We would rather get rid of those pesky hairs on our legs, armpits and pubic area, but we would like to have a beautiful full head of hair. In fact, that’s where hair usually can’t grow fast enough! But what actually determines how fast our hair grows? And do we perhaps have some say in this ourselves? Read on quickly.

What are hormones?

Hormones. We all suffer from them from time to time, and when we are in a bad mood for unexplained reasons, they are invariably blamed. But what are these really? A hormone is a chemical signaling substance produced by cells in the body that travels through your body via the blood to regulate the activity of other cells. Thus, they have a regulatory function in the body and affect numerous things, such as growth and behavior, as well as skin and hair, for example.

The sex hormones

As the name suggests, sex hormones are released by the gonads. Some examples of events that can trigger hormonal changes include the menstrual cycle, the birth control pill, pregnancy and menopause.

Female hormones

– What are they?

You’ve probably heard of estrogen. This is the main sex hormone in us women, and along with progestogens (another important female sex hormone), it is produced in the ovaries. They keep your skin and hair young, prevent excessive hair growth, regulate your menstruation and are responsible for growth, maintenance and repair of tissues, among other things. By the way, they are also indispensable on a mental level because, for example, they keep you mentally sharp and make you feel positive. From age 35, however, estrogen production begins to decline, often causing symptoms of menopause. During menopause, estrogen levels then drop even further. This is a natural and inevitable transition for all women, and weight gain, hot flashes and night sweats are some typical symptoms.

– Possible consequences of hormonal imbalance:

• thinning hair
• hair loss
• hot flashes
• night sweats
• weight gain
• dryness or itching in the vagina
• lower or loss of libido

Male hormones

– What are they?

Androgens is a collective term for male hormones, the most well-known of which is the hormone testosterone. DHEA-S is also a well-known androgen hormone. Many people think that these hormones occur only in men, but we women also produce them in small amounts in the ovaries and adrenal glands. In return, we get strong bones, muscle building and good fat metabolism. And testosterone is also important on a mental level because it increases your self-confidence and has a positive impact on your mood. However, like our estrogen levels, our testosterone levels decrease over time.

– Possible consequences of hormonal imbalance:

• hair loss
• hirsutism or excessive hair growth (thicker and darker hair growth in unusual areas, such as the face, chest and abdomen)
• acne
• irregular or absent menstruation

The thyroid hormone

The thyroid gland is a hormone-producing gland at the base of the throat. The thyroid gland is very small but do not underestimate it, because this butterfly-shaped organ regulates almost all the systems of our body and consequently can cause many problems. There are many types of thyroid disorders, and hypothyroidism (a thyroid gland that is too slow) is one of them. About 3% of the Dutch suffer from it, and the condition occurs mainly in women. Dry skin, brittle nails, fatigue and hair loss are possible consequences. This is because sluggish thyroid function causes reduced blood flow, which can result in a poor supply of nutrients to the hair and hair loss.

Do we also have something to say?

So the fact that our hair becomes increasingly brittle over time is normal. And yes, that may be nice on our bodies (less shaving!), but on our heads, of course, we still like to have a nice, full head of hair. That’s why I’m happy to share these two tips with you:

1. Healthy and varied eating

When we hear the word “hair care,” we usually think of the products we put on it. But just as true beauty comes from within, hair must also be cared for from within. Foods rich in protein, vitamins and minerals make your hair happy. Is your body experiencing a long-term lack of proper nutrients? If so, this can trigger premature hair loss. Weetje! Because hair follicles are so-called non-essential tissues, they are the very last in line during the distribution of nourishing ingredients. Therefore, poor nutrition is often the first to have a visible negative effect on your hair.

2. Reduce stress

Keep calm, get enough sleep and clear your head for a change. Because an abundance of stress hormones is anything but good for your hair growth, and in extreme cases, it can even lead to hair loss.

Will these tips make my hair grow faster?

Again, there is a difference between what we want on our body and on our head. Because while we curiously watch those pesky stubble pop up again after less than a day, it sometimes seems as if the hair on our heads grows at a snail’s pace. How nice would it be if we could control all this ourselves? By the way, many people really believe that by eating healthy and applying the right products, they can make their hair grow faster. But this is not quite right! While the tips will improve the condition of your hair and counteract any hair loss, they will not improve the speed of your hair growth. This is because how fast your hair grows (both on your head and body) is hereditary, and on the head it is usually about 1 cm per month. What applying the tips will do, however, is indirectly affect hair growth somewhat. Because because you will have fewer split ends, the hairdresser will have to trim a lot less. And furthermore, your hair is also less likely to break off.

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