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Maximize Your
Hair Growing Potential
The number one question that I receive through the AskKaren
column is how to make hair grow faster. Many people write to
tell me they are in a hair growing hurry because they are
getting married, going to a Prom, meeting the future in-laws
or fill in the blanks. They want me to advise them how to
grow their hair from short to long in a matter of just
weeks.
As many of you know, I am going to tell you the truth, as I
know it, about hair. So the answer to "instant hair growth"
is that there isn't any. There is no magic bullet. If you
want to go from a short Bob to long flowing locks instantly
than you have limited options. Your best bet for overnight
long hair is to consider hair extensions, clip on ponytails
or long wigs.
Yes, there are lots of things that can maximize the potential
of your hair growing cycle but it is folly to imagine that
you can go to bed one night with shoulder length hair and the
next day wake up with a new inch of growth.
There are some very rare exceptions, but most hair on most
people is genetically programmed to grow a maximum of 6
inches a year.
There are some people like Crystal Gayle who obviously grow
hair at a much faster rate than the average human soul.
However, she is definitely the exception and not the rule.
Your Hair Is Dead - Let It Rest In Peace
Unfortunately many people are not aware of the fact that
while hair can be extraordinarily resilient, once it has
emerged from your scalp is has no facility for renewing
itself. It is considered to be dead protein.
The average person has around 100,000 strands of hair on
their head and the average rate of growth is a mere one-half
of an inch per month. By the time the ends of your hair
actually grow down to your shoulders, they are approximately
two years old.
Think about it. Two years is a long time for hair to be
subjected to the daily wear and tear of the environment,
washing, drying, brushing, combing and any chemical
processing. Just imagine what a piece of silk or fine fabric
would look like after 2 years of constant handling.
Even if you take the best care of your hair possible, your
hair still goes through a natural aging process which can
also impact the growing cycle of your hair.
Maximizing Your Growth Cycle
The right vitamins and minerals play a major role in keeping
your hair healthy. Any nutritional deficiencies can lead to
thinning hair or even total baldness. It is a well known fact
that an under active thyroid can result in frizzy or brittle
hair while an overactive thyroid turn hair greasy and limp.
The bottom line to this thread is that your hair ultimately
reflects the overall condition of your body. If your body is
healthy and well nourished, your hair will be your shining
glory.
If you are having any health problems or suffering from any
nutritional deficiencies, your hair may stop growing or show
damage.
If your body is in good health, you can maximize your genetic
growth cycle through taking the proper blend of amino acids
and B-vitamins.
It is also important to include B-6, biotin, inositol and
folic acid in the supplemental program. It has been found
that certain minerals including magnesium, sulfur, silica and
zinc are also very important toward maintaining healthy hair.
Beta-carotene is also essential to hair growth. This is
because beta-carotene is converted to vitamin A as the body
needs it, helps maintain normal growth and bone development,
protective sheathing around nerve fibers, as well as
promoting healthy skin, hair and nails.
Beta-carotene is found in green and yellow vegetables and
fruits.
Protein Is Important
Since hair is protein, a diet that is too low in protein may
cause some thinning in hair or a retardation in the growth
cycle. The converse is true, If you eat a protein-rich diet
it will often result in improved hair growth.
Some nutritional experts suggest the dietary utilization of
calves liver, brewer's yeast, wheat germ and a daily dose of
two tablespoons of granulated lecithin to maximize hair
growth, strength and beauty.
Other good food sources for protein include fish, eggs, beans
and yogurt. Soy protein has also been found to be helpful in
stimulating hair growth.
One study of the results of soy on the hair found that it not
only strengthened the hair but caused it to grow. A great
source of soy is tofu.
Growth Blockers
Excessive stress and some medications are conclusively known
to retard hair growth. If you have a medical condition and
your physician has prescribed medications it is imperative
that you follow your doctor's orders regardless of the impact
to your hair,
Warning: Always consult your doctor BEFORE you undertake any
new type of vitamin, mineral program or herbal program of any
type to make sure it does not interfere with any medical
treatment you may currently be on.
However, if you are under severe stress it is helpful to
reduce the stress as much as possible. Consider meditation or
relaxation as a way to cut back on any major stress in your
life. Your hair will love your for it.
