The Process of Hair Growth

Hair growth begins with a small structure underneath the skin called a follicle. The hair follicle is surrounded by small blood vessels called capillaries that bring nutrients to the hair follicle or root. The hair follicle uses these nutrients to produce the protein keratin. Your hair, as well as your fingernails is made of keratin.

The average person has between 100,000 and 150,000 hairs on their scalp. Each hair grows between 0.2mm and 0.3mm (1/8 of an inch) per day, and will continue to grow for 3 to 6 years provided that the hair follicle is well nourished. Nourishing the follicle and taking care of the scalp are essential to optimal hair growth.Keeping hair healthy is on ongoing process.

General Hair Care

Below are some general haircare tips for keeping your hair shiny and beautiful:

Be gentle with wet hair. When towel drying, gently squeeze and blot hair within towel to remove excess water.

Avoid heat and sun – they will dry the hair out.

Wash hair gently. Massage the shampoo in gently. Be sure to rinse thoroughly. Never use hot water on your hair.

Use a conditioner for your hair type.

Use a hot oil treatment once a week to once a month, depending on your hair type.

Brush hair only when completely dry, using a wooden base natural bristle brush or metal comb or brush with metal teeth. Bend forward, allow hair to fall, then brush from the nape of the neck over the head, down to the ends. Stand straight and brush from the underside of the hairline down to the ends. Brush the top layers with long, even strokes. Smooth hair with hands to reduce static. Start with 5 strokes, gradually increase until you discover the right amount for your hair. The old standard of 100 brush strokes per day is no longer considered healthy hair care. Too much brushing can damage hair, too.

Massage the scalp daily with fingers (not fingernails). This promotes circulation.

When using a blow dryer, keep it at least 12″ from scalp.

Eat a balanced diet.

To remove tangles from wet or dry hair, start at the ends, lift hair, allow shorter lengths to fall, start combing tangles out.

Hair Care Problems

Pollution, stress, lack of time for proper haircare – all of these can cause stresses on your hair and make it look dull and lifeless. Healthy hair care does not have to be difficult and time-consuming. Again, in this day and age there are hair styling products and haircare products for all of your hair care needs.