If the hair follicles are at an initial stage of damage, the growth phase of hair can come back. However, if it has been a long time since the hair follicles have been dormant or have died, there stands a rare chance of reviving them.
It's important to remember that hair follicle cells die, but hair regrows after the follicles rest. When your hair follicles are dead, they do not regrow hair. You can inspect your scalp and look for signs of hair growth.
Tiny blood vessels at the base of every follicle feed the hair root to keep it growing. But once the hair is at the skin's surface, the cells within the strand of hair aren't alive anymore. The hair you see on every part of your body contains dead cells.
There are a variety of methods available for the regrowth of hair follicles, from using medication to massaging your scalp to stimulate your hair directly. Currently, the most effective way to reactivate your hair follicles is by using medication, such as finasteride and minoxidil.
For most people, the most obvious sign of hair follicle damage is hair loss. As your follicles become damaged, they may stop growing new hairs, resulting in a receding hairline, bald spot at your crown (the area at the top of your head) or diffuse thinning.
Unhealthy hair usually has a rough texture, lack of shininess and luster, have split ends, lack of moisture and elasticity even after treatment and easily broken. Damaged hair will also get tangled up and result in knots due to hair dryness.
Once your hair starts growing past the follicle, it's made up of dead cells. Because of this, the cells can't adapt, and when they're changed, it's permanent. There are no active cells that can be sent in to repair the damage. The damage done to your hair is cumulative.
Using products that are designed to nourish the scalp and hair can definitely speed up this process, but on average you'd be looking at six months to a year to fully see a difference in your hair's condition.
Hair and fingernails may appear longer after death, but not because they are still growing. Instead, a persons fingernails and hair may appear longer because the skin around them has retracted, according to the Dermatology Clinic at UAMS.
Here's the truth: There's no way to fully repair hair once it's been broken. "Products like split end menders, leave-ins, conditioners and treatment masks can seal the outer layer of strands so they temporarily appear smoother and less frayed and feel softer,” says GH Beauty Lab Director Birnur Aral, Ph.
Damaged, unhealthy hair can't retain moisture, is more difficult to manage, and appears frizzy, dry, and dull.
It is totally possible to help heal some of that hair damage as well as prevent future breakage. Get ready to introduce regular haircuts, some new hair care (like reparative hair masks, hydrating leave-in conditioners, and nourishing oil treatments), and maybe even a little less shampoo (more on that later).
Dull hair tends to have certain characteristics: It typically lacks luster, has a rough or coarse feeling, and might look frizzy or feel heavy. Dull hair happens for a variety of reasons, including: improper hair care techniques. a diet that's lacking in key nutrients.
Because hair is not a living tissue with regenerative ability, it cannot heal and repair. You can use oils, conditioners, hydrolyzed proteins or other ingredients to disguise the issues temporarily but it's akin to using makeup on the face.
Dead hair follicles are most evident when the scalp's skin (where the hair once grew) becomes smoother and shinier in appearance. In other words, there'll quite literally be no hair there/no signs of regrowth if your hair follicles are completely dead.
If you accidentally pull out a strand of your hair and it has a ball (bulb) on the end of it, you didn't pull out the follicle, and instead, you removed your hair root. That root grows back and your hair will grow back, too.
Your Hair "Stops Growing."
"By not cutting your hair, you are actually risking the length rather than letting it grow," says Bivona. It seems counterintuitive, but by frequently trimming your hair, you'll prevent breakage by removing the dead, fragile ends.
Strands that look like they're on the verge of death often show worrying signs of dullness, frizz, dryness, split ends, not to mention an affinity for breakage. In that sense, when we say “dead hair,” what we really mean is damaged hair.
Sun damage: Prolonged exposure to the sun's UV rays can damage the outer protective layer of your hair. As a result, sun damaged hair can often become dry, brittle, and frizzy. Excessive heat styling: Heat tools, like blow dryers and curling irons, can damage the cuticle of your hair.
Product buildup is another common factor behind lifeless, flat hair — sticky hairspray, dried mousse, and dry shampoo are just a few potential culprits. Not only does product residue make your hair look (and feel) gunky, its actual weight can add up significantly.
Typically dry hair appears flat and dull, think no shine. Dry hair is also usually more difficult to manage and when you touch it, it has a noticeably brittle texture i.e. knots and tangles, etc. If your hair isn't maintaining a blow-dry this can also be a sign that your hair is lacking hydration levels.