Cycle Of Hair Growth And Information about Follicles. At any stage of our life, only 10% of our hair is in the resting phase. They fall off over a 2-3 month period and the new hair grows for a total time of 2-6 years. If you are wondering what foods make hair grow quicker? Keep reading to find out.
About 90% of hair grows on our scalp at any given time and they grow at a rate of 1 cm. per month. In general, hair lasts between two and four years in men and four to six years in Women.
Hair Internal Structure
Deep Inside The hair follicle, the hair forms inside a hair bulb protrude and grow outside of the scalp. Any kind of hair maintenance like shampooing, conditioning, cutting, sun exposure does not affect the rate of growth of the hair.
There Are 3 phases of hair growth:
- Anagen takes about 1000 days or 3 years.
- Catagen lasting for 10 days.
- Telogen nearly 3 months.
Anagen includes the beginning of the growth of the hair and Telogen is the end i.e. the shedding phase of the hair. The hair bulb comes out from the start all the way to the shedding phase. Hair growth is affected by seasonal changes, i.e. hair grows quicker in winter than in summer as a result of the seasonal change.
In the catagen phase, the hair growth stopped for a short period of time and no pigment is produced at this time. The time of the anagen phase is usually fixed and is determined by genetic. It is also responsible for the length of the hair.
The number of hair follicles on a human head is approximately 100,000. Each follicle produces hair about 20 times in a person’s lifetime. In a newborn baby, the hair follicles grow hair in unison, i.e. all at the same time but as time passes, the follicles start producing hair at different times.
If a hair is plucked from the head, the follicle is not ruptured but starts to produce new hair. As our age increases, the shedding of follicles is evidently seen in most people on top of the head and also on the forehead.
The hair does not grow in a straight and definite manner but makes the follicle stand on a constant angle. Depending on this angle, the hair is always set to grow straight, wavy or curly.
The stream is usually in a twisted manner but it is then influenced by the way people comb their hair. Finally, hair grows at a slow rate, so utmost care is needed to prevent them from shedding.
Food for healthy hair and skin
The use of natural vitamin supplements is good for human hair. It has been proven that due to a stressful lifestyle and a lack of a proper diet, people are losing their hair at a much younger age. Proper food for healthy hair and skin is a must if you want to look and feel your best.
Modern diets have contributed to people’s bad health. It is known that the food nowadays lacks in nutritional value. Given the circumstances, the intake of nutritional supplements is a good idea. Natural vitamin supplements and herbal nutritional supplements are useful for general health maintenance as well as the health of hair.
Many people take natural vitamin supplements to make up for the lack of nutrition in their food.
There are vitamins useful for hair as well as general health. Vitamins to thicken hair
Vitamin A – An antioxidant, vitamin A helps to produce healthy sebum in the scalp. People should take 5,000 IU per day. This vitamin is found in food like fish, meat, cheese, liver oil, eggs, cabbage, milk, carrots, spinach, broccoli, apricots and peaches. Who wouldn’t want to thicken their hair? That’s why you should be aware of vitamins to thicken hair that follows.
Vitamin B2 – Intestinal flora is responsible for the production of vitamin B2 in the human body. This vitamin is required by the human body for the metabolism of amino acids, fatty acids and carbohydrates. It is most beneficial for the skin, hair and nails. Its deficiency may result in hair loss. Vitamin B2 should be a part of the natural vitamin supplements that you take.
Also Vitamin B6 – The presence of vitamin B6 prevents hair loss and helps in the production of melanin, the pigment which gives hair its colour. Vitamin B6 is found in food such as liver, grains, cereals, vegetables, meat and egg yolk.
It should be taken in the amount of 1.6 mg per day. It plays a key role in red blood cell metabolism and cellular growth. Vitamin B6 is also responsible for the production of hemoglobin, a compound within the red blood cells that carries oxygen to body tissue.
