There are a lot of old wives’ tales out there about hair care, and one of the most persistent is the idea that dirty hair grows back faster. Is there any truth to this claim?
Some people absolutely swear by this method. They’ll even go weeks without washing their hair just so it may grow back a little faster. While on the other hand, there are people that have to wash their hair every single day or every other day.
With so much information out there, it can be difficult to figure out which way you should be washing your hair.
Let’s take a closer look at the science behind hair growth to find out.
First up, How Hair Grows
Before we get into how fast dirty or clean hair grows, we have to dig deeper into how hair grows in general.
Hair follicles are located all over the body except on the palms of our hands and soles of our feet. There are several different types of hair follicles, but the two main types are terminal follicles and vellus follicles.
Terminal follicles are larger and produce thicker, longer hairs, while vellus follicles are smaller and produce shorter, thinner hairs. The type of hair produced by a follicle is determined by its location on the body; for example, we have mostly terminal hairs on our heads, while our legs and arms have mostly vellus hairs.
The hair growth cycle consists of three phases: the anagen phase, the catagen phase, and the telogen phase. Each of these phases is different, and how you should be caring for the hair is different too.
The anagen phase is the growth phase, during which the hair follicle produces new cells that push the old cells up through the follicle until they reach the surface of the skin.
This phase can last anywhere from a few weeks to several years. The catagen phase is a transitional phase during which cell production slows down, and the hair follicle begins to shrink. This phase lasts for about two weeks.
Finally, the telogen phase is the resting phase; during this time, cell production stops entirely, and old cells are shed from the hair follicle. This phase lasts for about four weeks before starting anew with an anagen phase.
So from this section alone, we can see that hair doesn’t actually grow the same way all the time. There are phases where the growth is a lot better than other phases and times when there’s no growth at all. Understanding this puts you in place to hair for your hair properly and have the right growth expectations from it too.
The Science Behind Dirty Hair Grow Back Faster Claims
So now that we know how hair grows, what does that have to do with whether or not dirty hair grow back faster?
Well, it turns out that there isn’t any real scientific evidence to support this claim.
In fact, washing your hair regularly is actually good for hair health!
Washing helps to remove build-up from styling products, environmental pollutants, and sebum (an oily substance produced by our skin). All of these things can weigh down your hair and make it look greasy or dull. Washing also stimulates blood flow to the scalp, which can promote hair growth.
How Can You Get Your Hair To Grow Back Faster
If you’re looking to promote hair growth and have healthy, strong hair, there are a few things that you can do.
First, make sure to use a good shampoo and conditioner that is suitable for your hair type. It’s also important to not wash your hair too frequently; try sticking to every two or three days or every other day if you have very oily hair. Longer gaps between washes might lead to hair that’s too dirty.
Besides washing, nourish your hair with a good diet full of protein and vitamins, and consider using products with ingredients known to promote hair growth, such as biotin or tea tree oil.
Use proper hair care products for your hair type. All hair is different. Even two people with straight hair would need different hair care routines. One might have fine hair, while the other has thick hair. Make sure to use products that will benefit your specific hair type and avoid those that may damage it. It might take a lot of trial and error to get there, but the journey isn’t impossible. Even the best drugstore hair products won’t work if they aren’t for your hair type.
Use heat styling tools sparingly, and always use a heat protectant before doing. Avoid tight hairstyles that can cause breakage and damage to the hair follicle. This also goes for brushing. Being rough with the brushing routine can cause breakage and damage the hair follicle too.
Additionally, reducing stress can also promote hair growth. Make sure to take some time for self-care and relaxation, as high levels of stress have been linked to hair loss.
Consider using a scalp massage brush or incorporating scalp massages into your shower routine; this can improve blood flow to the scalp and promote hair growth. Using the best drugstore hair oil is better than not using any at all!
Overall, hair care is something that requires time, patience, and experimentation. Don’t believe everything you hear, including the myth about dirty hair growing back faster – focus on healthy habits and nourishing your hair for the best results.
The Bottom Line:
So there you have it—the verdict is in on whether or not dirty hair grows back faster!
Contrary to popular belief, there is no scientific evidence to support this claim. However, that doesn’t mean you should start skipping showers or showering too much! Washing your hair regularly is actually good for your scalp and can promote healthy hair growth. So go ahead and lather up! Your locks will thank you for it. What really matters is making sure that you use the right hair care products for your specific hair type, nourish your hair with a balanced diet, and reduce stress for overall healthy hair growth!
