Ways to Help Your Hair Grow Faster and Stronger

Menopause can change your hair, which may be partly due to genetics and ageing.

When hair starts to thin, which is common at menopause and with non ovulatory periods such as in PCOS, then what can happen is that when progesterone levels fall as a result of lack of ovulation the body responds by increasing its production of the adrenal cortical steroid, androstenedione.

Androstenedione conveys some androgenic (male-like-properties) which can include male pattern hair loss.

If this is what is causing your hair loss, then when progesterone levels are raised by supplementation with Serenity or our combination cream 20 to one, then the androstenedione level will gradually fall, and normal hair growth can eventually resume.

These are some of the main culprits associated with increased hair thinning or loss.

Turn down the heat!

Using too much heat can harm your hair. If you blow-dry or use curling or straightening irons often, your hair may not grow as fast. If you need to use heat, follow these tips:

1. Apply a heat protectant spray first.
2. Choose the lowest heat setting.
3. Work quickly to minimise heat exposure.
4. Avoid using heat every day.

Treat wet hair with care

Wet hair is very stretchy, so brushing it when it’s dripping can cause breakage or damage. Using heat tools on wet hair can create bubbles, making it weaker.

For straight hair, let it air-dry, then gently comb with a wide-tooth comb. For textured or curly hair, slowly detangle with a wide-tooth comb while it is damp.

Colour with care

Bleach and chemical treatments can weaken your hair, making it more likely to break before it reaches the length you want.

If you choose a hair colour close to your natural shade, about three shades away, it will require less damaging peroxide.

It’s often ignored, but best always do a spot test with any hair dye before doing your whole head.

Medication can be a cause

Hair loss can be a result of some drugs, like beta-blockers and amphetamines, so talk to your doctor about other choices if this happens.

Drugs to treat hair loss include spironolactone (Aldactone) and finasteride (Propecia), and Minoxidil is a drug you can buy over the counter, but be aware there can be side effects.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist about hair loss products and side effects can include mild scalp irritation, dryness, or redness. Unwanted facial hair can happen if the product drips or spreads.

Keep it cut

How could that help your hair grow? When you get a trim, it is the tips – the weakest parts of the hair – that are cut off. If left, those tips can break or split. Split ends can go up your hair shafts and make your hair even shorter.

Just don’t cut too much, if you want growth. Your hair grows about 1/2 inch a month, so you might aim for a 1/4-inch trim every 3 months or so.

The stress issue

Severe stress can send hair into a rest phase, skipping the part that makes it grow.

It can put you at higher risk for a condition called alopecia areata, where your own body fights your hair roots. It can also lead to trichotillomania, a strong need to pull out your hair.

Stress impacts every aspect of your life from hormones to hair so find ways of lowering stress or find ways to handle it.

Handle carefully

If your hair breaks easily, it needs extra care, so don’t wash too much but only enough to remove product build-up. That might be weekly or every other week.

If you relax your hair, go to a professional and use colour touch-ups sparingly. Ideally get them only about every 2-3 months, and only to new hair growth.

It can help to give your hair deep conditioning or a hot oil treatment every couple of weeks.

Extensions and braids

Wearing extensions or a weave might seem like a quick way to the long locks you want. But don’t wear them for more than 2-3 months at a time and never pull them out yourself as it can hurt your hair and scalp.

If it hurts when your hair is styled into extensions, braids, weaves, or cornrows, they’re too tight and will hurt your hair so speak to your hairdresser to loosen them.

Conditioner is a must

Use conditioner every time you shampoo as it not only helps your hair act and look better, it makes it strong and shields it from the sun’s harmful UV rays.

If you have fine hair, apply it to just the ends of your hair to avoid making it limp. For everyone else cover the tips well to feed those weak ends.

Don’t lose weight too fast

When you want to lose weight, make sure your hair doesn’t go with it. Just as stress can cause hair thinning, so can sudden weight loss.

For example, if you don’t get enough protein, your body will use what it can get so it will take it from what it regards as a less essential area – and hair growth is not a main goal.

When your food intake returns to normal, it’ll grow back. But it’s much better for you, and your hair, to follow a good, slower-paced diet plan.

Nutrition can be key

There’s no supplement that is guaranteed to make hair grow faster, but if you’re short on certain nutrients, it can affect your hair.

Low iron causes anaemia, which can trigger hair loss. Vitamins B and D are needed for healthy hair as is zinc, omega-3 fatty acids, and the B vitamin biotin.

Hair tests are available if you are not sure and you can then see what you might need to supplement and how much.

Nights on white satin?

Crisp cotton linens feel good against your skin, but they might not be the best choice if you have fragile hair.

Some people swear by sleeping on satin pillowcases, but although it won’t make hair grow faster, it may reduce friction, frizz, and breakage.

Head massage can help

A few small studies have indicated that regular head massages might help hair grow thicker. Massage is known to help ease stress, and stress can contribute to hair loss.

Try a scalp massaging tool, or gently press, stretch, and pinch your own scalp for several minutes each day.

Helpful information

There are certainly a few factors that affect hair condition and growth: stress, crash or low calorie diets, low levels of nutrients that are essential for healthy hair growth including omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, and vitamin A.

Also, low thyroid can be indicated with hair loss so ask your doctor to have this checked. Progesterone supports thyroid function so can be helpful.

Of course, our hormones also play a major part as hormonal fluctuations can affect the condition of your hair. This is more likely if you have low levels of progesterone – for instance if you have a thyroid imbalance.

However, when progesterone levels are raised by supplementation with Serenity, or our combination cream Twenty to One, then normal hair growth can eventually resume. Since hair growth is slow, it may take 4-6 months for the effects to become apparent.

Diet can play a part too, so this article will be helpful.

https://blog.wellsprings-health.com/top-10-foods-for-healthy-hair/