People never stop paying attention to and caring for their hair, and the rate of growth and health of the hair is often a concern. As a basic action of daily hair care, does combing help hair growth?
Principles of hair growth
1. Hair growth cycle
The hair growth cycle is a natural biological process consisting of three phases: anagen, anagen, and telogen. Each hair grows at a different rate and has a different life cycle during this cycle, but all follow a similar pattern.
- Anagen phase: This is the most active phase of hair growth and the follicle is most functional. During this phase, the hair bulb cells at the base of the follicle are constantly dividing to produce new cells, which move upward and gradually form the hair. The growth phase can last for about 4 to 6 years or even longer, during which time the hair can grow up to several tens of centimeters in length. In adults, about 85% to 90% of the hair is in the anagen phase.
- Catagen phase: At the end of the anagen phase, the hair enters the catagen phase. During this phase, the hair follicle begins to degenerate, the hair bulb cells stop dividing, and the hair stops growing. The catagen phase is relatively short, lasting about 3 to 4 weeks. During this phase, the hair gradually separates from the follicle in preparation for the resting phase that follows.
- Telogen phase: During the Telogen Phase, the hair has completed its life cycle and the follicle enters a resting state. Hair may fall out naturally during this phase, or an external force may shed it. The resting phase usually lasts about 3 months. After that, a new hair follicle cycle begins and new hair will grow in the same follicle.
2. The growth rate of hair
The hair growth rate is the length of hair growth per unit of time. Under normal circumstances, hair grows at a rate of about 1.25 centimeters (0.5 inches) per month, or about 0.03 to 0.04 centimeters (0.01 to 0.02 inches) per day. However, this rate is not fixed; it varies from person to person and is affected by several factors such as genetics, age, gender, and health conditions.
Hair growth usually peaks during puberty and then slows down with age. In addition, the rate of hair growth is affected by the blood circulation in the scalp, the health of the scalp, and nutritional intake. For example, an adequate intake of protein, vitamins, and minerals contributes to healthy hair growth, while a lack of these nutrients may result in slower hair growth.
3. Factors affecting hair growth
Hair growth is affected by a variety of internal and external factors, the following are some of the major ones:
- Genetic factors: Heredity is an important factor in determining the speed and density of hair growth. If there is hair thinning or hair loss in the family, then the individual may also face similar problems.
- Age: Hair growth slows down with age. This is because the vitality of the hair follicles decreases with age and the growth cycle of new hair becomes shorter.
- Gender: Hair growth rates and patterns differ between men and women. Usually, men’s hair grows slightly faster than women’s, which may be related to sex hormone levels.
- Nutritional status: Hair growth requires adequate protein, vitamins, and minerals. If the diet is deficient in these nutrients, such as protein, vitamin B complex (especially biotin), vitamin E, iron, and zinc, the rate and quality of hair growth may be affected.
- Health conditions: Several health problems, such as thyroid disorders, anemia, and autoimmune diseases, may affect hair growth. In addition, hormonal imbalance may also lead to hair thinning or loss.
- Lifestyle habits: Poor lifestyle habits such as smoking, drinking, excessive stress, and lack of sleep can negatively affect hair growth.
- Environmental factors: Exposure to polluted environments, ultraviolet radiation, and chemicals may damage the hair and scalp and affect hair growth.
- Scalp health: The health of the scalp is critical to hair growth. Scalp inflammation, infection, or excess oil may affect hair growth.
The benefits of combing hair
1. Promote blood circulation
2. Eliminate dandruff and oil
3. Promote scalp health
4. Helps hair growth
【Starting from the head: The benefits of combing hair】
Does combing help hair growth?
1. Reduce hair breakage and hair loss
Regular combing of hair is an important part of daily hair care, which can effectively reduce hair breakage and hair loss.
- Reduce hair knots: Hair is prone to form knots during growth due to external friction, static electricity, and other reasons. Knotted hair is easy to break or fall off when combing. Regular combing can untie the knots in time and reduce hair breakage and hair loss caused by knots.
- Promote scalp blood circulation: Combing hair, combing on the scalp, and gentle massage can stimulate scalp blood circulation, and increase the supply of nutrients to the hair follicles, so that the hair is more resilient, and reduce hair loss due to malnutrition.
- Remove dandruff and grease: The accumulation of dandruff and grease can lead to a deterioration of the scalp environment and affect hair growth. Regular combing can help remove this dirt and keep the scalp clean, reducing the resulting breakage and hair loss.
- Reduce external damage: During combing, the fragile parts of the hair can be detected in time to avoid additional damage caused by external forces such as pulling and bunching.
2. Improves the scalp’s nutrient absorption
Combing hair can not only reduce hair breakage and hair loss but also improve the absorption of nutrients into the scalp.
- Activate hair follicles: Combing hair scalp stimulation can activate the hair follicles, so that the hair follicles are more active, improving the absorption of nutrients.
