Hair surgeon says habit has a bigger impact on growth than you think
A hair transplant surgeon has revealed the most effective products and habits for longer hair.
Dr. Roshan Vara recommended routine use of a specific seed oil among his hair growth tips.
Dr. Vara is co-founder of the hair transplant clinic The treatment rooms London.
In an interview with The US Sun, he gave advice on improving the health of your hair.
EXCELLENT OILS
According to Dr. Vara, it may be worth trying different hair growth methods to see which one works best for you.
He said that many people forget to take care of their scalp in their hair care routine, while it can actually be good for hair growth.
“Regular scalp massage can improve blood circulation to the hair follicles, and using your fingertips helps minimize hair breakage,” he said.
“Applying hair oils to your scalp can also prevent dry skin, which in turn promotes better hair growth.”
He said that natural remedies keep the hair shaft healthy and hydrated.
“Coconut oil is great for hydrating and reducing protein loss, while black seed oil helps soothe irritating scalp conditions and promote hair growth,” he said.
Most read in Hair & Beauty
He added that natural ingredients are always the best option when buying hair care products.
“Many shampoos contain parabens and certain alcohols, but these can have a drying effect on both the hair and scalp,” he said.
“Synthetic fragrances, or ‘parfum,’ can also strip the scalp of its natural oils, disrupting the hair’s growth cycle.”
SUPER SUPPLEMENTS
Dr. Vara said that certain lifestyle changes promote healthy hair growth, such as eating enough protein and iron.
“Nutrition can have a bigger impact on your hair than you might think.
“It is important to eat a balanced diet, rich in essential nutrients such as protein, iron and zinc.
For those with curly or more textured hair, a wide-toothed comb is often better for detangling hair and preventing frizz and breakage.
Doctor Roshan Vara
“Supplements such as biotin and zinc are essential for biological functions and contribute to keratin production, support of the hair growth cycle and the integrity of the hair follicle.
“We advise our patients not to drastically restrict their calorie intake as this will affect hair growth.”
BRILLIANT BRUSHES
Dr. Vara indicated that damaging hair styling techniques should be avoided if you want to grow your hair.
Examples of this include straightening your hair, but also wearing high, tight ponytails or buns.
“When it comes to styling, it’s important to choose the best brush or comb for your hair type,” he said.
“For those with finer hair, we recommend using a natural bristle brush as it adds the best volume.
“For those with curly or more textured hair, a wide-toothed comb is often better for detangling hair and preventing frizz and breakage.”
He said brushing hair helps distribute scalp oils, but doing it too often can do “more harm than good.”
“You also see this with aggressive brushing, where you brush wet hair and try to brush when the hair strands are not properly detangled, because it pulls too hard on the scalp,” he said.
TRICHOLOGIST TREATMENTS
Dr. Vara says he’s heard unconventional hair growth tips from his patients, such as washing your hair with sparkling water.
He admitted that he’s not sure whether the trick is effective at preventing hair loss, but said it’s unlikely to damage your hair.
“Our advice is generally to stick with a drug that has been proven to work,” he said.
“If you are experiencing hair loss that you cannot cope with, contact a hair loss specialist who can give you appropriate advice.”
According to Dr. Vara, it is often better to talk to a GP or trichologist about your hair health than to go to a salon.
He said a specialist can advise on prescription medications to promote hair growth, such as Finasteride or Minoxidil.