According to the latest research carried out by the American College of Dermatology, about one in a hundred can suffer from this problem of no hair growth. It makes you really wonder what can possibly cause it.
Some suffer depression just because of this problem, while many don't even know the root causes.
In this article, we will discuss why won't your hair grow, the reasons behind it, and all popular remedies to cope with this situation. All under the lenses of a board-certified dermatologist.
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Why won't my hair grow?
The normal hair growth cycle
Before heading towards the leading causes behind no hair growth, it is essential to understand the normal physiological hair growth cycle.
Our hair passes through various stages of development, one of which is the telogen phase. It is a normal resting phase in which hair doesn't grow.
Due to underlying processes, our hair goes into this phase and results in no hair growth. It is temporary inhibition of growth and usually restores in few days.
Stress
Almost every second person in our society is suffering from stress. It can be in the form of anxiety, depression, psychosis, and work. Stress increases steroids, testosterone, and other hormones, which decreases hair growth eventually; our hair won't grow.
It is also a temporary hair growth stoppage and can be restored once the hormonal rush settles.
Age
Hairs grow best in the adult age before forty years of age. After forty years, hair starts shedding, and we may encounter pattern baldness. It is a permanent form of hair loss and one of the leading causes our hair won't grow.
Genetics
Genetics is something that runs in families. Some people inherit such genes which inhibit the growth of hair follicles. It is an unstoppable phenomenon, and there are a few agents that diagnose and prevent genetic hair follicle growth inhibition.
Poor Diet
Diet has a pivotal role in the growth of hair. It is believed that people who eat food rich in proteins seldom face hair growth restrictions.
Many people with a poor diet can meet the poor or no hair growth. It is a reversible phenomenon and can be treated easily by good diet intake.
Medications
Many medications have a direct impact on hair follicles. These include testosterone, finasteride, and other anti-cancer drugs. They are the sole culprits in people who complain that their hair is not growing.
Thyroid hormone and hair growth
The thyroid hormone is growth-promoting and regulates the metabolism of our body. Its deficiency inhibits the growth of hair. This is the reason that many hypothyroid patients often complain of decreased or no hair growth.
PTSD
Post-traumatic stress order has a tremendous negative impact on our body hormones. It results in decreased or no growth of hairs. It is a temporary inhibition, and hair starts growing once PTSD gets settled.
Pregnancy and childbirth
Excessive hormonal rush due to childbirth, pregnancy, and labor results in the shedding of normal hair. The hairs enter into the telogen phase, which is a resting phase in the hair growth cycle. They start growing again once the body gets out of the stress period.
Read how to prevent hair loss during pregnancy here.
Post-surgery
Many people have faced the stoppage of hair growth after surgery due to extreme stress conditions that we have to face after surgery. It is due to increased nutrient demand and less nutrient intake.
Poor hygiene
People who have poor hygiene often complain that their hair stops growing or is growing very slowly. It is due to disturbances in the body that ultimately results in this condition.
Significant hair modification
After having a significant hair modification, hair usually takes time to grow back. There is a temporary stop in the growth, but they grow back soon.
Radiotherapy
Many cancer patients complain that after the radiotherapy sessions, their hair starts thinning and not growing well. It is a normal process, and they will start growing again soon once the effect of radio waves on the hair starts getting off.
Male pattern baldness
Male pattern baldness is associated with hair loss in a particular pattern. The hairs that shed will never grow back unless we apply some dermatologist's approved product to get them back.
Find out early signs of balding to stop it in its track.
Estrogen pills
Estrogen is an active constituent of combined oral contraceptive pills. They inhibit hair regrowth and promote hair fall. That is the common reason why every middle-aged female is complaining that hair is not growing back.
Medical conditions
Many people, although they look fit but deep inside, they suffer from many dermatological diseases. These diseases are common in our society due to the prevalence of fungi and bacteria. If you are suffering from any of such conditions, your hair stops growing due to the ongoing inflammatory process.
Diabetes can also cause the stoppage of hair growth and, in worse cases, hair loss itself.
Environmental conditions
Due to excessive exposure to sun and ultraviolet rays, many factors are produced in the hair, stopping hair growth. Furthermore, people who live in extreme environments also experienced that they tend to lose their hair more and cannot regrow them.
