How to Address Hair Loss – Naturally
Hair loss, particularly androgenetic alopecia (AGA), affects a large proportion of men and women worldwide. As we have already addressed the signs and indicators of AGA, as well as the primary and secondary factors and triggers, in the article “Understanding Hair Loss: Why It Happens and What Type You May Have,” now is the time to understand how to mitigate or reduce the impact genetics can have on our hair.
While pharmaceutical treatments such as finasteride and minoxidil remain the gold standards (I have an entire separate article regarding medical interventions), growing scientific interest supports natural and biologically active ingredients that target the same underlying pathways—often with better tolerability and fewer reported side effects.
To address hair loss naturally, it is essential to understand what drives the condition and how specific ingredients interact with these mechanisms.
1. The Primary Factor: You Have to Address DHT
Why DHT Matters
The primary driver of androgenetic alopecia is dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is formed when the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase converts testosterone into the more potent androgen DHT. In genetically susceptible hair follicles, DHT:
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Shortens the anagen (growth) phase
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Causes follicular miniaturization
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Gradually leads to thinner, weaker hair and eventual follicle dormancy
Therefore, any effective natural hair-loss strategy must reduce DHT activity locally or systemically.
Saw Palmetto (Serenoa serrulata)
Primary benefit:
Reduces DHT by inhibiting 5-alpha-reductase
Saw palmetto is one of the most studied natural DHT modulators. Multiple clinical and comparative studies show that it can reduce DHT activity through enzyme inhibition—similar in concept (but milder) to finasteride.
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Systematic reviews and randomized trials demonstrate improvements in hair density and reduced shedding
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A two-year comparative study showed benefits in male AGA, albeit less potent than finasteride but with fewer side effects
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Recent randomized, placebo-controlled data confirm both oral and topical efficacy in reducing hair fall
Clinical data highlights its potential for long-term maintenance:
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Success rate: In studies of patients using 320 mg daily over a two-year period, 38% reported a visible increase in hair growth
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Prevention: Progression of hair loss was halted in 4 out of 5 patients (80%)
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Safety: Low risk profile, with some studies tracking safety for as long as five years
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Mechanism: Directly targets the primary cause of AGA (DHT)
Why it matters:
Saw palmetto directly targets the root hormonal cause of androgenetic hair loss, making it foundational in any natural approach.
Problem:
The market lacks standardized extracts, extraction methods, and harvesting practices. Most companies selling saw palmetto supplements do little to nothing because of poor sourcing knowledge. For example, we know that the fatty acids in saw palmetto deliver the effects, yet many products lack proper extraction and harvesting methods and therefore have little to no impact on hair loss.
Furthermore, saw palmetto has a short half-life of less than six hours. For optimal effects, make sure to expose the scalp to saw palmetto twice per day.
Pumpkin Seed Oil
Primary benefit:
Reduces DHT and supports hair thickness
Pumpkin seed oil contains phytosterols, which interfere with DHT formation and binding. Clinical and botanical studies demonstrate:
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Reduced DHT activity
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Increased hair count and thickness over time
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Supportive effects on scalp health and follicle nutrition
In a study of 75 men diagnosed with AGA, 400 mg per day resulted in a 40% increase in hair count compared to a 10% increase in the placebo group.
Why it matters:
Pumpkin seed oil complements saw palmetto by addressing DHT through a different biochemical pathway, making the combination particularly effective. Pumpkin seed oil has also been shown in some studies to significantly increase hair count over 24 weeks.
2. Secondary Factors: Supporting the Hair Follicle Environment
While DHT initiates hair loss, secondary biological stressors determine how fast follicles deteriorate and whether regrowth is possible. These include:
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Reduced blood flow
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Chronic inflammation
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Oxidative stress
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Stress-induced hormonal signaling
Addressing these factors improves follicle resilience and enhances the effectiveness of DHT-targeting strategies—especially when natural ingredients are not as potent as prescription medications.
Caffeine
Primary benefits:
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Stimulates hair follicle growth
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Counteracts testosterone-induced suppression
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Reduces stress signaling in follicles
Caffeine is one of the best-documented topical ingredients in hair research.
A clinical trial demonstrated non-inferiority to minoxidil in male AGA. In a study comparing 5% minoxidil with a 0.2% caffeine solution, minoxidil users showed a mean improvement in anagen ratio of 11.68%, while the caffeine group showed an improvement of 10.59%. This means the proportion of actively growing hairs increased almost equally over a six-month period.
An ex vivo study (using hair follicles from balding men diagnosed with AGA) showed that caffeine suppresses stress-induced CRH signaling in hair follicles. It also improves keratinocyte proliferation and prolongs the anagen phase.
Why it matters:
Caffeine acts as a follicle activator, stimulating growth while potentially protecting against hormonal and stress-related damage.
Azelaic Acid
Primary benefits:
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Mild DHT reduction
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Anti-inflammatory
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Improves scalp microbiome balance
Azelaic acid has demonstrated:
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Inhibition of 5-alpha-reductase in vitro
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Synergistic effects when combined with minoxidil and caffeine
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Anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties beneficial for scalp health
Cons:
At higher concentrations, it may lead to skin irritation, which is not ideal for hair regrowth. The best studies on azelaic acid are poorly designed. Interestingly, the study showing the strongest inhibition of 5-alpha-reductase (up to 90% inhibition of type I) was an ex vivo study using donated foreskins. Foreskins—yes, you read that correctly.
