MDhair
Are you puzzled by the multitude of hair treatment ingredients? Here's a comprehensive list of the best natural botanicals, vitamins, and minerals used in hair regrowth treatment. These compounds can be used in topical serums, treatment shampoos, treatment conditioners, and taken orally in supplements.
A
Apigenin: An antioxidant found in many fruits and vegetables such as parsley, onions, oranges, and chamomile. Research has shown that apigenin can help reduce hair loss by more than 50%.
Aloe Vera: The perfect scalp and hair moisturizer, while keeping the scalp well hydrated, nutrients can penetrate the hair follicle, helping hair grow faster and more efficiently.
Apple Stem Cell Fruit Culture Extract: A stimulating blend of stem cells that promote healthy hair growth and reduce frizz. Especially helpful in eyelash serums - extending the eyelash growth phase (anagen).
Argan Oil: Derived from the fruit of the Morrocan Argan tree, it is regarded as one of the best natural hair moisturizers. Argan oil's antimicrobial and antibacterial properties can also improve scalp health and prevent fungal scalp infections.
Avocado Oil (Persea Gratissima): Minerals in avocado oil help seal the cuticle, preventing future breakage. Avocados contain biotin, which has a significant role in the growth of healthy, thick, and long hair.
B
Biotin: An essential hair nutrient that supports healthy and thicker-looking hair. Also known as vitamin B7, it stimulates keratin production in hair and can increase follicle regrowth rate. One study has shown that biotin deficiency resulted in patchy alopecia, brittle nails, and hair loss.
Baobab Oil (Adansonia Digitata): Packed with Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin A, D, and E, it provides the micronutrients essential for hair regrowth. Helps hydrate the scalp and the hair.
Bearberry Leaf Powder (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi): Naturally moisturizes the scalp, helps to strengthen roots, and makes your hair stronger.
Black Castor Oil (Ricinus communis): Increases blood flow to the scalp, supplying valuable nutrients to hair follicles. Helps prevent hair breakage, dandruff, eczema, and dry, itchy scalp.
Black Cumin Seed Oil (Nigella sativa): Rich with β-sitosterol, a potent natural DHT blocker. A 2017 study using a topical product based on Black Cumin Seed Oil showed a reduction of hair shedding of up to 76%.
Broccoli: Rich in antioxidants that reduce free radical damage to the scalp. B vitamins in broccoli extract help reduce stress, a factor that can contribute to hair loss.
Buchu Leaf Powder (Agathosma betulina): Anti-microbial factors help balance the scalp's microflora, reducing inflammation, dandruff, and itching. Native to South Africa.
Burdock Root Extract (Arctium Lappa): Contains a high amount of vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), which increases blood flow to the hair follicles and boosts keratin production. This results in a boost in natural hair growth, and a reduction in hair shedding.
C
Caffeine: Caffeine boosts cellular proliferation, counteracts the inhibitory effects of testosterone on hair growth, and extends the duration of the hair growth phase (anagen).
Calcium: Helps reduce hair breakage and keeps the scalp from getting too dry. Also great for nail health, helping to prevent nails from getting brittle.
Centella Asiatica Extract (Gotu kola): A potent antioxidant that helps improve scalp health. Also, a rich source of amino acids, which are building blocks for new, healthier hair.
Cat's Claw Bark (Uncaria tomentosa): Native to South America, it is used to boost the immune system, reduce inflammation, and help reduce stress and sleep disturbances.
Cayenne Pepper Extract (Capsicum frutescens): In one study, 88% of people that took oral capsaicin observed hair regrowth. In another study, applying a topical serum similar in structure to capsaicin stimulated hair regrowth in 50% of users.
Coconut Oil (Cocos Nucifera): Rich in vitamins and fatty acids that nourish the scalp and penetrate the hair's cuticle, making your hair stronger, shinier, and healthier looking.
Curcumin extract (Curcuma Longa): Counters the overproduction of a hormone known as DHT (dihydrotestosterone), promoting regrowth of natural, new hair.
Castor oil: Rich in omega essential fatty acids, including the very rare ricinoleic fatty acid, it's one of the best active organic ingredients for hair regrowth.
D
Danggui root extract (Angelica Sinensis) - Herb used in Chinese medicine to enrich blood and promote blood circulation.
