You may be wondering if there is anything you can do to speed up the growth of your hair. Are there any products that can help? Can dietary changes hasten growth? And what about drugs or treatments?
In this article, we'll try to answer some of those questions. We'll also look at what can affect hair growth and what steps you can take to improve your hair's growth.
What is the process of hair growth?
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, you are born with all of your hair follicles — approximately 5 million to be exact (AAD).
Around 100,000 of those follicles are on your scalp. When it comes to hair loss, the AAD states that losing 50 to 100 hairs per day is completely normal.
Hair grows from the bottom of a follicle under your skin, from a root. The blood in your scalp travels to the follicle and delivers oxygen and nutrients to the hair root, promoting hair growth.
As you grow, your hair will push through your skin and pass through an oil gland. According to the AAD, the oil produced by this gland is responsible for your hair's shine and softness.
What can aid in the growth of your hair?
While genetics play a role in maintaining healthy hair growth, several other factors are also at work.
There is no magical potion or remedy that will result in instant hair growth, but there are steps you can take to help your hair grow.
Let's take a look at 10 tips for making your hair grow faster and stronger.
1. Avoid dieting that is too restrictive.
We can't control everything that affects our hair growth, says Dr. Lindsey Bordone, a dermatologist at ColumbiaDoctors and assistant professor of dermatology at Columbia University Medical Center. However, there are some things we can do to avoid stunted growth and increased shedding.
“Restrictive dieting can reduce the resources and nutrients required for hair growth,” Bordone explained.
“And because hair growth is a relatively low priority compared to other bodily functions, hair growth is quickly halted when your body is stressed due to restrictive dieting,” she explained.
“Even after resuming a healthy diet, hair shedding usually continues for several months,” Bordone explained.
2. Examine your protein intake
“If your diet is severely restricted, your hair will not grow optimally, and shedding may occur,” Bordone explained.
“A well-balanced diet with adequate protein intake is essential for optimal hair growth,” she adds. “In general, we recommend at least 50 grams of protein per day.”
3. Experiment with caffeine-infused products.
Caffeine is well-known for providing an energy boost, but a 2014 study trusted Source discovered that it may also have growth-promoting effects on your hair.
Caffeine, according to the study, may aid in the growth of new hair at the molecular, cellular, and organ levels in both men and women.
If you're looking for caffeine-infused products, the following options are available online:
Glimmer Goddess' Organic Caffeine Hair Growth Conditioner contains a combination of caffeine, vitamins, premium oils, and organic plant materials.
TruePure Natural Caffeine Shampoo contains caffeine as well as niacin, red clover, and vitamins.
4. Investigate essential oils
Essential oils are not only pleasant to the senses, but they may also aid in hair growth.
A daily dose of 400 milligrams of pumpkin seed oil in capsule form resulted in an increase in hair growth in men, according to Trusted Source. After 24 weeks, men who used pumpkin seed oil had a 40% increase in hair count.
yet another study Trusted Source studied four groups of mice, each with a different hair treatment. The treatments included saline, jojoba oil, 3% minoxidil, or 3% peppermint oil.
The group given peppermint oil grew the most hair, according to the study. There was a significant increase in dermal thickness, follicle number, and follicle depth as a result of this.
According to research, rosemary oil may be just as effective at restoring hair growth as minoxidil, the active ingredient in Rogaine.
5. Increase your nutrient profile
Specific vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids are especially important for your overall health and play an important role in providing your body with the energy it requires for hair growth.
This includes the following:
vitamin C vitamin D vitamin E zinc-iron biotin
omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids
According to one study
According to Trusted Source, taking omega-3 and omega-6 supplements for 6 months may help protect against hair loss.
Another study's findings
According to a reliable source, low zinc levels may play a significant role in hair loss.
If you're looking for vitamin supplements, you can find them online.
LesLabs Hair Health contains all of the nutrients required to promote hair growth. Vitamin A, vitamin E, thiamin, biotin, pantothenic acid, zinc, zinc, pumpkin seed extract, MSM, and bamboo stem extract are all included in this dietary supplement.
Sugarbear Hair Vitamins are a vegetarian gummy supplement containing vitamins A, C, D, E, B-6, and B-12, folate, zinc, biotin, pantothenic acid, and other nutrients.
6. Treat yourself to a scalp massage.
A scalp massage can aid in relaxation and stress relief. However, according to a small 2016 study trusted Source, it may also help improve your hair's health.
The study looked at the efficacy of daily 4-minute scalp massages. After 24 weeks, the researchers discovered that the nine men in the study had thicker hair than before.
While the study found no difference in hair growth, it is believed that a scalp massage may help dilate blood vessels beneath the skin. As a result, your hair may become thicker and stronger, making it less likely to break off or become damaged.
You can either get a professional scalp massage or do it yourself at home.
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