Are you showering your hair with the best products in the market and still wondering why your hair doesn't grow faster? It could be because of poor blood circulation to your hair roots. Improving blood circulation to your scalp region is easy, and it builds an excellent foundation for hair growth. Let us find out how.
Our Ayurvedic Doctor Speaks
“Ayurveda focuses on detoxification and increasing blood circulation in your scalp to pacify all the doshas and unblock your hair follicles. Hence, the foundation for healthy hair growth is enhancing your blood circulation."
- Dr. Zeel Gandhi, Chief Ayurvedic Doctor, Vedix
Highlights:
Is Blood Circulation Necessary For Hair Growth?
Blood is a vital transport system, and blood circulation supplies life to each and every organ in your body. The subcutaneous blood flow delivers oxygen and nutrients for the hair as well. This helps in growth, maturation, and maintenance of your hair follicles through the hair-growth life cycle.
As a hair follicle develops, it is essentially enveloped in blood vessels. These originate from a deep entanglement of nerves linked to your brain and nervous system. If you have low blood flow reaching your hair follicles, they gradually miniaturize and eventually shut down into dormant follicles. Alternatively, active blood circulation to your scalp reflects as a full head of healthy hair. [1]
In the Ayurvedic perspective, Khalitya is a 'Tridoshaja' Vyadhi along with Rakta dosha. It means hair loss is caused by an imbalance of your fundamental bio-energies or doshas known as Vata, Pitta, Kapha combined with Rakta. The predominance of Pitta and Rakta dosha significantly impact hair growth. [2]
Dr. Zeel Gandhi, Chief Ayurvedic Doctor at Vedix, says, "Bhrajaka Pitta is accumulated in the openings of your hair follicles in an elevated state and enters deeper with vitiated Vata dosha and results in hair fall. In a further stage, vitiated Rakta and Kapha dosha block your hair follicle's openings, stopping the production of new hair growth.
Ayurveda focuses on detoxification and increasing blood circulation in your scalp to pacify all the doshas and unblock your hair follicles. Hence, the foundation for healthy hair growth is enhancing your blood circulation."
Symptoms of Poor Blood Circulation in Scalp
There are various symptoms to indicate poor circulation in the scalp. These are
1. Lackluster hair, which is the first symptom of poor scalp blood circulation.
2. Decrease in hair volume.
3. Higher rate of hair loss than usual, showing an exacerbated hair fall.
4. Each hair strand loses its density and becomes finer.
5. New hair grows only up to the length of baby hair.
6. Hair follicles shrink and die.
With age many men and women start suffering from androgenic alopecia, in which the hair follicles suffer from miniaturisation. In this case the androgen receptors in the hair follicles shorten the growth cycle of the hair. The hair becomes thinner and shorter which even after receiving adequate amounts of nutrients is too weak to penetrate the top most layer of skin. Even though you intake growth supplements or follow a balanced diet, the nutrients never reach the follicles and result in their starving. [3]
Some yoga asanas such as headstand, downward dog and standing forward fold can help improve blood flow to your scalp.
How To Improve Blood Circulation In Scalp?
Blood is a vital transport system, and poor circulation to your hair roots can have detrimental effects to your hair. Improving blood circulation is however easy. Keep your unique prakriti in mind and follow the below-mentioned ways.
What Will You Need
- Essential oil
- Shampoo
- Hair Brush
Massaging your scalp with or without essential oils, shampooing your hair and brushing it might take up to 60 minutes.
Step 1: Scalp Massages
The gentle pressure of a scalp massage can improve circulation. A few herbal oils that can be used for massage are sesame (for vata dosha), bhringraj with coconut/neem oil (for pitta dosha) and mustard (for kapha dosha). For best results wash your scalp a night before, and massage in the upward direction with your fingertips.
Step 2: Essential Oils
If you are stressed, then poor blood circulation in your scalp can cause muscles to tighten. The aroma of essential oils communicates with your limbic system and relieves stress. Choose an essential oil according to your dosha and remember to dilute it with a carrier oil before using it for scalp massage or as part of a hair pack.
Step 3: Shampoo
Excess sebum and sweat in your scalp can cause surrounding tissue to harden and reduce blood flow. Using a good herbal shampoo will reduce sweat, balance sebum, clear the buildup and help the scalp retain natural moisture levels. Cold water showers can also help contract the subcutaneous lymphatic vessels and stimulate detoxification of hair follicles.
Step 4: Yoga & Exercise
Forward bending asanas and pranayama in the morning can improve blood circulation to the scalp. Adho muka svanasana (downward dog), vajrasana and sarvangasana are some recommended asanas. Also, physical exercises like jogging in the morning will help your body release endorphins, thereby reducing stress, activating your body and balancing all functions.
Step 5: Eat Right
Include foods that are known to improve blood circulation. These include pomegranate, citrus fruits, dark chocolate, grapes and beetroot. Boil herbs like ginger and create a decoction. Drinking this instead of tea in the morning can also help.
Step 6: Brush Your Hair
Spend a few minutes in the morning and before bedtime brushing your hair. This helps exercise hair roots and activates capillary muscles, thereby improving blood circulation.
The Last Word
Proper blood circulation can work wonders for hair growth. All it takes is just a few minutes of your day. Physical activity also plays a significant role in enhancing blood circulation.
Ayurvedic scalp massage, the right foods and proper care can help you achieve hair volume and length, by improving blood circulation. Following care methods regularly enhances blood flow and gives long-lasting strength to your hair roots.
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