality you’re accustomed to from synthetic products, which are engineered by scientists to be superior.

Maple Hill Naturals’ wash and other natural beard care products can definitely keep up with what science has to offer if going natural is your thing.

Can any man grow a beard?

The short answer is yes, any man can grow a beard. However, if you’re a full-grown adult male who experiences no facial hair growth, you should consult a physician. But with that said, all healthy men—barring genetic conditions or something of that nature—will exhibit beard growth once they’ve reached adulthood.

Now, how thick your beard is and how fast it grows vary a lot based on genetics. But the important thing for young guys to know is that if you’re under 21, you’re nowhere near the mature phase of beard growth, so if you’re expecting fine beard hair or patchiness, know that this isn’t a sign that you can’t grow a beard. Give it a few years, and you’ll likely be pleasantly surprised.

Another important thing to note is that you shouldn’t judge your beard against the next guy. There is nothing wrong with a sparse beard; just because your best friend had a full thick beard at high school graduation doesn’t mean you will or should have the same beard type. And while facial hair is a sign of male physical maturity, the important thing is that you have facial hair and can grow more.

Don’t feel pressured to look like everyone else. If you’re a grown-up male who has facial hair, you’re normal—regardless of what it looks like.

What age is it normal to start growing a beard?

The age you start growing facial hair is largely determined by the onset of puberty, and when that occurs is pretty much determined by your genes. Often, facial hair thickening and darkening starts around age 15. However, depending on your hormones and genetics, you could begin growing hair much sooner or much later. Some boys may see darkening in their peach fuzz when they’re 10 while other boys don’t see any until about age 17 or 18.

Your facial hair grows in fuller and darker as you get older. If you’re disappointed by patchy or sparse facial hair at age 15, don’t be; by 17, you could very well have a thick manly man’s beard. Most usually, facial hair will truly start thickening around your late teens and early twenties, which is when you really want to be conscious of learning how to grow a beard the right way to set up future good habits and train your beard as it grows.

Your early to late twenties is when your beard will generally reach its adult thickness and hair growth pattern. What that entails is all dependent on your genetics, but you can help things along by following the best beard care and grooming practices detailed throughout the rest of this article.

For a step by step breakdown of what to expect at a given age, check out this handy Wikipedia article.

What does it mean if I can’t grow a full beard by my early twenties?

It’s important to note that full beard maturity may not happen until your mid-twenties. It’s not just your brain that continues to develop into your mid-twenties—it’s your hormones as well. Simply put, you’re not fully baked until you’re in your mid-twenties, so you shouldn’t expect to physically appear as a full-grown adult male until then either.

That said, it’s important to note that, as with any person, you should have reached important developmental milestones by your early twenties even if you’re not yet fully developed. For instance, you should be at or very nearly at your full adult height by then—and you should at least have some facial hair. It may not be as full in your late teens as it will be in your mid-twenties, because you’re technically still in the throes of adolescence, but there should be some hair there nonetheless. If you haven’t at least began sprouting facial hair by age 17, you should probably check in with your doctor just to be sure everything checks out okay.

Just because you can’t grow a full beard by your early twenties or beyond, it doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with you. In fact, beard thickness is largely determined by how your body reacts to testosterone. All men have pretty much the same amount of testosterone; beard growth depends on how your body reacts to all that testosterone that happens as you progress through the various stages of puberty, which is why testosterone supplements don’t really help with beard growth. In fact, elitedaily.com says that going for outrageous hair treatments may do a lot more harm than good.

They also note that there’s a downside to being a testosterone-sensitive, beard-heavy guy—you’re more likely to go bald than your sparse-bearded not-so-testosterone-sensitive counterparts. So, if you have a thin beard and you’ve always worried about the same happening on your head, know that it’s not likely. Also, some patchy beards look damn good.

Love him or hate him, James Franco makes sparse facial hair work for him. And if you have any doubts about that, ask the girls in your life: They will assure you, contrary to what you may believe, James Franco has it going on.

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Beard Flux XL Review

Maintaining a beard is no easy feat. There’s all sorts of products for beards and the manufacturer would have you believe you need them all. You can kind of pick and choose what beard products to use, a common one is beard oil. Beard oil has all sorts of benefits and each oil is a little bit different. So, without further ado, here is my Beard Flux XL review.

Beard Flux XL Ingredients

The five main ingredients in Beard Flux XL are as follows:

Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)

Saw Palmetto

Horsetail Extract

Vitamin A, C, and E

Vitamin B1, B6 and B12

Biotin

Beard Flux XL is made with only nonhormonal ingredients. Most men with patchy beard growth are due to a vitamin deficiency.  That’s why Beard Grow XL uses vitamins and other nonhormonal supplementary ingredients to promote fuller, better beards because it’s safe and effective.

Beard Flux XL uses vitamins A, C, E as well as a plethora of B vitamins.  This includes biotin and B12 among others, to tackle any vitamin deficiencies head-on, including thinning beard hair in healthy men with normal hormone levels.

Saw palmetto is a type of fruit that’s used as a natural supplement.  It can be used to treat a variety of conditions, like migraine issues and asthma.  One of its most popular uses it to treat thinning hair.  Saw palmetto can help your beard hair grow in thicker and healthier looking.

Horsetail extract is mainly used to treat fluid retention but it also helps in improving the quality of hair growth and fingernail growth which is one of the top things that it is commonly used for.

Beard Flux XL contains MSM.  This is used to naturally increase hair growth.  MSM is a commonly used the supplement for people with mild general inflammation.  Calming down your autoimmune system can reduce hair loss since it reduces stress as well as improves health so your body focuses on hair regrowth.

On the package, the ingredients listed are argan oil, safflower oil, jojoba oil, amla oil, and caffeine, this is just an in-depth look at what is in those as well. Although some of the ingredients, like MSM, sound long and scary, it’s harmless and like I said earlier, is just there to promote hair growth and prevent hair loss.

Beard Flux XL Review

The first thing I noticed is that it made my beard much softer but it wasn’t a greasy feeling it was more of a moisturizing.  Because it isn’t a heavy oil it did not cause any irritation to my skin while it softens my beard and helps it to fill in from being splotchy.  It is odor free so it doesn’t make me smell any different.  This makes it ideal for people who have tried other beard oils and were put off by the scent. I personally do not mind a light scented beard oil, but after reviewing several I also know that they aren’t all lightly scented. Some of the oils have very strong, unpleasant scents, which makes it difficult to wear all day. On the other hand, it’s easy to forget that you are even wearing Beard Flux XL since there is no smell.

While using this product for a short period of time I had a more distinguished look since my beard was no longer strangely looking. It not only conditions my beard but it also increases hair growth and greatly improves the fullness of my beard.  I have always struggled with a very splotchy looking beard.  Now it is full and looks so much better.  It is light enough that it doesn’t leave my beard feeling greasy and it doesn’t irritate my skin either.   The combination of several different vitamins works together with the other ingredients to give a great product.  It doesn’t take long to get used to, and it starts working almost immediately. However, if you do not see immediate results, be patient. It can take 3 to 4 weeks to start seeing results, and a little bit longer for the results you really want. Do not get discouraged if it takes a little bit longer for you, everyone is different, just be patient and consistent in your use.

Beard Flux XL side effects

I haven’t had any negative side effects, but I have only used it according to the directions. I’m sure if you don’t follow the directions, or use it incorrectly, like eating it, you might have some negative side effects. But if you stick to the directions on the package you should be good.

Other Products Worth Buying

Beard Flux XL will take good care of your beard, but for better results, you can use it in combination with a few other products. The first product I recommend is Beard Grow XL. Beard Grow XL is a bottle of 90 capsules that you take daily. The capsules contain several different vitamins that have proven to promote hair growth. If you already have a very thick beard, or have no problems growing a beard, these are not necessary, but still optional. The other product I would recommend is a beard balm, Honest Amish. Honest Amish is an all natural, organic, vegan balm that can work wonders for your beard. Especially when you combine it with Beard Flux XL.

Although Beard Flux XL is a superb oil, if you still aren’t convinced that it is worth it, another product to consider instead is Beard Bolt XL. It is another product from the same people who make Beard Flux XL, Delta Genesis. Rather than an oil, Beard Bolt XL is a balm, but it has many of the same benefits of Beard Flux XL, and they even share some common ingredients, like jojoba oil. If you would like to learn a little bit more about Beard Bolt XL before you make your decision, you can check our the review I did of that as well.

Does Beard Flux XL really work?

