Who does not know it: You wish you had a long mane, but your hair just does not want to get longer! Is it even possible to accelerate hair growth? This question we will pursue here!
Is it possible to accelerate hair growth?
Natural hair growth takes place in a growth cycle and is genetically determined. On average, hair grows about 1.2 centimetres per month every year – only slight variations can occur from person to person. As much as we are sometimes annoyed about the slow growth, unfortunately nothing can be done about it – and growth cannot be promoted by any means. But there is one thing we can do: we can support the formation of hair and also help to keep our hair beautiful and healthy and not break off just to get even shorter!
Hair growth: How does hair grow?
- Hair consists of keratin. In the hair root is the hair papilla, where keratin-rich horny cells are formed, which ultimately form the hair shaft, penetrate the skin surface and continue to grow. Each hair goes through its own cycle, in which it is in an active growth phase, a subsequent resting phase and finally a regression phase, which leads to rejection and causes the hair to fall out.
- The growth phase is genetically determined and is between three and seven years. In this phase the hair grows 0.3 mm per day. Then the hair enters a transitional phase in which the hair root is no longer supplied with nutrients, and is keratinized within three weeks and passes into the resting phase. In this phase, the hair loosens more and more and falls out within two to four months.
- However, there are also differences in hair growth depending on the season and time of day. For example, hair growth is somewhat slower in winter and hair also grows more slowly at night than during the day. In general, hair grows faster in men than in women.
Which factors are important for hair growth?
Nutrition
Proteins are necessary for the formation of keratin. Omega 3 fatty acids make the hair shiny. Vitamin E is responsible for the health of the hair follicles, copper is responsible for pigmentation and silicon is responsible for strong hair. In short: To maintain healthy hair, a balanced and varied diet and supply of vitamins and nutrients is the basic requirement!
Hair Care
Hair with split ends breaks off faster. Brittle hair is a real obstacle to our dream of a long mane! The right hair care is therefore the A & O for long hair. You can treat your hair with jojoba oil or coconut oil, for example, to prevent split ends. You can find out all about coconut oil for your hair here.
Hormones
Our hormone balance controls the activity of hair growth. If the hormone balance changes, this can lead to hair loss or the regrowth of hair is prevented. Responsible for this can be, for example, hormone preparations, pregnancy or the menopause.
Scalp
A healthy scalp is essential for hair growth: if sebum production is not in balance, this can have a negative effect on hair growth.
Stress Reduction
If we are under stress, the body sends out messenger substances that influence the regulation of hair growth. Even stress-related hair loss is not uncommon!
Are there any ways to make the hair grow faster?
- No miracle pill or tincture has been proven to noticeably stimulate hair growth. Some home remedies are only said to be able to accelerate hair growth – if only to a small extent. These home remedies include caffeine, a brew of herbs (rosemary, nettle) or apple vinegar.
- Although a head massage does not make the hair grow faster, you can indirectly have a positive effect on hair growth by reducing stress and boosting sebum production. The best way to perform a head massage is to apply a little oil to your head and let your fingertips gently roll over your head. This is not recommended only for very greasy hair.