Poor sleeping posture
Poor sleeping posture is associated with the stoppage of hair growth. It is because the blood supply to your hair becomes compromised, and the hair stops growing. Lack of sleep and staying up late might also cause hair loss.
Harmful products
People who use substandard products face more such problems. These products damage your hair right from the root and don't allow them to grow back. There are also certain ingredients you'd want to avoid to save your hair from further damages.
This is the most dangerous situation as, at times, it progresses to permanent hair loss. Check out this handy little guide on whether your daily hair wash caused the hair growth inhibition.
How can you grow your hair back?
Before discussing the various options to grow your hair back, it is essential to understand that we have to evaluate the root cause of why our hair is not growing back.
Most of the time, it is due to disease conditions. At times it is expected to be environmental damages or nutrient deficiency. So ruling out the cause and treat it wisely using the below-mentioned treatments.
Home remedies
Hair massage
Hair massage increases the blood flow to your scalp; eventually, your hair gets the desired amount of nutrients, and they start growing back.
Use of natural plants
Many natural plants are hair growth boosters. These include aloe vera. Aloe vera is an antioxidant and hair growth booster. It can be used in the form of gel over the hair. Many dermatologists can also recommend the oral intake of aloe vera gel as it is effective in both ways.
Regular oiling of hairs
Regular oiling provides the hair with essential nutrients required for its growth. Commonly recommended oils are rosemary oil and geranium oil. It is necessary to properly smear your hair in oil until it enters the roots.(Patel et al., 2017; Schwalfenberg, 2006)
Biotin and saw palmetto
These are the natural ingredients from plants. Their deficiency in the body doesn't allow the hairs to grow. Hence, taking the biotin in an appropriate amount prevents your hair growth inhibition. (Patel et al., 2017)
Omega-3 fatty acids
These are the natural source of energy for our body and accelerate hair growth. If you are suffering from any fatty acid deficiency, it is depicted in the form of hair growth stoppage.
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Medicinal treatments
Minoxidil sprays
Minoxidil is a wonder drug that increases and starts your hair growth. It is available in the form of sprays, tablets, and gels.
Minoxidil is associated with postural hypotension and flushing among other side effects, consult with your doctor or choose a natural, safe alternative to minoxidil.
Finasteride tablets
Finasteride is a natural inhibitor of testosterone and restarts the stopped growth of hairs. It is available in the market quickly and has fewer side effects than minoxidil. See our comparison of the finasteride vs. minoxidil here.
Multivitamins
Various multivitamins are available in the market, which increases hair growth, which is caused by nutrient deficiency.
Surgical treatment
These are the last resort options present to cope with the situations after understanding that your hair growth halt is not temporary. These include:
Hair transplant
Hair transplant (previously known as hair plug) is done to grow your hair back. Nowadays it has become mainstream and the procedure of choice to grow your hair back. It is essential to evaluate the patient properly before heading towards this procedure.
Platelet-rich plasma therapy (PRP)
It is a newer technique to cope with hair loss. It involves the injection of plasma enriched in platelets. It is an excellent medium for hair growth, and your hair starts growing back after this.
So, in conclusion, why won't my hair grow?
The reasons "why won't my hair grow" are plenty, but knowing them is one step closer to getting rid of it.
It is vital to cure the underlying factor so that our hair starts growing back again.
Different hair growth booster treatment options are available that will help a lot to sort out this problem. If still, it remains, it is essential to get yourself evaluated by a registered healthcare practitioner.
Reference
Patel, D. P., Swink, S. M., & Castelo-Soccio, L. (2017). A Review of the Use of Biotin for Hair Loss. Skin Appendage Disorders, 3(3). https://doi.org/10.1159/000462981
Schwalfenberg, G. (2006). Omega-3 fatty acids: Their beneficial role in cardiovascular health. Canadian Family Physician Medecin de Famille Canadien, 52(6), 734.
Suchonwanit, P., Thammarucha, S., & Leerunyakul, K. (2019). Minoxidil and its use in hair disorders: a review. Drug Design, Development and Therapy, 13, 2777.