March 24th, 2023
Wondering what scientists are recommending when it comes to providing the best environment for hair growth? We were when we started drafting this post. First and foremost, hair growth is determined by genetics plus your state of health, and then, secondly, it is moderately impacted by hair care routines that maintain strength and reduce damage. The scientific community agrees on those primary and secondary influencers, but they have yet to agree on the best way to help hair grow faster.
As you go into reading this post, we'd like to remind you that hair loss is a medical condition, so you should always consult your doctor for guidance on treatment options, and to understand if topical hair treatments/products can help you. People lose anywhere from 20 - 100 hairs per day on average, but, if you're noticing more than this, it may be a good idea to check in with your doctor. Review this guide by the Mayo Clinic to help gauge if talking with your doctor makes sense.
As you go into reading this post, we'd like to remind you that hair loss is a medical condition, so you should always consult your doctor for guidance on treatment options, and to understand if topical hair treatments/products can help you. People lose anywhere from 20 - 100 hairs per day on average, but, if you're noticing more than this, it may be a good idea to check in with your doctor. Review this guide by the Mayo Clinic to help gauge if talking with your doctor makes sense.
Hair Growth 101
How Fast Hair Grows
Hair generally grows 6 inches a year at a rate of ½ an inch per month. A 2005 study in the International Journal of Dermatology titled "Diversity of hair growth profiles" looked for differences among hair growth rates based on ethnicity. While the study had limitations, it found hair grows fastest among Asian ethnicities and slowest among African ethnicities (specifically South, Central and West Africa).
Hair Growth Stages
Each strand of your hair will be in one of three stages at a given point in time:
- Anagen (active stage): Underneath your scalp, at the base of a strand's root, cells are being formed, resulting in the strand being pushed out at the root and actively plus visibly growing. It can remain in this phase for 2 - 6 years.
- Catagen (transitional stage): The hair strand is still attached, but no longer growing. This stage lasts for 2 - 3 weeks.
- Telogen (resting stage): On a given day, a person can shed 20 - 100 hairs that are in the telogen phase. It is a necessary and natural part of your hair's growth process. A white ball on the tip of a pulled out hair is a sign of this phase.
Types of Hair Loss
- Pattern hair loss or androgenic alopecia: characterized by losing density at the temples or hairline and top of the head.
- Alopecia areata: patchy baldness caused by autoimmune disorders
- Traction: the result of hairstyles that are hard on the hair and scalp (ex: a tightly tied ponytail)
- Additional examples from NYU Langone Health here.
General Causes of Problems with Hair Growth and Hair Loss
- Stress (see the post Your Hair + Stress)
- Hormones
- Vitamin and mineral deficiencies
- Genetics
- Autoimmune responses
- Certain medical treatments/therapies
Available Treatments, Resources and Studies on Creating an Environment Conducive to Hair Growth
Below is a list of treatments, resources and studies that contribute to creating an environment that is conducive to hair growth.
Scalp Massages
Scalp massages are a common way to reduce stress and anxiety. While more studies need to be done, in general the consensus is scalp massages manipulate blood flow, which is potentially beneficial for hair growth and retention.
Standardized Scalp Massage Results in Increased Hair Thickness by Inducing Stretching Forces to Dermal Papilla Cells in the Subcutaneous Tissue
This was a small study conducted with Japanese men, where the participants noted an “increased hair thickness in 24 weeks” from scalp massages. The massages in the study were conducted with a device versus done by hand.
Self-Assessments of Standardized Scalp Massages for Androgenic Alopecia: Survey Results
This study conducted daily scalp massages on 337 participants with angiogenic alopecia. Almost 70% of the participants reported “hair loss stabilization or regrowth” after the study.
Standardized Scalp Massage Results in Increased Hair Thickness by Inducing Stretching Forces to Dermal Papilla Cells in the Subcutaneous Tissue
This was a small study conducted with Japanese men, where the participants noted an “increased hair thickness in 24 weeks” from scalp massages. The massages in the study were conducted with a device versus done by hand.
Self-Assessments of Standardized Scalp Massages for Androgenic Alopecia: Survey Results
This study conducted daily scalp massages on 337 participants with angiogenic alopecia. Almost 70% of the participants reported “hair loss stabilization or regrowth” after the study.
Botanicals
Rosemary Oil
Rosemary Oil vs Minoxidil 2% for the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia: A Randomized Comparative Trial
A 6 month clinical trial’s research suggests rosemary oil may be effective in treating androgenic alopecia. This study compared minoxidil 2%, which is an FDA approved treatment, to rosemary oil when combating hair loss caused by angiogenic alopecia.
