Stimulate hair growth – here's how to give your hair a boost.
Who doesn't dream of shiny, strong hair?! The good news: Strong hair doesn't have to remain a dream. We'll show you how you can stimulate your hair growth with 7 simple tips.
from Paulina
Do you dream of long, full hair? But a glance in the mirror brings you back to reality: your hair hangs limply and doesn't seem to want to grow a millimeter.
But hair grows, millimeter by millimeter, throughout our lives. The growth of our hair is not random, but a natural cycle of our body. If your hair appears thin, split, and dull, it's worth investigating the cause. We'll explain how you can stimulate hair growth.
How does hair actually grow?
Hair grows, sometimes more, sometimes less. But how does it actually grow? Let's take a closer look at hair. Because what you see of your hair isn't the whole secret, but only the hair shaft.
If you were to cut open a hair and examine it more closely under a microscope, you would be able to see the medulla in the center. This is surrounded by the hair cortex. The outer cuticle layer consists of flat, overlapping layers of keratinocytes.
If we want to understand the growth of those long, keratinous strands that we take so much pride in, we need to delve deeper. The hair root isn't visible from the outside. But that's precisely where hair growth takes place. Want to know more? Hair grows when the keratinocytes are pushed from the hair root towards the hair shaft. The hair roots are surrounded by skin and connective tissue, the so-called hair follicle.
How fast does hair grow?
Want to watch your hair grow? Unfortunately, it doesn't happen that quickly. Hair growth follows a regular cycle:
Even if your hair seems to be growing quickly, you won't be able to see the daily progress with your own eyes. Hair grows a maximum of 0.5 millimeters per day, but usually only about 0.3 millimeters.
Your individual hair growth rate per month or year is determined by your genes. The good news: Within a month, your hair is already more than a centimeter longer, and hair grows between 12 and 15 centimeters per year.
Causes of thin and slow-growing hair
As mentioned before, hair growth is genetically determined, and it's not possible to turbocharge it. However, if deficiencies are the cause, you can take targeted action to stimulate hair growth. You can also improve its appearance and texture:
Danger from the tube: Dyeing and tinting
Do you change your hair color on a whim? To achieve a truly ash blonde or coral red look, chemical dyes are necessary. The color pigments adhere to the hair shaft.
This is pure stress and a frontal assault on the hair's natural cuticle layer. The inevitable result: split ends and brittle hair . Chemical dyes have a firm grip on your hair. Conditioning products struggle to penetrate the hair shaft. The scalp can dry out , and allergic reactions can occur.
Styling to the limit: hairdryer, straightener & co.
Should you style your hair after washing it? Not necessarily. Wet hair is particularly sensitive to heat and quickly becomes brittle and prone to breakage when exposed to hot air . So, it's best to turn your hairdryer down a notch.
Even more aggressive are flat irons and curling irons. Localized heat can actually burn your hair.
Guilt-free eating: Nutrient deficiency
Your hair needs nutrients. If your diet includes a lot of fast food, you won't immediately experience hair loss, but over time your hair will suffer. It will become dull, brittle, and slow to grow . On the other hand, if your diet is healthy and balanced, your hair will be in great shape.
Furthermore, nutrient deficiencies can occur in the following groups of people:
Vegetarians, Vegans, Competitive athletes, Pregnant and breastfeeding women, Diet fanatics
Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation. This vitamin must be consumed daily. Did you know that rosehips also contain vitamin C? Deficiencies are also likely to occur if there is a lack of copper, as copper supports normal hair pigmentation.
Pure stress: Nerves at their limit
Is it enough to make you tear your hair out? Stressful situations don't go unnoticed by your hair. When increased levels of noradrenaline and cortisol are pumped into the body, hair follicles and sebaceous glands react with shock. Hair can fall out , and hair growth is slowed .
7 tips to stimulate hair growth
The following tips can help give your hair a boost. They are simple measures that can easily be integrated into your daily routine:
Tip 1: Fancy a scalp massage?