Vitamin B3 – Vitamin B3 is more effective when it is used in combination with biotin. It has a positive effect on hair growth by reducing cholesterol, which when produced in the scalp sebaceous glands can trigger the formation of DHT
Vitamin C – It is a natural antioxidant and helps maintain healthy hair and skin. It should be taken in the amount of 60 mg per day. It is richly found in citrus fruit, kiwi, pineapple, tomato, green pepper, potato, green pepper, etc.
Vitamin E – It is found in soybean, dried bean and green vegetables. This vitamin is helpful in hair growth as it increases scalp blood circulation. It should be taken in the amount of 400 IU daily. With the proper use of natural vitamin supplements and herbal nutritional supplements, you can improve your health that will contribute to the overall improvement in your life.
Herbs for hair growth
Hair is made up of a protein called keratin. The hair that we see and care so much about is actually nothing but dead cells. The part that is living is below the scalp and is called the follicle. Near the follicle are the sebaceous glands that make the hair look vibrant and shiny. These sebaceous glands make the hair look oily or dry depending on the sebum production.
The following are the uses of herbs for hair growth:
The first positive thing about using herbs for hair growth is that there are no side effects associated with them like the drugs that are available in the market. If you have lifeless hair, it can be made better with massage with good herbal oil.
Applying henna to hair brings deep conditioning to it. Henna is a very traditional and widely used treatment for hair growth. This herb is available in the tropics. Henna is also used as a natural dye. Henna can be mixed with other herbs like gooseberry, coffee and lemon juice. This mixture is a very good cure for stopping hair loss.
You can massage your hair with warm oil. Take a fresh green coconut and massage some warm coconut milk into the hair. Keep this on for an hour and a half. This will make the hair soft and healthy.
Use Aloe Vera gel on the hair once a week then wash your hair. Hair loss is usually due to an infection that harms the follicle. You can get rid of this infection using water with Neem leaves that have been boiled for 5 minutes then apply to the hair.
Neem is considered to be a natural disinfectant and doesn’t damage the hair shaft. It is also known to cure dandruff, which is also one of the reasons for hair loss.
Honey mixed with warm oil and a teaspoonful of cinnamon powder can also be rubbed into the scalp. This should be left on the scalp for about 15 minutes. This helps in hair growth and helps in keeping the hair soft and shiny.
Crushed olive leaves mixed with vinegar should also be applied to the hair. This a great remedy for hair loss as well.
A paste made of honey and egg yolk is also used for hair growth. To counter the smell caused by the egg, rinse the hair with lemon juice. Doctors recommend a diet rich in nutrients that boost hair growth.
Foods that make your hair grow
If your want to stop hair loss you should include lots of ‘Vitamin A’ in your diet and look for foods that make your hair grow. Eat green leafy vegetables like spinach, milk, sprouted beans and salads. You can switch to a protein-rich diet and you will have naturally healthy hair. Beautiful hair reinforces your natural beauty and a healthy body should be crowned with beautiful hair.
Herbal Treatment for Faster Hair Growth
The hair growth pattern in humans depends on the interaction of the natural cycles of hair growth and hair loss. The hair growth cycles follow a structured process that has 3 phases. These 3 phases are – anagen (the growth phase), catagen (the transitional phase) and telogen (The resting Phase).
The hair is actively growing only in the anagen phase where it increases in length by about 1 cm every 28 days. Hair loss occurs when the hair is in the resting phase. Most hairs in the resting phase lie in the skin separated from the dermal papilla at its base. Since the hair is not held tightly at its root, it is prone to shedding at any point.
The entire hair growth cycle is under the influence of hormones and their metabolic products. Dihydrotestosterone is the most important metabolite that plays a major role in retarding hair growth and affecting hair loss.
Accumulation of DHT (dihydrotestosterone) within the hair follicle is considered to be the main cause of hair loss. The DHT mediates hair loss through its direct action on the androgenic receptors in the human scalp tissue.
It interrupts the normal physiologic environment and function of the hair follicles. Faster hair growth in both men and women is possible if the action of DHT is blocked.