Overall, when you weigh all the benefits against all the drawbacks, there are more benefits, which that alone makes it worth the money to me. But I know not everyone follows that same logic. The oil does what it promises to do, it strengthens, nourishes, and grows your beard. Although it is only about 2.5 ounces, it will last you for a while. The key to making it last is not using too much. When you apply it, you only need about a pea size drop, maybe a dime size drop if your beard is already big, and then you just work it all through your beard, and mustache if you’d like. It is gentle enough that you can use it on all of your facial hair, including mustaches, and you’ll get all of the same great benefits.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, this oil is the real deal, and if you are serious about your beard health, I would definitely recommend looking into it. One oil will not work for everyone, you may want one with a scent, but this is definitely a strong contender for the best beard oil and one that is worth considering. After reading my Beard Flux XL review, I hope you have learned a little something, and hopefully come one step closer to finding the perfect beard oil for you.

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Beard Bolt XL Review

Before having a beard, I never realized how much work they were. I thought you just let it grow and occasionally trim it, but it is so much more than that. A key factor in keeping your beard happy and healthy is using beard balm, but finding the right one isn’t always easy. It’s hard to know which one is best simply based off of what the manufacturer says because of course, they are going to build their own product up. Hopefully, my Beard Bolt XL review will help get you one step closer to finding the beard oil that’s right for you.

What’s in it

Shea butter, beeswax, hemp seed oil, pumpkin seed oil, and jojoba oil are all key ingredients in Beard Bolt XL‘s success. Shea butter is packed with vitamins and works to keep your beard moisturized and soft. It also stimulates new hair growth and prevents dandruff and eczema in the beard area. Shea butter has been used in products for decades as a moisturizer, and it has stood the test of time. Shea butter isn’t just a fad supplement, I’d say it’s almost like magic, but I know it is just science that I don’t fully understand. Nevertheless, it is one of the main moisturizers in this balm, not the only one, but the strongest one in my opinion.

Beeswax

Beeswax is mainly what gives the balm its texture. It is also what allows you to style your beard and keep it the way you want it. Beeswax is the magic holding agent in balm, but you have to kind of kneed it to make it pliable and workable, if the oils were not added. However, since there are a bunch of other oils in this balm, it is very easy to work with.

Oils

Hemp seed oil is rich in omega 3, omega 6, and omega 9 acids, which help stimulate hair growth. It also helps stimulate hair growth by improving blood circulation to the area. Hemp seed oil is rich in keratin as well, which is a protein in hair. Keratin is actually the building block of hair and makes up about 90% of it, so it’s easy to see how this would strengthen your beard.  Pumpkin seed oil promotes hair growth and nourishes your beard. Finally, jojoba oil conditions and strengthens your beard. It helps smooth it out and keep it looking nice. All of these oils and wax work together to keep your beard healthy, strong, and shiny.

Ingredient worth mentioning

In addition to these, Beard Bolt XL also uses argan oil, vitamin E oil, grape seed oil, apricot oil, avocado oil, sweet almond oil, and premium fragrance oil. There are no long, convoluted, unpronounceable ingredients, which is something I love about this beard oil, I know exactly what is in it.

Beard Bolt XL Review

When I first got my Beard Bolt XL, I thought “man, that’s it? That’s not a whole lot.” I didn’t expect it to be as small as it was, and was a little disappointed at first. However, after using it the first time, I realized how little you have to use every time. I then realized, although it is only two ounces, it’ll last me a pretty good minute.

I was also pleasantly surprised with the scent. It’s a tough smell to describe, but it’s very easy to enjoy. It’s not too sweet, and not too strong, it just smells very clean and pure, I really like it.  The first time I used it, I expected my hands to feel really waxy afterwards, but they didn’t feel waxy at all. There was no residual grease on my hands and it didn’t make my beard feel greasy, it just felt like a softer version of my normal beard.  My beard felt softer almost immediately, it was easy to maintain and style, needless to say, it did not take me long to like this product.

Although I liked it right away, it took two or three weeks before I actually started seeing the results I wanted. I noticed my beard was fuller and just looked much healthier. It didn’t feel dry or brittle or scratchy, I was definitely pleased with what I got. I was able to go from a guy with a decent beard to a guy with a great beard, I can confidently say I like my beard more, and I take more pride in it after using Beard Bolt XL.

Other Products Worth Considering

As I said before, beard balm is only one part of maintaining a healthy beard. In addition to balm, I also recommend the following vitamins and wash.

If you are looking for something to seriously promote hair growth, in conjunction with Beard Bolt XL, I recommend Beard Grow XL. It is from the same people who make Beard Bolt (Delta Genesis), so you know it’s good, and it is hair growth vitamins that you take to help get you a fuller, thicker beard. Beard Bolt also works great when you use it with Lumber Yard Beard Wash. It helps keep your beard nourished and clean, which is always a good look.

Beard Bolt is more than worth the purchase, but if it still doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, maybe you would like Honest Amish Beard Balm. It is an all natural, organic, vegan beard balm that has many of the same benefits of Beard Bolt XL. Although I’m not going to give it a full, proper review here, I will say that it is very easy on the skin, and it smells good as well. It has a different scent than the Beard Bolt XL, so if you don’t like the smell of Beard Bolt, but still want a good beard balm, Honest Amish is a great second choice.

Final Thoughts

You’ve probably read all the way to here and you’re still wondering, “is it worth the money?” The simple answer to that is yes, Beard Bolt XL is definitely worth the money, and more than worth the time. Some people see results after a few uses, while others take a while to start seeing results. Either way, just be patient and give it plenty of time before you make a final judgment on it. Speaking of worth the time,  it only takes a minute to put it on but lasts all day. I have made it a part of my daily, morning routine and when I get home from work, my beard still feels conditioned and not dried out or scraggly. In my experience, the ladies also like a softer, well-groomed beard. My wife always tells me how good my beard smells now and she’ll run her fingers through it when we’re watching TV on the couch. It’s a little weird, but I’d rather her do that and let her keep my beard, than her hate my beard.

In conclusion, Beard Bolt XL comes highly recommended, by many people, and it’s obvious to see why. It’s one of the few products that does exactly what it says it does. It’s great for maintaining a healthy beard and works better than several other balms I have tried. Beard balms have gotten somewhat of a bad rep because of all the cheap ones on the market that make empty promises, but Beard Bolt XL is exactly what a beard balm should be. If you have had a beard you are looking to groom, or if you have trouble growing one and would like a bigger beard, this balm is the one I recommend. And if you enjoyed my Beard Bolt XL review, check out my other reviews for beard products.

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Beard Grow XL Review

Beard Grow XL is a vitamin supplement for beards that is tailor-made with beard-friendly components to support facial hair growth. I have now been using Beard Grow XL for three months and I can finally review without being biased.

Beard Grow XL ingredients

Beard Grow XL is packed with lots of high-quality components that are essential for the growth of your beard.

Vitamins

Vitamins A, E, C, and B1 that are included in the product’s composition are essential for your overall health and vitality. If your body lacks any of these four vitamins, this will result in bad looking beard and that’s exactly what we don’t want.

Biotin

Biotin is another crucial ingredient because you need this vitamin to stimulate and increase your hair growth. It’s important to note that biotin is directly linked to hair growth production, so it’s essential that this vitamin is included in a beard growing supplement.

Saw Palmetto

It is widely known that Saw Palmetto boost testosterone and this one of the reasons that this helped me get a thicker beard hair.

Horsetail extract

The horsetail extract is another ingredient included in this product that is worth mentioning. It’s incredibly beneficial for improving the quality of your skin, hair, and nails as well.

Beard Grow XL review

I decided to give this product a try after spending a lot of hours online searching for the best possible supplements for filling up the patches and grow a thicker beard. I have been using Beard Grow XL for three months now, and I can tell you that I’m definitely satisfied with this product. I was on a strict daily routine of three pills, and I didn’t skip any of them. It’s important to strictly follow the instructions that this product comes with for it to work flawlessly.

I have to be honest with you and say that the last time I managed to grow my beard out, before purchasing Beard Grow XL, I used to see my hairs falling out every time I was brushing them and even when I ran my hand through my beard. My overall beard health was in a deplorable condition. Both my hair and my beard were fragile even if they were not looking terrible. But, after I took Beard Grow XL, I don’t shed any hairs when I’m brushing my beard when I’m running my fingers through them. Now, besides the fact that my beard looks great, it also feels great, and I can really feel the difference and the fact that it became healthier. The vitamins and other compounds from this supplement’s composition have left my beard extremely strong and my beard hair thick.

