How Surfers (or Anyone) Can Regrow Thinning Hair Naturally

Surfing brings so much joy, strength, and connection to nature—but for many of us, it also comes with a not-so-fun side effect: thinning, dry, and brittle hair. If you’ve started noticing more hair in your brush or your waves not looking quite as full, you’re not alone.

I’m a 42-year-old surfer with thick, wavy hair, and over the past year I experienced major hair loss and breakage. It crept up slowly—more shedding in the shower and a general feeling that my hair wasn’t bouncing back the way it used to.

At first, I thought it was just saltwater damage. But the deeper I looked, the more I realized: it probably wasn’t just the ocean. It could be everything—from hormone shifts to environmental exposure. 

Saltwater and sun can dehydrate the hair shaft, leaving strands brittle and prone to breakage. Add in hours of UV exposure and you’ve got a perfect storm. UV rays degrade proteins like keratin, weakening the hair from the inside out.

Hormonal changes can also play a major role. In our 40s (and often earlier), many women begin entering perimenopause—a natural phase where estrogen levels decline. Estrogen helps keep hair in the growth phase longer, so when it starts to drop, hair may become thinner, drier, and shed more easily.

Then there’s stress, lifestyle, and post-surf habits. Whether it’s emotional stress, a nutrient-poor diet, or harsh brushing after a long session, or simply letting your hair dry with all the salt in it- all of it adds up. As surfers, we live close to the elements—and our hair shows it.

I started looking for solutions that felt aligned with the way I live: simple, clean, and natural. After trying just coconut oil in my hair before surfing and a few mainstream treatments and not loving the ingredient lists, I turned to something I could make myself.

What changed everything for me was a simple blend of castor oil, rosemary essential oil, and lavender essential oil.

Castor oil is thick and sticky, but powerful. It’s rich in ricinoleic acid, which supports blood circulation to the scalp and deeply nourishes the hair follicle. I applied it twice a week at night, focusing on massaging my roots for a few minutes. You can wrap your hair or just use a pillow case you're ok getting oil on. I did the later and found it didn't really make as much of a mess as I thought it would. (I even used my silk pillow case).

Rosemary essential oil became the hero of my blend. There’s research showing it may be just as effective as minoxidil for hair growth—without the unwanted side effects. I added a few drops into the castor oil to help stimulate new growth and strengthen fragile strands.

Lavender essential oil was my final touch. Not just for the calming scent, but because it supports scalp health and reduces inflammation, creating the ideal environment for regrowth.

I used this trio as a night treatment twice a week. I also began applying a small amount before surfing to act as a barrier against saltwater. I also think it's been helpful wearing a hood almost every session. It keeps a lot of the water out and sometimes my hair wouldn't even be fully wet after. I'd like to thank the chilly waters of Santa Cruz for allowing me this opportunity.

One of the biggest shifts I made was applying oil before getting my hair wet. By saturating my hair with moisture and oil first, I was able to create a layer of protection that made a noticeable difference. My hair stopped breaking. It stopped thinning. It began to regrow. I noticed less hair in my brush, less broken pieces of hair on my clothes and my hair started to feel fuller.

If you’ve been struggling with thinning hair due to surfing, perimenopause, or just life, I hope this post gives you hope. You don’t need harsh chemicals or complicated routines to start restoring your hair’s health.

Nature knows how to heal—and so does your body, when given the right support.

If you're looking for a ready-made version of what helped me, I’ve created a pre-ocean hair balm that includes rosemary essential oil, nourishing plant butters, and a reef-safe formula designed to protect and restore hair from saltwater exposure. You can learn more about it here. It’s the blend I wish I had when my hair first started to change—and I’m so proud to share it now. The castor oil was so sticky and messy that I did a lot of research and testing to find other not so sticky oils that would do the same magic.

I'm still open to creating a version of my castor oil and essential oil mix for those not afraid of the mess. If there is enough interest I'll create an overnight hair mask for everyone. I used it about 3 nights per week and noticed my hair bouncing back after about 3 months. Let me know- I'll make it! Maybe I can figure out how to make it less messy for ya'll....hmmmm

Photo of me before my hair issues. My hair lost about 6 inches just by breaking. People asked if I cut my hair - I did not. But she's coming back!