Rosemary, Thyme, Lavender, and Cedarwood Essential Oils
Management of alopecia areata
Rosemary, thyme, lavender, and cedarwood essential oils, along with carrier oils, massaged into the scalp daily “showed significant regrowth compared with the carrier oil alone”. This study was specifically for the treatment of Alopecia areata, a type of patchy baldness.. While as of today there is no known cure for Alopecia areata, this randomized control trial showed some results, suggesting further testing is needed.
Fenugreek
A Multimodal Hair-Loss Treatment Strategy Using a New Topical Phytoactive Formulation: A Report of Five Cases
The anti-inflammatory properties of fenugreek seed have been cited in numerous studies. This study in particular used five patients with hair loss to “show that meaningful improvement with a high safety profile was attainable using a topical botanical formulation".
Dabao
The effectiveness of the hair-restorer "Dabao" in males with alopecia androgenetica. A clinical experiment
Dabao is a mixture of Chinese herb extracts, which include saffron flower, mulberry leaves, ginger root, stemona root, pepper fruits, sesame leaves, schan pepper skin, hawthorne fruit and chinese angelica root. The study concludes that “Dabao does have a certain effect on growth".
Onion Juice
Onion juice (Allium cepa L.), a new topical treatment for alopecia areata
This was another study done on alopecia areata, exploring the possibility of onion juice being a treatment. It "showed that the use of crude onion juice gave significantly higher results with regard to hair re-growth than did tap water (P<0.0001), and that it can be an effective topical therapy for patchy alopecia areata".
Rice Water
The effect of rinse water obtained from the washing of rice (YU-SU-RU) as a hair treatment
Rice water is also known as Yu-Su-Ru to the Yao women who live in China’s Guangxi Region. The Yao women’s hair care routine consists of submerging their hair in water leached from rice. The women believe this treatment is the secret behind their floor length hair. The study hypothesizes that rice water assists in “reducing surface friction and increasing hair elasticity". Below we've also shared videos from two dermatologists with leading YouYube channels who discuss the possibility that the inositol in rice plays a role in strengthening hair.
Rosemary Oil
Rosemary Oil vs Minoxidil 2% for the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia: A Randomized Comparative Trial
A 6 month clinical trial’s research suggests rosemary oil may be effective in treating androgenic alopecia. This study compared minoxidil 2%, which is an FDA approved treatment, to rosemary oil when combating hair loss caused by angiogenic alopecia.
Rosemary, Thyme, Lavender, and Cedarwood Essential Oils
Management of alopecia areata
Rosemary, thyme, lavender, and cedarwood essential oils, along with carrier oils, massaged into the scalp daily “showed significant regrowth compared with the carrier oil alone”. This study was specifically for the treatment of Alopecia areata, a type of patchy baldness.. While as of today there is no known cure for Alopecia areata, this randomized control trial showed some results, suggesting further testing is needed.
Fenugreek
A Multimodal Hair-Loss Treatment Strategy Using a New Topical Phytoactive Formulation: A Report of Five Cases
The anti-inflammatory properties of fenugreek seed have been cited in numerous studies. This study in particular used five patients with hair loss to “show that meaningful improvement with a high safety profile was attainable using a topical botanical formulation".
Dabao
The effectiveness of the hair-restorer "Dabao" in males with alopecia androgenetica. A clinical experiment
Dabao is a mixture of Chinese herb extracts, which include saffron flower, mulberry leaves, ginger root, stemona root, pepper fruits, sesame leaves, schan pepper skin, hawthorne fruit and chinese angelica root. The study concludes that “Dabao does have a certain effect on growth".
Onion Juice
Onion juice (Allium cepa L.), a new topical treatment for alopecia areata
This was another study done on alopecia areata, exploring the possibility of onion juice being a treatment. It "showed that the use of crude onion juice gave significantly higher results with regard to hair re-growth than did tap water (P<0.0001), and that it can be an effective topical therapy for patchy alopecia areata".
Rice Water
The effect of rinse water obtained from the washing of rice (YU-SU-RU) as a hair treatment
Rice water is also known as Yu-Su-Ru to the Yao women who live in China’s Guangxi Region. The Yao women’s hair care routine consists of submerging their hair in water leached from rice. The women believe this treatment is the secret behind their floor length hair. The study hypothesizes that rice water assists in “reducing surface friction and increasing hair elasticity". Below we've also shared videos from two dermatologists with leading YouYube channels who discuss the possibility that the inositol in rice plays a role in strengthening hair.
