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A Comprehensive Look At Natural Hair Growth
Hello Beautiful! Do you have problems getting your hair to grow? For some people, it seems like an impossible task.
Whether you are just trying to grow out your short summer cut, or you’re looking to reverse hair loss due to age, genetics, or a skin condition, we know natural hair growth isn’t easy. Yet hair is so important to so many of us. We want it looking and feeling healthy and natural. But with so much “quick fix” merchandise out there, it is hard to know which products and/or techniques to trust.
Well don’t worry, we have you covered. In this article, you will learn everything you need to know about healthy and natural hair growth and the best natural hair growth products that actually work.
Learn about the growth cycle of hair, why your hair isn’t growing, and the best products to enhance natural hair growth.
Find the right daily regimen for you, from oils to shampoos and even vitamins to add to your routine.
By the time you are done with this article, you will be an expert on natural hair growth. So let’s get started on your natural hair growth journey!
Understanding the Hair Growth Cycle
Before we discuss ways to help your natural hair growth, we should first understand the hair growth cycle itself.
At any point in time, your hair is in one of four possible growth phases. These phases are called anagen, catagen, telogen, and exogen.
- Anagen is also known as the growth phase. Up to 90% of your hair is actively growing in this phase at any time. It lasts 2-7 years and determines the length of your hair. As we become older, the anagen phase becomes shorter and hair becomes thinner and weaker after each cycle.
- The catagen phase also known as the transitioning phase, usually lasts ten days. During this part of the cycle the hair follicle begins to shrink. This causes the follicle to become detached from the dermal papilla.
- Then comes the third phase known as the telogen, or resting, phase of the cycle. This is the time when old hair is “resting”. 10-15% of your hair is experiencing this at any time. While the old hair is resting, new hair begins to grow.
- Exogen is the phase when shedding and hair loss occurs. The average person sheds 50-150 hairs per day, exceeding this amount is considered to be abnormal. When hair follicles are functioning properly, after old hair detaches from the head, new hair begins to grow.
The cycle of natural hair growth and even hair loss is not something that occurs overnight. It takes months, even years for hair to grow naturally.
Fortunately, some products and treatments can help speed the process a little bit.
Yet, it is important to practice patience when trying to naturally grow your hair, as it will take some time to see a difference in the length of your hair.
Why Your Hair May Not Be Growing
Now that you understand how hair grows, it is essential to try to identify what is causing your hair to not grow.
There are many variables that can contribute to this and sometimes there is not just one cause.
Your hair may not be growing due to something as simple as genetics or age.
Other times, there are additional underlying problems that are causing your lack of natural hair growth.
Here are a few common causes of hair breakage and/or loss that stops your hair from growing healthy and long:
- Using the Wrong Products or Tools: Taking proper care of your hair includes the types of products and tools that you use on your precious hair. Using heat on your hair daily can cause your hair to become weak and brittle. Combing or brushing your hair with the wrong tools for your hair type can cause breakage and split ends.
- Chemicals, such as relaxers or hair dye: Chemical treatments can cause damage to your hair as well. This damage will make your hair weaker and more susceptible to split ends and breakage. Even just getting highlights may cause damage to your hair and is not recommended if you are trying to accomplish natural hair growth.
- Over-Trimming: I am sure you have read in magazines that in order to grow out your hair you must get a trim every 6-8 weeks. I hate to be the one to tell you this, but you may have been lied to. I say “may” because this advice depends on your hair type.
- Poor Nutrition: Having a poor diet directly effects our hair. Not providing your body with the proper vitamins and nutrients it needs for healthy, natural hair growth will result in weak hair. If you do not have a protein and vitamin rich diet, your hair may suffer the consequences. Alternatively, if you suffer from a vitamin deficiency, that may also be the reason for your lack of hair growth.
- Stress: Tension has been known to cause hair loss or inhibit hair growth. Being stressed or anxious can cause a condition called trichotillomania. This causes people to actually pull out their hair, causing breakage and damage to surrounding hair.
Treatment of Hair Loss | Best Products for Natural Hair Growth
Now let’s look at some the ways you can stimulate natural hair growth. From oil treatments and herbs to shampoos, conditioner and vitamins, whatever your lifestyle or hair type you should find something to help your hair grow faster, longer and healthier.
Oil Treatments
Natural oils are great for natural hair growth because they provide your hair and scalp with added nourishment and moisture. Using oils is an easy and inexpensive way to create an ideal scalp environment for hair growth and stimulate the growing process.
Tip: Exfoliate your scalp before applying oils. This allows the oils to penetrate the hair follicles deeper and quicker.
Here are the best oils for natural hair growth:
Castor Oil
Castor oil has been recommended for years to help stimulate natural hair growth. It is used by many beauty gurus for not only the hair on their head, but to also stimulate growth of their eyelashes and eyebrows because it is rich in Vitamin E. Castor oil also contains ricinoleic acid, which increases circulation and stimulates hair growth.
Best of all, castor oil is full of antioxidants that support the production of Keratin, a protein essential to healthy hair.
This oil is popular because people claim to see results quickly, some say results are seen 3-5 times faster than their normal hair growth.
