Hair Loss and Growth: Beautyworth Hair Oil in the Hair Cycle

Before you start taking interventions for your hair like hair oil treatments, minoxidil, supplements, or hair vitamins, step 1 is understanding the hair cycle. This understanding helps you better comprehend how your hair grows and why it falls out. Additionally, in this blog, you will read how Beauty Worth's Scalp & Growth scalp oil influences the hair cycle and thus stimulates hair growth and reduces hair loss!

What does the hair cycle look like?

Every hair on your head goes through three main phases, with the balance between these phases determining how much hair you grow or lose.

Anagen Phase: Growth Phase

The anagen phase is the first and most important phase where your hair actually grows. This phase usually lasts between 2 and 7 years, with hair growing about 1 cm per month. Approximately 80 to 90% of hair follicles are in the anagen phase. The duration of this phase determines the maximum hair length. Many factors influence the length of the anagen phase.

1. DHT Inhibitors (Dihydrotestosterone)
DHT is a hormone that contributes to the shortening of the anagen phase and the thinning of hair, especially in individuals with a predisposition to androgenetic alopecia. Inhibiting the conversion of testosterone to DHT can extend the anagen phase. Research has shown that finasteride, a DHT inhibitor, is effective in prolonging the anagen phase and stimulating hair growth. Natural DHT inhibitors such as pumpkin seed oil can also help extend the anagen phase.

2. Minoxidil

The use of minoxidil stimulates the production of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which is responsible for the blood supply to the hair follicles. Studies have shown that minoxidil is effective in extending the anagen phase.

3. Healthy Nutrition and Supplements

Good nutrition plays a crucial role in the anagen phase. Research shows that supplementing deficiencies in biotin (vitamin B7), iron, zinc, and vitamin D can support follicle growth and extend the anagen phase.

4. Scalp Massage and Oil Treatments

Studies indicate that regular scalp massages stimulate hair thickness and growth through improved blood circulation. A Japanese study showed that participants experienced a noticeable increase in hair thickness and growth after 24 weeks of scalp massage.

5. Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Treatment

PRP treatments use the patient's blood plasma, rich in growth factors, to stimulate hair growth. Research shows that PRP extends the anagen phase, improves blood flow to the follicles, and activates stem cells in the hair follicle.

6. Hormone Balance and Stress Management

Hormonal imbalances and stress can disrupt the hair cycle and shorten the anagen phase. Chronic stress increases cortisol levels, which hinders hair growth by making hair enter the resting phase faster, resulting in hair loss. Stress reduction techniques such as yoga and breathing exercises can help regulate the hair cycle. Hypothyroidism can also slow hair growth, while treatment with thyroid hormones can help restore the normal hair cycle.

7. Laser Therapy (Low-Level Laser Therapy, LLLT)

Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) stimulates the hair follicle with light energy, which improves blood circulation and cell function. Research shows that LLLT promotes hair growth, increases hair density, and extends the anagen phase, especially in thinning hair. D76278

Catagen Phase (Transition Phase)

The catagen phase marks the end of active hair growth and usually lasts only 2 to 3 weeks. During this phase, the hair follicle undergoes several changes: hair growth slows, the follicle shrinks, and the blood supply with nutrients to the hair follicle decreases. In this period, the hair prepares to detach and transition to the telogen phase. Aggressive chemicals in hair dyes, perms, or excessive use of hot styling tools (such as straighteners and blow dryers) can weaken the hair and accelerate the catagen phase. This means that hair stops growing faster and falls out earlier.

Telogen Phase (Resting Phase)

The final phase is the telogen phase, also known as the resting phase. This phase lasts approximately 3 to 4 months. During this period, the hair rests but remains attached to the hair follicle. About 10-15% of your hair is in this phase. At the end of the telogen phase, the hair falls out to make way for new growth in the anagen phase. Some factors can cause hair to enter the telogen phase prematurely, resulting in excessive hair loss and thinning hair. This can lead to a condition known as telogen effluvium, a form of temporary hair loss.

Telogen effluvium is a common form of hair loss that often occurs in response to a stressful event, such as illness, trauma, or emotional stress. Normally, about 10% of your hair is in the telogen phase, but with telogen effluvium, this percentage can rise to as much as 30-50%. This happens because stress "pushes" the hair follicles into the telogen phase and makes them rest prematurely. After about 2-3 months of stress, this hair will fall out, often noticeable as significantly more hair left in the shower, on the pillow, or in the brush. Read more about Telogen effluvium:

Factors that bring hair prematurely into the telogen phase:

• Stress activates the production of cortisol. High cortisol levels can damage hair follicles by reducing blood circulation to the follicles, leading to a lack of nutrients and oxygen. Research shows that increased cortisol levels shrink hair follicles and shorten the hair growth cycle. This causes hair to stay in the anagen phase for a shorter period and become inactive faster, leading to hair loss.
• Chronic stress can lead to inflammatory reactions in the body. Inflammation can affect hair follicles and disrupt their environment, which can promote hair loss.
• Hormonal fluctuations, such as during pregnancy, menopause, or with hormonal disorders, can disrupt the hair cycle and send hair into the telogen phase faster.
• Nutritional deficiencies such as iron, vitamin D, zinc, and proteins can negatively affect hair growth and cause hair to leave the growth phase earlier.
• Certain medications, such as chemotherapy or blood pressure-lowering drugs, can accelerate hair loss by pushing hair into the resting phase faster.

The Impact of Beautyworth Scalp Oil on the Hair Cycle

Beautyworth's Strength & Growth Scalp Oils are specifically designed to create an environment to restore the balance of the hair cycle and stimulate hair growth. With ingredients like rosemary oil, pumpkin seed oil, and amla oil, they inhibit the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase, which ultimately reduces the production of the hormone DHT. DHT is responsible for shrinking hair follicles, especially in people with androgenic alopecia, leading to thinner hair and shorter growth cycles. Studies suggest that inhibiting DHT allows hair follicles to remain in the anagen phase longer, which can result in thicker and longer hair growth. Use the Strength & Growth Scalp Oil together with our dermaroller or scalp massager for maximum results!

Expect Patience with Hair Treatments

It is important to have realistic expectations when starting hair treatments such as the Strength & Growth Scalp Oil or other mentioned interventions. It can take several months before you notice a real difference, as the cycle you started must first be completed. The weaker, thin hairs loosen and make way for increasingly thicker hair growth in the anagen phase. It is realistic that results can be noticed after 3-6 months of consistent use.