MayoClinic.com notes that, for most people, optimum hair growth is about 1/2 an inch per month. Achieving that rate of growth, however, can depend on a number of factors. The body is a complex organism, with many of its systems being quite interrelated. Pursuing overall health and well-being can provide the most effective ways to make hair grow faster.
Nutrition
The most important way to help hair grow faster is to make sure it has the nutrients it needs. Hair needs protein, with the best choices being protein foods that are also rich in omega fatty acids found in fish and nuts. As explained by the Oregon State University’s Linus Pauling Institute, B vitamins are important in the formation of red blood cells, which are essential to the transport of nutrients and oxygen to the scalp. Vitamins, minerals and other nutrients have essential roles in the production of hormones, including those important to hair growth and health, according to Northwestern Health Sciences University. Antioxidants, including vitamins A, C, and E, help fight the free radicals that can hasten aging and slow hair growth. In cases in which the diet has been poor for quite a while, it may be a good idea to use supplements while modifying food habits, giving the body a head start on regaining the quality nutrients it has been missing.
Stimulate Scalp Circulation
The circulatory system is the pathway by which nutrients and oxygen are delivered throughout the body. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, a gentle scalp massage can help to increase blood flow to that area. Exercise is another means of helping to increase blood flow--and thus the flow of nutrients--to the scalp. Exercise has the added benefit of stimulating the production of hormones that influence hair growth. Exercise has also been clinically proven to reduce the physical effects of stress, which can have a negative impact on hair growth, as well as on overall health and well-being.
Protect the Scalp
Try to avoid exposing the scalp to an excess of sun and wind. Both can cause a dry scalp, which can interfere with hair growth by damaging hair follicles. Furthermore, sun and wind can contribute to drying the hair and causing it to break. Do not avoid the sun altogether, however, since according to the Linus Pauling Institute, sun exposure helps the body synthesize vitamin D which is essential to the production and regulation of hormones in the body, including those that influence hair growth. Use a quality leave-in conditioner to protect your hair if you're expecting to be in the sun for a while, or wear a hat.
References
- Mayo Clinic: Hair Loss: Causes
- Linus Pauling Institute: Micronutrient Information Center: Vitamin B 12
- Linus Pauling Institute: Micronutrient Information Center: Vitamin B 6
- Northwestern Health Sciences University: Your Pathway To Wellness: Vitamin and Mineral Functions
- Linus Pauling Institute: Micronutrient Information Center: Vitamin D
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