Filling up the patches

Another amazing thing that happened after a few weeks since I started taking the supplement was that I noticed how all the areas that used to look not too full of hair have now become filled entirely at a faster rate than I could ever expect. Now, my beard looks even, and I don’t have any gaps where the hairs are not that dense anymore.

A great thing is the fact that even after three months since I started taking the pills, I haven’t experienced any type of adverse effect at all. My beard just grew in really fast, and now it’s stronger and thicker than ever. The patchy areas are now completely filled. I can definitely say that this product is ideal for people like me who don’t necessarily have the healthiest and the most balanced diet but on the other hand who desire a healthy and a great-looking beard. Beard grow XL will compensate for the potential lack of beneficial substances that you usually get from food, fruits and veggies. I would recommend this product anytime!

Does Beard Grow XL really work?

Long story short, yes, it definitely works. You just have to take a look at the ingredients to see that Beard Grow XL is packed with substances and compounds that are ideal for promoting a healthy beard. This supplement works by supplying your body with everything that it needs in order to keep your beard healthy and strong. If you follow the instructions on the bottle and take the supplement for at least three months, you will definitely see the results.

Beard Grow XL side effects

If you are concerned that this product may come with some side effects, you can rest assured because it doesn’t. Beard Grow XL is different from other products that target the same purpose and that you can find on the market these days. This supplement for promoting beard growth is packed with natural, high-quality ingredients that will protect and strengthen your overall vitality and health.

Adding Beard Oil and Beard Balm to your regime

While Beard Grow XL is a nice product, adding a well-rounded beard oil and beard balm to your regime is a good idea. I’m a big fan of Delta Genesis and I found that Beard Bolt XL and Beard Flux XL are very good complements to XL. A combination of all 3 products gave me excellent results after only three months.

Beard Grow XL Before and after pictures

Here’s a few example of before and after pictures that we’ve found online.

Alternative solutions to Beard Grow XL

There are also some alternative products for Beard Grow XL that come at a cheaper price. The first one is Beard Growth Vitamins from Maxx Beard, and this supplement is also able to provide full, healthy and fast growing beard and mustache as well. This product also contains biotin and patented OptiMSM, compounds that are specifically designed for supporting healthy beard growth. The formula is all-natural, similar to the one of Beard XL, even if it does not contain as many beneficial ingredients.

The second alternative to Beard Grow XL is Beard Growth Support Vitamins that also promotes a fuller and thicker beard. The formula of ingredients supports natural hair growth and the product also promises to help reduce patchy areas. The composition includes healthy vitamins and minerals such as Biotin that is specially designed for men to support their hair and beard health.

Both products mentioned above are good and cheaper alternatives for the Beard Grow XL in you don’t want to invest more in such a supplement. However, none is as complete as Beard Grow XL and we consider that your beard is worth it.

Final Thoughts

If your facial hair is thin and you are not getting the growth that you’re dreaming of, then you can be sure that Beard Grow XL is the product that can revolutionize healthy hair growth stimulation from the inside out. This is one of the best product for beard growth that you can currently find on the market, and it’s effective for all facial types and ethnicities. Beard Grow XL will help will your mustache, beard, sideburn and also your chin/neck hair by enhancing hair growth and density. Try it for yourself, and we guarantee that you’ll become another happy, satisfied bearded customer.

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Best Hair Loss Treatments – My Hair Loss Regimen That Worked

Battling with hair loss has rarely felt like an easy journey. I spent years trying to find the best hair loss treatments that would reverse my male baldness pattern. Like most people, it took me a while to accept that there isn’t a single ‘fix all approach,’ and in many cases, you need to combine therapies to find success.

Best hair loss treatment for men

After years of practice, I’ve managed to develop a hair loss treatment that delivers stellar results, with few side effects. In addition to finding the right type of Minoxidil for my routine, I’ve also developed approaches that maximize its benefits, while reducing the risk of side effects. I’m here to share my hair loss regimen journey so that you can see the same benefits.

Why I chose Kirkland Minoxidil

While many people choose Kirkland Minoxidil over Rogaine because it’s cheaper, for me price was never the deciding factor. Instead, I wanted to get the most out of my hair loss regimen while minimizing nasty side effects. As it turns out, Kirkland Minoxidil provides that essential advantage over its competitors.

As a solution that has fewer ingredients, Kirkland Minoxidil causes less of the side effects I used to associate with reducing hair loss. For example, I’m not as likely to experience itching or rashes where I apply it, and I haven’t encountered unexpected hair growth anywhere else on my body.

Not surprisingly, Kirkland Minoxidil is also easier to access than other brands. I’ve never struggled to buy it online, and even though it’s available in different concentrations, none of them require a prescription.

However, as I mentioned at the beginning, throughout my journey to find a natural treatment for hair loss, I’ve had to tweak my approach to get the maximum benefits. While I initially found that Kirkland Minoxidil was highly effective, I also came across a slight plateau. Like anybody else I was determined to tweak my hair loss regimen until I got the very best results. Before long, I began to see the benefits of using additional products and tools.

Why I chose to use Ketoconazole alongside Kirkland Minoxidil

Although Kirkland Minoxidil produced fewer side effects, I would occasionally encounter inflammation. Inflammation isn’t just unsightly and irritating; it can reduce how well your hair grows too. It does have its place in protecting the body against the spread of bacteria, and it does this by causing a swelling that protects a particular part of the skin.

While this is all well and good if you have a wound, too much inflammation on your scalp starts to reduce the number of nutrients that reach the follicles. After a few bouts of inflammation, I began to notice that every time they happened, my hair loss regimen seemed to slow down regarding success. Rather than continually using an anti-inflammatory drug and increase my risk of gut problems, I began exploring whether anything could slow the process down.

As a medication that usually controls dandruff, ketoconazole reduces inflammation in several ways. First, if you do have a localized skin infection that’s caused by fungi, it’s the anti-fungal you need to keep your scalp fresh and healthy. By killing fungi off, you give your hair follicles a chance to thrive.

After finding out about ketoconazole, I began looking into whether it has any other benefits. Before long, I found this study; which highlights how it works against other pathogens to reduce inflammation too. In fact, it’s just as useful as an agent called ‘hydrocortisone acetate,’ which is a topical steroid you can apply to your skin. Unlike steroids, ketoconazole doesn’t come with nasty side effects such as skin thinning.

By reducing the inflammation that came with using Minoxidil, I found that my hair began to thrive. Like my decision to choose Kirkland Minoxidil, I soon started looking into which ketoconazole shampoo was the best for my scalp. Eventually, I settled on Ultrax Labs Hair Surge for several reasons:

Alongside ketoconazole, it contains caffeine. As a natural ingredient that’s renowned for encouraging your hair follicles into a strong phase of growth, caffeine is an infinitely useful ingredient. When I switched to Ultrax Labs Hair Surge, I noticed that my hair growth periods lasted longer.

It works against DHT. If, like me, you suffer from androgenic hair loss, you’ll already know that DHT is not your friend. This particular product contains saw palmetto, which blocks DHT levels and brings hair growth away from other areas of your body and back to your head.

The ketoconazole concentration is well balanced. You can get higher concentrations of ketoconazole, but I’ve found that the 0.2% in this product has maximal effects alongside Minoxidil.

Within a few days of using ketoconazole, I found that there was less inflammation. In a matter of weeks, my hair growth improved significantly. However, I didn’t want my journey to end there, and so I began investigating other means of boosting my hair growth.

I began massaging and encouraging each product into my scalp

As someone who’s always loved their sports, I’ve encountered my fair share of injuries. One of my ultimate approaches to recovering from a muscular injury is to use massage therapy. Why? Because as the University of Illinois Highlights, it promotes healing and encourages better blood flow.

To me, if my muscles could reach optimal performance through a massage, why couldn’t my scalp follicles? Before long, I began introducing daily head massages into my hair loss treatments. Now, like many people, I don’t have the time or the money to go to a professional for such services, so I started off by using my fingers.

I did start to see some benefits, which I believe arose due to the following:

Much like sports massages, head massages increase blood flow to the target area. When said area means your follicles, massaging alongside the use of Minoxidil and Ketoconazole means better absorption of each product and faster results.

It also reduces stress levels. When we’re less stressed, we produce less cortisol. With less stress comes a reduction in DHT, which then means less hair loss.

Actively massaging ensures the products distribute themselves evenly across my scalp. As a result, I don’t miss a single patch, which means every follicle benefits.

If you’ve ever attempted massaging your own head, you’ll know it isn’t always straightforward. I did find a way to make the process easier, though.

Using an electric massager produces way better results

To expedite the process, I began using an electronic head massager. Utilizing a massager such as the Naipo and Breo product ensures the following:

Your fingers don’t tire throughout the process, so you experience even and robust results.

