Retinol For Hair Growth? It Might Be More Possible Than You Think
Waiting for your hair to grow out can be an overwhelming task. Whether your hair is naturally thin, or you're trying to grow out a short haircut, there are many reasons why you may want longer hair. However, depending on your genetics, growing out your hair quickly may not come as naturally. One of the biggest challenges is dealing with the awkward phases of hair growth, where your hair may be too short for certain hairstyles, but too long to style the way you used to. All of these phases and struggles can cause you to lose patience when it comes to your hair growth.
One of the main factors you want to consider when growing out your hair is taking care of it. Taking care of your hair means using the right products, avoiding heat styling as much as possible, and getting regular trims to prevent split ends. It can also be helpful to incorporate a healthy diet and lifestyle habits, as these can promote hair growth from within. When looking at your hair care routine, there are a few ingredients you may want to include to help speed up the process. Although many of the ingredients are well known, others are more subtle in the benefits they can deliver to your hair. Retinol is an undisputed skincare savior, but all of the benefits it can give your hair remains one of the best-kept secrets in haircare.
How retinol can help with hair growth
When you hear about retinol, your immediate thought goes to the ways it can help clear up your skin. While it's true that retinol is a staple in the skincare world, it's also a helpful haircare ingredient. Retinol, also known as vitamin A, is a powerful antioxidant that has been shown to have numerous benefits for hair growth. One of the ways that retinol can help with hair growth is by promoting healthy circulation to the scalp, according to Mane Addicts. This is because retinol has been shown to improve the health of blood vessels, which in turn can increase blood flow to the scalp. This increased blood flow can help to nourish hair follicles and promote healthy hair growth.
Besides improving circulation, retinol can also help to improve the overall health and condition of the scalp. Retinol has been shown to stimulate the production of collagen, which is an important component of healthy skin and hair. By promoting collagen production, retinol can help to strengthen hair follicles and prevent hair breakage, which can lead to healthier and more robust hair growth over time. For those with oily hair, retinol can also help by clearing out the buildup of products and dead skin cells. Clearing out your skin will help regulate excess oil production as well as decrease the likelihood of dandruff. A healthy and clean scalp will ultimately lead to steady and consistent hair growth.
Incorporating retinol into your haircare routine
Before applying retinol directly onto your scalp, you need to ensure you are compatible with the product. Retinol is a powerful ingredient, and just like with your skin, it's possible that applying it to your scalp can lead to redness and irritation. Before applying any sort of retinol, conduct a patch test on your hairline to ensure that you won't have any skin reactions. The easiest way to include retinol into your hair routine is by using hair care products that contain retinol. Look for shampoos, conditioners, or hair treatments that include retinol in their ingredients list. These products can help to promote healthy hair growth and improve the condition of your scalp over time.
Other options for adding retinol into your routine are by applying retinol oil directly, or taking a retinol supplement. If you decide to take a retinol supplement, be sure to take the recommended dosage, as excess vitamin A can lead to hair loss. You can also use a retinol serum or oil directly on your scalp. Sofia Latif recommends applying a small amount of retinol serum or oil to your scalp before bed and massaging it gently. Leave the product overnight, and wash your hair as usual in the morning. Over time, this can help to improve scalp health and promote healthy hair growth.