Hair growth is a complex physiological process. In total, there are about 5 million hair follicles (follicles) on the human body, about 100 thousand of them are on the head. Experts believe that the amount is determined at the genetic level and cannot increase throughout life.
The average hair growth rate is 12-13 mm per month or up to 15 cm per year – to increase this figure, you must first of all eat right and maintain a healthy lifestyle. However, do products to accelerate hair growth and give them density work?
How to increase hair growth?
There are three phases of hair growth – anagen (stage of active growth, lasts from 2 to 8 years), catagen (transitional stage, lasts 4-6 weeks) and telogen (death stage, lasts 2-3 months). About 90-95% of the hair on the head is in the active growth phase, the remaining 5-10% is in the dying phase.
A healthy person loses up to 100-150 hairs daily – after which the hair follicle either enters the growth phase again or dies off. Both hormonal levels (e.g., high testosterone levels in men contributing to hair loss) and general health affect the ability of the follicle to regenerate.
The key material for hair growth is keratin, a special type of protein that is mechanically strong and insoluble in water. To increase hair growth, the body requires several nutrients, primarily omega-3, zinc, iron, vitamin B7 (biotin), and vitamins C and D.
What affects the density and shine of hair?
A healthy hair follicle produces a special grease that serves as a natural antiseptic and protective agent. In fact, it smooths the outer surface of the hair (this layer is called the “cuticle”), helping the hair retain moisture and maintain elasticity.
In turn, the smoother the surface of the cuticle, the more light reflects from the hair, giving it a brighter shine, and making the hair look thicker. That is why the use of various masks and special oils helps to avoid excessive dryness of the hair, contributing to their rapid growth.
Essential Nutrients
When it comes to increasing the rate of hair growth, it is important to note that normalizing nutrition and eliminating nutrient deficiencies that hinder this growth are much easier to achieve than attempting to speed up the process with supplements or expensive products.
1. Omega-3
Omega-3 fatty acids are a special type of fat that the body needs to fight micro-inflammations of various nature. Marine fish serves as the primary source of omega-3 in the diet, and smaller amounts can also be found in certain plant foods.
A study on 120 women found that after six months of taking omega-3s, omega-6s and antioxidants, there was a significant improvement in hair quality. In particular, the daily amount of hair that fell out decreased and their diameter (actually, density) increased.
2. Zinc
Zinc is the second most abundant mineral in the human body (after iron). It is essential for hundreds of different metabolic processes – including hormone synthesis and collagen production. Zinc deficiency in the diet leads to a decrease in testosterone in men, and also disrupts hair growth.
A study of 30 healthy people and 312 people with alopecia areata (baldness) showed that hair loss is closely related to blood zinc levels. However, it is important to note that this does not mean that zinc supplementation can increase hair growth in healthy people.
3. Vitamin B7 (biotin)
Vitamin B7, a water-soluble vitamin, plays a vital role in several metabolic processes in the body. Specifically, biotin acts as a source of sulfur, which is essential for collagen synthesis, a fundamental material for cell renewal and hair growth.
Although most hair growth products contain biotin, there is no definitive evidence of its effectiveness. Apparently, biotin works only if a person has an acute shortage of it.
Masks to accelerate hair growth
Once again, we will make a reservation that today there are no means that directly accelerate hair growth. Even in the case of effective pharmaceutical preparations, it is only about reducing the percentage of hair loss, strengthening and increasing the density of their growth.
In particular, you can use various oils for shine, such as coconut oil, castor oil, sunflower oil, or jojoba oil. It is necessary to apply them in a small amount and on the ends of the hair, avoiding direct application to the scalp.
In addition, one study showed the effectiveness of caffeine in accelerating hair growth – while the effectiveness for women was significantly higher than for men. When applied to the hair, caffeine increases the anagen growth phase and stimulates keratinocyte proliferation.
Strictly speaking, it is almost impossible to increase the rate of hair growth – even in the case of using professional products, we are talking about improving the quality of hair. However, replenishing the deficiency of a number of nutrients can help speed up the metabolic processes in the hair – indirectly affecting growth.