Hair is made up of keratin and dead skin cells. While there is no direct way to make your hair grow faster overnight, there are steps you can take to keep your hair healthy and long. Consult your doctor before trying supplements such as biotin, keratin, or other nutritional supplements. They can interact with medications and cause unintended side effects.

1. Maintain your vitamins and nutrients

While many companies promote vitamins or supplements for hair growth, they do not always have a direct effect on hair length. But the body needs a lot of energy to grow hair. Lack of balanced meals and nutrients can affect hair growth.

It is best to get your vitamins and nutrients from your diet, but you can also take supplements:

- omega-3 and 6: In a study of 120 healthy women, the group that took omega-3 and omega-6 supplements had less hair loss and improved hair density.

- Zinc : zinc deficiency plays a role in hair loss.

- B-5 and biotin: A study of oral supplements containing biotin and zinc showed that they helped reduce hair loss and improve hair quality and strength.

- Vitamin C: the antioxidant effects of vitamin C can help prevent the oxidative stress that causes hair to turn gray and thin.

2. Apply essential oils

Put a few drops in your shampoo or dilute it with jojoba oil. A study showed that pumpkin seed oil increases hair count by 40% in men experiencing hair loss.

Avoid applying essential oils directly to your skin. You can dilute the oil with a few drops of essential oil per ounce of carrier oil. Two other oils may help: rosemary oil and peppermint oil. Although the trials were conducted on animals, the results suggest that these oils could be beneficial for hair growth.

You can also mix these essential oils with other carrier oils that prevent hair damage, such as:

- coconut

- sunflower

3. Try topical ointments

Topical ointments are generally intended for people who are losing their hair. They can help with hair growth. Studies show that these products are effective in treating alopecia, or hair loss, and promoting hair growth:

- topical melatonin reduces hair loss and increases hair density

- 5% topical minoxidil slows hair loss

- ketoconazole shampoo

4. Take keratin supplements

There are not many studies on the effects of proteins, keratin, and vitamins on hair health. One study looked at a product containing 500 milligrams of keratin and other vitamins and minerals. The group that took the supplement showed:

- a 12.5% reduction in hair loss

- 5.9% improvement in hair strength

- an improvement in hair brightness and shine

5. Use proteins

Proteins help hair growth and protect it against chemical and environmental damage. If you style your hair or frequently apply heat to your hair, using a protein treatment can protect it. You can buy them online or use coconut oil at home. Coconut oil helps reduce protein loss before and after washing hair.

Too much protein can affect your kidneys. It can also make your hair brittle, although this is rare. It is best to get protein from your diet and not from supplements. You can get protein from vegetables, nuts, yogurt, and other foods.

6. Caffeinate your follicles

Studies on the effects of caffeine on hair growth are still recent, but a cell study found that caffeine could have stimulating effects on hair growth. Using hair products containing caffeine as an ingredient may help.

What are the factors that can affect hair growth?

There are a few factors that can affect hair growth, including:

- genetics or a family history of hair loss

- hormonal changes

- lack of nutrition

- medications

- stress

- trauma that damages the follicles

- other diseases or conditions

It is also important to note that if you are experiencing unexplained and severe hair loss, you should schedule an exam with your doctor, as certain diseases and health issues can lead to hair loss.

Hair growth during and after pregnancy

Pregnant women may feel that their hair is actually growing faster. And women who have just had a baby may feel like they are losing their hair faster than normal. This is because during pregnancy, the hormone estrogen causes a woman to have a higher rate of hair follicles in the growth phase. After the baby is born, the hair follicles return to the "resting" phase, giving the appearance of hair loss.

Conclusion

Most factors that control hair growth are beyond our daily control. The best step to take is to prevent hair loss and thinning due to poor nutrition. Be sure to eat a balanced diet and stay hydrated. See your doctor if you think you are losing a lot of hair.