by Adai Goldberg

Created on: September 09, 2009

Hair is an outgrowth of dead skin cells found on mammals. For many, it is a prized possession and considered as our "crown and glory." Scientist have spent years developing products to condition, relax and curl these dead skin cells, so that we can arrange them in a way to make us more attractive. There are those who are blessed with long hair and some of us who encounter difficulties in our journey to grow long hair. A combination of care techniques and products have been culminated to aid us in this quest for long hair. One technique concerns cutting the hair, in an attempt to make it grow faster.

The hair shaft is the visible part of hair projecting from the surface of the skin. On average, it grows about six inches per year, give or take a centimenter. These averages are also effected by other factors such as hormones, nutrition and pregnancy. The technique of cutting the hair to make it grow is based on the issue of split ends. Trichoptilosis is the medical term for split ends and occurs when the shaft of the the hair splits in half due to excessive heat, rough handling, and the use of chemicals. The only way to eliminate split ends is to trim them. Unfortunately, in no way does trimming cause it to grow any faster. It will however make hair growth more apparent by allowing it to continue without breaking. Conditioners don't repair split ends but instead coat the hair cutticle and prevent split ends from traveling further up the hair shaft.

Often people with extremely curly hair mistake frizzy hair for split ends out of ignorance. In humid weather, the hair shaft tends to expand in an attempt to absorb moisture from the air. The greater the need for moisture, the more it expands. Such is the case with curly hair which as a result of the shape of the hair follicle, prevent the natural oils from traveling down the hair shaft, as it does with straight hair. Because of this the hair tends to be dry and frizzy. Conditioners made specifically for dry hair types are created to provide moisture and help seal the cuticle and retain the moisture. The problem arises when people insist on damaging the hair with perms, relaxers, wet braiding, failure to condition the hair, and leaving gels, and other products on the hair for long periods of time, without washing regularly. No amount of trimming will rectify this problem and make the hair grow faster.

Proper nutrition, hair care and appropriate products are essential for hair growth. There are no special oils, shampoos, creams, or techniques that will make the hair shaft grow any faster than deemed by genetics or hindered by improper care.

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