When I was a freshman in high school, two very important things happened in my life. The first was that I was finally in high school and therefore one step closer to adulthood (whatever that was supposed to mean). The second was that I began to lose my hair. I’m not sure how it started — whether it was diet change, stress or lack of sleep —  but my hair dramatically thinned throughout my high school years into college. I tried everything from over-the-counter products to every home remedy you could think of to try and maintain the health of my hair. Through trial and error, I found a few solutions that worked and many that didn’t. Here is what I learned in my four-year journey of growing my hair back.  

Biotin (pill and shampoo form) 

The first regime I tried was the most popular home remedy for growing your hair back — taking biotin supplements or using shampoo and conditioner with biotin in it. To be completely honest, this method worked relatively well for me. Since using biotin, my hair has grown a lot within the past few years. Additionally, it has helped supplement my body with the vitamins and minerals it needs. However, while my hair grew in length, it did not grow in thickness. On top of not increasing my hair’s volume, it also took a very long time to see results. But, if you have the money and the time, give this method a try. 

Rosemary oil 

Rosemary oil is the latest TikTok craze for growing and thickening your hair — and for good reason too. Although any natural oil will be a bit pricier, rosemary oil made my hair much softer and healthier after just a few days of using it. With rosemary oil, a little goes a long way. Simply let it sit in your hair for a few minutes before showering and wash it out as normal. Make sure to use caution when lathering it through your locks, as it burns if it gets into your eyes. 

Coconut and lavender oil 

Another natural oil technique that I found very beneficial for my hair was putting a liquid blend of coconut and lavender oil in for about 20 to 30 minutes before showering. The mixture itself smells great and to make things even better, you can buy coconut oil in bulk for a decent price at your local grocery store. It improved the texture and volume of my hair dramatically. My only critique about this method is that it can get costly and quite messy because you go through a lot of coconut oil, which tends to leave a greasy residue behind. Be sure to account for that in your monthly budget. 

Rice water

This home remedy is my personal favorite. Rice water is cheap and customizable. To make the rice water, simply add a few cups of rinsed jasmine rice into water and let it soak until it becomes cloudy. Then, strain the rice and use the leftover water on your hair. Watch as your hair grows faster and achieves that enviable soft and healthy glow. Feel free to add whatever essential oils you want (lavender is my go-to). If you find yourself with extra, you can store it in the fridge to use throughout the month! I find this method very convenient for my everyday life as it’s affordable and you only need to leave it in your hair for 10 to 15 minutes. 

Collagen

The second TikTok craze on this list is collagen powder. Personally, this is not one of my favorite methods that I’ve tried, but your experience with it may be different based on your preferences. Collagen often comes in a powder form, which you can mix into your coffee or other drink of choice. It’s extremely convenient for all the coffee drinkers out there and can be easily incorporated into your morning routine. My only qualm with this technique is that collagen powder is definitely on the pricier side, but considering the amount you get within the product’s large packaging, I would say it’s worth the investment since it’ll last you a long time and hopefully keep your hair happy and healthy. 

Hopefully, this article inspires you to try out some of these home remedies to grow your hair and maintain its health. As a disclaimer, remember that if you do have a serious issue or condition related to your hair, you should consult with your doctor and not take this article as gospel! It’s always better to see a medical professional if your hair loss gets severe to be better able to pinpoint the root cause.