How to grow your hair faster entails eating more protein, using products made with caffeine, avoiding permanent dye, and reducing your stress are just a few things you can do to promote healthier and faster hair growth.
Introduction
Hair is a protein filament that grows from follicles found in the dermis. Hair is one of the defining characteristics of mammals. The human body, apart from areas of glabrous skin, is covered in follicles which produce thick terminal and fine vellus hair. Most common interest in hair is focused on hair growth, hair types, and hair care, but hair is also an important biomaterial primarily composed of protein.
Steps to growing healthy and stronger hair
Trying to grow hair longer or get thicker hair can feel like an endless waiting game. While hair is the fastest-growing tissue in the human body, according to the Trichological Society, the average rate of growth is 0.5 to 1.7 centimeters per month or anywhere from about two to eight inches per year. That growth can feel minimal — especially when you’re waiting for it to happen.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD), but if you think your growth is really stunted, there are certain tweaks you can make to your day-to-day hair care regimen to boost hair growth.
These are the secrets and home remedies that grow hair fast, according to top dermatologists, celebrity hairstylists, skincare experts and our own Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab pros.
The following are the steps to growing healthy and stronger hair.
SEE ALSO: Nutritional deficiencies and ways to prevent them
1. Eat the right diet.
A healthy diet can help your hair stay strong and shiny. What you eat can also keep you from losing your locks. If you’re not getting certain nutrients from food, you might see the effects in your hair. Essential fatty acids, especially omega-3s, play a key role in the health of your skin, hair, and nails.
You should eat some of these foods, which are rich in omega-3, every day:
Examples;
Salmon, tuna, mackerel, and other fatty fish, Flaxseed oil, Flaxseeds, chia seeds, canola oil
Walnuts, Soy beans, tofu and cruciferous, Vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts)
Vitamin B6, B12, and folic acid are also important to your hair. Vegetarians and vegans often don’t get enough of them.
Foods with B6 include bananas, potatoes (both white and sweet), and spinach. Major sources of B12 include meat, poultry, fish, and dairy products.
You can get folic acid with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, especially citrus fruits and tomatoes. Whole-grain and fortified-grain products, beans, and lentils also have it.
Protein is also critical for keeping your hair healthy, but many people don’t get enough. Lean meats like fish and chicken, eggs, and soy products are good sources. Eat one serving every day.
2. Add vitamins to your hair
Overall nutrition is the most important factor for hair growth. Taking certain supplements, like vitamins B, C, and D, and iron, or specially formulated hair growth vitamins, may help.
Many people view healthy-looking hair as a symbol of health and beauty. And, like any other part of your body, hair needs a variety of nutrients to grow and look its best.
While factors such as age, genetics, and hormones also affect hair growth, optimal nutrient intake is key. Some possible causes of hair loss include rapid weight loss, hypothyroidism, and iron deficiency.
If you’re experiencing hair loss or thinning, you may be wondering whether taking a dietary supplement could help improve your hair’s growth.
The following vitamins are very important to hair growth.
- Vitamin C
- Biotin
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin D
- Zinc
- Iron
- B vitamins
- Vitamin E
- Folic acid
- Omega-3 fatty acids
3. Brush hair regularly.
Going to bed with unbrushed hair may seem tempting when you’re tired, but giving your hair a few quick strokes can be great for your hair and scalp’s overall health. “Starting at the scalp, use a boar bristle brush to distribute your scalp’s oils evenly onto your hair so it stays naturally moisturized,” recommends Meri Kate O’Connor, celebrity stylist and colorist at Cooper in West Hollywood, CA. Bonus: This simple step each night also helps increase circulation, which helps make your scalp healthier.
4. Avoid excessive heat styling.
“Stop over-styling your hair,” advises Paves. In order to avoid harming your hair and causing breakage and frizz, he advises lowering the temperature and always using a heat protectant.
5. Always brush your hair
Hair is especially susceptible to breakage when it’s wet, so instead, detangle hair before shampooing. “Water exposure swells and stretches the hair’s shaft, which causes the shingle-like outer layer to lift, and adding stress from brushing in that state can cause it to break,” says Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab senior chemist Sabina Wizemann.
If you have to detangle hair when wet, do it the right way: Apply a top-rated leave-in conditioner from roots to ends and use a gentler wide-tooth comb or detangling brush to reduce friction, working from the ends up in small sections to prevent tearing hair, Wizemann advises.