It’s quicker than using your fingers.

The product is easy to clean, making it ideal for use alongside Minoxidil and Ketoconazole.

As the electric scalp massager also has several settings, I can change them according to how my scalp feels. So if I have had a stressful day, I can boost blood flow to the area while combatting hair-loss inducing hormones.

I then began using a derma roller from time-to-time

I hadn’t heard of derma rollers until I began investigating ways to make my hair loss regimen products absorb quickly to produce faster results. If like me, you are unfamiliar with them, you should learn what they are.

In short, a derma roller is a hand-held rolling device that features several fine needles that puncture the skin. Beauticians usually use them alongside products such as Vitamin E Serum to reduce the signs of aging. When the needles in the roller make small puncture wounds in the skin, they encourage the serum to work into the deeper layers of the epidermis quickly. So, with that rationale, I began using a derma roller every two weeks.

In addition to helping my hair loss products absorb quickly, I soon experienced the other benefits that come with derma rollers. Our bodies respond to them by producing more collagen, which is a protein that helps to heal damaged areas such as scalp follicles that are in the reduction phase of growth. My theory is, if the derma roller is used alongside other approaches, I’ll benefit from stronger hair follicles that result in better hair growth.

So far, I’ve found that my theory holds true. I personally like to use the 1.5mm needle from Derms Roller Experts over smaller versions, as there are fewer punctures in the skin, which means I don’t encourage overly-rapid absorption of the products. Similarly, I avoid situations such as inflammation, allowing me to get the best of both worlds.

Soon, I began to change my diet and add in supplements

As you may have noticed, so far my hair loss regimen journey has only involved external efforts. From the application of Kirkland Minoxidil through to the occasional derma roller session, nothing has moved past my lips.

I too began to notice this, and I let my mind wander to the possibility that my diet wasn’t helping me maximize my efforts. Sure, I was doing okay with the external factors, but what was going on inside my body?

Various studies show that dietary deficiencies can affect the way we grow hair. One of the more common nutritional deficiencies is a lack of iron, which can arise due to a poor diet, or an underlying chronic disease. After learning this, I began looking at ways to get more iron into my diet, which ranged from the obvious to the not-so-obvious. For example, eating more spinach and red meat, as well as more nuts.

Recognizing that the human body is a sophisticated vessel, I also began to wonder whether other nutritional deficiencies would increase my hair loss. The further I dug into this, the more I realized that, even with the best efforts, getting the right balance would become a struggle.

How adding in a hair loss supplement has helped

While focusing on maintaining a healthy diet, I decided to bolster my efforts with a hair loss supplement. Now, I must stress that using one alone and then living an unhealthy lifestyle isn’t effective – they can only achieve so much. However, employing one such as HairAnew makes the world of difference.

I chose HairAnew as it contains zinc, which is central to iron production. It’s also abundant in both Vitamin C and E, which we need for our bodies’ rejuvenation and healing processes. Similarly, it features a lot of compounds that help with amino acid production. As the ‘building blocks of life,’ amino acids are central to hair growth as well as many other bodily functions.

If HairAnew doesn’t take your fancy, you can try Hair Grow Essentials instead. Hair Grow Essentials is particularly effective, as it contains many of the ingredients that are conducive to hair growth. For example, Niacin, which increases circulation to the scalp. And, Biotin, which helps you produce the keratin you need for shine and strength.

Before settling on a particular product, try it for one to two months and see which is more efficient. We all respond differently to supplements, which makes finding the right one for you essential.

I still wasn’t happy, so I began using LLLT

While all of my efforts so far had proved effective, I knew that something was missing. After balancing my diet, finding the right type of Minoxidil, adding in a topical anti inflammatory, and using different forms of massage; I wanted to take my hair loss regimen to the ultimate level.

Eventually, I began considering LLLT. Also known as Low-Level Laser Therapy, LLLT is effectively used to treat a range of conditions that require relief from pain, gentle healing, and a reduction in inflammation. It’s believed that the mitochondria in each of our cells absorb the photons from the lasers and use them to boost cellular energy, enhance blood flow, and quicken cellular repair.

After reading more about the therapy, I ditched my hesitation and invested in my first personal LLLT kit. I began using it twice a week, with the aim of abandoning the process if I didn’t see any results within three months. Within two, I began feeling as though my head had suddenly dragged new and flourishing hair follicles out of nowhere.

As a personal LLLT kit isn’t a cheap investment, I aimed for the iRestore for a few reasons. First, I knew I would get my money back if I didn’t see an improvement within six months. Second, it’s an FDA approved product, which means I know there’s some science behind wearing a glowing red hat with the aim aim of regrowing hair naturally.

However, there are cheaper alternatives that come with science-backed results, including the iGrow. Both products have similar effects. They gently encourage cellular rejuvenation by evenly distributing low-level laser light beams across the scalp. The production of new hair follicles isn’t an instant process, but with regular dedication, you’ll encounter the same benefits that I did.

Final Thoughts

Throughout my journey to find the best treatments for hair loss, I’ve always noticed one running theme: no solution will have the best benefits by itself. For example, without adding ketoconazole to my Minoxidil solution, I would still experience the inflammation that blocked full growth. Similarly, not changing my diet or adding in supplements wouldn’t allow my hair to thrive from within. While none of these products would work well alone, the change in my hair growth has become drastic since I began using them together.

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Running Out of Hair Loss Treatment Ideas? Why Not Try Emu Oil

While it may seem a little left-field, Emu oil is one of the latest hair loss therapies people worldwide are trying. As the name suggests, this oil comes from the flightless bird that you’ll only find in Australia. Much like fish oil, it’s rich in Omega-3s, which means it comes with plenty of health benefits.

Although the modern hair loss community is only just catching onto Emu oil, the Aboriginal community has been using it for thousands of years. More recently, doctors who are open to natural medicine recommend using it to treat burns and reduce inflammation. In fact, the oil is even popular with athletes who want to tackle conditions such as shin splints.

However, we’re here to investigate whether it plays a role in reducing hair loss. The evidence for its role in promoting healthier skin, hair, and nails is mounting, so we’re confident you can incorporate it into your hair loss regime.

What are the benefits of emu oil for hair loss?

As we’ve already mentioned, emu oil contains a lot of Omega-3s. As one of the world’s most coveted supplements, Omega-3s reduce inflammation, lower the number of bad fats in your blood, and may reduce depression.

Because of its high Omega-3 content, emu oil promotes overall wellness. When you use it to tackle hair loss, you’re also decreasing your blood pressure, reducing your risk of heart disease, and you may even promote better bowel function. Some studies go as far as stating that having enough Omega-3s leads to better concentration, as they help with neurodevelopment during a child’s early years.

In addition to Omega-3s, emu oil contains Vitamin E. Not only is Vitamin E an excellent moisturizer, but it also acts as an antioxidant that combats the free radicals you come into contact with every day through indoor and outdoor pollution.

To add to Vitamin E, it also contains Vitamin A. Like Omega-3s, Vitamin A is a tremendous neurological aid. It enhances and protects your vision while promoting the neurotransmitters you need to focus throughout the day.

Can emu oil slow down hair loss?

If you want to slow down hair loss, having Omega-3s on your side is no bad thing. As an essential fatty acid, it works with your body to slow down the progression of alopecia. If you’re experiencing alopecia for reasons other than genetic factors, Omega-3s will slow down the progression. They achieve this by protecting and stimulating the hair’s follicles, giving them a better chance of slowing down hair loss.

Medics believe this is due to the way Omega-3s reduce inflammation. As many dermatological scalp conditions associated with hair loss involve large inflammatory processes, this makes sense.

As we’ve already mentioned, Vitamin E is an excellent moisturizer. At the same time, it also repairs damaged cells. Working alongside Omega-3s, Vitamin E can restore your hair cells’ vitality, slowing down the hair loss process.

If you don’t have enough Vitamin A, you lack a substance that encourages your body to form glycoproteins. What are glycoproteins? They’re essential compounds that help cells communicate with each other, and they strengthen the cell’s membrane. Many beauty brands use them in their hair care products because they promote stronger and smoother hair. So, the hair that’s already growing on your head will strengthen and is less likely to fall out.

Can emu oil regrow hair?

Whether or not emu oil will help your hair regrow depends on the reasons for your hair loss. For example, if you’re experiencing hair loss due to a nutritional deficiency, using emu oil will work to your advantage, as it restores the nutrients you lack for a healthier head of hair.

