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Growing your hair can seem like a tedious never-ending process but with the right approach and lifestyle changes you can support your body with the proper tools to get your hair looking long and full. We’ve gone ahead and broken down everything you need to know to get started. Plus we have put together the perfect pack that includes everything you need to transform and support your hair growth journey.
How fast does hair grow?
How fast your hair grows depends on a number of factors such as genetics, age, lifestyle and environmental impacts. However, on average hair is known to grow 0.5 to 1.7 centimetres per month, adding up to 15 centimetres per year. This is because your hair follows three growth cycles: agagen, catagen and telogen.
Anagen phase (growth phase):
This is the active growth period of your hair cycle, and the length of your hair is determined by how long this phase lasts. This cycle varies from person to person and it can last anywhere from 2 to 6 years. Generally, it is predetermined by genetics; however, your lifestyle practices and environmental factors cause the rate by which your hair follicles divide to be sped up or slowed down.
Catagen phase (transitional phase):
From the anagen phase, your hair follicles transition into the catagen phase, during which they begin to shrink, and your hair will stop growing. This process generally takes a few weeks as the base of the hair detaches from the blood supply and is gradually pushed towards the surface of your scalp.
Telogen phase (resting phase):
This final phase is known as the resting phase and can last from several weeks to a few months. The hair remains fully formed and attached to the hair follicle during this phase until the new cells are ready to start the cycle all over again, pushing out the old ones and leading to hair loss. All your hairs are in different phases, which is why they don't all fall out at once.
What factors affect hair growth?
Hair is affected by genetics, environmental stressors, diet and lifestyle habits. Keeping what you can in check is going to give your body the tools it needs to grow your hair thick and full. Here we’ve got 10 tips on how to grow hair faster and keep your gorgeous locks intact as well as discussing lifestyle choices that can hinder your hair growth.
10 tips for growing your hair faster and preventing it from falling out
1. Nutrition and hydration
What is going on inside is going to be actualised on the outside. A good indication that you may need to change your nutrition and hydration intake is if your hair is beginning to look dull or isn't the length you want. In particular, if you are experiencing hair loss you should do a blood test immediately to get an understanding on what nutrients you are lacking to ensure your fueling your body with the right ones.
Here are some of the best foods for hair growth
- Protein-rich Foods: Eating protein rich foods such as lean meats, legumes, tofu, and dairy products will support your body's production of keratin which is crucial for hair growth.
- Biotin-rich Foods: Keratin production thrives when you eat a high biotin rich diet such as avocados, eggs, almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds, and potatoes.
- Iron-rich Foods: Lean red meats, legumes, spinach and fortified cereals can increase your iron intake. Iron deficiency is linked to hair loss as it supports healthy blood circulation and moves oxygen around the body.
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Salmon, mackerel, sardines, flaxseeds, chia seeds and walnuts all help to keep your scalp and hair hydrated. Remember, happy scalp equals happy hair.
- Vitamin-rich Fruits and Vegetables: Eating the rainbow is key to keeping your antioxidant levels up, which gives your hair that extra boost it needs to grow.
2. Supplements
Hair growth supplements are another great way to give your body the extra boost it needs to increase your hair growth. It is important to select one that stimulates the hair follicles and provides oxygen to your cells, that is why we have formulated the perfect hair growth vitamins to give your hair what it needs. As a bonus, it contains Ashwagandha root, which is a known natural relaxant to keep your stress levels in check.
3. Scalp massage
Scalp massaging is a great way to increase blood flood and oxygen to your hair. We highly recommend gently massaging a couple of drops of the Pump Growth Oil into your scalp as part of your weekly hair care routine. Another option is using a derma roller as they activate our bodies' natural healing response and get your cells to repair themselves.
4. Infuse rosemary water as a pre or post wash treatment
Rosemary has been suggested to improve blood flow and contains antioxidants that protect the hair follicles from oxidative stress, leading to a healthier environment for hair growth. This is a great natural remedy and you can easily make your own at home. Start by letting fresh rosemary steep in hot water for 20 minutes, and straining it into a container after it cools. Use it as a final rinse after conditioning or using a spray bottle, comb it through your hair as a pre-wash treatment. Some people can have adverse reactions to rosemary so always do a patch test before using it.
