However, you can revive damaged or dormant hair
If you damage your hair follicles after an injury, they can repair themselves and your hair will grow back. It could take up to four years before you see new hair growth out of damaged hair follicles, depending on the severity of your injury.
Once a hair follicle dies, it generally cannot be revived or restored to function.
Can I fix damaged hair follicles. Unfortunately, once your hair follicles have been deeply damaged, it is permanent. Your best bet is to spend your time, energy, and resources focusing on protecting and caring for the healthy follicles. You can also take steps to support new hair growth.
Hair Breakage and Thinning
This is the most common sign of hair follicle damage. While shedding is crucial to the growth cycle, excess hair loss may mean the follicles are struggling to function as they should.
It is possible to regrow hair naturally by focussing on lifestyle changes, dietary adjustments, and natural treatments that promote scalp health and hair growth. However, the effectiveness of these methods can vary from person to person.
It's usually the result of inflammatory or autoimmune disorders. Sometimes it's due to skin injuries, burns or certain medical treatments. Scarring alopecia causes permanent hair loss because hair can't regrow after the follicle is destroyed.
The micro injuries created by the derma roller revive dormant follicles with new hair growing during the wound healing process as it triggers cellular turnover to deliver hair growth results. A derma roller can be used almost anywhere on the body, including the scalp and beard area.
In addition to kickstarting your follicles through targeted scalp massages, certain topical hair-care products like serums and scalp cleansers can help prompt your follicles to get back to work. They contain ingredients that, when applied directly to your scalp, work to stimulate and nourish your follicles.
A hair loss medication may be the solution to your dying hair follicles. There are several types of options available. First, there is minoxidil, a type of topical treatment you can purchase over the counter. This one works by stimulating blood flow to the scalp, which can help revive dying follicles.
When your hair follicles are dead, they do not regrow hair. You can inspect your scalp and look for signs of hair growth. Even if you only see thin hair patches or fuzzy texture, your hair follicles are still alive and will continue to renew themselves.
Hair follicle damage from DHT is largely irreversible, meaning it's important to act quickly if you start to experience this form of hair loss. We've discussed the effects of this hormone on your hair in more detail in our full guide to DHT and male pattern baldness.
What Does Scarring Alopecia Look Like? This form of hair loss looks like scarred skin surface where your hair used to be. The surface of the skin will look less or more pigmented, shiny, and smooth. And of course completely bald.
“Look for products with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, or aloe vera, which hydrate without leaving a greasy residue,” says Garshick. “Use a lightweight conditioner and avoid heavy oils or creams.
Topical caffeine and melatonin have some of the most promising results as effective natural hair-growth products. Other treatments, like scalp massage and using oils, are safe and low risk. They may be worth a try, but they may not produce noticeable benefits.
If you only notice that your hair feels like straw after you've washed it, you may want to look for a gentler shampoo or a conditioner that provides better moisturising. A hair mask can also help replenish some of the natural oils which can get stripped with frequent shampooing.
Over time, hair fibers become thinner and drop out, and unfortunately, they never regenerate. Natural pigment (color) changes occur in hair as you age as well. Pigment cells stop producing as much, and eventually, your once thick, chestnut hair becomes thin, fine and gray.
If the cause of greying is genetic, it is not possible to reverse the process, no matter what some marketers on the internet claim. In case of nutritional deficiencies and underlying medical conditions, you can gradually slow down or even reverse the process.
Yes, absolutely! Stress, excessive heat styling, age and even genetics can deplete your hair's thickness. Keeping your scalp and roots healthy is how you can promote the growth of thick hair. You can do the same by oiling regularly, refraining from wearing tight hairstyles and following a nourishing hair care routine.