Does Exercise Affect Hair Growth?

Most people know that regular exercise can transform your appearance, prevent harmful diseases, and foster self-esteem. But can it affect hair growth? It can be difficult to determine, considering the conflicting information out there. To dispel any uncertainty, we’ll be exploring this topic in detail in this article. By the end, you’ll know whether exercise can help you achieve your hair length goals.

Exercise Can Promote Hair Growth

Without a question, exercise can promote hair growth. Being physically active increases blood circulation, which drives more nutrients to your scalp’s hair follicles. The more nourished your follicles are, the better they’ll perform. Additionally, exercise helps to combat drivers of slow hair growth, like hormones, stress, and inflammation. 

Which Exercises Are Best for Hair Growth?

When it comes to hair-boosting workouts, not all exercises are created equally. If you’re specifically looking for a way to increase hair growth, consider giving these exercises a try. 

• Yoga - From stress reduction to improved flexibility, yoga has a beneficial effect on nearly every part of your body! Poses that involve turning your head upside down drive even more nourishing blood flow to your scalp, making them ideal for increasing hair growth. Some examples of growth-boosting poses are: 
• Downwards facing dog
• Headstands
• Forward and back bending camel poses
• Thunderbolt pose
• Child’s pose 

• Breathing exercises - Although it’s not a traditional workout, breathing exercises can help you achieve long, gorgeous locks by reducing stress and increasing blood oxygen levels. Like blood circulation, increased oxygen creates healthier, more active follicles. 

• Jogging - Aerobic exercises, like jogging, increase circulation and the amount of oxygen you have running through your blood. The better your oxygen levels are, the more hair growth you’ll see. To take advantage of this benefit, try to jog for at least half an hour several times a week. 

• Swimming - Like jogging, swimming is an excellent way to get your blood pumping and drive blood to your scalp. It’s also easy on your joints, making it the perfect option for anyone who struggles with higher intensity workouts. Keep in mind that salt, chlorine, and sunlight can damage your hair, so take protective measures before your dip. 

Does Exercise Make Hair Thicker?

In addition to encouraging hair growth, regular exercise can also make your hair thicker. Well-fed hair follicles produce thicker strands, potentially leaving you with hair that is both longer and fuller. This is particularly true if your hair has thinned out due to factors such as stress or inflammation. Just make sure you’re getting the proper nutrition. Your body will need ample vitamins and minerals to obtain the raw materials necessary for producing new hair strands. 
 
To sum things up, exercise can encourage hair growth and lead to longer or thicker locks. The key is to be consistent and ensure you’re getting all the nutrients your body needs. We hope this article has answered all of your questions about whether exercise affects hair growth and provided you with all the tools you need to reach your hair goals.
 
 

Author: Andrea Reyes

Andrea is a mother, wife, writer, and natural hair enthusiast of 15 years. Currently on her natural hair journey, she’s been trying countless products and techniques to understand and embrace her natural hair. She is the creator of NaturallyTextured.com, a new website featuring informative articles that share tips, tricks, and techniques aimed to help others learn to love their hair through proper hair care. She writes with the hope of making hair care easier to understand and implement.