If you’ve suffered from trichotillomania, a “hair-pulling” disorder, there’s no need to feel shame. You’re not alone! There’s hope for you to replenish the hair you’ve lost. In this article, I’ll show you the best hair growth products for trichotillomania.
What is Trichotillomania?
Trichotillomania is a type of obsessive-compulsive disorder characterized by the repetitive urge to pull out one’s hair.
The hair may be pulled from the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, or other body areas. And these hair-pulling urges usually lead to patchy bald spots.
Trichotillomania is a common condition that usually begins in the preteens (around 10-13 years) and adults over 40 years old.
While the exact cause of trichotillomania is unknown, it is thought to be related to anxiety or stress. The act of pulling out hair can provide temporary relief from these feelings.
Best Hair Growth Products For Trichotillomania
A few treatment options are effective in some cases. These include behavioral therapy, medication, and self-help groups.
Naturally, once the urge to pull out has been addressed, you will regrow the hair on those bald patches. But if it’s taking too long, there are a lot of hair growth products for trichotillomania that can help.
Best Topical Hair Growth Products For Trichotillomania
Thanks to science, there are topical hair growth products for trichotillomania today that are specifically designed to treat bald spots caused by trichotillomania.
Minoxidil
One product that has shown promise is minoxidil or Rogaine. Rogaine is a topical solution that is applied to the scalp. It works by increasing blood flow to the hair follicles, which can promote hair growth.
Minoxidil is available OTC and is one of the limited FDA-approved medications for hair loss. The only issue with it is minoxidil sometimes causes adverse side effects, including initial hair loss and dermatitis. I suggest you talk to your healthcare provider or dermatologist before trying it out.
Hair Growth Oils
If you want to try to grow hair the natural way, there are a lot of essential oils that have been proven effective in treating hair loss as well. And there are hair growth products for trichotillomania available today with different oil mixes to maximize your results.
Here are the best ingredients to look out for:
Carrier Oils
Coconut oil is a popular choice for hair care due to its many benefits. It is an excellent conditioner and can help to improve the appearance of your hair, making it shinier and softer. It’s also rich in nutrients and fatty acids needed to regrow hair.
One of the best benefits of coconut oil is its effectiveness at penetrating the scalp and hair. This makes it a versatile carrier oil that can be used with other oils and ingredients to create custom hair treatments.
There are a variety of carrier oils available on the market, aside from coconut oil. Oils such as olive oil and grapeseed oil are rich in antioxidants. Jojoba oil is also a popular choice, as it closely resembles the natural sebum produced by the skin.
Evening primrose oil, another often overlooked oil, is high in omega-6 fatty acids and has anti-inflammatory properties. Another option is argan oil, which is rich in vitamin E and helps to protect the skin from free radical damage.
Hair Stimulating Oils
While there are several natural hair growth products for trichotillomania, rosemary, peppermint, and eucalyptus oil are some of the most effective for stimulating hair growth.
Like minoxidil, rosemary oil helps to encourage blood flow to the scalp. Both help improve circulation and increase oxygenation to the scalp. This, in turn, provides nourishment to the hair follicles and helps to promote healthy hair growth.
Peppermint oil and eucalyptus oil, meanwhile, have a cooling effect that can help to soothe the scalp and reduce inflammation. This property is very beneficial to people suffering from trichotillomania as well.
When choosing essential oils, it’s important to consider your unique needs and objectives. However, don’t be afraid to experiment with different oils to see what works best for you. There are a wide variety of options available, so you’re sure to find one that suits your needs!
Shampoos for People Suffering Trichotillomania
While shampooing your hair won’t magically make it grow faster, it can still help to promote healthy hair growth. The shampoo helps to remove dirt, oil, and other build-ups from the scalp, which can clog pores and prevent hair follicles from receiving the nutrients they need to grow.
In addition, today, shampoos usually contain ingredients like caffeine and minoxidil, which have been proven to promote hair growth. So while shampoo won’t give you Rapunzel-like locks overnight, it can help to give your hair a boost and promote healthy growth.
Best Hair Growth Supplements For Trichotillomania
There’s no magic pill for hair growth, but you can give your locks a boost by eating a healthy diet and taking supplements known to promote hair growth. So if you’re looking for ways to make your hair grow faster, below are some of the best supplement ingredients to look out for.
DHT Fighting Hair Growth Products for Trichotillomania
DHT is a hormone that’s responsible for hair loss in both men and women. While there are many products on the market that claim to fight DHT, not all of them are effective.
However, there are a few key ingredients that are effective in fighting DHT and promoting hair growth.
Saw palmetto is one of the most popular DHT-blocking ingredients. This natural herb has been shown to block DHT and promote hair growth.
Another ingredient that’s commonly used in hair loss products is green tea. Green tea contains antioxidants that can help to protect the scalp and hair follicles from damage.
Finally, pumpkin seed extract is another ingredient often found in hair growth products for trichotillomania. It also contains compounds that can help to block DHT and promote healthy hair growth. If you’re concerned about hair loss, look for products that contain these three key ingredients.
Amino Acids
Another hair growth supplement ingredient you should look for is amino acids. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, and they play a vital role in the structure of hair follicles.
Collagen and keratin, for example, are two types of proteins that give hair strength and durability. By supplementing with amino acids, you can ensure that your body has the raw materials it needs to produce these proteins.
Vitamins
Aside from trichotillomania, a lack of certain vitamins and minerals in the diet can also lead to thinning hair and even hair loss. Vitamins A, C, and E are essential nutrients for healthy hair growth, and deficiencies in any of these vitamins can result in lackluster locks.
Vitamin A helps to produce sebum, which keeps the scalp moisturized and promotes hair growth. Vitamin C is necessary for the production of collagen, which helps to keep the hair follicles strong.
Vitamin B is an essential nutrient that helps the body to convert food into energy. It also plays a role in the health of the skin, hair, and nails.
While our bodies need only small amounts of vitamin B, a deficiency is highly associated with hair loss and OCDs like trichotillomania. That’s why supplements containing Vitamin B, like biotin, can benefit hair health.
Together, these vitamins work synergistically to promote healthy hair growth. There are a lot of vitamins that should be included in your hair growth supplement. Nutrafol for women and men, Folexin, and New Nordic Hair Volume are some of the best supplements that we’ve reviewed. Each of them contains different ingredients and formulas for hair growth.
Low-Level Laser (Light) Hair Growth Products for Trichotillomania
Last but not least is laser light therapy, also known as LLLT. This hair loss treatment uses low-level lasers or LED lights to stimulate hair growth.
LLLT helps promote cell proliferation and increase blood flow to the scalp. This, in turn, can help to improve the health of the hair follicles and encourage new hair growth.
While there are limited studies that support the use of LLLT for hair loss, many people have found success with this treatment. And while more expensive than regular supplements, there are more affordable and easy-to-use LLLT devices you can get today.
There are laser helmets like the IRestore for full coverage and laser caps for people who want lighter headwear. Additionally, for people on the go, laser headbands and laser combs are also available.
Hope For Trichotillomania Survivors
Surviving trichotillomania is a matter of not only having a positive self-image but feeling at ease—your inner and outer self-work synergistically to produce feelings of wellness and harmony. By dealing with your hair loss and finding a natural way to regrow your hair, you’ll be on your way to having a healthy outlook on life.
