Revitalizing Hair Growth: A Personal Journey and DIY Shampoo Recipe

Your Guide to Revitalizing Hair Growth: A Personal Journey

In my mid-forties, I began to experience noticeable changes in my hair as my hormones shifted. My hair became dry and brittle, particularly around the temples, and I noticed it was not growing as quickly as it used to. The most distressing change was the hair loss; during a simple shampoo in the shower, I would often lose strands by the handful. This was particularly heartbreaking for me, as I had always dreamed of having long, thick hair.

Determined to find a solution, I immersed myself in research, trying numerous hair growth treatments and eventually crafting my own homemade hair growth tonic. To my delight, it worked wonders! My hair grew longer, thicker, and faster than I had ever imagined. This success lasted for a decade, but about a year ago, I faced another challenge: I lost a significant amount of weight. While this change was beneficial for my health—allowing me to stop all medications, walk at least 10,000 steps daily, engage in Pilates, and enjoy great mental and physical energy—it did take a toll on my hair. I experienced intense shedding, with hair falling out in clumps, especially at my temples and the front of my scalp.

As a natural redhead, losing my vibrant copper locks was difficult to accept. However, I was resolute in my quest to address this issue just as I had done 10 years prior. I dove back into research, experimented with various hair growth shampoos, and ultimately developed my own hair growth shampoo that truly delivers results.

The transformation has been incredible! My hair is now growing thicker, faster, and longer. I’ve noticed less breakage and minimal hair loss—just a few strands instead of clumps. My hair feels stronger, softer, and healthier overall, and the hair around my temples and forehead is coming back in full and strong. I couldn’t be more thrilled with the results!

Key Ingredients in My Hair Growth Shampoo

While this recipe includes several ingredients, don’t let that discourage you from trying it. It’s actually quite simple to make; you essentially mix everything together. If you lack some of the essential oils I use, that’s perfectly fine. You can always omit an oil or find a substitute essential oil that suits you. I’ve listed the purpose of each ingredient below, so you can decide what you may or may not want to include. Similarly, I use honey, coconut milk, and glycerin because they work well for my dry, curly hair. However, you can adjust based on your hair type; if your hair isn’t dry, you may not need all of these moisturizing ingredients.

Feel free to experiment with fewer ingredients and see how it goes for you. Make this recipe your own and enjoy the process!

Hemp Seed Oil: A true hero in hair care, hemp seed oil is rich in hydration, keeping your hair and scalp moisturized. It strengthens hair, preventing breakage, while promoting thicker and faster hair growth with its omega-3, -6, and -9 fatty acids.
Vitamin E Oil: Known for stimulating blood circulation in the scalp, Vitamin E oil protects hair follicles from oxidative damage, promoting overall hair health. It reduces dryness, frizz, and breakage while strengthening hair.
Lavender Essential Oil: Research suggests that lavender essential oil can increase the number of hair follicles, supporting faster hair growth and potentially aiding in regrowth.
Rosemary Essential Oil: A 2015 study showed that rosemary essential oil can significantly enhance hair growth, improving blood circulation and reducing hair loss.
Cedarwood Essential Oil: Similar to rosemary, cedarwood boosts blood circulation, ensuring nutrients reach hair follicles while also possessing antifungal and antibacterial properties.
Peppermint Essential Oil: A 2014 study found that peppermint essential oil promotes hair growth, thickness, and length by strengthening hair roots and enhancing blood flow to the scalp.
Carrot Seed Oil: This oil is known for its antifungal properties and ability to stimulate hair growth, while also adding shine and improving texture.
Natural Shampoo: Opt for a sulfate-free shampoo that gently cleanses without stripping away natural oils, preserving hair health.
Coconut Milk: Rich in nutrients, coconut milk nourishes the scalp and strengthens hair follicles, leading to healthier growth.
Aloe Vera Gel: This ingredient restores scalp pH balance, soothes irritation, and strengthens hair strands.
Raw Honey: Honey promotes healthy hair growth, strengthens strands, and adds moisture without stripping natural oils.
Vegetable Glycerin: Glycerin hydrates hair strands, creating an optimal environment for growth while enhancing shine.

Why I Avoid Castile Soap in My Hair Growth Shampoo

While Castile soap is popular in DIY shampoos, I find it less than ideal for hair care for several reasons:

High pH Levels: Soap is always alkaline, while healthy hair thrives in a slightly acidic pH. The high pH of Castile soap disrupts the scalp’s balance, potentially leading to dryness and irritation.
Over-Cleansing: Castile soap is too harsh, stripping away not only dirt but also the essential oils your scalp needs for health.
Not Safe for Color-Treated Hair: Using Castile soap can strip hair dye, causing color to fade faster.
Tangle Troubles: Castile soap can roughen the hair cuticle, leading to dryness and increased tangling.
Not Formulated for Hair: Unlike shampoos designed specifically for hair care, Castile soap lacks the nourishing ingredients necessary for healthy hair.

How to Prepare Hair Growth Shampoo

Step 1: In a glass bowl, thoroughly combine the oil-based ingredients to ensure even distribution of essential oils. Set this mixture aside.

1/2 teaspoon hemp seed oil
1/4 teaspoon vitamin E oil
5 drops lavender essential oil
5 drops rosemary essential oil
5 drops cedarwood essential oil
5 drops peppermint essential oil
5 drops carrot seed oil

Step 2: In a separate bowl or measuring cup, combine:

1/2 cup natural shampoo
1 tablespoon canned full-fat coconut milk
1 teaspoon aloe vera gel
1 teaspoon raw honey
1/2 teaspoon vegetable glycerin

Step 3: Gently pour the second mixture into the first and stir until you reach a smooth consistency.

Step 4: Since this shampoo contains water-based ingredients, it has a shelf life of about one week at room temperature. To extend its life, pour it into ice cube trays and freeze. This preserves it for up to three months, ensuring you always have some on hand.

Yield: This recipe makes about 10 tablespoons of shampoo, typically enough for 5-10 washes, depending on your hair type.

Application Instructions

Wet your hair thoroughly.
For short or thin hair, use about 1 tablespoon of shampoo; for thick or long hair, use up to 2 tablespoons.
Gently massage the shampoo into your scalp, then work it through your hair from roots to ends.
Leave the shampoo on for about 3 minutes to allow nutrients to absorb.
Rinse thoroughly with cool or cold water to close the hair cuticle.
Follow up with a conditioner or an apple cider vinegar rinse if your hair is oily.

Tips for Best Results:

Shampoo only 1-2 times a week to prevent dryness and breakage.
If storing in the freezer, simply thaw 1-2 cubes before use.
Be patient during the transition to natural shampoo; your hair may feel different initially.

For maximum hair growth, consider pairing your shampoo with additional homemade treatments like a Mermaid Hair Growth Spray, hair detangler spray, dry shampoo, or a hot oil treatment. These can enhance the effects of your shampoo and promote healthier hair.

Where to Find Ingredients

You can find the ingredients mentioned above on Amazon or at local stores. Here are some recommendations:

Hemp seed oil: I recommend cold-pressed, organic, unrefined options.
Vitamin E oil, lavender essential oil, peppermint essential oil, rosemary essential oil, cedarwood essential oil, carrot seed oil.
Natural shampoo: Look for sulfate-free options that cleanse gently.
Canned full-fat coconut milk, aloe vera gel, raw honey, vegetable glycerin.
Scalp massager/shampoo brush and ice cube trays.

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Disclaimer: The products and information mentioned are not evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult a medical professional for advice regarding your health.