Many people desire thick, lustrous hair. But day-to-day stresses and unhealthy lifestyles can negatively impact hair growth and quality. An important question arises - Does regular exercise help hair growth?
Exercise boosts blood circulation, including the scalp, nourishing hair follicles with extra oxygen and nutrients. Sweating during workouts also unclogs hair follicles and removes buildup from styling products. Furthermore, exercise reduces stress hormone levels. Lower stress levels create a more ideal environment for new hair growth since high stress can hamper follicles. Read on to learn how exercise and workouts can improve hair thickness, growth rate, and shine.
How Does Exercise Affect Hair Growth?
Very little research has been done on the effects of exercise on hair growth cycle. Exercise is an essential component of an overall healthy lifestyle. But it can only indirectly influence hair growth and the health of your hair. Here are some ways in which exercise can impact your hair:
1) Improved Blood Circulation and Hormonal Balance
Do you know exercise can promote hair growth by increasing blood circulation throughout the body, including your scalp? Improved blood flow to the hair follicles can potentially support hair growth by delivering more nutrients and oxygen essential for healthy hair.
Exercise also helps in regulating hormone levels in the body including those related to hair health. Hormone imbalances especially involving androgens like testosterone and its derivatives, can also contribute to hair loss and other hair-related issues.
2) Kick stress to the curb!
There’s no denying that holidays are a time for happiness and celebration. And there’s no denying that they can bring on a ton of stress. Whether you’re hosting loved ones at your house, traveling across the country to visit family, or planning the New Year’s Eve bash of the century, a plethora of problems can arise. Think, flight delays, weather inconveniences, packing complications and cooking accidents. Your stress levels are bound to rise.
Stress isn’t good for your health. Who hasn’t heard this before? Probably no one. Over time, stress can lead to various medical conditions, including depression, anxiety disorders, heart disease, and, yes – hair loss on top of everything else!
While having a glass of wine or spiked eggnog may seem like the quickest way to reduce stress levels during the holidays, exercise will be much more effective in the long run. Here’s a little secret: breaking out a sweat increases levels of endorphins, otherwise known as your “feel-good” hormones. Endorphins reduce tension and anxiety, block pain, decrease appetite and bring on feelings of euphoria. You’ll feel better and have more energy, all the while protecting your health (and your hair as you spare it from the dangers of stress).
Exercise also boosts your epinephrine levels. This hormone augments blood circulation and directs blood (and its nutrients) to wherever it’s needed. Extra epinephrine means extra nutrients are delivered to your hair roots so that they can stay healthy during stressful times.
Some women may associate hair regrowth treatments as stressful – after all, who wants to spend a surplus of time and money for results that may not do much when all is said and done? But here’s a tip. Using laser hair loss devices, such as the Theradome LH80 PRO, actually turns out to be a relaxing experience. All you need to do is click on a button, sit back and relax for 20 minutes as you carry on wrapping presents, chatting with the family or watching your favorite holiday movie.
3) Keep those extra pounds off!
We all know the holidays are a time that we all usually put on a bit of weight. The stakes are higher than you think. It’s not just a matter of fitting in our Christmas and New Year’s Eve dresses: a high Body Mass Index can also mean bad news for our luscious tresses. And that doesn’t only happen during the holidays. It’s often easier to swing by a drive-through or order take-out than to plan out nutritious family meals.
To make matters worse, our metabolism slows down with age and these “few extra pounds” can become a lot harder to shed. Excess weight causes serious health conditions, including type II diabetes, coronary heart disease, high blood pressure and osteoarthritis, diseases. These all jeopardize the amount of energy dedicated to keeping your hair healthy and strong.
So why not take precautions (or get a head start on your New Year resolutions) and start organizing engaging and fun family activities that make everyone break a sweat?
While you fight back against holiday weight gain, exercise can improve your hair growth!
Don’t forget it goes both ways: being underweight can indicate nutritional deficiencies, which can lead to serious health problems. This underweight causes damage to your hair. So make sure to balance your diet, and if you are facing hair-thinning problems, try including zinc, selenium, biotin, protein, fatty acids, and iron in your diet. Not sure where to start? Try consulting a nutritionist or registered dietitian.
The bottom line: hair regrowth can’t occur if you don’t eat well, so take the right steps towards adopting a healthy lifestyle and incorporating exercise into your life. Never forget that you can prevent hair loss, strengthen hair and increase hair density with laser phototherapy devices such as the Theradome LH80 PRO.
4) Give your immune system a boost!
If you feel great, chances are you’ll look great too – and that includes your lustrous locks. Exercise fortifies the immune system, makes you healthier and less prone to getting sick. Illness can take a large toll on your body; if that’s the case, your hair will be the first thing to shed away. Hence, working out helps hair growth by boosting your immune system.
