Hair Growth: A Guide to Healthy and Strong Hair

Hair Growth: A Guide to Healthy and Strong Hair

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Hair Growth Guide: How to Look After Your Hair and Scalp

Hair growth is a natural process influenced by many different factors. Genetics, age and the hair’s natural growth cycle are just some of the factors at play, which is why there isn’t a single method that can make your hair grow faster.

If you want to compare different serum types for hair and scalp care, explore our range of hair serums.

However, there is a lot you can do to look after your hair and scalp and establish a gentle hair care routine.

In this guide, we take a closer look at hair care, diet, vitamins and minerals, as well as the daily habits that may be relevant if you want to look after your hair properly.

Understanding the hair’s natural growth cycle

Hair goes through different phases as part of its natural life cycle.

This also means that hair length, density and growth vary from person to person.

If you experience sudden, severe or persistent hair loss, you should speak to your doctor, as hair loss can have many different causes.

A gentle hair care routine

A good hair care routine involves, amongst other things, minimising unnecessary strain on the hair strands.

For example, it may be a good idea to:

  • handle wet hair gently
  • avoid unnecessarily high temperatures when styling
  • use products suited to your hair type
  • avoid very tight hairstyles for prolonged periods
  • use conditioner to reduce friction and make your hair easier to detangle

This won’t necessarily change your hair’s natural growth rate, but it can help you look after the hair you already have better.

Massage your scalp

A scalp massage can be a pleasant part of your hair care routine.

Use your fingertips or a scalp brush and gently massage your scalp using circular movements.

You can combine the massage with the scalp products you normally use, always following the product’s instructions for use.

You may wish to read our guide to scalp massage here.

Diet and normal hair

A varied and balanced diet is an important part of a healthy lifestyle and provides various vitamins, minerals, proteins, fats and other nutrients.

When we talk specifically about vitamins and minerals in relation to hair, it is important to distinguish between maintaining normal hair and claims of increased or faster hair growth.

There are, amongst other things, approved health claims for biotin, zinc and selenium:

Biotin helps to maintain normal hair.

Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal hair.

Selenium contributes to the maintenance of normal hair.

This does not mean that these nutrients can be marketed as ingredients that make hair grow faster, create new hair or reduce hair loss.

You can read more in our guide to vitamins for hair here.

Biotin and hair

Biotin is also known as vitamin B7 and belongs to the B-vitamin group.

The relevant authorised health claim in relation to hair is:

Biotin contributes to the maintenance of normal hair.

Biotin should therefore not be confused with an ingredient that has been proven to increase the rate of hair growth.

If you’d like to find out more, you can read our guide on biotin for hair.

Zinc and hair

Zinc is a mineral with a range of different functions in the body.

In relation to hair, the relevant authorised health claim is:

Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal hair.

Selenium and hair

Selenium is also a mineral with an approved health claim relating to hair:

Selenium helps maintain normal hair.

What about vitamin B12, vitamin C, vitamin A and other nutrients?

Many other vitamins and minerals have important and authorised functions in the body.

However, this does not automatically mean that they can be said to have a direct effect on hair.

For example, an authorised function for a vitamin should not be extended to a new claim about hair growth based solely on a biological explanation.

That is why, in this guide, we focus on the vitamins and minerals that have specific approved health claims relating to normal hair.

What foods can form part of a varied diet?

Rather than focusing on individual so-called ‘hair foods’, it is a good idea to eat a varied diet.

A varied diet may include, amongst other things:

  • vegetables
  • fruit and berries
  • wholemeal products
  • pulses
  • eggs
  • fish
  • meat
  • nuts and seeds
  • dairy products or suitable alternatives

Together, these different foods provide a wide range of nutrients.

There is therefore no need to link individual foods to faster hair growth.

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What about protein?

Protein is one of the macronutrients in the diet and is found in, amongst other things, meat, fish, eggs, dairy products, pulses, nuts and seeds.

The hair shaft itself consists mainly of keratin, which is a protein.

However, this does not mean that protein should be marketed as a nutrient that makes hair grow faster.

A varied diet can include different sources of protein as part of one’s general nutrition.

Read more about protein and hair care here.

Dietary supplements for hair

Dietary supplements are intended to supplement the normal diet and should not replace a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.

If a dietary supplement contains sufficient amounts of the relevant nutrients to meet the conditions for the approved claims, the following information may, for example, be provided:

Biotin helps maintain normal hair.

Zinc helps maintain normal hair.

However, it should not be described as a guarantee of faster hair growth, thicker hair or reduced hair loss.

