Hair growth serums – everything you need to know about the latest haircare trends

If you’re worried about thinning hair or you’re trying to grow your hair longer, then there could be a step that you’re missing from your routine: a hair growth serum.

They help to nourish, hydrate and stimulate your scalp, supporting growth, reducing shedding and supporting healthy hair. Let’s take a look at the science behind hair loss, the hair growth cycle and why a hair growth serum can help with all of the above.

What ‘normal’ hair loss looks like: shedding vs. actual hair loss

First things first, everyday shedding is totally normal. On average, you shed around 50 to 100 hairs per day as part of the natural hair growth cycle. It might look or feel like more, especially if your hair is longer or darker. Normal shedding occurs evenly across the scalp, and the lost hairs are soon replaced by new ones.

Hair loss, on the other hand, is characterised by excessive shedding, visible thinning or bald patches. If you notice a sudden increase in hair fall or changes in how thick your hair is, it might be time to take a closer look at what’s going on. It could be postpartum hair loss, for example, or you might have started taking medication that has affected your hair.

What contributes to hair loss?

There are lots of different factors that can contribute to hair loss. You could be genetically predisposed to hair loss, or it could be down to things like diet, stress or certain medical conditions. Understanding what’s causing your hair loss is really important to help you choose the right treatment or routine for your hair, and whether your hair loss is temporary or something longer-term.

Hair loss can be a sign of something else going on, such as hormonal changes in pregnancy, conditions like polycystic ovaries (PCOS) or menopause, or that you’re struggling with stress or getting the nutrients that your body needs. Being low in iron, zinc, vitamin D or vitamin B can all affect the density of your hair. Getting older can also lead to thinning hair as your natural rate of hair growth slows down.

If you’re really worried about the causes behind any hair loss or thinning you’re experiencing, it’s important to speak to your doctor to ask for help.

The hair growth cycle

Understanding the hair growth cycle is important when it comes to hair loss and healthy hair growth too. It might feel like you’re sometimes shedding more hair than usual, or that your hair doesn’t seem to have grown as much as you’d like. This could be down to the hair growth cycle, but what exactly is that?

The hair growth cycle consists of three main phases: anagen, catagen, and telogen. Here’s what happens at each phase and what you might see with a normal hair growth cycle.

1. Anagen phase - this is the active growth phase of the hair follicle, during which cells in the root of the hair divide rapidly, and hair strands can grow up to half an inch per month. The duration of the anagen phase varies for each individual, with genetics playing a big role. On the scalp, this phase can last anywhere from two to seven years, determining the maximum length the hair can achieve.
2. Catagen phase - the catagen phase is a transitional stage where hair growth slows down. This short phase, lasting around two to three weeks, is marked by the detachment of the hair shaft from the blood supply. The hair follicle begins to shrink and is no longer actively producing new hair. This phase serves as a natural checkpoint, preparing the hair for its eventual shedding.
3. Telogen phase - also known as the resting phase, telogen is when the hair follicle is dormant. During this period, which lasts around three months, the hair is fully formed but not actively growing. Approximately 10-15% of hair is in this phase at any given time. Eventually, the hair is shed, and the cycle restarts with the regeneration of new hair in the anagen phase.

Should you add a scalp serum into your routine?

If you’re experiencing hair loss and you’ve checked out the reasons behind it, then focusing on nourishing products that promote hair growth and health is important. Step forward scalp serums, and more specifically hair growth serums.

What are scalp serums?

A scalp serum is designed to nourish, moisturise and address any concerns you might have about your scalp. It’s usually a liquid or balm that’s been enriched with a combination of active ingredients that promote a healthy scalp environment. These serums often contain vitamins, antioxidants, botanical extracts, and other compounds that can improve the condition of the scalp and, consequently, support healthier hair growth.Scalp serums are formulated to address specific issues such as dryness, flakiness, irritation or excessive oiliness. Hair growth serums specifically target concerns related to hair thinning or loss. By providing targeted care to the scalp, these serums aim to create the right environment for strong, vibrant hair.

Re:Gain Remedy is our vegan hair loss treatment. It’s a scalp serum that’s been designed to combat hair loss and encourage hair growth in weak and thinning hair. Made with invigorating organic peppermint and lemongrass, it’s the perfect at-home remedy to help stimulate the scalp. It helps to visibly reduce hair loss for thicker, denser hair.

Do scalp serums really work?

Scalp serums aren’t all created equally. Whether they work or not depends on the product, ingredients used and the reasons behind the hair loss. You should use a scalp serum that’s been formulated with vitamins, antioxidants, peptides and botanical extracts that promote a healthy scalp and hair growth.

Our hair loss treatment Re:Gain Remedy contains naturally-derived vegan ingredients that have been ethically sourced plus it’s completely sulphate-free. Here’s what’s in the bottle:

●Larix Europaea Wood Extract - an active that supports a reduction in shedding and hair loss

●Green Tea Extract - a powerful antioxidant that’s also an anti-inflammatory. An inflamed, sore scalp can contribute to hair loss and discomfort, so it helps to provide relief too.

●Organic Peppermint Oil - an invigorating and cooling ingredient that’s been used to promote healthy hair for centuries.

●Castor Oil - a hydrating, moisturising ingredient that helps to nourish the hair follicles and may support blood circulation, which is essential for hair growth.

Massaging a serum into your scalp is not only relaxing but it can help to enhance blood circulation to the hair follicles, delivering more oxygen and nutrients to the scalp. The increased blood flow also helps in removing toxins and promoting a healthier environment for hair growth. Additionally, scalp massage may reduce stress and tension, known contributors to hair loss, while stimulating the production of feel-good hormones.

Using a hair serum for hair growth

Adding a hair serum into your routine can be a great step for maintaining healthy and well-nourished hair. Plus, they’re incredibly easy to add into your everyday routine - all you need to do is apply directly onto clean hair and massage into the scalp. For best results leave in and do not rinse out.

Afterwards, you can style your hair as normal. This is a great time to try out a slicked-back bun (don’t tie it too tight if you’re worried about hair loss) as it helps to reduce flyaways and add shine too. Then, follow with the rest of your hair care routine.

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