- Promote blood circulation: As mentioned above, combing hair can promote blood circulation in the scalp, and improved blood circulation helps nutrients to be delivered to the hair follicles and hair more effectively.
- Improve scalp permeability: Combing hair can help open the pores of the scalp, and improve scalp penetration of nutrients in hair care products so that the nutrients work more deeply in the hair follicles and hair.
- Helps the even distribution of nutrients: Through combing, can be applied to the scalp hair care products such as hair oil, conditioner, etc. more evenly distributed on the entire scalp, so that the nutrients can be more evenly absorbed.
Regular combing is an important means of maintaining healthy hair. It not only reduces breakage and hair loss but also promotes the absorption of nutrients into the scalp, thus contributing to healthy hair growth. However, it should be noted that combing hair should choose the right comb, and master the correct combing method, avoid excessive combing, or use too much power combing, so as not to damage the hair and scalp.
3. Improve the hair growth environment
- Cleaning effect: Combing hair can help remove the accumulated dust, dandruff, and excess oil on the scalp. These substances, if not cleaned in time, may clog pores, affecting the scalp’s breathing, and leading to the deterioration of the scalp environment, which in turn affects the normal growth of hair. By combing, you can keep your scalp clean and provide a good environment for hair growth.
- Promote metabolism: Combing hair when the scalp is under gentle stimulation can promote the metabolism of the epidermal cells of the scalp, which helps the shedding of old cells and the generation of new cells, to maintain the health of the scalp.
- Reduce static electricity: Using a proper comb to comb hair can reduce static electricity between hair, prevent hair from becoming frizzy due to static electricity, reduce the stimulation of the scalp, and improve the growth environment of hair.
- Prevent infection: Regular combing of hair also helps to prevent the growth of microorganisms such as fungi and bacteria on the scalp, which reduces the risk of scalp infection and ensures healthy hair growth.
The effects of improper combing on hair
1. Excessive combing can lead to hair damage
- Breakage: Frequent combing of hair, especially when using too much force, will make the hair withstand excessive mechanical tension, which will lead to hair breakage from the middle or near the tip of the hair.
- Split ends: Prolonged or excessive combing can lead to split ends because the constant friction and stretching during combing damages the protective layer of the hair (the cuticle), causing the ends to become dry and brittle.
- Frizz: Excessive combing damages the hair’s natural oil layer, causing the hair to lose its shine and suppleness and become frizzy and unmanageable.
- Scalp damage: Excessive combing can also cause damage to the scalp, especially when using sharp or non-smooth combs, which can scratch or irritate the scalp, causing discomfort or inflammation.
- Damage to hair follicles: Prolonged and frequent combing may put pressure on the hair follicles, resulting in damage to the hair follicles and affecting the normal growth cycle of the hair.
2. The use of an unsuitable comb will damage the hair
Using a comb that is not suitable for your hair type and condition may also cause damage to your hair.
- Static electricity: The use of plastic or metal and other materials such as combs are prone to static electricity, static electricity will make the hair adsorption together, increasing the risk of hair breakage and knotting.
- Pulling: The fine teeth of the comb or combing force are too large and will cause excessive pulling on the hair, and damage to the hair fiber, especially for those who have damaged or fragile hair.
- Scraping the scalp: Using combs with sharp edges can scrape the scalp, causing discomfort or infection.
- Damage to the scalp: Hard or non-smooth comb teeth can damage the scalp, resulting in loss of luster, split ends, and breakage.
3. The strength and frequency of the impact on the hair
1. The effect of force:
- Excessive force combing hair will stretch and damage the hair fiber, especially when the hair is wet when the hair is the most fragile, and more likely to break.
- Excessive combing can also irritate the scalp, causing pain, redness, swelling, and even damage to the hair follicles.
- Gentle strength helps to stimulate blood circulation in the scalp and promote hair growth while reducing physical damage to the hair.
2. The effect of frequency:
- Over-frequent combing will constantly rub the hair, leading to dryness, split ends, and even the formation of static electricity, making the hair difficult to manage.
- Lower combing frequency may not effectively remove dandruff and oil, affecting scalp health and hair cleanliness.
- Proper combing frequency, such as 1-2 times a day, can maintain clean hair and a healthy scalp.
Therefore, when combing your hair, you should choose the right strength and frequency according to the condition and type of hair. In general, it should be combed upward from the tips of the hair with gentle strength and gradually move to the scalp, avoiding excessive pulling and friction.
How to comb your hair correctly?
1. Choose the right comb
2. Control the combing strength and frequency
3. Comb hair time selection
4. Pay attention to hair care
【When should you brush your hair?】
Conclusion
With proper hair care and a healthy lifestyle, we can promote healthy hair growth and keep hair shiny and vibrant. Hair combing starts with a comb, are you ready?
Love Tips
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Anti-static and scalp massage.
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