Hair growth is a commonly misunderstood topic. According to the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery, your hair undergoes a growth process that is affected by a number of factors, including medications, nutrition, stress, illness and exposure to chemicals. You generally cannot increase the rate at which your hair grows. This rate is genetically determined, and averages around 6 inches per year in healthy individuals.
Cycle of Growth
Your hair grows in a cycle of three stages. The first phase is the active growing phase, also referred to as the anagen phase. In this phase, your hair grows for a period of several years, before entering the catagen phase, when your hair stops growing and begins to degrade. This phase generally lasts for two to four weeks. Your hair enters the telogen, or resting phase, and remains in this phase for a few months. The hair is shed from your hair follicle after the anagen phase of the growth cycle begins again.
Types of Hair Disorders
Hair disorders affect the normal rate of hair growth and can cause in hair loss. There are four types of hair growth disorders. Alopecia is thinning hair or total hair loss, generally due to diet, stress, medications or pregnancy. Male pattern baldness is a genetic condition that affects nearly 50 percent of all men over the age of 50, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Hirsutism is a condition that affects women and results in excess hair growth. Hair shaft disorders usually occur for genetic reasons and include split ends and dry, brittle or broken hair. Hair loss also occurs in trichotillomania, a psychological disorder resulting in hair pulling caused by stress.
Misconceptions
You can usually prevent hair loss with home remedies and certain prescription and over-the-counter treatments. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, remedies such as rubbing peppermint or rosemary essential oil on your scalp may help promote hair growth. Herbs and other remedies usually act to provide nutritional support, but don't actually make your hair grow. Aside from minoxidil, other over-the-counter hair growth treatments don't work, according to MayoClinic.com.
Considerations
Nutrition, stress and exercise play a role in hair growth. Your hair requires certain nutrients to grow. Maintaining a regular exercise routine and having a healthy way of releasing stress is also important. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, eating foods that are high in antioxidants, vitamin B12 and iron, such as whole grains and vegetables, can reduce symptoms of hair loss. Some types of hair loss are related to stress, so using relaxation techniques such as yoga or meditation may help you to better manage your stress reaction and can help to control impulsive hair pulling disorders like trichotillomania, according to Paul M. Lehrer, Robert L. Woolfolk and Wesley E. Sime in their book, "Principles and Practice of Stress Management."
Warning
Always inform your doctor if you decide to use a herbal hair growth remedy. Additionally, consult your doctor if you experience abnormal amounts of hair loss or sudden extra hair growth, as this can be a sign of a serious medical illness.
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