Fed Up With Steroid Shots for Alopecia? How I Finally Found Natural Remedies That Stopped My Hair From Falling Out

 

If you’d told me five years ago I’d be researching how to rub onions on my scalp, I’d have laughed.

Back then, my dermatologist’s office was practically my second home. Every few weeks, I’d sit in that cold exam chair while someone jabbed my scalp dozens of times with a needle full of steroids.

Did it help? Sort of. Until it didn’t.

My hair would grow back for a while. Then—poof—another bald patch appeared like a cruel magic trick.

I was sick of it. Sick of the shots, sick of the side effects, and sick of feeling like my body was a ticking time bomb.

So I went rogue.

Why I Ditched the Needle (For a While)

Now, let me be super clear: I’m not anti-doctor. If steroids work for you—awesome.

But I wanted to know if there was anything else I could do to help my hair stay put.

Every dermatologist I saw kept saying, “There’s no cure. Stress less. Good luck.”

That wasn’t enough for me.

The Weird Natural Stuff I Actually Tried

I’m not going to pretend I turned into some crystal-waving hippie overnight. But I did dive into the research—and the anecdotal rabbit holes.

Here’s what surprisingly helped:

1. Anti-Inflammatory Diet

I stopped eating:

• Processed junk

• Seed oils

• Excess sugar

Instead, I leaned hard into:

• Salmon and sardines

• Berries

• Leafy greens

• Olive oil

I didn’t just do it for my hair. I felt better everywhere. My scalp flares were less red and angry. Coincidence? Maybe. But my hair loss slowed down noticeably when I stuck to it.

2. Scalp Massage with Essential Oils

Yes, I rolled my eyes too. But studies show rosemary oil can help with hair growth. I mixed:

• Rosemary oil

• Peppermint oil

• Jojoba oil as a carrier

Massaged it in a few times a week. At the very least, it felt soothing—and my hair seemed stronger over time.

3. Stress, Stress, Stress

Listen. I hate when people tell me, “Just relax!” as if stress alone causes alopecia.

But…my biggest shed-outs happened during huge life stressors. So I finally:

• Started therapy

• Learned breathing exercises

• Took walks without my phone

No, it didn’t magically cure my alopecia. But it cut down the episodes where I’d lose half an eyebrow overnight.

4. Vitamin D & Zinc

My labs showed I was low in vitamin D and zinc. I supplemented under medical guidance. Within a few months, my hair was filling in more than it ever had with steroid shots alone.

The Results

Am I cured? Nope.

Alopecia areata still pops in now and then like an unwelcome guest. But it’s smaller patches, and the regrowth comes faster.

And the best part? I feel in control.

I’m not just waiting for the next needle appointment. I’m taking action.

What I Wish Someone Had Told Me

• Steroids help—but they’re not the whole answer.

• Diet and inflammation might matter more than doctors admit.

• You don’t have to choose only meds or only natural stuff. You can do both.

• Don’t wait for your hair to fall out completely before seeking support.

If you’re sick of steroid shots and wondering if there’s anything else out there: yes, there might be.

Just remember—what worked for me might not work for you. Alopecia is a weird, deeply personal beast.

But you deserve to feel hope. And maybe even a little hair on your head again.