As the battle against hair loss continues, some TikTok users have taken to the platform to share their natural remedies in a quest to combat thinning hair. With hashtags like #HairGrowth amassing a staggering 14 billion views, influencers are unveiling the latest trends in natural hair growth solutions.
One such TikTok star, Zeph, began losing his hair in his early twenties. “At first, I didn’t really mind. Like, I embraced it. Like, it’s not a big deal,” said the now 27-year-old. “And as time went on, I realized that I haven’t taken off a hat for three years.”
Over the past 11 months, Zeph has been sharing his journey with natural remedies on social media. While he has tried a multitude of approaches, there is a limited scientific basis for many of these methods. “I cannot promise you that a natural remedy will grow hair,” cautioned Dr. Ronda Farah, a dermatologist at the University of Minnesota.
Nevertheless, one of Zeph’s posts is gaining widespread attention, focusing on the star ingredient—rosemary oil. “I used rosemary oil for the first two months of my hair growth journey and saw little baby hairs pop up. And it quickly turned into like, ‘Hey, try minoxidil,'” he explained.
Minoxidil, commonly known as Rogaine, is an FDA-approved medication that has yielded excellent results for Zeph. Despite this success, he continues to experiment with natural remedies for an extra boost, incorporating castor oil into the mix to provide hydration to his scalp. “Essential oils can damage and burn the scalp. So, I usually mix those two together,” noted Zeph.
Additionally, Zeph swears by microneedling, a technique that may aid in the absorption of other topical products he uses. However, it is essential to recognize that microneedling may exacerbate certain conditions, making it unsuitable for everyone.
While there is some evidence supporting the potential hair growth benefits of rosemary oil, Dr. Farah advises caution. “Whenever you pick something that contains rosemary in it, you’re also picking that vehicle. You’re picking that lotion—those things can be irritants to the scalp,” she warned.
Despite the skepticism surrounding these natural remedies, Zeph is content with his newfound TikTok fame and his revitalized hair. “I don’t think I’d ever get this much hair back. So even to see the minimalist amount of progression has been really cool for me,” Zeph expressed.
