Although you can’t change your genes, there are things you can do to protect your hair and stimulate hair growth. See results within months with these easy tips from Ravi Bhanot, Author of Hair Today, Hair Tomorrow book.

Weekly steps to protect your hair 

Use natural hair care products.

Natural hair care products are always on the list of natural remedies for hair growth. Even if it costs more and are not easy to find in shops, it is recommended to use natural hair growth products. If you want the natural hair mask or conditioner to be more effective, you can add a tablespoon of olive oil every time you apply it to your hair.

A good shampoo needs to be:

• Able to form lather
• Not to be too concentrated to avoid waste
• The pH of the shampoo needs to be between 4.5 and 5.5 needs to be free of harsh chemicals such as Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (or relative of) base shampoo
• Natural based
• Biodegradable
• Not tested on animals

Switch your part. Hair tends to lie flatter against the scalp when brushed repeatedly in the same direction; if you typically part your hair on the right, flip it to the left. It will stand away from your scalp and look more voluminous.

Get a volumizing cut. Shorter cuts are kinder to thinning hair. Ask your hairstylist for interior layers, which are placed throughout your cut, to add fullness.

Colour strategically.  Well-placed highlights hide thinning by making your hair colour more similar to the colour of your scalp. The dye also expands the hair shaft slightly so it appears thicker.

Do not wash your hair too often. Avoid washing your hair twice or three times a week. It dries your hair and will remove natural oils that protect the scalp and stimulate hair growth. It is advisable to wash your hair every four days.

• Hair needs a balance between sebum, protein, moisture and acid balance.

Cut your hair when the moon is rising. The moon influences tides, but also hair growth. If you want your hair to regenerate and grow faster, trim your hair in the week featuring a rising moon.

Massage your scalp. A good scalp massage stimulates blood circulation and helps nutrients get more easily into hair follicles. Every day, massage your scalp for five minutes with the tip of your fingers. Once a week use olive or coconut oil – they are very rich in nutrients that nourish the hair. Alternatively, you can use Coolherbals Vata Hair Oil, Pitta Hair Oil or Kapha Hair Oil.

Now let’s talk diet 

The body needs the right food. The foods have to be broken down more efficiently, the body needs to be in a healthy state and the condition of the scalp and hair has to be improved. It is then that the body would function in combination with all its parts to work efficiently to keep the hair that we have.

DIET DOS: If you’re vegetarian, vegan, fasting or anaemic, you may lack adequate iron, which is essential for strong, healthy hair. Make sure this summer you’re eating plenty of leafy greens—such as spinach, kale, and chard—and beans, tofu, or lean cuts of red meat, which are all great sources of iron as well as taking biotin and zinc, two nutrients that may also play a role in hair growth.

Increase the beta-carotene intake. Beta-carotene is a precursor of vitamin A, more precisely the body turns beta-carotene into vitamin A. It is an essential element for hair growth, having beneficial properties in the health of your nail and skin. You can find it in orange and red vegetables and fruits, like carrots, peaches, apricots.

Eat soy. A low-protein diet can be blamed for thinning or slow growth of hair. Adopt a soy-rich diet and things will change radically. Tofu is a good source of soy.

Remember: make sure you have a healthy diet!

On the list of natural remedies for hair growth, there is healthy food. If you want your hair to look good and grow faster, it’s important to eat foods rich in vitamins, fibre and protein. Consume fresh eggs, fresh fruits, vegetables and fish. It is important to give up junk-food snacks.