G
Ginger extract: Popular hair growth treatment in Ayurvedic medicine. Ginseng contains natural phytoestrogens that can inhibit DHT formation, a major cause of androgenetic hair loss.
Ginkgo biloba: Helps stimulate hair growth by increasing blood circulation throughout the scalp.
Green tea: Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) stimulates human hair growth via its proliferative effect on the hair follicle. It also blocks the activity of 5α-reductase activity, which converts testosterone to DHT.
H
He Shou Wu (AKA Fo-Ti, AKA Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract): A natural herb used in Chinese medicine for general health, and is believed to stimulate natural hair regrowth and preserve natural hair color.
Hyaluronic Acid: A major building block for the scalp skin. Absorbs 1000x its weight in water, keeping hair, skin, nails, and cartilages well hydrated, elastic, and strong. Improves dry, brittle, or damaged lashes.
Hydrolyzed Marine Collagen: Provides collagen Type I and III, which are the best available building blocks for new collagen production in hair, skin, and nails.
Hydrolyzed Rice Proteins: Shown to significantly increase total hair volume by up to 32%. It also adds natural shine and highlights to the hair.
Hydrolyzed Quinoa Proteins: Helps with moisture retention, reducing dandruff. It helps repair damaged hair, restores hair health, and promotes new growth.
Hydrolyzed Wheat, Oats, and Hops Proteins: Reduce hair's porosity, making hair healthier, shinier, and easier to style.
I
Iodine: Needed to produce thyroid hormones that help regulate hair growth and other vital functions. A lack of iodine can cause hypothyroidism and excessive hair loss.
Iron: Iron deficiency is a common cause of telogen effluvium and can contribute to female pattern hair loss. It lowers the level of hemoglobin in the blood, which may reduce the amount of oxygen available to cells that cause hair growth.
K
Keratin: A natural protein that fills the gaps in your hair shafts, boosting the strength of your hair, and reducing the risk of breakage and split ends.
L
Lavender Oil: A 2016 study found that lavender oil applied to mice made them grow more hair. Their hair also grew thicker and faster than normal.
M
Magnesium: The right amounts are required for a healthy scalp and regrowth of healthier, thicker, new hair.
Maitake Mushrooms: Contain beta-glucans that stimulate cellular growth and tissue repair. Also mediates the inflammatory processes, essential for new hair regrowth. Beta-glucans have natural hair-coating properties comparable to the properties of hair care silicones.
Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17: The most important ingredient in modern eyelash regrowth serums. A chain of amino acids proven to stimulate the hair follicles to produce more keratin and help promote the regrowth of longer, thicker eyelashes.
N
Niacin (Niacinamide): Enhances blood circulation to the scalp, helping to grow healthier and thicker hair faster.
P
Panax Ginseng Root: Has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties essential for healthy hair regrowth. A few studies showed that Panax Ginseng Root helped promote hair follicle cell proliferation.
Panthenol (Vitamin B5): Penetrates to the roots of the hair, giving your hair an extra boost of B vitamin, which helps thicken your hair and promote natural hair growth.
Peptides and Amino Acids: Shown to help with hair regrowth. When applied to the scalp, they help replenish necessary building blocks directly to the hair follicles. Oral l-cysteine combined with histidine, copper, and zinc improved mean change in total hair count after 50 weeks in 24 people with androgenetic hair loss.
Peppermint: A natural antimicrobial helpful in controlling dandruff and promoting hair growth by improving scalp health and stimulating scalp blood flow.
Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract (Fo-ti): Promotes hair growth by inducing and prolonging the hair's growth phase (anagen). Used for centuries in Chinese medicine to slow down hair graying, it is shown to increase blood supply in the scalp and stimulate melanin production in the hair follicles.
Probiotic Lactobacillus Ferment: Facilitates the production of antioxidants while strengthening the scalp's immunity and bacterial (biome) balance.
Pterocarpus Marsupium Bark: Extracted from the Indian Kino Tree, reduces the glycation (aging) for the hair follicles, supporting regrowth for healthier, longer eyelashes.
Pumpkin Seed Oil: A DHT blocker packed with zinc, selenium, copper, magnesium, iron, calcium, and vitamins A and B. Supports the natural regrowth of healthier, thicker hair.
