The average person has approximately 100,000 strands of hair on his or her head. Each hair grows from an individual hair follicle on the scalp. Hair on the human head is different from hair on other parts of the body because its terminal length is much longer. For example, while the hair on your arms will naturally stop growing at a very short length, hair on the head will grow much longer.
Average Growth
While the growth rate of hair can vary depending on a number of factors, the average growth rate is between one and two centimeters per month or about half an inch. According to a 1991 article in the British Journal of Dermatology, hair tends to grow slightly faster in the summer than in the winter. This is probably due to the warmer weather, which increases blood flow to the scalp and can increase growth by about ten percent. Hair growth can also be affected by age, health, gender, length of hair and other biological factors.
Growth Phases
Your hair does not grow at a constant rate; hair actually grows in a cycle. These phases are called anagen, catagen and telogen. During the first phase, anagen, a follicle grows hair. Then, during catagen, the hair stops growing and eventually falls out. Telogen is a short rest period after the hair falls out. People do not notice these cycles because each hair follicle follows its own cycle, and they are on different phases at different times. If all your hair follicles went through the cycle at the same time, you would actually be bald for a period of time.
Variances
Because of biological differences, some people's hair will grow much faster than others. If you have a naturally long anagen phase, your hair will grow at a faster rate than someone with a short growing phase. Your age can also affect hair growth, as hair tends to grow fastest before puberty and slower afterward. It is also believed that hair on a female head grows faster than in males due to hormonal differences.
Misconceptions
Contrary to popular belief, there is nothing you can do to make your hair grow faster than its naturally determined rate. For example, cutting your hair does not actually make it grow back faster, and using oils and other supplements will not make a difference. The growth of your hair will always depend on the length of the anagen cycle. Although women who take prenatal vitamins sometimes notice an increased rate of hair growth, this is attributed to hormonal changes in the body. It is dangerous and not recommended take prenatal vitamins for hair growth.
Considerations
Although you can't actually make your hair grow faster, there are things you can do to make your hair healthier. Healthy hair will appear shinier, more vibrant, and have less breakage. A poor diet can lead to unhealthy hair, so always make sure you are getting enough vitamins and drinking plenty of water. Getting sufficient amounts of protein, iron and vitamins E and B is crucial for healthy hair. Also, try to brush your hair only when styling it. Brushing or touching your hair too often can be damaging, pulling out hairs and causing breakage.
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