As we age, many people experience hair-related issues such as hair loss, thinning hair, or slow hair growth. These problems may be caused by various factors, including genetics, hormones, stress, and improper hair care habits. Individuals looking for solutions on how to grow their hair faster often try different methods. However, care must be taken to avoid misleading information or using unsafe products.
Let us address common misconceptions by learning about the natural hair growth process and exploring how to stimulate hair growth effectively. This way, you can take care of your hair properly and effectively.
The Hair Growth Cycle
Human hair goes through a three-phase growth cycle:
1. Anagen Phase (Growth)
This is the active growth phase, lasting 2 to 6 years. During this period, hair follicles rapidly divide to produce new hair strands. On average, hair grows about 1 to 1.25 centimeters per month or around 12 to 15 centimeters per year.
2. Catagen Phase (Regression)
This is a short transition phase that lasts about 2 to 3 weeks. During this phase, hair follicles stop growing and gradually shrink as they prepare to enter a resting state.
3. Telogen Phase (Resting)
During this phase, hair follicles temporarily stop functioning, and hair strands naturally shed over 2 to 3 months before the cycle starts again.
Human hair grows naturally at a rate of approximately 1 to 1.25 centimeters per month, which means that there is no scientific evidence showing any method significantly stimulating hair growth within 7 days. However, certain methods can help promote healthier hair growth naturally, which we will explore in the next section.
Misconceptions about How to Grow Your Hair Faster
Some people may have seen advertisements offering various tips and tricks on how to make your hair grow faster with noticeable results within 7 days. Care must be taken before following these claims and make sure there is scientific evidence supporting them. Let us discuss some of the common ones to be wary of:
- Products or services telling you how to grow your hair faster in just 7 days: Hair growth follows a specific rate and cycle and is controlled by genetics and hormones, so there is medically no way to stimulate hair growth beyond its natural rate in such a short period.
- Using oils to stimulate hair growth: While hair oils such as coconut oil, rosemary oil, and argan oil can help improve hair health by making it shinier and reducing split ends, there is no scientific evidence to support the claim that these oils can directly stimulate hair growth.
- Frequent haircuts will stimulate hair growth: While trimming the ends of your hair can prevent split ends and help maintain healthier-looking hair, it does not impact the rate of hair growth. After all, growth occurs from the hair follicles, not the ends of the hair strands.
Research-Backed Methods to Make Your Hair Grow Faster
While drastically making your hair grow faster may be a long shot, taking good care of your hair health is very doable. Effective hair care can help promote the natural growth cycle. Here are some methods to help stimulate hair growth:
Eating a Nutrient-Rich Diet
Eat food rich in protein, which is the main building block of keratin in hair. Consume sufficient amounts of protein daily, such as meat, fish, milk, and cheese to help strengthen your hair. Nuts, wholegrain breads, and sweet potatoes are some foods rich in B Vitamins, especially Biotin, which play a crucial role in hair health.
Iron, found in liver, soybeans, eggs, and spinach, is an essential mineral for delivering oxygen to the hair follicles and can help stimulate hair growth. Make sure to take sufficient amounts of Zinc and Vitamin D, by eating meats and seafood, oily fish, as well as beans and seeds, which help prevent hair loss and promote better hair growth.
Scalp Massage
A Dermatology Research and Practice study found that massaging the scalp for 4 minutes daily over 24 weeks can help increase hair thickness. This is believed to be due to the stimulation of blood circulation to the hair follicles, which can stimulate hair growth.
Using Products with Minoxidil
Minoxidil is the only medication approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) in the United States for treating genetic hair loss and stimulating hair growth.
Hair Care Approaches for Severe Hair Loss
Avoid Harsh Chemicals
Shampoos or styling products with high levels of sulfates or alcohol can cause hair to become dry, damaged, and more prone to breakage.
Do Not Overstyle
Frequent use of high-heat styling tools such as blow dryers, flat irons, and curling irons can weaken hair and make it fall out more easily.
Do Handle Hair With Care
Use the right comb and handle your hair gently. A wide-toothed comb or wooden comb is recommended to prevent hair from breaking while combing.
Hair Transplantation for a Permanent Solution
Permanent hair transplantation is a popular option for those experiencing severe hair loss or baldness. Treatment options include:
FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction)
FUE uses a tiny 0.8mm punch tool to extract hair follicles, resulting in hair density that is 20% higher than traditional methods.
MCG (Micrograft)
An advanced version of the FUE technique, MCG uses an ultra-small needle to collect hair grafts using a microscope to carefully trim the tissue. This allows for the selection of the healthiest grafts for a denser, more natural-looking result.
DHI (Direct Hair Implantation)
This technique is also an advancement of FUE, which uses a special tool called an Implanter. It allows the doctor to precisely control the direction and angle of each hair follicle in one step for a more accurate placement.
Non-Shaven FUE
This is a special technique where shaving the head is not necessary before the procedure. Hair grafts are extracted from longer hair using a special tool, allowing patients to see a clearer prediction of the results.
Learn How to Grow Your Hair Faster From the Experts
Individuals struggling with thinning hair or severe hair loss may seek alternatives to traditional treatments. Max Hair Clinic has helped countless patients with their hair transplant issues in Bangkok for over 15 years. Our team of board-certified hair transplant surgeons trained at top global institutions and uses the latest hair transplant technologies to deliver natural-looking results, with no scarring and with fast recovery.
We offer a free initial consultation to assess your condition and recommend the right treatment for you. For more information, contact us at 083-289-1664 หรือ LINE: @MAXHAIR
Reference:
- Integral Roles of Specific Proteoglycans in Hair Growth and Hair Loss: Mechanisms behind the Bioactivity of Proteoglycan Replacement Therapy with Nourkrin® with Marilex® in Pattern Hair Loss and Telogen Effluvium Retrieved on 13 Feb, 2025. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2020/8125081.
- How To Make Your Hair Grow Faster and Stronger. Retrieved on 13 Feb, 2025. https://www.healthline.com/health/what-makes-hair-grow.
