It’s only natural that you’ll want to find ways to grow healthier, thicker hair if you feel self-conscious or embarrassed by hair loss. Thousand Oaks-based Dr. Peterson Pierre, a board-certified dermatologist, knows that thinning hair and patchy areas on the scalp can cause many people to feel worried, which is why he offers education on possible causes—and solutions.

Hair loss refers to a condition clinically known as alopecia, which refers to a loss of hair from part of the scalp or elsewhere on the body. Most men will experience the effects of male pattern baldness at some point in their lifetime. Some hair shedding is normal—in fact, it’s typical to shed between 50 to 100 hairs per day—but if you’re losing significantly more hair than that or believe your hair growth is severely stunted, it’s possible that you may be experiencing problematic hair loss.

Some of the most common signs of hair loss include gradual thinning of the hair on the top of the head, circular or patchy bald spots, a sudden loosening of the hair that causes handfuls of hair to fall out, a receding hairline that becomes more noticeable each year, a widening part, and a thinner ponytail. 

You may also notice that it takes longer for your hair to grow.

This condition isn’t usually something you’ll wake up with one day out of the blue. Instead, it tends to develop gradually. Sometimes signs of hair loss can be subtle, so it may take months or years before people realize that they have a problem. Unfortunately, the longer you wait to treat hair loss, the more difficult it may be to preserve a large part of your hair when you get older

It’s worth noting that we are born with a set number of hair follicles—80,000 to 120,000—and we can’t create new hair follicles or hair strands beyond what we have naturally from the start. There also isn’t any direct way to make hair grow faster overnight. There are, however, ways to stimulate hair follicles to support hair growth. To encourage growth, you need to create optimal conditions by maintaining healthy scalp and hair care habits. Continue reading for some of the best ways to grow fuller hair, as recommended by Dr. Pierre:

1. Take Vitamins and Nutrients

If you’re getting too few calories and nutrients, the lack could be affecting hair growth. What you put into your body will affect the strength of your hair, so you need to eat the right diet. The best way of getting the nutrients you need is from your regular meals, but there are some supplements that can also be beneficial, especially for people who have deficiencies. Studies suggest that omega-3, zinc, biotin (vitamin B7), vitamin C, iron, and vitamin D can help hair growth. You need to eat a diet that’s high in protein from meat and other sources.

2. Try Caffeine-Infused Products

Caffeine is great for more than just giving you an energy boost. It also stimulates hair growth. Caffeine products stimulate blood flow to the scalp, allowing it to get the oxygen and nutrients it needs to stay healthy. 

3. Get a Scalp Massage

There are studies that suggest that in addition to promoting relaxation and providing relief from stress, a scalp massage can also promote healthier hair. Massaging the scalp may help to dilate the blood vessels beneath the skin, encouraging nourishing blood flow.

4. Try KeraLase™ Treatments

KeraLase™ is a highly effective treatment that involves the use of a topical serum that contains five bio-identical growth factors and two skin proteins to promote hair growth. This serum is combined with a laser therapy for optimized results. 

5. Don’t Over-Shampoo Your Hair 

Cleansing your hair strips it of its natural oils, so you should try to avoid over-shampooing your hair. When it’s overused, shampoo can damage the hair. 

If you want to learn more about how to reduce hair loss, contact Thousand Oaks’ Pierre Skin Care Institute so that they can help you find ways to restore thicker, healthier hair. Call them at 805-496-9190 or submit a contact form online to request a consultation.