Hereditary hair loss and emu oil

Now, one of the most common types of hair loss we see is ‘hereditary.’ In other words, if your mum or dad experienced hair loss when they were younger, you’re more likely to as well. Studies investigating the role of Omega-3s in regrowing hereditary hair loss are in their infancy, but so far they look encouraging. One study looked at using Omega-3s to tackle PCOS, which is a condition some women encounter, which sometimes leads to hair loss. The results of this study suggested that Omega-3 supplements reduced the amount of testosterone present in these women, as well as any associated effects on their hair. As hereditary hair loss usually features an increase in testosterone, this suggests that emu oil could help regrow your hair.

Scalp infections, including those that are fungal

One paper published in the Journal of Research in Medical Sciences found that the antifungal and anti-inflammatory benefits of emu oil could tackle conditions such as seborrheic dermatitis. Because of this, it’s reasonable to assume that using it to soothe a scalp infection that stands in the way of you and hair regrowth, may prove useful.

Alopecia

Alopecia is a condition that arises when your body’s immune system is struggling to meet its needs. As scientists over at Nature Reviews Immunology have aptly stated, “Vitamins A and D take center stage when it comes to immunity.” However, you do need to exercise caution. One sign of Vitamin A overdose is that your hair starts to fall out, so make sure you’re striking the right balance if you’re taking emu oil as a supplement.

Is it safe to apply emu oil to your hair and head?

As the modern world is only just investigating the use of emu oil for reducing hair loss, there aren’t many studies that tackle its potential side effects if you use it as a topical agent. However, as with any substance, you apply to your skin, the best way to ensure it’s safe is to try a test patch on the inside of your wrist.

Similarly, if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, discuss whether it’s safe to use emu oil with your doctor before using it. Finally, never apply it to any open wounds or blend it with other medical treatments you’re using. Otherwise, you can assume that emu oil is safe.

How to make a DIY emu oil hair mask

If the idea of using this oil to tackle your hair loss is tempting, you need to try a DIY emu oil hair mask recipe. While oral supplements are available, applying it directly to your head tackles the follicles at the root.

Before you begin, make sure you look into the oil’s source before purchasing it. Buying the purest product ensures the Emu hasn’t been exposed to cruelty during the manufacturing process, which in turn increases the oil’s benefits.

Unlike a lot of hair mask recipes, this one is relatively simple. Just blend a ¼ cup of emu oil with a ¼ cup of coconut oil. Again, aim for organic coconut oil, as this ensures you’re experiencing the highest quality ingredients.

Related: How to use coconut oil for hair growth

Blend the two oils until they reach an even consistency and then apply it to your head straight away. You should now either let it soak in and then massage it, or massage your scalp and then let it soak for half-an-hour. Either way, the massaging element of the process allows the oil to penetrate further and increases blood flow to your scalp, which in turn promotes better hair growth.

If you want to turn your DIY emu oil hair mask into a luxury experience, try adding an essential oil you love. Both peppermint and chamomile promote hair growth, and while one is invigorating, the other is relaxing. Select the one you prefer and add no more than two to three drops to maintain the mask’s consistency.

Will you experience any side effects when using emu oil for hair loss?

As we’ve already mentioned, there’s little evidence to suggest that applying emu oil directly to your scalp will produce unwanted side effects. Once again, try to avoid open wounds, as the oil may aggravate them while they’re healing. The same rule goes for most substances. However, emu oil accelerates how quickly your skin absorbs other elements, you should avoid applying it if you come into contact with poison oak.

A quick search of the Drugs.com herbal database reveals that, so far, there are no adverse side-effects associated with emu oil. However, do bear in mind what we mentioned earlier about Vitamin A overdoses. If you take emu oil orally and you’re using other supplements, ensure they don’t go over your maximum recommended daily intake. Such intakes vary from person to person, but going over may make your hair fall out, which isn’t what we’re aiming for.

While emu oil is simple, its ability to reduce hair loss and promote regrowth looks strong. Whether you use it as a mask or take the supplement orally, you could also enhance your cardiovascular health and boost your immune system. As with any other hair loss supplement, try to track your progress and watch out for side effects.

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How to Deal with Hair Loss: Fight It or Embrace It?

In “The Gambler”, a song most famously sang by Kenny Rogers, he states that you have to know when to hold ‘em, and know when to fold ‘em. It’s about cutting your losses or trying to hold on to what you have. This is a perfect analogy for those dealing with hair loss. How much longer do you want to spend fighting it? Are you fighting a winnable battle? Or is it time to literally cut your losses?

How to deal with hair loss

There are many options to take when dealing with hair loss. Some people are only losing a bit of their hair, so it really isn’t too noticeable. Others age gracefully and just lose the right amount as the years go by. Other times, it appears that a person is losing ten percent of their hair every week or two, and it is not growing back. The severity of the hair loss is going to lead you down certain paths. However, be certain that you retain your self-respect through it all.

Supplements

There are definitely supplements, vitamins, and medicines that have been shown to help keep your hair or even regrow a bit. Most of these require taking a pill or two every day or applying something to the top of your head once or twice a day. In doing so, this is a lifetime commitment. You will have to keep on doing this or lose the hair soon after you stop.

Hair Transplants

We have all seen the infomercials that seem to show that a good hair transplant could be the answer to your dreams. Most of the ones shown are incredible, with the transplants being virtually undetectable. What they fail to tell you is that the full head of hair look that was achieved was a result of probably at least two or more hair transplants. Again, if money is no object, then two or more transplant procedures could be perfect for you.

However, if an average hair transplant procedure is $10,000 and you have at least two of them, you are looking at a cost of $20,000. Plus, in real life and not on infomercials, it appears there are just as many hair transplant failures as there are successes. One telltale sign is the scar strip on the back of their head after they start cutting their hair close to the back.

Concealers

As a man that used concealers every day for five years for my hair loss, I would like to think I am an expert on this topic. It is a good way to fight the appearance of your hair loss, but it does take some time and it comes with a bit of risk.

If your hair loss is near the back of your head and you would like to conceal it, hair fibers are the way to go. Probably the most popular hair fibers product on the market is Toppik. Just scatter some out on your thinning spot and pat down to disperse. Then use a hairspray to keep them in place. The cover-up sprays and cream be just as effective.

Although be careful about running your hands through your hair. It will come off and get under your fingernails.  And it does make it a bit awkward when you are in a romantic situation and they start playing with your hair. It is tough to explain why their hands appear filthy. It can definitely ruin the moment and perhaps make you look less manly in the process. Trying to reason with a woman on why you wear hair makeup is beyond cringe-worthy. I used to have one always ask me why I would turn her pillowcase black when I spent the night. I never had a good answer.

Wigs

There are a lot of fancy names out there for wigs. Of course, men are said to wear toupees and not wigs, but it is the exact same concept. Maintaining and preparing the thing every morning and night seems like a lot of work to me. But some of the ones out on the market now are undetectable.

There is a famous hair system available on the market with several infomercials on late at night. They make it all appear so mysterious. Hair Club for Men says they have a non-surgical hair replacement system available. In their infomercials, they say they add more hair to your existing hair. In my head, I was thinking this was similar to hair extensions of some sort.

I actually made an appointment and met with them. I was ready to be clued into the whole process. The man that met me had amazing hair, and he told me quickly it was one of their systems. Then he started telling me about all of these celebrities that wear their hair system but they are unable to mention it on the commercials because of privacy reasons. Next, they parted the curtain and allowed me to see the secrets of the universe. Or at least on their non-surgical hair system. To put it simply, they shave the top part of your head, super glue a wig or toupee to where they just shaved your head, then they cut and style it to your liking. Not exactly rocket science.

Styling It Just Right

Some men get very creative when dealing with hair loss. They comb it all forward to hide it. They comb it all backward to cover up the spot. They comb it to the side and spray everything in place. This can definitely work for those that still have quite a bit of their hair. It is only when you are facing severe hair loss that this can become quite painful. Spending an hour on your hair in the morning and having it still look bad is not acceptable.

Cut It Close

If you are losing your hair and you are done with the concealers, the styling tricks, the supplements, and the wigs, then the best thing you can do is to take out the electric clippers and take it down as far as it will go. If you leave a little bit of length on the top and take the sides and the back as low as the Clippers will go, it is actually a pretty good look. It’s saying to the world that you are comfortable with yourself.

Just think of all the things you will be able to do again. You can stop wearing baseball caps. You can go out on a windy or rainy day and not be concerned about concealers running all over your face or the wind ruining your perfectly styled hair. You can actually go swimming again!

Take It All Off!

