Thinning hair is the stuff nightmares are made of. A widening hair parting, or a shiny bald patch on the scalp is the LAST thing you want to see. However, given our increasingly stressful lives, thinning hair is a concern most of us grapple with at some point. The change in seasons, poor quality water and heat styling tools only aggravate our hair woes. If you’ve been nodding along as you read this, fret not. We’ve got just the answers you need. And no, you don’t need to rush to your nearest salon for the latest expensive hair treatment either!
Nourishing hair masks have been an integral part of Ayurvedic hair care principles over the ages. By directly delivering nutrients to the scalp, masks are considered an essential part of hair care in Ayurveda. But what does modern medicine think? We spoke to a dermatologist for her take on using hair masks for thinning hair, and she agreed that homemade hair masks can be an effective tool to nourish hair. “Homemade masks can be a good option to revive your tresses” says Dr. Vaishali Pathak, a Pune based dermatologist. “But make sure you’re careful with the ingredients you use. Don’t just try out a mask because it’s the latest viral trend on Instagram!”
Below are 4 fabulous DIY masks for thinning hair that the Wellthinest team has tried, tested and approved! We’ve tried these out over a period of 3 months and they definitely work for hair growth and volume. As with all beauty DIY treatments, make sure you proceed with caution though. Your scalp may react to an ingredient differently so do a patch test first to see what works for you. You can start with these masks once a month. Build up the frequency to once a week, depending on what works for you.
So without further ado let’s dive into the 4 most fabulous DIY hair masks for thinning hair:
Coconutty Cinnamon Hair Mask For Thinning Hair
Did you know that cinnamon works wonders for thinning hair, apart from smelling heavenly and being a great addition to cakes? This anti microbial spice has a whole host of benefits that can help nourish your hair. Research shows that cinnamon stimulates blood circulation, which can promote hair growth and health. Its anti-inflammatory, antifungal and antioxidant properties also help with scalp health.
Good old coconut oil moisturizes the hair and scalp, which helps keep the hair shaft healthy and reduces breakage. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that can help with scalp health.
How to make it:
Ingredients: 1/4 cup coconut oil, 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
To make your coconut cinnamon hair mask, heat up the coconut oil till it is lukewarm. Add the cinnamon powder and blend well. Massage the mixture into your scalp with clean fingers. You can also apply it to the ends of your hair to nourish the tips. Leave it on for 30 to 45 minutes and then wash your hair as usual.
Amla Coconut Hair Mask For Thinning Hair
Vitamin packed amla or gooseberry is a hair superfood. The vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients in amla boost blood circulation in the scalp which stimulates hair growth. The high levels of Vitamin C in amla increase collagen production; leading to better scalp and hair health. Amla also contains tannin, a biomolecule which guards against hair breakage. What’s more, research shows that amla oil is a powerful inhibitor of 5-alpha reductase. Finasteride, a commonly prescribed medication for treating male and female pattern baldness also works by inhibiting 5-alpha reductase. This makes amla particularly effective for those suffering from hormone induced hair loss issues.
The combination of amla and coconut oil is a particularly potent combination for hair growth. Our writers who tried out this pack reported a visible increase in both hair length and volume over a period of three months.
How to make it:
Ingredients: 1/4 cup coconut oil, 1 tablespoon of amla powder
Heat the coconut oil over gentle heat till it is lukewarm. Be careful not to overheat the oil. Add in the amla powder and mix well. Massage the mixture into your scalp and all over your hair with clean fingers. Don’t forget to apply it over the tips of your hair as well. You can leave this mask on for 45 minutes up to an hour. Rinse it off with lukewarm water, and shampoo and condition as usual.
Banana Smoothie Hair Mask For Thinning Hair
The banana smoothie hair mask smells as good as it sounds and is one of our favourites! This protein packed smoothie for your hair helps build strength and elasticity. The antioxidants in bananas help reduce oxidative stress. When used regularly, bananas can help strengthen the hair follicles over a period of time. This mask also contains eggs which are popularly regarded as a hair superfood. Egg yolk is rich in Vitamins A and E, folate and biotin, all of which have been linked to healthy hair and hair growth.
This protein rich mask is a great restorative tress rescue for plump, shiny strands. You’ll see results right after the first application and regular use can do wonders for your hair.
How to make it:
Ingredients: 1 ripe banana, 1 egg yolk, 1 tablespoon olive oil
Cut the banana into pieces. Add in the egg yolk and olive oil and puree everything in a blender. We highly recommend using a blender for this mask. Makes it easier to apply and rinse off, and you don’t have any unseemly bits hanging around in your hair later. Massage the blend well into your scalp. Coat it all over your hair and ends as well. Leave it on for 30 minutes and rinse off. Shampoo and condition as usual.
Pro Tip: If you’re worried about an eggy smell in your hair as an after-effect, we’ve got what you need. For your last rinse add two teaspoons of fresh squeezed lemon juice to a mug full of water. This will help your hair look good and smell great!
Aloe Vera & Castor Oil Hair Mask For Thinning Hair
If you’re looking to improve the health and texture of your hair, say ‘allo to aloe vera! This mask combines two powerhouse ingredients that are known to be great for the hair: aloe vera and castor oil. Aloe vera is rich in vitamins A, C and E all of which boost healthy hair growth. It also has folic acid and vitamin B 12 which boost hair growth and prevent breakage.
Castor oil, the other ingredient in this hair mask, has often been regarded as a miracle ingredient for hair. This is no surprise because it is packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fatty acids. Apart from nourishing the hair and scalp, it can also slow down premature greying and help with a flaky scalp. Regular use of castor oil can help your hair grow longer, thicker and stronger.
How to make it:
Ingredients: 3-4 heaped tablespoons of aloe vera gel, 1 tablespoon cold pressed castor oil, and 2 capsules of Vitamin E
Take 3-4 heaped tablespoons of aloe vera gel depending on the quantity you need for your scalp and hair. Blend the castor oil well into this. Break open the Vitamin E capsules and add the oil to this mix. Mix well. Massage the mixture into your scalp with clean fingers. Apply it all over your hair and tips as well. You can leave this on for 45 minutes to an hour before shampooing per usual.
Pro Tip: Grow your own aloe vera plant for anytime access to your own aloe vera gel! If that seems like too much of a hassle, aloe vera gel is also easily available in gel form. The Plum aloe vera gel is one of our all time faves.
Try out these fabulous DIY hair masks for thinning hair and share your experience with us in the comments below. Here’s to glorious, flowing tresses for all of us!