Table of contents:
- Why does hair fall out?
- Tips for growing hair fast
- 1. Adequate vitamin needs
- Omega 3 and 6
- B5 and biotin
- Vitamin C
- 2. Apply essential oil to the hair
- 3. Taking keratin supplements
- 4. Eating protein
- 5. Using topical ointments
Having healthy, strong, and thick hair is everyone's dream. However, there are many things that can cause hair to break easily and fall out, which can lead to thinning over time. If you've already experienced it, you must be thinking hard to find a way to grow hair quickly and safely. Don't close this article page yet, because we will share the secret.
Why does hair fall out?
Hair is made of keratin, a special protein that is produced in hair roots (follicles). Each time the follicle produces new hair cells, the old hair cells are pushed out of the layers of the scalp. The hair you can see right now on your head is actually a collection of strands of dead keratin cells.
Hair loss is most commonly caused by emotional stress and physical stress that the body receives from exposure to free radicals from environmental pollution. Hair loss is also prone to loss when you are sick (for example, a high fever), after giving birth, stopping using birth control pills, experiencing very drastic weight loss, and postoperative recovery.
Tips for growing hair fast
Hair loss is generally temporary, and is the body's way of adjusting to the effects of these factors. Hair growth will return to normal as the body recovers, usually within 6 to 9 months.
Although so far there is no instant method that can make your hair thick overnight, there are several ways you can do to grow thick and healthy hair.
1. Adequate vitamin needs
The most guaranteed way to grow hair is to make sure you eat nutritious foods to meet the nutrients your hair needs. Some of the nutrients in food that can help reduce hair loss, namely:
Omega 3 and 6
Nuts, such as walnuts and almonds; marine fish such as salmon, tuna and sardines; green fruits and vegetables such as avocado and spinach are some examples of sources of omega-3 fatty acids. While omega-6 is more abundant in nuts such as soybeans, almonds and cashews.
You can also meet the body's essential fatty acid needs through the intake of supplements. Research conducted on 120 women stated that the group that consumed foods and supplements containing omega 3 and 6 tended to experience less hair loss.
B5 and biotin
Biotin intake helps keep hair healthy, strong, thick, and shiny. Biotin-rich food sources include egg yolks, nuts (soybeans, peanuts, green beans, walnuts, peas and almonds), cheese, and sweet potatoes.
Apart from being obtained through fresh food, biotin can also be consumed in the form of a dietary supplement. A study states that taking supplements containing vitamin B5 and biotin can reduce hair loss and improve hair health.
Vitamin C
Apart from being well-known for its stamina-boosting benefits, the antioxidant effects of vitamin C can also help maintain hair's natural strength and shine. Vitamin C is needed by the body to produce hair collagen. You can get vitamin C from fruits, such as oranges and pineapples, or from supplements.
2. Apply essential oil to the hair
Studies conducted on a group of men with hair loss proved that putting pumpkin seed oil in shampoo can increase hair thickness by up to 40 percent. Apart from that, you can also mix pumpkin seed oil with jojoba oil to get the benefits of growing hair naturally.
Other essential oils that also have benefits for stimulating hair growth are rosemary and peppermint oils. Keep in mind, avoid putting essential oils on the skin directly. It is imperative that you dilute the essential oil with another oil, generally olive oil, to avoid irritation.
Other oils that can be used together with essential oils are coconut oil, sunflower oil, and castor oil.
3. Taking keratin supplements
A study states that people who take 500 grams of supplements containing keratin and other minerals experience improved hair health quality such as:
- Reducing hair loss by 12.5 percent
- Increases hair strength by 5.9 percent
- Increase hair shine
4. Eating protein
Protein helps your hair grow healthily, making it protected against damage from chemical products and environmental pollutants. You can eat foods that contain protein such as eggs, nuts, yogurt and other foods. Another way you can also treat hair with coconut oil. Coconut oil helps reduce hair protein loss before and after washing.
5. Using topical ointments
Topical ointments are usually reserved for people with severe hair loss and alopecia. Studies show that this product is effective at promoting hair growth. Some types of topical ointments that are usually used are:
- Topical melatonin can reduce hair loss and increase hair thickness
- Topical minoxidil 5 percent can slow hair loss
- Propecia
- Ketoconazole shampoo
The use of topical ointments to grow hair should be done as recommended by a doctor. You can consult your doctor first to check your medical history and allergies before finally using this product.