Slow Hair Growth? Here Could Be the Reasons Why

Experiencing stunted hair growth, no matter what you do? Generally, your hair grows at a consistent speed determined by your genetics. A healthy diet, exercise and drinking plenty of water are crucial to growing long, strong, healthy hair. However, if you notice bald spots on the scalp continuing to grow and not the length of your hair there could be other factors affecting your hair’s growth.

Over Processing and Styling

This is one of the most common causes of damaged and weak hair. Chemically processed is weaker than untreated hair because the pores have been opened, which results in protein loss. Frequent chemical processing and coloring can cause hair to become damaged and can eventually break off. Also, different types of braids, tight up-dos, and hair extensions can cause stress to the hair shaft, leading to receding hair lines and hair loss. To combat damage from styling allow your hair to air dry more often and take a break from wearing extensions for a few weeks. At your next salon visit opt for a safer hair color option like a semi-permanent dye.

Hair Miniaturization

Hair miniaturization is the hormone-driven biological process in which hairs follicles shrink in size over time, eventually leaving a bald scalp. This process occurs naturally in those who have a predisposition to androgenetic hair thinning, also known as genetic balding. The speed or time in life at which this can happen is a hereditary factor. Miniaturization causes your natural hair growth cycle to shorten which means hair produced from the follicle will be weaker, duller, and thinner. You can help combat this by stimulating blood circulation to the scalp with our Laser Hair Therapy and hair care products that cleanse the scalp and block DHT hormones which cause the hair growth cycle to shorten.

Hormonal Imbalance

Hormonal hair loss in women is common due to a lifetime of constantly fluctuating hormones from pregnancy, menopause, and other factors. Hormonal issues could also be a sign of thyroid disease or PCOS which can cause hair to appear thin and sparse. PCOS is a common hormonal condition affecting women of reproductive age. It can cause irregular menstrual cycles, excess bodily hair growth, weight gain, and complications with fertility. Some women with PCOS experience male-pattern baldness as well. Hormonal problems that lead to hair loss, when occurring in small amounts, can make it seem like your hair just is not growing. If you notice any of these symptoms talk to your doctor to get an official diagnosis and treatment plan.

Disease

Severe diseases like pneumonia or cancer can cause hair growth to become stagnant and possibly fall out. The during the normal hair cycle, the hair follicle grows, then rests, then sheds to be replaced with new hair. The stress of severe illness can cause all hair follicles to go into their resting phase (telogen phase), and hair growth temporarily ceases. If you’re experiencing illness and noticeable hair loss, we suggest talking to your doctor as soon as possible.

Suffering from slow hair growth or irreversible hair loss? New England Associates can help you regrow and restore your hair. We offer numerous, proven effective treatments for men and women. No matter your level of hair loss or hair type we have a solution for you! Contact us today to schedule a FREE, private hair and scalp exam so we can custom tailor a treatment plan specific to your type of hair loss.

*NEA continues to follow State and Government guidelines on the COVID-19 pandemic and will keep you informed on our blog with our current hours of operation and any other updates as they arrive.

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Look as Good as You Feel!™

Make New England Associates® Your First Step to a Better Looking Future!™

Since 1982 New England Associates® has known hair loss is as individual as you are. New England Associates® offers all of the procedures that work to repair, replace, restore, and grow hair. We are members of the American Hair Loss Council and the Better Business Bureau. Locations include Wakefield, MA and Manchester, NH. Our hair restoration options include hair and scalp treatments, non-medical hair replacement, laser hair therapy treatments, hair transplants, and shampoos and vitamins for fine and thinning hair.

Hair Myths You Always Hear That Are Not Actually True

In the quest to avoid bad hair days there are tons of tips and hair care treatments that have been used and passed down for centuries. Unfortunately, from that there is also a ton of hair misinformation that makes properly caring for our manes even harder and can even cause more harm than good. We're here to tell you the real deal with your hair and debunk some common hair myths.

 

 Myth: Frequent Shaving and Haircuts Will Make My Hair Grow Thicker or Faster

While regular trims get rid of split ends and can improve your hair’s health, it does not affect hair’s thickness or the speed at which it grows. How thick your hair is and the rate at which it grows is determined by your genes. Hair goes through a continuous growth cycle and each individual follicle is in a different part of this hair cycle. Besides, hair does not contain any nerve endings so there is no way for it to communicate with your body (or else haircuts would really hurt). So, while you may see the difference, your body has no way of knowing your hair has been cut or shaved.

Myth: Shampoo Will Make My Hair Grow Faster

As discussed with the first myth, your hair generally grows at a consistent rate determined by genetics and the hair’s growth cycle. So, any shampoos or conditioners that claim to speed up hair growth just aren’t true. However, there are certain hair treatments, paired with a healthy hair care regimen, that can improve your hair's health, thickness, and shine. Regularly, (not daily) shampooing keeps the scalp clean and free of dirt and excess sebum which can clog hair follicles and cause weak, brittle hair. Plus, having full and healthy hair gives the illusion of longer hair.

Myth: Plucking Gray Hairs Causes More Gray to Grow

Gray hair is the result of when cells in the hair stop producing pigment. These pigment lacking strands are transparent but appears gray because of the dead cells that make up the strand. However, you don’t necessarily want to start plucking away at your gray hairs either. Plucking your hair can possibly destroy the hair follicle and can lead to bald patches. To avoid premature graying, experts suggest quitting unhealthy habits like smoking and eating foods high in vitamins and nutrients essential for good hair health like B12, iron, and collagen. If you have a lot of grays, consider coloring your hair. Then again, there is no shame in going gray hair either. Many consider the “silver fox” look attractive and silver/gray is a trendy hair color choice today.

Myth: You Can Train Your Hair to Look How You Want

While straightening, blow drying, and combing can help to style you hair temporarily to look a certain way the pattern at which your hair grows does not change. The direction and texture that your hair grows is determined by-say it with me-your genetics. You can manipulate the hair already grown out of your hair follicles to take a certain shape or lay a certain way, but it won’t ever grow any different. Besides, over styling with heat or chemical processing to change your hair’s texture and shape can cause serious damage to your strands and cause them to break off. While changing up your look with correct styling techniques are okay give your hair a breather every once in a while, and embrace your natural hair.

If you are suffering from hair loss or want to maintain the hair you already have for longer consider coming to New England Associates. We offer affordable and effective hair restoration and replacement solutions for men and women. No matter your level of hair loss we can help. With NEA you’ll see longer, stronger, healthier hair. To *schedule your FREE, private consultation contact one of our offices or visit our website for more information today!

*NEA continues to follow State and Government guidelines on the COVID-19 pandemic and will keep you informed on our blog with our current hours of operation and any other updates as they arrive.

***

Look as Good as You Feel!™

Make New England Associates® Your First Step to a Better Looking Future!™

Since 1982 New England Associates® has known hair loss is as individual as you are. New England Associates® offers all of the procedures that work to repair, replace, restore, and grow hair. We are members of the American Hair Loss Council and the Better Business Bureau. Locations include Wakefield, MA and Manchester, NH. Our hair restoration options include hair and scalp treatments, non-medical hair replacement, laser hair therapy treatments, hair transplants, and shampoos and vitamins for fine and thinning hair.