6. Treat dandruff regularly
Dr. Kaplan recommends a medicated dandruff shampoo (which you can find at drugstores) every day, one that contains ketoconazole, selenium sulfide, or zinc. If your hair is coarse, though, and you’re concerned that daily shampooing will make it more brittle, you may want to use a dandruff conditioner too.
7. Try caffeine-infused products
We all know that caffeine can give you an energy boost — and its topical use has been shown to give hair growth a boost, too. Research shows that caffeine in topical products, like shampoos and conditioners, can prevent hair loss as effectively as drug-based treatments. Caffeine may promote hair growth by stimulating the metabolism and proliferation of cells.
8. Indulge in a scalp massage
Because vitamin supplements are not regulated in the same way as other drugs by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)Trusted Source, it’s important to choose reputable vitamin brands that use third-party vetting.
A scalp massage can help promote relaxation and relieve stress and also help boost the health of your hair. While the research demonstrating the efficacy of biotin is limited, a review of a literature found 18 reported cases that showed clinical improvement in both hair and nail health after biotin supplementation.
The 2016 study examined the effectiveness of daily, 4-minute scalp massages. After 24 weeks, the researchers found that the nine men involved in the study had thicker hair at the end of the study than at the start of it in hair growth, it’s thought that a scalp massage may help dilate blood vessels beneath the skin. This, in turn, may lead to thicker, stronger hair that’s less likely to break off or become damaged.
9. Reduce stress
Chronic stress can lead to hair loss. It may cause your follicles to go into a resting phase during which they shed hair instead of growing new strands.
The following are some natural ways to reduce stress:
- exercise regularly (avoid sedentary lifestyle)
- eat a healthy diet
- get enough sleep
Important nutrients for hair growth
- Vitamin C
Water-soluble vitamin C, which is present in citrus and other fruits and vegetables as well as in dietary supplements and topical “serum” ingredients for the treatment of melasma and facial wrinkles, is also employed to stop hair ingrowth and it helps to reduce hair breakage. - Biotin
The benefits of biotin for hair are well recognized. According to studies, biotin helps women with thinning hair by increasing gloss, volume, and scalp covering. Additionally, studies demonstrate that biotin enhances the moisture, smoothness, and look of skin. - Vitamin A
Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin. Its different forms are often called “retinoid.” They include retinol, retinal, retinoic acid, and retinylester.
Vitamin A is needed for the proper growth and functioning of many parts of the body, including the eyes, skin, and immune system. It can be found in many foods, including fruits, vegetables, and fish. Carotenoids are a group of chemicals found in plants. Some can be converted to vitamin A in the body.
People most commonly use vitamin A for treating vitamin A deficiency. It is also used for aging skin, acne, HIV/AIDS, cataracts, child development, infections, and many other conditions.
When your body absorbs vitamin A, it produces sebum. That’s an oily substance that moisturizes your scalp, keeping it and your hair follicles healthy.
- Zinc
Zinc is an essential trace element commonly found in red meat, poultry, and fish. It is necessary in small amounts for human health, growth, and sense of taste.
Zinc is found throughout the body. The body doesn’t store excess zinc, so it must be obtained from the diet. It’s needed for immune function, wound healing, blood clotting, thyroid function, and much more. It also plays a key role in maintaining vision and might have effects against viruses.
People commonly use zinc for zinc deficiency, diarrhea, and Wilson disease. Zinc is also used for acne, diabetes, anorexia, burns, and many other purposes. There is some scientific evidence to support its use for some of these conditions. But for most, there is no good scientific evidence to support its use. There is also no good evidence to support using zinc for COVID-19.
- Iron
Iron is a mineral that is naturally present in many foods, added to some food products, and available as a dietary supplement. Iron is an essential component of hemoglobin, an erythrocyte (red blood cell) protein that transfers oxygen from the lungs to the tissues.
Your body uses iron to make hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to all parts of the body, and myoglobin, a protein that provides oxygen to muscles. Your body also needs iron to make some hormones.
Conclusion:
Believe it or not, one of the most significant indicators of your general health can be the state of your hair. A body that produces enough vitamins and nutrients to keep it functioning at its best will have vibrant healthy hair. Again, having a healthy and stronger hair increases yourself confidence.
Vitamins A, C, D, and E, zinc, B vitamins, iron, biotin, protein, and essential fatty acids are some of the nutrients that are needed to support healthy hair growth and prevent hair loss. Fortunately, treating a vitamin deficiency in any of these substances may assist in treating hair loss and speeding up hair development.
