Hair thinning is an unfortunate reality of life, and many of us may have experienced this annoying occurrence at some point. There are a number of reasons, from genetic to medical, that can cause hair thinning and may leave your hair looking less than its best. Fortunately, there are many ways to treat hair thinning, including DIY hair masks.
In this article, we will be giving you some of the best DIY hair mask recipes. You’ll also learn about the benefits of individual DIY ingredients so you can easily mix and match recipes on your own time, tailoring them to your exact hair needs.
What Causes Hair Thinning?
Hair thinning is characterized by hair loss that leaves the hair looking especially thin or fine in some areas or may leave your hair looking rather flat or dull. It can be caused by many reasons, ranging from genetic or hereditary issues, to overuse of chemical processes, extreme stress, or a poor diet.
If you suspect that there is a medical reason behind your hair thinning, you should make an appointment with your doctor to rule out any serious underlying issues.
Important DIY Ingredients for Thinning Hair
These ingredients are found in many different DIY hair mask recipes; understanding their individual benefits can help you mix and match recipes to craft something unique for you.
Aloe Vera
Known for its soothing properties, aloe vera gel can soothe scalps, reduce dandruff, and gently cleanse your hair. It is also anti-inflammatory and can improve the strength and shine of your hair over time.
Aloe vera is a great ingredient choice for anyone with an especially sensitive scalp or dry skin.
Egg
Rich in protein and essential vitamins, adding eggs into your hair masks can give your locks a boost of vitamins A and E, biotin, and folate. These are all important elements in encouraging hair growth, making your hair stronger, and increasing your hair’s tolerance to damage.
It is a good ingredient choice for someone who wants an intensive repairing hair mask.
Avocado
Full of natural oils and healthy fats, avocados can help moisturize your hair and nourish the scalp. They also provide a great source of biotin, which can encourage hair growth and hair strength, perfect for improving thinning hair.
Olive Oil
Olive oil is highly moisturizing and softening. It can help improve the strength of hair by preserving the hydration in the cuticle and can work to soften and smooth frizz, leaving your hair looking full and vibrant.
Lemon Juice
Besides lightening your hair, lemon juice can be used to add a little bit of shine and cleanse any extra oil or dandruff from your scalp.
It is typically used as an accompaniment ingredient in any DIY hair mask and should be used with a deeply hydrating ingredient to prevent any irritation from the acidity of the juice.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon contains the compound procyanidin, which can help to promote hair growth and prevent excessive hair loss. Some studies even suggest cinnamon can be as helpful as Rogaine, the popular hair growth product.
Cinnamon can also improve circulation in the scalp, leading to faster-growing hair and healthier locks overall. It can be a good spice to add to virtually any DIY hair mask recipe to help combat thinning hair.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is perfect for restoring balance to the hair and improving the shine of your locks. It also contains antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, which can help fight dandruff and leave your scalp healthy, encouraging new hair growth.
Much like with lemon juice, apple cider vinegar should be added to a DIY recipe with hydrating ingredients to prevent any irritation from the acidity of the vinegar.
Green Tea
Rich in antioxidants and a compound called epigallocatechin gallate, green tea has been shown in studies to help prevent hair loss and to support new hair growth. It can also improve nutrient delivery to your locks, making them stronger and healthier.
Regular green tea rinses, in addition to DIY hair masks made with green tea, are a great way to improve thinning hair.
Coconut Oil
Highly moisturizing, coconut oil can help prevent protein loss, improve the strength of hair, and repair everyday hair damage. This allows hair to stay hydrated and strong, combatting the appearance of thinning hair.
Yogurt
Full of protein, yogurt can help encourage hair growth. It also contains lactic acid, which can clear away dead and dry skin cells from your scalp, allowing new, healthier hair to grow in without issue.
Honey
Honey has many different properties, the most important of which are hydrating hair strands and promoting cell growth. It can also condition hair and add shine to it, improving the strength and appearance of thinning hair over time.
Bananas
Bananas contain an important mineral called silica, which can work to synthesize collagen in your hair and scalp, leading to stronger and thicker hair. They can also relieve dandruff thanks to their antimicrobial properties.