The organic extracts of some of the herbal formulations act at the level of the androgenic receptors of the scalp. These extracts contain substances that directly compete with DHT with its action.
They act as a natural androgenic blocker by inhibiting the active binding of DHT to the hair follicle receptors. When this binding is inhibited the amount of follicle damage is automatically reverted and follicles respond by affecting quick hair growth.
There are many natural herbs that have known to act as DHT antagonists. The use of herbs and herbal products has become broadly accepted in the contemporary culture for their unique potential to induce rapid hair growth.
How to thicken hair naturally
Women have increased hair loss after menopause. That is also because of the increased production of DHT. Herbal supplements and herbal formulas used in hair growth products induce quick hair growth in women. The herbal hair growth supplements have found widespread acceptance as remedies for inducing faster hair growth.
There are many good reasons to consider herbal hair growth supplements as the best form of treatment for hair related problems. The best reason may be the fact that herbs and herbal products have shown to provide quick hair growth benefits while maintaining a remarkable safety profile.
Equal parts of wild yam root, licorice, motherwort, black cohosh, chamomile, valerian root and skullcap can be taken as safe herbal supplements for hair loss due to loss of estrogen production. This is how to thicken hair naturally.
Estrogen is known to offer protection over the deleterious effects of DHT. All these herbs are known to stimulate estrogen in women to result in rapid hair growth.
Dong Quai with other herbs if taken as herbal tea can serve as a special medication for faster hair growth in females. The medication is quite effective for maintaining the hair growth potential by regulating female hormone and hair growth cycles in pre-menstrual women.
Natural Hair Care Products – Beginners Guide
The effectiveness of modern, natural hair care products is known to all because they are very effective in reducing hair loss and enhancing hair beauty. They are also perceived as being free from side effects and may deliver additional health benefits.
Balanced diets rich in vitamins and minerals are a must for hair health. In this regard, natural products are receiving increased recognition after years of neglect. Natural hair care products have become popular for both external and internal use. Besides, they have less chance of causing over-treatment and they rarely over-dry or over-condition your hair.
Using the right hair care and beauty products is essential for the look and health of your hair. But, the problem with natural hair care products is that you may find it difficult to choose one that is appropriate for you and your hair.
Most of the products available in the market today, bear a “Natural” label, whether genuine or fake making it harder to find a good natural hair care product.
Four types of products make a medley of hair care items. The four basic natural hair care products are hair cleansing products, hair conditioners, hair remedies and hair nutrition products.
What Are Natural Hair Care Products?
Not all-natural hair care products all-natural. Products available in salons and over store counters are never 100% natural, because, for better results and preservation issues, they need to contain a certain amount of synthetic ingredients.
Synthetic products can also provide better foaming, cleaning and emulsifying than 100% natural products. However, you can prepare some homemade hair care products that are absolutely natural.
You might have come across some organic hair growth products and equalled that with natural hair growth products. However, they are different. Organic does not mean natural. You can prepare organic products synthetically and those products are not always safe, gentle and effective.
Home remedies for hair growth and thickness
Nettle Root Extract: It is rich in vitamins A and C, it is used as an inhibitor of 5-alpha reductase. Saw Palmetto Extract: It is an effective anti-androgen and fights benign prostatic disease by lowering levels of DHT. That’s why it is good for people with androgenetic alopecia.
Rosemary and Sage: These are very good natural hair enhancers. Boil together in water rosemary, sage, peach leaf, nettle and burdock and use in the hair. This will strengthen your hair.
Jojoba Oil: It keeps your scalp healthy and free from skin diseases. It controls dandruff. Jojoba oil is also a great moisturizer for your hair.
Aloe Vera: It balances the pH level of the scalp and heals by cleaning the pores. Shampoo made up of aloe vera gel with a small amount of wheat germ oil and coconut milk is a great hair enhancer.
Henna: Henna is a popular natural hair conditioner and hair colouring product. It is excellent for the maintenance of healthy hair. It protects hair against breakage and restores hair shine.