Castor oil is easily absorbed and penetrates the hair fast, moisturizing your hair and preventing split ends. It even helps to balance the scalp’s pH, replenishes natural oils, and reverses damage that has been done to your hair. Many even consider it the best natural oil for hair growth.
Castor oil can be applied once or twice a week.
Apply a few drops onto your scalp and let it sit overnight. You may want to wear a plastic shower cap to avoid getting oil on your pillowcase. The shower cap will also hold in heat, helping the oil to absorb into your hair and scalp better. In the morning rinse and wash your hair.
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Argan oil is well loved in the beauty community and is often referred to as “liquid gold”. So it is no surprise that it is so beneficial to hair growth.
This oil is naturally moisturizing because it is filled with many vitamins, such as A and E. Specifically, a type of vitamin E compound known as tocopherol, which boosts cell production and helps to regenerate hair follicles.
Keratin production is aided by argan oil as well.
The lactic acid and omega 6 contained in this oil also adds shine to your hair, that may be lost due to over processing or age.
The ideal atmosphere for hair growth is created with the use of argan oil. The blood flow to the follicles is improved so nutrients can easily get to them. This results in strong and natural hair growth.
Argan oil should be gently massaged onto the scalp. Accompanying the oil with a scalp massage allows for more stimulation and for the oil to penetrate the skin faster.
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When thinking about how to grow out our hair, we often think about what we need to add to our hair as opposed to what we need to take away.
Tea tree oil helps to remove any scalp problems and keep your hair follicles clear and healthy. It is an antiseptic and antibacterial that removes any excess oil, product build up, and dandruff. If there is too much build up on the scalp, hair follicles will not function as well. Resulting in split ends, breakage, and hair loss.
Although tea tree oil removes oil, it also helps to keep your scalp moisturized because it does not remove the oils that your hair needs.
When buying tea tree oil, be sure to look at the concentration. Anything over 5% may cause irritation to the scalp, doing more harm than good. If you do purchase a more concentrated blend, be sure to dilute it with water or liquid state coconut oil.
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Best Therapeutic Shampoos & Conditioners for Natural Hair Growth
Naturally, not all shampoos are created equal. It is very important to look at ingredients when choosing a shampoo which promotes natural hair growth. Look for ingredients that are scientifically proven to work, as some manufacturers make false claims about their products.
Look for the oils we discussed above on the ingredient list.
Other ingredients to look for include, minoxidol, finasteride, ketoconazole, caffeine, biotin, and saw palmetto.
As always we tried and tested many so you don’t have to. Here are our top six best shampoos and conditioners for natural hair growth:
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Sale!
Nourish Beaute Vitamins Premium Hair Growth Support Shampoo
Original price was: $28.62.$24.10Current price is: $24.10.Buy Now!We love, love, love this product! There are five choices of scent so you never get bored even after continuously using this product for a long time. The scents to choose from are Premium Black Raspberry, Tea Tree and Mint, Lavender, Fragrance-Free, and Fresh and Clean. This shampoo and conditioner stimulates hair growth and reduces hair loss – so you can get the healthy head of hair you crave!
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Sale!
Nizoral A-D Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
Original price was: $17.17.$14.84Current price is: $14.84.Buy Now!Although this shampoo is advertised as an anti-dandruff shampoo, it also promotes healthy hair growth. Nizoral is a powerhouse shampoo that does three jobs at once. It cleans the scalp, kills fungus, and blocks receptors that stop hair growth. It also contains the key ingredient of ketoconazole, stimulating hair growth. This version has 1% of ketoconazole, but a prescription version is available from a doctor containing a 2% concentration. It also kills the fungus that causes dandruff that can build up on hair follicles.
Be careful to not leave the shampoo on for too long, as it can become irritating to the scalp.
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Sale!
Hairfinity Grow Stimulating Shampoo and Conditioner
Original price was: $52.71.$49.99Current price is: $49.99.Buy Now!Our favorite pick for color-treated, keratin-treated, and permed hair. It contains Biotin, Caffeine, Tea Tree Oil, Neem Leaf, and Marshmallow that help revitalize skin, increase hair’s elasticity and gently restore shine to dull, lifeless hair. Powerful antioxidants and UV-Protectors promote growth of healthy, more full hair and protect against hair loss.
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PURA D'OR Biotin Original Gold Label Anti-Thinning Shampoo & Conditioner Set
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PURA D’OR Biotin Original Gold Label Anti-Thinning Shampoo & Conditioner Set
$39.99Buy Now!We found this combination did wonders to promote healthy hair growth and help reverse hair loss. The ingredients list includes biotin, niacin, argan oil, and aloe vera.The goal of PURA D’OR was to combine science and nature for optimal hair growth. The conditioner does not contain fillers such as water, so your hair is getting the most nutrients possible. It helps to stimulate hair follicles, reduce breakage, and nourish your hair from root to tip. It is safe for color treated hair and is hypoallergenic.
For Men - Editors choice
We decided to include this wonderful scalp recovery set for men. The Keratin Recovery Shampoo Boosts Hair Growth while the Keratin Conditioner repairs hair and the Scalp Treatment improves the overall health of the hair from the follicle up. Fantastic results and a big thumbs up from us!
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Continue on to this article to find out about Nutrition and Health for Natural Hair Growth where we discuss herbs, vitamins and diet for healthy hair.
