How to prevent hair loss

🌿 Natural Hair Growth: Beyond Shampoo

Hair loss is often presented as a cosmetic nuisance, but it's rarely analyzed for what it really is: a symptom. A message from the body that invites us to look beyond the mirror. When hair begins to fall out more frequently or thin, the scalp and body are telling us something. And to hear that message, we need to go deeper than a foam with promises or a lotion that "stops" it.

🧠 Why does hair fall out?

Although there are multiple causes (nutritional, hormonal , gastrointestinal, emotional, genetic...), one of the most common factors in both men and women is androgenetic alopecia , a form of progressive hair loss associated with hormones such as testosterone and its most potent metabolite, dihydrotestosterone (DHT) . The latter binds to hair follicle receptors, miniaturizing the hair, shortening its growth phase (anagen), and eventually weakening it until it falls out.

But DHT doesn't act alone. It needs a favorable environment. And this is where a silent but crucial factor comes into play: chronic scalp inflammation .

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🔥 Chronic inflammation: the breeding ground for hair loss

Most people don't think of the scalp as just another skin, but it is. It houses its microbiota, its immune system, and its vascular network. And when it's continuously exposed to irritants like sulfates (SLS), silicones, artificial perfumes, harsh dyes, or even oxidative stress , it can become inflamed. This inflammation, even if it's not painful, can be enough to disrupt blood flow to the follicle, oxidize the hair's structural proteins, and hinder its anchoring.

The reviewed study indicates that more than 50% of biopsies from patients with alopecia showed inflammatory infiltrate around hair follicles. Inflammation also increases the sensitivity of DHT receptors, completing a vicious cycle that promotes hair miniaturization.

Therefore, any approach seeking to restore hair naturally and sustainably must consider actively reducing inflammation of the scalp and the entire body.

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🌱 Evidence-based natural treatments for hair loss

Fortunately, nature offers a wide range of solutions. The study "An Overview of Commonly Used Natural Alternatives for the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia" lists several natural ingredients that act on hormonal, inflammatory, oxidative, and vascular factors. Here are the details:

1. Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)

• Inhibits the enzyme 5-alpha reductase (like finasteride).

• It has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.

• In clinical studies, its efficacy was equivalent to 2% minoxidil after 6 months.

2. Peppermint oil

• Stimulates circulation and promotes the anagen phase of the follicle.

• In animal models, it outperformed minoxidil in hair growth and thickness.

3. Pumpkin seed oil (Cucurbita pepo)

• Rich in phytosterols that reduce DHT.

• In trials with women, it was effective in increasing hair density .

4. Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens)

• Inhibits 5-alpha reductase and reduces DHT.

• Improves hair count in men with androgenetic alopecia.

5. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

• It has soothing and antimicrobial properties.

• In animal studies, it showed similar results to minoxidil in hair growth.

6. Green tea (Camellia sinensis)

• Contains EGCG, which protects the dermal papilla from oxidative damage and reduces DHT.

7. Tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia)

• Antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and useful in cases of seborrhea or dermatitis.

• Combined with minoxidil and diclofenac, it significantly improves hair growth.

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🌾 The root of the problem is also in your gut

As an integrative therapist, I can't help but mention what is known (and often overlooked): an unbalanced gut flora, an overloaded liver, or poor nutrient absorption can be the true causes of hair loss. You can read more about the gut-hair axis here .

Your body prioritizes resources for survival, not for your hair's shine. If you have a deficiency of iron, zinc, vitamin B12, biotin, or protein, your hair will be the first to suffer. The same is true if there is persistent systemic inflammation, food intolerances, or dysbiosis.

Therefore, the real treatment begins from within. From what you eat, what you digest, how you manage stress, and how you cleanse what your body doesn't need.

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And an extra gift.....

🧴 Suggested recipe: Overnight or pre-wash hair treatment

Ideal to apply 2–3 times a week before sleeping or 30–60 min before showering:

Ingredients (for 50 ml of base mix):

30 ml of virgin pumpkin seed oil (base rich in phytosterols).

10 ml of jojoba oil (sebum regulator, well absorbed)

10 drops of rosemary essential oil .

8 drops of tea tree essential oil .

(Optional: 5 drops of peppermint to stimulate circulation).

Application:

Apply a few drops directly to dry scalp.

Massage well with your fingertips for 3–5 minutes.

Let it sit for at least 30 minutes (or overnight).

Wash with a mild shampoo (sulfate and silicone free).

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🧼 Shampoo version (gentler, but daily use)

For 100 ml of natural base shampoo , add:

15 drops of rosemary .

10 drops of tea tree .

5 ml of pumpkin seed oil (you can mix it into a little of the shampoo first and then shake everything well).

Let it sit for 2–3 minutes before rinsing.

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⚠️ Additional recommendations:

If you have a sensitive scalp or are pregnant, reduce the dosage of essential oils by 50%.

Do not apply pure essential oils directly to the skin without diluting.

Perform a wrist sensitivity test before first use.

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🌼 Taking care of your hair is taking care of your body

It's not about stocking your shelves with oils and tonics. It's about understanding why your body isn't prioritizing hair growth . Hair is a very sensitive biomarker. And if you're losing it, you may also be losing energy, rest, or hormonal stability.

💬 If you feel like your hair loss isn't improving with what you've tried, or you simply want a more holistic approach, I can help . I work with an integrative and personalized approach to detect what's happening in your body and design a plan with you to restore your balance—and with it, your hair.

Book your consultation and let's start listening to what your body is telling you. 🌿