Psyllium husk: Psyllium husk works as a laxative agent, it safely move waste through the colon. And makes your digestive system clean healthy, which is necessary for better hair health. Using some home remedies for hair growth and thickness is affordable and fun to do from the comfort of your home.
Hot Tips To Prevent Hair Loss!
While Androgenetic Alopecia is the number one reason why individuals experience hair loss, it is not the only one. Medical conditions such as hypothyroidism, ringworm and fungal infections can cause hair loss.
Certain medications such as blood thinners, gout medication, birth control pills and too much vitamin A can cause sudden or abnormal hair loss as can following a crash diet, sudden hormonal changes, chemotherapy and radiation.
If you are taking prescription medications, talk to your doctor and find out if your medication is contributing to your hair loss.
At any given time 10% of our hair is in what is called a “resting phase” and after 2-3 months resting, hair falls out and new hair grows in its place. Some people, however, experience more hair loss than is normal.
Here are some excellent resources on how to prevent further hair loss:
Avoid mega-doses of vitamin A. Too much vitamin A can cause your hair to fall out. Exercise, do yoga, meditate or find some other practice that will help to reduce your anxiety and stress levels.
If you wear pigtails, cornrows, use a curling iron, hairdryer or hot rollers, try changing your hairstyle to one that puts less pressure and stress on your hair and scalp.
If hot oil treatments or chemicals such as those used in permanents are causing inflammation to the scalp, discontinue their use, or reduce the number of times you are using them. Use gentle shampoos and conditioners to avoid any unnecessary damage to your hair.
In men, herbs such as saw palmetto and licorice root help block the formation of DHT. The same holds true for supplementation with zinc.
As an added benefit, studies show that these supplements can also help prevent prostate enlargement. Massage your scalp with rosemary oil in an olive oil base.
Both rosemary oil and massaging the scalp can stimulate the circulation in the scalp and promote hair growth. Again, if you are experiencing hair loss, check with your doctor to ensure that a more serious disorder isn’t the cause.
Hair – Care Routine which is a must for Beautiful hair.
Shampooing:
Brush or comb hair thoroughly to loosen dirt and dead skin cells from the head. Wet the hair well so that the underneath layers, as well as the top, are well saturated with water.
Pour about 1 tsp of shampoo in a little water to get a diluted solution and massage this diluted shampoo gently into the roots with your fingertips, covering the whole of the head.
With the flat surface of your hand, work that shampoo into the bulk of the hair over the top layers. Rinse thoroughly with water until the shampoo has been completely washed off. Repeat the procedure if necessary.
Conditioning and Shampooing the hair as directed above as many times as desired and wash thoroughly. Pour approx. 2-2 1/2 tsp of conditioner in your hair. Leave on for about 5 minutes and rinse off thoroughly until the conditioner has been completely washed off.
Drying:
Note that wet hair loses up to 20 percent of its elasticity and with it, much of its natural resilience. So treat it as gently as you possibly can after washing.
Squeeze out excess water, wrap hair loosely in a clean towel, turban-fashion and press firmly against the head. Do not rub vigorously.
Once the hair is no longer soaking wet, the best thing you can do is to leave it to dry naturally. When using a blow dryer, capitalize on the control, minimize the damage :
Dos and don’t:
(a) do not start drying until the hair is three-quarters dry
(b) do not hold the dryer over one area of the head for too long
(c) do not allow the scalp to become hot
(d) use a brush gently to persuade the hair into the style you want; and
(e) do not continue to blow-dry on to hair that is already dry.
Brushing and combing
Always brush hair when it is dry because brushing wet hair causes the ends to split. Tilt your head forward while brushing as this increases the blood supply to the head and stimulates the hair.
Never use a sharp teethed brush or it may tear the hair apart. Fine hair needs a softer brush while thick long hair needs a bigger brush with stiff bristles.
For combing wet hair, use a comb in which the teeth are widely spaced. The best way to comb out tangles hair (knots) is to start at the ends and work upwards gradually.
Happy hair day!
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