Essential Oils
Essential oils can be used in any DIY hair mask recipe in order to add scent or for their nourishment properties. Lavender and rosemary are especially helpful, as they are known to improve scalp circulation and encourage hair growth.
DIY Hair Mask Recipes for Thinning Hair
These DIY hair mask recipes are our favorites for encouraging strong hair, lots of volume, and hair growth.
1. Mask for Hair Growth
This mask works to encourage hair growth with the help of essential oils, green tea, and avocado.
- Take a small bowl and mix together 2 tablespoons of avocado and 2 tablespoons of honey.
- Slowly add in a quarter cup of cooled green tea and mix until thoroughly combined. Add in 5 to 10 drops of either lavender or rosemary essential oil (or both). You can also optionally add in 1 teaspoon of cinnamon.
- Mix all ingredients until they are thoroughly combined, and then apply the mask to your hair. Wait 20 to 30 minutes, and then wash off the mask with cool water.
2. Mask for Hair Thickening
This hair thickening mask can help strengthen your locks and improve their volume over time.
- In a small bowl, mix 3 tablespoons of banana with 2 tablespoons of coconut oil and half a tablespoon of lemon juice.
- Combine the ingredients thoroughly, and then add in between 5 and 10 drops of any of your favorite essential oils.
- Mix the essential oils in until the mask is uniform and then apply the mask to your hair. Wait 20 to 30 minutes, and then wash off the mask with cool water.
3. Mask for Hair Strength
Perfect for strengthening thinning hair, this mask relies on yogurt, honey, and apple cider vinegar.
- Take a small bowl and add in a quarter cup of yogurt, 2 tablespoons of honey, and 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar.
- Mix together, and then add in 5 to 10 drops of rosemary essential oil or half a tablespoon of cinnamon. Optionally, you could add both.
- Combine thoroughly and then apply to hair. After waiting 20 to 30 minutes, rinse the mask off with cool water.
4. Protein-Rich Mask
This protein-rich mask relies on eggs and avocado to improve the strength and growth of your hair.
- In a small bowl, crack one egg. Beat it lightly, and then add in 2 tablespoons of avocado and 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
- Mix all ingredients, and then add in a dash of cinnamon or 5 to 10 drops of lavender essential oil.
- Stir until completely uniform and then apply to hair. Wait 20 to 30 minutes, and then wash off the mask with cool water.
5. Mask for a Soothed Scalp
If you’re experiencing scalp irritation or redness in addition to thinning hair, this mask can help give you some relief.
- Take a small bowl and add 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel to it. Slowly mix in a quarter cup of cooled green tea and 1 tablespoon of honey.
- Combine all ingredients and then add in 5 to 10 drops of your favorite essential oil.
- Once the mixture is uniform, apply to hair, wait 20 to 30 minutes, and then rinse the mask off with cool water.
These masks can be made as-is, or you can mix and match ingredients based on what you want to achieve with your hair. And if you need more help understanding the best way to apply a hair mask, we recommend this video to learn more about it.
How Often Should You Use a Hair Mask?
You should try and use your hair mask at least once a week, but you can scale this up to 2 or 3 times a week if your hair is especially dry or damaged.
Try not to use it any more than this, however, as applying too many products to your hair may cause weakness or breakage, making your thinning hair worse.
How Should You Store a Hair Mask?
With any hair mask that is made with perishable ingredients, such as avocados and bananas, you should store it in an air-tight container and keep it in the refrigerator. Masks like this will hold up a day or two but will need to be discarded after that.
If your hair mask is made of completely shelf-stable ingredients, the best method of storing it is a mason or other glass jar. Keep the jar somewhere cool and dry, and the mask can last you several weeks or up to several months, depending on the specific ingredients.
Bringing Your Hair’s Volume Back
Thinning hair is no fun to deal with and can be a pain for those who live with it daily. Fortunately, DIY hair masks can help encourage hair growth and strength, gradually improving the look of your thinning hair over time.
As long as you first make sure to check in with a doctor about your thinning hair to rule out any underlying conditions, a regular DIY hair mask can be just the thing you need to help bring your hair’s volume back.