Needless to say, foreskin tissue has a low density of terminal hair follicles, and it is in hair follicles where we see the highest levels of type II 5-alpha-reductase. The skin examined in this study and a balding scalp are very different. Azelaic acid is probably not bad (aside from irritation risk), but the evidence is weak, and inhibition of type I 5-alpha-reductase is not as effective as inhibiting type II for hair loss.
Replacement:
Potassium azeloyl diglycinate—azelaic acid combined with glycerin—offers a more gentle, less irritating alternative. Although not studied specifically for hair loss, this is, in my opinion, a reasonable low-risk option.
Hint:
I have added potassium azeloyl diglycinate to the Active Anti Hair Loss Hair Serum as a non-harmful substitute for pure azelaic acid.
Why it matters:
It supports hormonal regulation and inflammation control and may be useful for sensitive or inflamed scalps.
Rosemary Oil (Rosmarinus officinalis)
Primary benefits:
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Potentially increases blood flow
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Comparable efficacy to minoxidil 2% in one study (2015)
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Antioxidative and anti-inflammatory
Clinical trials show rosemary oil may:
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Improve hair count similarly to minoxidil after six months
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Enhance scalp microcirculation
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Reduce oxidative stress around hair follicles
Worth noticing:
In the study comparing 2% topical minoxidil with a rosemary oil solution, both groups saw similar—but small—hair count increases that were not cosmetically noticeable. Rosemary oil was better tolerated, with fewer reported side effects.
Why it matters:
Blood flow is critical for delivering oxygen and nutrients. Rosemary oil may improve follicle metabolism without pharmaceutical vasodilation. If the goal is to keep the hair you have, rosemary oil is, in my opinion, a no-brainer in a natural formula.
Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) / Capilia Longa
Primary benefits:
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Potential to reduce inflammation
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Strong antioxidant activity
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May inhibit androgen receptor expression
Curcuma longa contains curcumin, which may:
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Reduce inflammatory cytokines
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Counteract oxidative stress
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Protect follicles from chronic micro-inflammation
Capilia Longa:
Capilia Longa is a type of Curcuma longa that is derived from the rhizome of the turmeric plant. The in vitro evidence shows that Capilia Longa can increase the proliferation of dermal papilla cells (specialized cells involved in hair follicle growth and cycling) and increase the production of IGF-1 (an important growth factor involved in hair follicle growth). Furthermore, Capilia Longa has been shown to increase the expression of specific markers known to induce hair follicle growth and decrease the expression of specific markers known to induce the resting/non-growing phases of the hair follicle cycle. The clinical evidence showed that after 150 days, participants showed up to an 89% reduction in hair loss, a 52% increase in hair density, and a 27% increase in the growing/non-growing ratio. However, we should wait for more studies and the study on capilia longa has only been published in a white paper/brochure and not in a journal.
Why it matters:
Chronic inflammation accelerates hair loss. Curcuma supports a healthier scalp environment essential for regrowth. The same appears true for the more bioavailable and advanced derivative Capilia Longa. The clinical evidence is highly promising, and the ingredient seems like a no-brainer even if it only produces a fraction of the results seen in the study in real life application.
Peppermint Oil / Menthol
Primary benefits:
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May increase scalp blood flow
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May activate growth signaling pathways
Peppermint oil and menthol may:
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Create vasodilation via sensory nerve activation
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Increase IGF-1 expression
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Improve follicle oxygenation
The truth:
The argument is often that the menthol content inside peppermint essential oil can act as a vasodilator and therefore there may be a therapeutic benefit to the usage of peppermint oil in regards to improving blood, oxygen, and nutrient levels to balding hair follicles. However we have only seen a small study on mice from 2014 in regards to the potential hair growth abilities of Peppermint Oil. Until further research, peppermint oil - with the potential to aid in hair growth, being very well tolerated, and with a great fresh scent - remains a useful ingredient, especially for fragrance and sensory stimulation.
Why it matters:
They act as natural circulation enhancers, similar in function (but not mechanism) to minoxidil—and they smell great.
Biotin & Niacinamide
Primary benefits:
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Supports keratin production
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Improves scalp barrier
Biotin (B7) and niacinamide (B3) play roles in hair shaft strength and scalp health.
Some truths:
There is a misconception that these vitamins will magically grow hair. The reality:
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Deficiency only: They work best in people who are clinically deficient
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Expensive urine effect: Most people already consume enough. Excess is simply excreted
No studies show increased hair count in non-deficient individuals.
Why it matters:
While not DHT blockers, they optimize hair quality and resilience. Their safety profile and benefits for deficient individuals still make them worthwhile additions to a hair-loss serum.
Conclusion: A Natural Strategy That Makes Biological Sense
Addressing hair loss naturally does not mean ignoring science. Effective natural strategies follow the same principles as pharmaceutical treatments:
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Reduce DHT: Saw Palmetto, Pumpkin Seed Oil, Azelaic Acid
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Stimulate follicles: Caffeine, Peppermint, Rosemary
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Improve blood flow: Rosemary, Menthol, Niacinamide
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Reduce inflammation & stress: Capilia Longa, Caffeine, Azelaic Acid
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Support hair structure: Biotin, Niacinamide
When combined intelligently and used consistently, these ingredients can slow progression, reduce shedding, and support regrowth—particularly in mild to moderate AGA.
If you want to try these ingredients in the right concentrations, sourced with the studies in mind and with a focus on bioavailability, we have a line of products ready for you.
See the Active Anti Hair Loss line.