5. Hair care routine
Beginning with a focus on internal hair support is a positive step, but it's equally vital to address external influences. Establishing a consistent hair care regimen enables your hair to derive optimal benefits from the products you apply and helps it adjust to your wash cycle. For all hair types, we recommend the Pump hair growth trio, which include hair growth shampoo, conditioner and spray to ensure your lush locks receive ample moisture support while retaining the valuable nutrients within.
6. Regular trims
We understand that dealing with hair loss or slow hair growth might make a salon visit seem undesirable, but regular trims play a crucial role in maintaining healthy hair and a refreshed appearance. While trimming split ends doesn't directly stimulate hair growth, it serves as a preventive measure, stopping splits from progressing up the hair shaft and reducing the risk of breakage. In the long run this will lead to healthier, fuller hair.
7. Limit heat exposure
Hot water, heat styling tools and environmental stressors all dry out your hair and strip your hair of its natural oils, making it more prone to breakage. Try washing with lukewarm water, wearing a hair wrap in the sauna and a hat when you spend extended periods in the sun.
8. Avoid tight hairstyles and brushing regularly
A big part of promoting hair growth is keeping the hair you have now less susceptible to breakage and your scalp healthy. Brushing regularly and avoiding hairstyles that pull at your scalp is a good solution to reducing unnecessary stress on your hair.
9. Limit chemical treatments
Chemical treatments alter the hair structure, impact your scalp health and lead to increased breakage. The more dry and damaged your hair follicles are, the more likely you will experience hair loss so it is best to keep chemical treatments at bay if you are struggling to grow your hair.
10. Silk and satin pillowcases
Silk and satin pillowcases protect your hair from pulling in the night, keeping the structural integrity of your hair intact. It is also less absorbent than cotton so it won’t dry out your hair as easily, which can contribute to breakage.
Things that can slow down your hair growth
When it comes to hair growth it can often feel like watching a pot that never boils. The good news is that there are a number of considerations and practices you can put into place to prevent slow hair growth. While age and genetics are two factors out of your control, there are a few things you can do to manage slow hair growth.
Stress management
Stress is the primary destroyer of cells, as it can impact your natural cellular life cycle and functions: repair, growth, and regeneration. This prompts your body to initiate immune responses. In the context of hair loss, stress can cause your hair follicles to transition into the resting phase, resulting in hair loss. Additionally, it can trigger an autoimmune response, causing your body to attack your hair follicles and ultimately lead to hair loss.
Lack of sleep
While you sleep, your body is repairing itself and getting rid of any toxin overloads you have been exposed to during the day. If you are not getting adequate sleep your body isn’t getting time to repair itself, which can lead to cellular breakdown and slow hair growth.
Nutritional deficiencies
Your diet provides your body with the necessary proteins and nutrients to form the building blocks that maintain balance and overall health in your body's systems. When we fail to provide our bodies with essential nutrients like zinc, iron, vitamin D, and biotin, it disrupts the normal functioning of our body. Supplying your body with what it needs is going to help support healthy hair growth.
Hormonal imbalance management
When we don’t keep our stress levels in check, aren’t getting enough sleep and have poor nutrition, our hormone levels are going to be out of balance. Women are particularly susceptible due to our fluctuating hormone levels.
Smoking
Smoking deprives your cells of oxygen and causes the release of cytokine proteins. This, in turn, leads to restricted blood flow to the scalp, resulting in scarring and inflammation of your hair follicles. The heightened inflammation adversely affects hair growth, leaving your hair brittle and reducing healthy cellular turnover.
When you should see a professional
If your hair loss is beginning to affect your physical or mental well being, it is always good to seek professional guidance to address the underlying cause. Additionally, if your hair is falling out in large quantities, paired with scalp-related health issues such as an itchy scalp, flakes, or pus, you should seek a board-certified dermatologist's help immediately.