If you suspect a vitamin or mineral deficiency, you should speak to your doctor or another relevant healthcare professional.

Take care of your hair when using heat styling

Frequent use of high temperatures can damage the hair shaft.

If you use straighteners, curling tongs or other heat styling tools, you can:

  • set the temperature appropriately
  • avoid applying heat to the same area unnecessarily many times
  • use a heat protection product
  • handle your hair gently after styling

Use hair products that suit your hair

There is no one-size-fits-all hair care routine.

Dry, fine, curly, coloured and chemically treated hair, for example, may have different needs.

You should therefore choose shampoo, conditioner and styling products based on your hair type and the effect you want to achieve on the hair itself.

If your scalp reacts to a product, it may be a good idea to stop using it and find an alternative that suits you better.

Grow & Glow Serum Formula+

A scalp serum can be part of your daily hair care routine.

Our Grow & Glow Serum Formula+ is designed for application directly to the scalp and contains, amongst other ingredients, Capilia Longa®.

The serum is applied to the scalp following the product’s instructions for use and can be combined with the rest of your hair care routine.

Stress and hair

Stress can affect the body in many ways.

If you experience changes in your hair or persistent hair loss during a stressful period, it may be worth speaking to your doctor.

Good sleeping habits, regular exercise and time for recovery are also key elements of a healthy lifestyle.

What would you prefer to try to promote your hair growth?
Scalp massage
Changing dietary habits
Using natural oils
Using hair serum

FAQs about hair growth

How fast does hair grow?

The rate of hair growth varies from person to person and is influenced by factors such as genetics, age and the hair’s natural growth cycle.

It therefore makes no sense to set a general timeframe for when everyone will see specific results.

How long does it take to see results from a hair product?

It depends on the specific product and the effect for which it has been developed.

Cosmetic products, for example, may be designed to provide moisture, shine, softness or other benefits for the hair and scalp.

Always follow the product’s instructions for use and the specific information on the product page.

Can vitamins make hair grow faster?

It is important to distinguish between hair growth and maintaining normal hair.

The authorised health claims for, amongst others, biotin, zinc and selenium state that they:

contribute to the maintenance of normal hair.

This is not the same as saying that the vitamins make hair grow faster.

Which vitamins and minerals contribute to normal hair?

There are authorised health claims for, amongst others:

  • Biotin, which helps to maintain normal hair
  • Zinc, which helps to maintain normal hair
  • Selenium, which helps to maintain normal hair

The authorised claims may be used when the relevant conditions for the specific food or dietary supplement are met.

Is B12 good for your hair?

Vitamin B12 has a number of authorised functions in the body, but there is no specific authorised health claim stating that B12 contributes to hair growth or the maintenance of normal hair.

We therefore do not link B12 directly to any effect on hair.

Is vitamin C good for your hair?

Vitamin C has various recognised functions in the body, but it does not have a specific authorised health claim regarding normal hair or hair growth.

Is omega-3 good for your hair?

Omega-3 fatty acids have other nutritional functions, but should not generally be marketed with a claim that they promote hair growth or maintain normal hair.

Which foods are best for hair growth?

There is no single food that can be described as the key to faster hair growth.

Instead, focus on a varied and balanced diet comprising different food groups.

If you wish to highlight specific vitamins and minerals in relation to hair, it is important to stick to the approved health claims.

Can hair growth be stopped?

If the question concerns unwanted body hair, there are various methods of hair removal such as shaving, waxing, laser treatment and electrolysis.

The effectiveness and duration of results vary between these methods.

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Products for your hair and scalp routine

If you wish to develop a more targeted hair care routine, you can combine different products depending on your hair type and your needs.

Grow & Glow Serum Formula+

Our Grow & Glow Serum Formula+ is designed for application directly to the scalp.

The serum contains, amongst other ingredients, Capilia Longa® and can easily be incorporated into your daily hair care routine.

Apply the product to the scalp following the recommended instructions for use.

Brief summary

There is a great deal of advice on hair growth, but it is important to distinguish between substantiated product claims, general hair care and authorised health claims for vitamins and minerals.

When it comes to vitamins and minerals, some of the relevant authorised claims are:

Biotin contributes to the maintenance of normal hair.

Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal hair.

Selenium contributes to the maintenance of normal hair.

These statements relate to the maintenance of normal hair – not to making hair grow faster, creating new hair or treating hair loss.

Combine a varied and balanced diet with a hair care routine that suits your hair and scalp.

Get a 10% discount code sent to you

Receive the best tips and tricks for your hair from Lotte and Nanna 🥰