Cutting it close is just one step away from shaving it all off. There is something so freeing about having a completely shaved head. Until you get used to it, it is a bit like walking around naked. Once you do it, you will wonder why you struggled with hair loss for so long. You will be kicking yourself for not doing it earlier. However, make sure you stay in shape or get in shape once you start walking around with the bald look. You do not want to be the fat, bald guy. You want to be the muscular, bad-ass bald guy that chicks love.

The maintenance of it is almost zero. Once every couple days or so, take out the razor and shave away. There are actually special razors made just for this. The HeadBlade is a pretty popular one to use. But almost any razor will do. And you will have so much extra time on your hands now. Plus, it will save you money! No more hair loss shampoos, special products, paying for haircuts, and purchasing hair loss items. Get a little scruff going on the face and keep your head smooth. It is a timeless look.

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Pgd2 Natural and Non-natural Inhibitors

As a relative newcomer on the hair loss scene, PGD2 is a form of prostaglandin that attaches to a receiving cell called GPR44. When it does this, it causes changes in the hair follicles that make your hair more likely to fall out. It’s more prevalent and important for those of us who have androgenic alopecia, aka male-pattern baldness.

Since discovering it, scientists have continued working to find ways to inhibit it. In other words, they want to stop PGD2 from reaching GPR44. There are two ways to achieve this: through reducing the amount of PGD2 that’s present in the first place or introducing a blockade that stands between the prostaglandin and its receiving cell.

While blocking PGD2 won’t benefit all types of hair loss, we have found plenty of scientific research to support the idea that it’s useful for those who have hereditary/androgenic hair loss. Before you decide whether to introduce PGD2 inhibitors to your hair regrowth regime, we need to explain what it is, how it works, how to block it, and who will benefit.

What is Pgd2 and why do you want to inhibit it?

As we’ve already explained, PGD2 is a prostaglandin that leads to hair loss in those with male-pattern baldness. Scientists first discovered this at the University of Pennsylvania, where they found that those with androgenic-alopecia had a higher amount of the compound present in their hair than those without the condition. They also found that it works in synchrony with testosterone. As we all know, testosterone plays a big role in tinkering with the hair’s follicles and making male-pattern baldness more likely. So, if PGD2 works alongside testosterone to induce hair loss, there’s a strong case for inhibiting it. However, we’re not sure exactly how it has its effects. Some of the common theories circulating the medical world include:

Like the DHT form of testosterone, it makes your hair’s follicles smaller. As a result, they’re less likely to produce thick hair.

Similarly, it moves them into the telogen phase of growth, which is where they remain dormant.

Finally, like all prostaglandins, it’s an inflammatory agent. If it’s acting around our scalps as the scientists from the University of Pennsylvania claim, this means it may block them from receiving the nutrients they need to reach their full potential.

Combined, the above three factors allow for a perfect storm. If your hair’s follicles are smaller, spending more time in the telogen phase where they remain dormant, and lacking in nutrients; your hair isn’t going to have an easy time growing.

Which natural Pgd2 inhibitors are available?

From foods through to supplements, there are lots of natural PGD2 inhibitors floating around. The one you choose may depend on other products you’re using to treat hair loss, so always check to ensure they don’t interact with any ongoing treatments before using them.

Castor oil and PGD2

One study has found that castor oil’s components act as a natural PGD2 antagonist. In other words, it stands between the compound and its receptor cell and stops it from reaching it in the first place. Scientists believe this is due to its high ricinoleic acid content. Ricinoleic acid binds to the receptor molecule. So, while you’re not reducing your PGD2 levels as such, you are stopping them from reaching the area where they cause harm. If you choose to take castor oil as an oral supplement, bear in mind that it causes diarrhea in some patients.

Essential fatty acids

In contrast, essential fatty acids such as omega-3s lead to a reduction in PGD2. Research to back this up comes from the Perelman School of Medicine, where the team found that those taking supplements containing essential fatty acids produced less PGD2. You can find such acids naturally in foods like salmon and flaxseed. However, if you’d rather take a supplement, cod liver oil is also effective. At the same time, cod liver oil reduces inflammation, which may also benefit your hair follicles in terms of gathering strength.

Fruits and vegetables containing quercetin

Quercetin is a compound that gives fruits and vegetables with vibrant colors their attractive appearance. At the same time, quercetin acts as an antioxidant, which means it protects your scalp’s follicles from the pollutants it encounters in day-to-day life. Foods that contain it include onions, sweet potatoes, and cranberry. In one study, researchers found that it actively reduces PGD2 levels. Similarly, quercetin alters your body’s lipid profile so that it attracts fewer androgens, benefiting male-pattern hair loss further.

Luteolin

Luteolin is another substance that acts as a blockade between PGD2 and its receptor cells. It achieves this through producing histamines, which are the chemicals involved in inducing allergic reactions. Using luteolin won’t lead to an allergic reaction. However, one study reveals that it blocks PGD2 levels by up to 100 percent. At the same time, it has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. By reducing inflammation around affected hair follicles and allowing more antioxidants to gain access there, it enhances their health. Theoretically, this leads to better hair growth. We can find luteolin in celery, chamomile tea, and onions.

 Which non-natural Pgd2 inhibitors are available?

Before we begin explaining which non-natural PGD2 inhibitors are available, we want to issue a word of caution: many of them are drugs. While you can purchase some of them via a pharmacy, they can still hurt ongoing health conditions. As such, if you want to use them and you are using other medications, you’re due to undergo surgery, or you have a health condition, chat with a medical professional first.

It’s all about the salicylics

In short, non-natural PGD2 inhibitors usually include salicylic drugs. Such drugs include:

Aspirin

Topical salicylic acid for treating dandruff and other dermatological conditions

Benzoic acid, which is an antifungal agent

Coal tar

Doxycycline, which is an antibiotic

Hydrocortisone, which is a steroid

The theory is that salicylic acid containing drugs will stop PGD2 from wreaking havoc, as they are pharmacological prostaglandin inhibitors. They are able to achieve this via something called the ‘cyclooxygenase pathway.’ The cyclooxygenase pathway is a complex biochemical process that involves arachidonic acid converting to PGD2, which then causes inflammation. For many years, drug manufacturers have produced ‘cox-inhibitors,’ which introduce themselves at a stage of the cox pathway to block arachidonic acid from turning into PGD2. This is a very simplified version of how they work, but it does give an overview of how they’re useful.

While you may feel tempted to take doxycycline to see what happens, or to apply aspirin to your head; try to resist the urge until you have the all-clear from a medic. Inappropriate antibiotic use leads to antibiotic resistance and can cause side effects such as diarrhea. Similarly, self-administering medications when you’re already taking something else can affect how effectively it works.

Who benefits from PGD2 inhibition?

So far, each study points towards PGD2 inhibition being a beneficial hair loss reduction technique for those with male-pattern baldness. You may also hear people refer to this condition as ‘androgenic hair loss’ or ‘hereditary hair loss.’

As its inhibition can reduce inflammation and make your scalp’s follicles healthier, it may also benefit those of us who suffer from dermatitis and similar conditions. However, there are few studies demonstrating its efficacy in this role. While one study highlights how the compound may target a receptor cell called CRTH2, it also acknowledges that whether patients will benefit depends on the type of T Helper cells that are present in their bodies at the time. As such, it’s difficult for us to say whether it’s worth your efforts if you have a condition such as folliculitis or atopic dermatitis.

In summary, PGD2 is a prostaglandin that’s found in abundance in the scalps of those suffering from androgenic hair loss. It works alongside testosterone to affect follicle growth phases, inducing inflammatory processes, and reducing follicular size. While there are plenty of natural inhibitors around, do look into whether using them will affect the approach you’re currently taking to reduce hair loss. While we couldn’t find any evidence to support the use of PGD2 in other types of hair loss, there is some evidence suggesting that certain patients may benefit from its use. Finally, when it comes to non-natural inhibitors; exercise caution. Not doing so can have an impact on your overall health.

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The Link Between Prostaglandin D2 and Hair Loss

Also known as PGD2, Prostaglandin D2 is an enzyme we recognize as the ‘hair loss’ enzyme. Those of us who have androgenic/pattern baldness have higher amounts of PGD2 than most people. While PGD2 has a significant effect on many areas of our bodies, we’re more concerned with how it affects your scalp and why it increases hair loss.

To reduce hair loss, understanding PGD2, how it adapts your scalp’s follicles to cause hair loss, and how to inhibit it is crucial. We’ll run through all of this, so you can decide whether to tackle it as part of your hair loss regime.

What is PGD2?

