Ever wish you could do something to speed up your hair growth? Whether you’re unhappy with your current hairstyle or just want to look your best for a special event, waiting for your hair to grow can be frustratingly slow. Understanding the science involved will help you ensure you’ve got all the ingredients in place to help it along.

How hair grows

The active, growing part of your hair is the portion beneath your scalp, which is called the hair follicle and is embedded in the outer two layers of the skin, the epidermis and the dermis. All hair growth occurs at the base of the hair follicle in a region called the papilla, where cells multiply more quickly than they do in any other part of the body, replicating themselves every one to three days. As the cells multiply, the upper portion of the hair (called the hair sheath) becomes progressively longer, with the new growth eventually making its way through the dermis and epidermis and to the surface of the scalp where you can see it.

Understanding the hair growth cycle

The growth and shedding of each strand of hair takes place in a cycle that’s divided into three phases. During the anagen (growth) phase, the hair follicle is active, and hair growth is consistent. The anagen phase of the hair growth cycle lasts anywhere from two to eight years, at which point the hair moves into a brief catagen (transition) phase. During this time, the hair follicle disconnects from its nourishing blood supply, and the production of new hair cells temporarily ceases. Finally, in the telogen (resting) phase, the hair dies. As a new anagen phase begins, the old hair is pushed out of the scalp by the emerging new hair, and is shed from your body. When all is well, this continual process results in hair growth of about a millimetre every couple of days, or 15 centimetres a year. (Up to 150 strands of hair fall from the scalp every day as a normal part of the hair growth cycle, but more significant hair loss may occur in some circumstances).

Nutrients to support hair growth

Your nutritional status has a significant impact not only on the growth of your hair, but also on its condition, so if you want healthy hair, you need to eat a healthy diet! Among others, nutrients that promote hair growth and help keep your hair strong, thick and shiny include vitamin C and the minerals zinc, manganese, copper, selenium and iodine.

Herbs to support hair growth

In Chinese herbal medicine, the herb Fallopia (also known as Phytofol and He Shou Wu) has traditionally been taken to support hair follicle function, promote hair growth and enhance the strength, colour, shine and volume of the hair. It’s believed to work by revitalising hair follicles that are in the resting phase of the hair growth cycle and increasing the percentage that are in the active or anagen phase. Fallopia may also aid in the management of dandruff, thinning hair, damaged hair and many forms of hair loss, including male- and female-pattern baldness and alopecia.

Mr Vitamins recommends

Fusion Health Hair Tonic and Hair, Skin and Nails

Fusion Health, premium quality Australian-made supplements that combine the ancient wisdom of Chinese medicine and the science of modern Western herbalism, including

Find out more and shop online for Fusion Health Hair Tonic and Hair, Skin and Nails below:

• Fusion Hair Tonic: A synergistic blend of Phytofol  and other herbs that promote healthy hair growth and aid the management of hair loss
• Fusion Hair, Skin & Nails: Combines Phytofol with Silica and other nutrients for healthy hair, skin and nails