Pygeum Bark Extract: Rich in phytosterols, it blocks DHT's effects on hair follicles to enhance hair growth in women and men with genetic androgenetic hair loss.
R
Reishi Mushrooms: Known as potent adaptogens, immunomodulatory, and inhibitors of 5α-reductase, these mushroom extracts support healthy scalp and regrowth of new hair.
Rosemary Leaf Oil: Rosemary leaf oil is a natural plant extract that stimulates hair regrowth and promotes a healthy scalp and thicker hair. Improving blood circulation and improving vascularity helps the regeneration of follicles, a similar effect shown by minoxidil.
S
Saw Palmetto: Supports healthy hair regrowth by preventing the conversion of testosterone into DHT and reducing the effect of DHT on hair follicles.
Selenium: Plays a crucial role in preventing oxidative damage to hair follicle morphogenesis. Selenium also plays a vital role in protein synthesis in the body and helps promote hair elasticity to prevent breakage. A study on people that took selenium showed an increase in hair growth.
Silk Peptides: Protects the hair from moisture loss and conditions to provide a smooth, silky feel.
Stinging Nettle: The Urtica dioica plant was known for centuries by Native American and European cultures as a hair loss treatment. Stinging nettle leaves contain potent anti-inflammatory quercetin. Topical and oral use of stinging nettle can benefit most kinds of hair, improving scalp health and helping natural hair regrowth.
T
Tea Tree Oil: Anti-fungal and antibacterial effects help unclog your scalp pores and reduce the scalp's inflammation, redness, itchiness, and dandruff.
Tomato Fruit Powder: Contains lycopene that plays a significant role in improving blood flow and helping cell restoration in the scalp.
V
Vitamin A: Having the right amount of vitamin A is essential for healthy hair regrowth. Vitamin A deficiency results in severe skin dryness, and can cause sudden hair loss (telogen effluvium) and hair fragility.
Vitamin B Family: The vitamin B complex contains eight different vitamins. Deficiencies of Riboflavin (B2), biotin (B7), folate, and vitamin B12 have been associated with hair loss. Folate and vitamin B12 have an essential role in hair follicle metabolism.
Vitamin B5 (Panthenol): Penetrates the hair's roots, giving your hair an extra boost of B vitamin, which helps thicken your hair and promote natural hair growth.
Vitamin B6: This anti-stress vitamin helps stop hair loss by reducing stress, anxiety, and improving sleep.
Vitamin B7 (Biotin): An essential hair nutrient that supports healthy and thicker-looking hair. Also known as vitamin B7, it stimulates keratin production in hair and can increase follicle regrowth rate. One study has shown that biotin deficiency resulted in patchy alopecia and brittle nails. Hair loss has been shown to resolve with oral supplementation of biotin.
Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid) and Vitamin B12: Help promote red blood cell circulation, supporting hair follicle health to produce healthy hair. Deficiencies in these two vitamins have been linked to hair loss. Folic acid (or folate) also helps with the keratinization of hair, meaning it helps hair follicles produce keratin for strong hair.
Vitamin C: Essential for producing new collagen in your hair, skin, nails, bones, and joints. Vitamin C also helps your body absorb iron, a mineral necessary for hair growth, and acts as an antioxidant protecting the scalp from external damage.
Vitamin D: Low vitamin D levels have been linked to multiple forms of hair loss, including androgenetic alopecia. Correcting the deficiency may lead to renewed hair growth.
Vitamin E: Poor scalp health is linked to low hair quality. Vitamin E gives your hair a stronger base to grow from by reducing oxidative stress and preserving the protective lipid layer. As a potent antioxidant, it helps reduce free radical damage to the scalp and hair follicles.
Vitamin K2: Vitamin K2 stimulates blood flow to the scalp, bringing much-needed oxygen and nutrients to the area to promote healthy hair growth. It is also an antioxidant that helps protect the hair follicles from free radical damage.
Z
Zinc: An essential mineral for hair and skin health. Reducing the effect of 5 alpha-reductase blocks the effects of DHT on the hair follicle and helps with androgenetic hair loss, postpartum hair loss, and telogen effluvium. Taking Vitamin B6 with zinc potentiated the inhibitory effect of zinc on 5-alpha-reductase.
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