As we’ve already stated, PGD2 is an enzyme. It’s present in everyone’s body, but those of us who have androgenic hair loss appear to have higher amounts of our scalps. This discovery came from the University of Pennsylvania, which means we now have an enzyme we can try to block to reduce androgenic hair loss, and potentially promote regrowth. The receptor for this enzyme is GPR44, and the theory is that if we can block the receptor, we can reduce hair loss. There are ways of doing this naturally, as well as non-natural PGD2 inhibitors. One study focusing on the enzyme found that it works well alongside testosterone. As we know, testosterone, especially DHT, also has a role in male pattern hair loss. This further strengthens the idea that PGD2 exacerbates hair loss.

How does PGD2 cause hair loss?

As a relatively new area of focus in the hair loss world, we’re not sure how PGD2 leads to hair loss. However, many of the theories we have found are similar to those that surround DHT’s role in causing hair loss. These include:

Your hair’s follicles start to shrink, which means they have less potential for growing healthy and thick hair.

The follicles also spend more time in the telogen phase of hair growth, which is where the follicles lie dormant. The patches of follicles that shrink and spend time in the anagen phase are then unable to produce hair growth.

As PGD2 is a prostaglandin enzyme, it plays a role in inflammation. If these inflammatory processes affect the hair’s follicles, they’re less likely to produce good hair growth.

Another theory is that PGD2 stops the hair’s follicles from maturing in the first place. For those who experience androgenic alopecia at a young age, the hair loss process quickens. At the same time, another study has revealed that PGD2 causes apoptosis in the cells that bring keratin to our hair. In other words, the cells commit suicide. While keratin doesn’t play a significant role in initiating hair growth, it is essential if you want to have hair that’s shiny and strong. As a result, we can assume that PGD2 has the potential to cause the hair we do manage to grow to become brittle and weak.

Are there any PGD2 inhibitors?

As we’ve already mentioned, the target area for PGD2 is GPR44. As such, if we can place a block between PGD2 and GPR44, we could potentially stop it from having an adverse effect. There are different ways to inhibit PGD2, some of which depend on reducing its production and others that act as a barrier between PGD2 and its receptor cells.

For example, omega-3 fatty acids lead to a reduction in PGD2 production. We know this because one study from the Perelman School of Medicine found that those who take supplements such as cod liver oil experience a reduction in the enzyme. Another study focusing on Chinese herbal medicine found that resveratrol has similar effects. While you can take a resveratrol supplement, it’s also possible to find it in food and drink. Interesting, we’ve seen that there are high levels of it in red wine.

As for producing a blockade between PGD2 and GPR44, researchers have found that luteolin produces histamines and leukotrienes that stand between the two. You can see luteolin in its natural forms in chamomile tea, celery, and onions. An interesting pharmacological source is aspirin. However, before you start taking aspirin in a bid to stop PGD2 reaching GPR44, you should consult a doctor. If you suffer from specific blood disorders or asthma, aspirin will cause more harm than good in other areas of your body.

According to the Telegraph, pharmaceutical companies have begun investigating the potential for blocking the enzyme and bringing a hair loss treatment to the shelves. While this article was published a few years ago, it’s worth bearing in mind that most drug companies face at least a decade’s worth of rigorous clinical trials before introducing a truly useful product. However, the fact that it’s under investigation is a positive sign.

What are the other benefits of reducing PGD2?

Overall, having too much PGD2 can hurt other areas of your body. While it plays a decisive role in helping you sleep, and you do need some prostaglandins to regulate the positive elements of inflammatory processes, some of the more harmful side-effects of excessive amounts include:

It’s a bronchoconstrictor

PGD2 narrows the airways. To a degree, this is beneficial, as it helps your airways to perform their role. However, with too much PGD2, your airways may narrow, making it difficult to breathe.

It dilates the blood vessels

If you’re prone to flushing or if you have a condition such as rosacea, PGD2 won’t work in your favor. As it induces vasodilation, it increases flushing. For women who are in the midst of the menopause, this also means hot flushes feel worse.

While PGD2 and its role in hair loss is a relatively new discovery, it’s still one that we find exciting. There are some drugs out there that will reduce its potential to induce hair loss, but, before you turn to them, you need to ensure they won’t affect any ongoing medical conditions or other treatments you’re taking. As such, you may want to consider looking at natural means of inhibiting PGD2, while still bearing in mind that organic remedies can have side effects too.

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What is the Relationship Between Green Tea and Hair Loss?

As a herb that’s been used for thousands of years in Chinese medicine, Green Tea is famous for treating everything from obesity through to depression. Today, it’s so popular that you can buy it from local stores, allowing you to enjoy its antioxidant properties.

In addition to containing B vitamins, green tea is rich in potassium and magnesium, which are two essential minerals. It also acts as a natural source of caffeine, providing you with a boost in energy. Finally, it features an abundance of catechins, which the European Journal of Pharmacology notes are essential antioxidants that help us absorb nutrients from the digestive tract.

If you’re looking for another natural means of reducing hair loss, green tea is worth your consideration. Before you start using it, though, we’ll run through how it benefits our bodies, whether there’s any evidence to support its use in slowing down hair loss and regrowing hair, and whether you should expect any side effects.

Benefits of green tea for hair loss

If you use green tea for hair loss, you’ll tackle other areas of your body that encounter poor health too. For example, one study revealed that drinking green tea results in a little more weight loss. Similarly, a study that took place in Japan found that it reduces ‘bad’ levels of cholesterol and increases the ‘good’ HDL cholesterol levels. As there’s a link between high testosterone and low HDL cholesterol, using green tea to tackle androgenic hair loss helps restore balance to this area of your body too. The result? A reduced risk of stroke and atherosclerosis.

Interestingly, another study reveals that green tea’s antibacterial properties are just as capable of preventing tooth decay than using a regular mouthwash. As hair loss conditions such as psoriasis and tinea capitis have a bacterial element to them, this could suggest that adding it to your hair loss prevention regime could help on the dermatological front too.

Can green tea slow down hair loss?

One of the most frequent causes of hair loss is androgenic. Otherwise known as male-pattern baldness or hereditary hair loss, this condition arises in both men and women. We’ve already mentioned that green tea is rich in catechins. Interestingly, one study has found that catechins slow down the production of dihydrotestosterone/DHT, which is the form of testosterone that leads to extra hair growth on the chest and back, with less growth on the scalp. As the researchers conclude, the findings may indicate that green tea is beneficial for those with androgen-dependent disorders. In high enough levels, DHT causes your scalp’s follicles to miniaturize hair growth. It does this by forcing the follicles to remain in one particular growth phase. Theoretically, by reducing DHT with green tea’s catechins, you can slow down androgenic hair loss.

Another common cause of hair loss is stress. As one study reveals, most major antidepressants rely on our potassium-sodium channels to operate smoothly for them to remain effective. As such, if we’re not getting enough potassium into our diets, it’s fair to assume that we’re not allowing our sodium-potassium channels to moderate the neurotransmitters we need to feel less stressed and happier. As we’ve already mentioned, green tea is rich in potassium, which means it could regulate our sodium-potassium channels. Subsequently, if you’re experiencing hair loss due to stress or depression, you could slow it down.

Finally, there’s evidence to suggest that drinking green tea reduces the amount of plaque in your blood vessels. Also known as atherosclerosis, this condition can reduce blood flow to your scalp, which in turn leads to less nourishment for your follicles. By adding green tea to your diet, you can improve blood flow, enhance the number of antioxidants your scalp encounters, and enhance nutrient delivery, which may then result in better hair growth.

Can green tea help regrow hair?

One promising study published by the Journal of the National Medical Association found that mice which were fed a normal diet and drank green tea were more likely to experience rapid hair growth than those that ate a normal diet and drank water. However, it’s worth noting that this was only the case for 33% of mice in the green tea drinking group, so it’s difficult to pinpoint which types of hair loss green tea is useful for regarding regrowth.

However, we can take a look at the vitamins it contains and how they help regrow hair in certain conditions. For example, we’ve already highlighted how green tea has lots of B vitamins. B vitamins are responsible for forming the cells that carry oxygen and nutrients around our bodies. After dropping them off at their target cells, they pick up harmful elements such as toxins and carbon dioxide; so that we can excrete them via our lungs and kidneys.

If you’re suffering from a condition such as psoriasis and your hair loss comes from picking at scabs and, therefore, harming the scalp’s follicles, it’s fair to assume that the presence of B vitamins in green tea can speed up the healing process. As such, it’s useful for regrowing hair in such circumstances.

