Nobody wants to deal with hair loss. But very few people are willing to do what it takes to reverse it. Back in the day, when I first noticed that my hair was thinning, I threw myself into research. I wanted to know exactly what was going on beneath the surface, and what I found was an entire system that needed tending to.

Hair loss is not a single thing you can address. It’s the result of a bunch of things happening internally that are all connected. That’s why hair growth requires a holistic approach. Here are eight things I did to reverse hair loss, without medications or invasive procedures.

We all know that sleep is important, but what I didn’t fully understand before was the link between sleep and hair growth. Stem cells, the cells responsible for growth, can’t function properly without adequate sleep. A lack of sleep can also cause stress levels to rise, which also negatively impacts hair growth.

Water-soluble vitamins — like biotin, B5, B6, and B12 — are essential for the health of our skin and hair. However, the body can’t absorb water-soluble vitamins without proper hydration.

Dehydration can also cause loss in elasticity and strength of skin. When that happens, it can lead to long-term damage in the follicles and hair shaft. Long story short, make sure you’re getting enough water in.

Intermittent fasting was also an integral part of my journey. Studies suggest that fasting reduces insulin levels and increases growth hormones, the hormones that communicate to your cells to grow.

I also started to focus more on what I was putting into my body. By upping the amount of nutrient-dense foods in my diet, and lowering the amount of heavily processed foods, I boosted my body’s natural ability to remove waste and heavy metals through the process of detoxification. Although the body’s perfectly capable of detoxifying itself without a detox diet, it doesn’t hurt to back it up with fruits and vegetables.

A nutritious diet can help you optimize your body’s ability to grow hair. And, it provides antioxidants that fight oxidative stress, yet another factor that can result in inflammation and miniaturized hair follicles.

Around the same time I started visiting my dermatologist, I also got myself a gym membership and a personal trainer. What does exercise have to do with hair growth? Exercise helps to increase blood flow, which literally nourishes your follicles with oxygen and other nutrients.

Fitness also helps to boost the lymphatic system, which is responsible for getting rid of toxins and metabolic waste.

At the same time I was addressing my health holistically, I knew I should be targeting my hair and scalp in a direct manner. That’s exactly what the MY Hair Repair System does. This system includes a shampoo, conditioner, and hair serum — each formulated with a proprietary blend of Ayurvedic herbs that promote the health of your skin and hair.

Next, I added supplements into my daily routine. Supplements don’t replace meals — they supplement what you’re already eating, which, hopefully, is a balanced diet. Even if you’re eating fruits and veggies on a daily basis, it’s still important to fill in the gaps, however. These days, soil depletion and other factors make our food less nutritious. Supplements, like our MY Growth Vitamins, help to give that added boost.

Remember that hair loss didn’t happen overnight, so the treatment process won’t happen overnight either. Don’t expect quick results. And when you do see results and overcome hair loss, keep on with your routine. Don’t fall back on your sleep, your hydration, your fitness, and so on. Instead, integrate your new regimen into your lifestyle and be proactive about the health of your hair and body.