Influences On Hair Growth

Connected to the hair follicles are oil glands (technically called sebaceous glands). Herein is where trouble often begins. The glands, designed to secrete an oily substance, known as sebum, give shine and pliability to the hair and a supply softness to the skin. Frequently, however, these glands malfunction. If, in this malfunction, too much oil is secreted, an oily dandruff results on the scalp. This can be major contributing cause of hair loss and, eventually, baldness.

Five major factors contribute to the overproduction of the oil glands:

1. An overabundance of sweat, starch, and fatty foods in a person's diet.

2. The circulation of blood, which, due to an improper diet, does not contain sufficient nourishment.

3. Mental or emotional stress and strain, taking its toll on all parts of the body via the nervous system.

4. A decrease in the activity of the endocrine glands, glands which become very active during adolescence, but which slow down with age.

5. Drugs and medication, especially hormones, taken without a perscription or medical advice.

A candid evaluation of these factors reveals that they could be almost controlled by an individual willing to do so. Even if you've neglected them in the past, you may still have a fighting chance. Remember, as long as the papilla is not destroyed, hair will continue to grow--even if it is pulled out by the roots. Ounce a papilla is killed, however, hair can never grow from the hair follicle again.

Your papillae will continue to live as long as the rest of your body does unless they suffer a premature death caused by a serious scalp infection, a hard blow, a severe wound or burn, or an abundance of X-rays and treatments used to combat such diseases as cancer. If improperly nourished, the papillae will react like any other part of the body--they will eventually weaken and cease functioning.

Therefore, the indispensability of a healthy body to a healthy head of hair cannot be over-emphasized. I am not speaking of health merely from the physical side, but equally significant is your emotional health. Stress and strain can have a disastrous effect on the life of your hair. In fact, simply worrying about baldness can increase your chances of being plagued by it!

You can create temporary bald patches on your scalp by a subconscious nervous habit, such as rubbing the scalp or tugging at your hair. In these cases, however, you are damaging only the hair, and once the habit is broken, the papillae are again free to replace that hair loss.

Hair growth will also be affected by influences such as age, seasons of the year, and climate. It will grow at a faster pace between ages of 15 to 30, but growth begins to decline radically between the ages of 50 and 60. Heat in the air will cause hair to expand and absorb moisture; moisture in the air increases the natural curl of the hair; and cold air will cause hair to contract.

Contrary to popular belief, the growth of hair will not be increased by cutting or close shaving. Nor will the application of conditioning oil or creams increase the rate of growth. True, they lubricate the hair shaft and make hair appear softer and more manageable, but they are not capable of feeding and nourishing the hair.