A massage relaxes you and promotes blood circulation . Massage your scalp every day. Just four minutes is enough. Scientists have found that this helps your hair grow back thicker .
Massaging your scalp simultaneously stimulates the hair roots. This makes them more mobile, allows them to absorb more nutrients, and can promote hair growth .
Tip 2: Brushing gets your hair moving
Do you remember Grandma's secret? 100 brush strokes in the evening for healthy and shiny hair. It's actually a brilliant trick. Brushing your hair vigorously for one to two minutes a day increases blood circulation, and your hair will grow back healthy and strong .
Tip 3: Secret tip pillowcase
Beauty while you sleep? You've probably dreamt of smoothing out wrinkles and achieving your ideal figure without much effort. Beautiful hair while you sleep doesn't have to remain a dream. The key is the pillowcase you sleep on.
Pillowcases with a rough surface create friction and thus promote hair breakage and split ends. If you want to protect your hair, use a pillowcase made of satin or silk .
Tip 4: Eat your way to nutrients
Your hair will only grow healthy and strong if you are optimally supplied with all nutrients. If your body is operating in starvation mode, this affects various bodily functions and is clearly visible in dull, thin, and brittle hair.
To help your hair grow back faster, you should pay particular attention to the following nutrients:
- Biotin : Biotin contributes to the maintenance of normal skin and hair. This trace element is one of the main components of hair fibers.
- Zinc: An adequate zinc supply ensures a healthy scalp. Zinc deficiency leads to hair loss and an itchy scalp.
- Protein : Our hair is largely made up of keratin. If a protein deficiency occurs, the hair grows more slowly and appears dull and brittle.
Tip 5: Caffeine for your hair
Caffeine doesn't just get your circulation going in your morning coffee; it can also stimulate blood flow to the scalp . You've probably already spotted some hair care products containing caffeine on the drugstore shelf.
The most effective way to treat your hair is with a caffeine tincture . To ensure uneven hair regrowth, it's important to apply it evenly. If you have specific "problem areas," such as your temples, you can apply the product to them directly.
Tip 6: Get your hormones checked
You're not doing anything wrong, yet your hair remains a problem? Then the cause could lie in your hormonal balance. Hormonal imbalances can cause certain bodily functions to slow down.
Talk to your doctor. He can determine your hormone levels and check your thyroid values at the same time.
Tip 7: Hair care – but gently
Regular hair care is a must. However, many procedures are not good for our hair. We have already discussed chemical hair dyes and treatments with hairdryers or straighteners.
Pay attention to the ingredients in shampoos and conditioners. Mild, natural products nourish the scalp instead of drying it out and causing unnecessary stress . While you're at it, check your hair tools as well. Use hairbrushes with natural bristles , preferably boar bristles. They stimulate hair growth without stressing the hair and causing breakage.
Foods that accelerate hair growth
By including the following foods in your diet for a balanced diet, you can contribute to the health of your hair and scalp every day:
Conclusion: Hair doesn't grow purely by chance.
The growth of our hair is predetermined and cannot be influenced at its original rate . If hair growth slows down and hair becomes brittle and fragile, there are several things you can do. There are various ways to stimulate hair growth. At the top of the list: a healthy lifestyle and gentle yet targeted hair care. To ensure your hair has everything it needs, we at SHEKO have put a lot of thought into this and launched Hair and Skin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are you constantly thinking about hair, hair, hair? We'll answer the most important questions about stimulating hair growth again briefly and concisely:
How can I accelerate hair growth?
Which foods accelerate hair growth?
What to do if hair grows slowly?
What is the body lacking when hair stops growing?
Sources:
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Center for modern hair transplantation
https://www.ifue-haartransplantation.de/ratgeber/haarwachstum-foerdern/ -
Transparent medicine
https://www.medizin-transparent.at/biotin-haare/ -
University Hospital Erlangen
https://www.uk-erlangen.de/presse/pressemitteilungen/ansicht/detail/haarwachstum-foerdern/