Can You Increase Your Hair Growth Rate?
What makes hair grow?
First things first, we have to discuss the basics of hair. When you’re born, you have about five million hair follicles, enough to last you a lifetime. Hair grows from the root under your skin and pushes through the skin while passing oil glands. This is what gives your locks that shine.
Oxygen in your blood helps supply your hair root with nutrients so that it can grow at an average rate. Hair usually grows at a specific rate depending on your genetics and other environmental factors. Most people’s hair grows about half an inch every month, equating to about six inches a year.
The hair growth cycle
Everyone’s hair is different, but it does go through the same growth cycle. Did you know your hair often grows for somewhere between two to six years at a time? The hair cycle is the process of your hair growing and falling out for your entire life. New hair grows in to replace the hairs that you’ve lost in the shower or while sleeping.
The growth portion of your hair cycle is called the anagen phase. After it stops growing, it enters the catagen phase, which is the transitional period for your hair. It stops growing, and your hair follicles shrink. The next stage is the telogen phase, where your hair rests before it sheds. This lasts for about 100 days. When your hair falls out, this is known as the exogen stage.
How you can increase hair growth
Now that you know how hair works normally, we can dive into ways you can help your hair grow naturally. Keeping your hair as healthy as you can is the key to longer hair. Why, you ask? Hair that is healthy and strong is less likely to break as it grows. To see results in your hair, you’ll have to ditch your bad habits for positive ones.
Scalp massages
Since hair grows from the scalp, this is one of the most crucial places to start for hair growth. The dermis layer of skin is where your hair follicles reside, as well as your blood vessels. Caring for your scalp with treatments and massages will ensure that the follicles aren’t blocked from growing and that the hair fiber is as healthy as possible.
Biotin supplements
Biotin is a B vitamin that improves your metabolism. It’s able to turn glucose into energy for your body and can also reduce inflammation. Foods that naturally contain biotin are egg yolks, bananas, mushrooms, and cauliflower.
If you aren’t able to get enough biotin from your diet, there are supplements you can take to improve your hair, skin, and nail health.
Cut down heat styling
Consider setting down your curling iron if you’re looking to grow your hair faster. Applying a lot of close-up heat to your hair causes a lot of damage to your strands. It makes your hair feel dry and even encourages breakage and split-ends.
If you’re looking for other ways to style your hair without heat, there are plenty of options! First, dry your hair with a microfiber towel or a cotton t-shirt to reduce frizziness. If you are going to use heat, make sure you apply a heat protectant every time!
Cool water rinses
We know this isn’t the most enjoyable part of your shower, especially in the morning. But rinsing your hair with cold water after you’ve washed it will lay down the outer cuticle part of your hair to prevent damage and moisture loss. You really only have to put up with the freezing water for about 20 seconds to get a good rinse.
Reduce shampooing
If you’re going to skip any part of your shower, go for the shampoo. While your hair could use all the moisture it can get (depending on your hair type), overwashing could be your biggest downfall for hair growth. A lot of shampoos strip away your hair’s natural oils in order to clean it. These oils are needed to keep your hair shiny and smooth while it grows.
When you wash your hair with shampoo (about 3-4 times a week), use a sulfate-free option that will remove buildup without getting rid of all the oils. Don’t scrub your head too harshly, either. This could lead to your oil glands being overstimulated, creating a catch-22 situation.
Get regular trims
You might be thinking that cutting your hair to increase its length is crazy. Well, getting trims every six to eight weeks will keep the ends of your hair free of split ends that could travel upwards. This will preserve the length you have and prevent fraying. Your hairstylist doesn’t have to go crazy with the scissors either. You can take about an eighth of an inch off when you go and barely notice the difference.
Gently brush
One of the worst things for your hair is being too rough with it. Getting tangles out of your hair can be frustrating, but don’t take it out on your head! Instead, brush through your hair starting at the bottom and work your way up. Go for a natural boar bristle brush that can evenly distribute your hair’s oil throughout your locks.
Cut down on stress
Okay, stress isn’t always avoidable. We know that. But stressing out about every small thing that happens isn’t good for your body. If you can, try to take life one day at a time, do some meditation, and say some positive affirmations to yourself every day.
Use the right products
Selecting the best shampoo and conditioner for your hair is probably the most essential takeaway from this. Without the building blocks for healthy hair, you’ll never come close to achieving long, beautiful hair.
With Prose, you can get a unique blend of ingredients designed just for you. Once you take our hair quiz and select your products, we get right to work with making your hair care work just for you to promote hair health and a balanced scalp. Not only do we have shampoo and conditioner, but we also sell hair oil, hair masks, and dry shampoo—and most recently, we launched hair supplements that are shown effective to help reduce hair shedding and help grow your best hair.
The bottom line
Your hair growth is a journey. Here at Prose, we want you to let us help you find your best version of healthy, longer, and fuller hair.
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