How Fast Does Hair Grow?

Hair on the scalp grows about 0.3 to 0.4 millimeter per day or about 6 inches per year. Unlike other mammals, human hair growth and shedding is random and not seasonal or cyclical.

 

What Can Hurt Your Hair?

• Excessive sun exposure
• Exposure to sea water or chlorine in the swimming pool
• Use of curling or hair straightening irons
• Excessive heat when blow drying
• Excessive and hard brushing
• Chemicals in styling products.
• Chemicals for hair coloring, straightening, and permanent waving

 

What Are “Split Ends”?

Split ends are, literally, splitting of hairs at the ends. It is typically caused by over-use of styling chemicals, frequent or excessive rubbing while washing the hair. Although split ends cannot be completely prevented, routine haircuts and careful washing/styling habits will help improve the appearance of your hair.

 

What Happens When I Dye My Hair?

The hair shaft consists of layers of structured proteins (keratins) and protective oils. In order for hair color to be changed, the natural oils have to be partially removed by a bleaching agent and the keratin layers have to be “softened,” so that the coloring agent is able to penetrate and stain the cortex keratins with the desired color. Together, these changes make the hair shaft “drier” and more brittle. Frequent hair-color changes (more than once in 4 to 6 weeks) may result in damages such as split ends, dryness, and difficulty in brushing which cannot be reversed.

Is It Normal for Hair to Fall Off When Brushing?

Absolutely! A healthy person with a full head of hair will shed on average 50 to 100 “dead” hairs per day. Shedding can be influenced by factors such as age, change in hormones, nutrition, skin disease, stress, exposure to radiation and certain chemicals. However, losing a small amount of hairs on a daily basis is normal.

 

Tips for Brushing Your Hair:

• Don’t believe in the “100 strokes a day” myth; excessive brushing causes more harm than good.
• Never back-brush or backcomb hair; follow its natural direction.
• Use a wide-toothed comb instead of a brush.
• Be patient and careful when working through tangles.