5) Removal of Toxins
Exercise can impact hair growth by aiding in removing toxins from the body. When you engage in physical activity, you sweat, and sweating helps eliminate toxins through your skin. Moving your body and breaking a sweat can remove harmful substances that may accumulate in your scalp and hair follicles. Removing toxins creates a healthier environment for hair growth, allowing your follicles to function optimally and potentially leading to healthier and stronger hair strands. So, incorporating exercise into your routine benefits your overall well-being and can support your hair's health.
Factors That Can Help Hair Growth While Working Out
Staying healthy and keeping your body fit helps in hair growth. Aside from exercise, various factors can contribute to promoting hair growth and maintaining hair health:
Good Hygiene: Keeping the scalp and hair clean is essential for a healthy hair growth environment. Regular washing and proper cleansing help remove excess oil, sweat, and product buildup, ensuring a healthy and clean scalp.
Learn More: 5 Signs Your Hair/Scalp Needs a Detoxification
Gentle Hair Care: While washing, brushing, and styling your hair, always be gentle. Use a wide-toothed comb or a brush with soft bristles to avoid unnecessary pulling and breakage.
Avoid Overwashing: Keeping your scalp clean is important, but excessive washing can strip the scalp of its natural oils, which are essential for healthy hair.
Vitamin Supplements: Consider taking vitamin supplements like biotin, vitamins D and E, and other hair-friendly vitamins and minerals.
Proper Hair Products: Use hair products that are suitable for your hair type and concerns. Look for products that are free from harsh chemicals and sulfates, and consider using natural or organic options. Theradome can be the best option since it is a non-invasive treatment for hair loss. It stimulates hair growth using laser light therapy that stimulates hair follicles.
Scalp Exercises for Hair Growth
Some scalp massages and exercises might enhance blood circulation and relaxation, potentially benefiting hair health indirectly. Here are some of the scalp exercises for improving hair growth:
Scalp Massage: Gently massage your scalp in circular motions with your fingertips. Scalp massaging can stimulate blood flow to the hair follicles, promoting a healthy environment for hair growth.
Flip Your Head: Bend forward at the waist and let your head hang down towards the ground. Gently massage your scalp in this position to increase blood circulation.
Finger Tapping: Lightly tap your scalp with your fingertips. This can help stimulate blood flow and energize the scalp.
Scalp Stretches: Gently pull your hair in different directions to stretch the scalp. This might help release tension and improve blood flow.
Yoga and Breathing Techniques: Certain yoga poses and deep breathing exercises can reduce stress, which indirectly impacts hair health. Stress is known to contribute to hair loss, so relaxation techniques may help.
What Type of Workout Helps Healthy Hair Growth?
When it comes to achieving healthy hair growth, not all exercise is equal. Certain workouts provide maximum circulation and benefits for your scalp and strands. Consider incorporating the following types of workouts in your exercise routine for healthy hair growth:
1. Cardiovascular exercise
Cardiovascular exercise, such as jogging, cycling, or swimming, significantly promotes healthy hair growth. These exercises stimulate your heart and increase blood circulation, including the scalp. This improved blood flow delivers essential nutrients and oxygen to the hair follicles, enhancing their health and stimulating hair growth. By incorporating cardiovascular exercise into your routine for at least 30 minutes most days of the week, you can support the life of your hair and encourage stronger, healthier strands.
Learn More: How Heart Diseases Cause Hair Loss?
2. Yoga and Relaxation Exercise
Yoga and relaxation exercises are beneficial for promoting healthy hair growth. These exercises focus on reducing stress levels and promoting relaxation, which can positively impact hair health. Stress can disrupt the hair growth cycle and contribute to hair problems. By practicing yoga or engaging in relaxation exercises like meditation, you can lower stress and regulate hormones, creating a better environment for hair growth. Certain yoga poses and positions, such as inversions, may increase blood flow to the scalp, further supporting healthy hair growth.
3. Strength Training
Strength training is another type of workout that can help promote healthy hair growth. Engaging in strength training exercises like weightlifting or bodyweight exercises helps build muscle mass, supporting overall health and hormonal balance. Balanced hormones are essential for maintaining healthy hair growth. By incorporating strength training into your routine, you can strengthen your muscles and contribute to the optimal conditions for hair growth.
Taking Care of Yourself and Your Hair
Don’t forget that your hair is tied health (emotional, psychological and physical). Taking care of yourself via exercise is the best way to keep your hair healthy for years to come! And for those moments when things might not go your way, reach for the Theradome hair regrowth helmet. It can ensure that your locks keep bouncing, growing and glowing!