Another secret hair helper is rest and sleep. It has been
discovered that to grow faster, hair needs an adequate amount
of sleep (7-9 hours are suggested).
Hair Growing Supplements
Eat right, exercise, reduce stress, rest, gets lots of sleep
and your are well on your way to maximizing your hair growth
potential.
You can either take a good supplement that contains the
necessary vitamins and minerals or you can make up your own
formula.
I have personally had some success (at least for me) with the
HairTopia vitamins that are specifically designed to assist
the body with the maximum hair growth building blocks.
For more details check out Jane Bullock's review of the
Hairtopia Vitamins and also get the facts on what the
vitamins consist of.
While eating the proper foods that contain all the necessary
vitamins and minerals will help, it is a lot more difficult
to guarantee that you will get all the vitamins and minerals
you need from the foods you eat.
List of Supplements
In addition to making lifestyle changes, taking the following
supplements every day can boost hair growth for many people:
Vitamin B-complex - 50 mg. of the major B-vitamins (including
folate, biotin and inositol)
Vitamin B-6 - 50 mg. of vitamin B-6
Vitamin C with bioflavonoids - one to two grams daily
Vitamin E - 400 to 800 IU daily
Beta-Carotene - 10,000 to 15,000 IU of beta-carotene daily
One recommended daily dose of magnesium, sulfur, zinc
Silica (horsetail) - 300 mg. daily
Nettle - 250 mg. three times daily
Flaxseed oil - one tbsp daily or one tablet
Beta-Carotene - 10,000 to 15,000 IU of beta-carotene daily
Hair Growing Tips
Some hair loss experts have discovered that people have
excellent hair growing results by following the Zone Diet,
which is low in fat. Many other hair care experts recommend
the Zone Diet as very helpful for hair care concerns.
Here are some other hair growing tips:
Eliminate or cut back on smoking, caffeine and carbonated
sodas which weaken the body and block maximum hair growing
potential.
Eat a healthy diet. Avoid foods that are high in sugar or
fat.
Treat your hair like a piece of fine old lace. Treat it
carefully avoiding any unnecessary brushing, combing or
handling.
Avoid use of hot water, hot blow dryers or other hair care
tools that may stress the hair.
Have a weekly scalp massage to provide stimulation to the
hair follicles.
Do a series of ongoing hot oil treatments to protect the
hair's shaft.
Have regular trims to eliminate split ends and allow the hair
to look and feel healthier.
Get plenty of rest and sleep to allow your body to grow
hair.
Hair Articles Of Interest
If you want to talk more about this or other hair care
articles on Hair Boutique or anywhere else, please post a
message on The Hair Boutique's Hair Talk Boards.
For additional hair care articles, tips and product
information or this topic check out the following links:
HairBoutique.com Tips & Articles section. Check out
the over 8,000+ different hair care and styling tips at The
HairBoutique.com
Nettle: Hair's Herbal Helper - Nettle, also known as stinging
or garden nettle, can be used internally or externally as a
stimulant for hair growth.
Hair Remedy Nettle Hair Rinse - Use a nettle hair rinse
externally to promote hair growth, shine and softness. A
nettle hair rinse will also help with dandruff issues and
concerns.
Scalp Massage For Long Hair - Details on what massage can do
for your scalp and hair.
Eating For Healthy Long Hair - The foods you eat can help
your hair grow stronger and longer. This article covers some
nutritional facts.
Caring For Long Hair - Shampoo & Detangling - Long hair
requires special care in handling. This includes how you
shampoo and detangle to treat your long hair with the best
care.
The Hair Boutique's Long Hair Section - Lots of different
hair care articles, recipes, product reviews, hairstyles,
galleries and links related to long hair.
HairTopia Hair Vitamins - Jane Bullock shares her experiences
with this vitamin that helps hair grow.
HairTopia Hair Vitamin Facts - Details on the ingredients for
this hair growth formula.
Yohimbe & Other Dangerous Herbs - No matter what you may have
heard, herbs should not be taken without careful
consideration.
Eliminate Stress For A Healthy Head Of Hair - Dr. Howard
Rosenthal Ph.D. and resident hair counselor tells you how to
deal with stress that can harm your hair.
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