Similarly, its ability to slow down the spread of bacteria and fungi suggest it’s a useful treatment for conditions such as seborrheic dermatitis and tinea capitis. Both conditions have bacterial and fungal elements. While the study cited doesn’t suggest that green tea alone could tackle these conditions, it could act as a useful additive to your usual treatments. If you speed up the healing process, you may encounter hair regrowth.

Are there any side effects when using green tea for hair loss?

While green tea is natural and has been used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years, it does come with side effects. How well you tolerate them will depend on underlying conditions, as well as any medications you’re taking.

According to WebMD, green tea is usually safe for adults who use it on a short-term basis. However, if you use it for longer than two years, it’s potentially unsafe. Also, if you consume too much, you are at risk of caffeine toxicity.

It’s also worth noting that we’re unsure as to how safe green tea is in the following scenarios:

If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, it’s potentially safe to use

Those with anxiety may find it becomes worse if they drink green tea due to the caffeine content elevating blood pressure

You shouldn’t drink it if you have an arrhythmia or a bleeding disorder

In large amounts, green tea makes diabetes and diarrhea worse

Avoid drinking it if you have osteoporosis, liver disease, or IBS

Overall, green tea contains powerful antioxidants that aid in absorbing other nutrients that are beneficial for hair growth. Its catechin content can lower DHT, which means it’s useful for slowing down androgenic hair loss. Studies focusing specifically on the substance highlight how it quickens hair growth, but we need more evidence to say which conditions it will benefit. Finally, it’s rich in certain vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that heal fungi and bacteria motivated conditions, including psoriasis, tinea capitis, and seborrheic dermatitis. Exercise caution before adding it to your diet, and make sure you consume it in moderate amounts only.

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Can Vitamin D Deficiency Lead to Hair Loss?

With around 41.6% of Americans experiencing a vitamin D deficiency, we’ve been wondering whether it leads to hair loss. There is evidence to suggest that it can. As one of the most important nutrients we can get, it helps our bodies’ organs thrive. Not only do our bones rely on it for their strength, your kidneys depend on it to convert other minerals into a usable form that the body benefits from. However, there are some cases where trying to get too much Vitamin D will work against you. To understand whether Vitamin D is causing your hair loss, we’ll explain how a deficiency arises, what happens when your body doesn’t get enough, and how to address the problem.

What causes a vitamin D deficiency?

According to MedLine, your best source of Vitamin D is the sun. However, as we now have a better knowledge of how skin cancer arises, many of us are overly cautious when it comes to exposing ourselves to the sun. Fortunately, our livers are capable of holding four months’ worth of vitamin D for us to draw on. However, if you want to prevent a deficiency, you need to spend at least 15 minutes exposing your skin to the sun each day. Use a sunscreen that is strong enough to reduce the risk of burning, though.

Other ways vitamin D deficiencies arise include:

Not getting enough from your diet

Having a malabsorption problem that prevents you from absorbing vitamin D through the gut wall

Having a condition that prevents your liver and kidneys from converting it into its usable form

Certain medications may affect your ability to absorb vitamin D

How Vitamin D leads to hair loss

The link between vitamin D and hair loss is complicated. Firstly, we noticed that those who don’t get enough struggle to sleep. As one study succinctly explains, those of us who don’t get enough sleep trigger certain inflammatory reactions. Unfortunately, scientists aren’t sure why this happens. However, as these researchers explain, those who describe themselves as getting a ‘fair’ night’s sleep have higher antioxidant levels and fewer inflammatory markers. In contrast, those who get a ‘poor’ night’s sleep have lower antioxidant levels and higher inflammatory markers. As vitamin D is a potent antioxidant that plays a role in reducing inflammation, it may be the case that not having enough antioxidants and living in bodies that are constantly fighting against inflammatory processes are leaving us unable to sleep Sleep is when our bodies enter a restorative period. In other words, we’re allowing ourselves to heal from the day’s stresses. When you’re not getting enough, your hair’s follicles may struggle to replenish, just like the rest of your body. As such, you’re weakening them and making it harder for them to grow strong hair.

Not getting enough vitamin D affects your immune system

Throughout our bodies, our cells contain vitamin D receptors. Each receptor welcomes the vitamin and allows it to perform its function. Usually, this means encouraging cell metabolism, which means the cell thrives. It will also:

Encourage T-cells and B-cells to do their jobs, which include tackling diseases.

Promotes monocyte action. Your monocytes are white blood cells that move throughout your body and tackle infections.

Reduce inflammatory responses. While we need inflammation to protect ourselves if we have an accident and encounter a wound, too much inflammation affects your sleep and makes you feel stressed.

When you consider the above, it’s easy to see how vitamin D deficiency could lead to hair loss. For example, if you have an infection on your scalp such as tinea capitus – which is similar to ringworm – you may not have enough T-cells and B-cells to help fight it.

Similarly, without enough monocyte action, you could struggle to recover from other dermatological conditions that involve infection. For example, while psoriasis isn’t contagious, if you scratch it, it breaks the barrier in your skin that prevents infections from settling in and prolongs its active status.

Finally, if your scalp’s cells require vitamin D to metabolize nutrients, they will struggle to thrive. Your scalp’s follicles move through three types of growth. During anagen, your hair is growing. Throughout catagen, you enter a transitional phase where your hair follicles are regaining strength. Then, at telogen, they remain dormant. Theoretically, if your vitamin D supplies are low, you won’t move through each stage fluidly, which could lead to hair loss.

It plays a role in wound healing

As we’ve already discussed above, vitamin D helps the cells that perform vital roles within your immune system. One study performed on mice demonstrated how vitamin D promotes wound healing. During the study, the researchers inflicted minor wounds on mice using brushes, then administered a vitamin D supplement. Their concluding findings were that those mice who received vitamin D formed tighter epithelial barriers, which are cells that play a role in organized scar development.

If you do have a condition such as psoriasis, you will find that the scabs you form may turn into wounds. The same can be said for severe forms of seborrheic dermatitis; where the urge to scratch your head is often irresistible due to the severity of the itch. When you scratch, you too cause tiny wounds. If your scalp doesn’t have the opportunity to form a tight epithelial barrier, you may generate scar tissue instead. Unfortunately, scar tissue isn’t conducive to good hair growth.

Similarly, infections will inflict wounds on your scalp without your ‘permission.’ One such example of this is tinea capitis, which is ringworm that remains on the scalp. Without enough vitamin D, you may not recover from the condition with a tight epithelial barrier.

There’s a link between alopecia areata and vitamin D

Scientists have been investigating the link between vitamin D deficiency and autoimmune diseases for years now. However, few have looked into alopecia areata. One study, though, found that those with the condition have lower serum vitamin D, which correlates with the severity of the disease level. While the study is small and doesn’t reveal the exact link, it does provide a promising insight into vitamin D and how it may promote hair growth in those with alopecia areata.

However, if you have androgenic alopecia, you should exercise caution

As we all know, male-pattern baldness/androgenic alopecia arises when you produce excessive amounts of testosterone. While we wouldn’t recommend depleting yourself of Vitamin D for the sake of strong hair growth, it is worth recognizing that one study has found a link between taking on extra Vitamin D and producing too much testosterone. As such, try to maintain the right balance for the rest of your body, but don’t overdo it.

How you can get more Vitamin D for hair growth

Now that you know how vitamin D can lead to hair loss, it’s worth investigating ways you can get more. We’ve already mentioned spending at least 15 minutes in the sun each day, but there are other ways you can add to your supplies:

Change your diet

There are plenty of dietary sources of vitamin D. From salmon through to cheese, a lot of them are tasty too. You might also want to consider eggs, fortified foods, swordfish, and mackerel. If your diet doesn’t contain enough of the foods that provide vitamin D, change it accordingly. For those of you who lead a busy lifestyle, you can buy fortified cereals and milk.

Try a supplement

As we’ve already mentioned above, you don’t want to inflate your vitamin D levels too much if you’re suffering from androgenetic alopecia. However, if you’re struggling to incorporate it into your diet because you’re leading a busy lifestyle or you don’t like the foods that contain it, try a supplement.

If you have an underlying medical condition, chat with your doctor

Some conditions, known as malabsorption syndromes, will affect your ability to absorb all types of nutrients. Unfortunately, tackling them requires expert medical advice. Examples can include short gut syndrome, Crohn’s disease, and coeliac disease. As for medications, never make a switch without chatting with the person who wrote the prescription.

Vitamin D is important for your overall health. Without it, you may struggle to sleep, recover from diseases, and encourage your cells to grow. While increasing it won’t prevent all types of hair loss, being in deficient of it does place you at greater risk of your hair falling out. If you’re worried that you’re not getting enough vitamin D, take a look at your lifestyle and diet, then make adaptations accordingly.

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