Hair growth in newborns and infants can naturally appear very different. Some babies are born with a lot of hair on their heads, others do not show the first signs of hair growth until a few months after birth.
Hair growth is genetically determined and is also influenced by various factors, such as gender. From the age of 3 at the latest, the head of the majority of children is covered with hair.
The baby's first hair growth takes place during pregnancy and bears the name Lanugo hair. It protects i.a. The skin of the child in front of the amniotic fluid, however, is only a transitional hair. Most of it has already fallen out at the time of birth and can therefore also be used to assess the maturity of the baby.
If there is still a part left over, the hair will fall out quickly and then there will usually be strong hair growth. This can be explained by the almost simultaneous start of the growth of the individual hair roots.
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In adults, the hair falls out time-delayed and therefore there are no great changes in the overall appearance of the head hair. However, this is not the case with the child. The growth begins synchronously and therefore appears to be conspicuously dense or fast.
Also read: Hair loss in children
From now on, the baby's hair will grow like an adult. However, the terminal hair does not appear until puberty.
The hair growth cycle is divided into three time windows. Starting with the anagen phase, the main part of the length growth takes place here and lasts 3-8 years. In the catagen phase, regression takes place within approx. 3 weeks and in the final telogen phase the corresponding hair falls out within 3-8 months. However, since this does not affect the entire hair of the head, but only individual hairs, this is hardly noticeable and when combing only individual hairs are in the brush.
Spread over a year, hair growth of around 15 cm is expected.
You can read more information about the development of your baby at: Baby's eye color - when is it final?
Many parents worry if the child loses the hair that has just grown or want to accelerate the sparse growth. It is important to know that hair growth varies greatly from person to person and does not necessarily indicate a disease just because it starts late.
For healthy hair growth, the child's health is the most important requirement. A varied and balanced diet can go a long way towards ensuring that the baby's hair grows adequately and healthily. Particular attention should be paid to vitamins and protein. Zinc plays an important role in cell division and, like iron, can preferably be ingested through meat. Vitamin B7 is also relevant (Biotin), which is especially important for the regeneration of cells. Vitamin A and proteins are also important for hair growth.
The best way to absorb the appropriate nutrients is through a balanced diet consisting of a certain portion of meat and a variety of vegetables and fruits. Dairy products and eggs should also be included.
Read more on this topic at: Full nutrition and folic acid
A widespread opinion about cutting the baby's hair at an early stage or shaving off children's hair for denser growth has not been proven. Hair does not consist of living cells, so shortening it cannot have a growth-stimulating, regenerative effect. Appropriate hair care can, however, have a protective effect. Regular, but not too frequent, hair washing to avoid drying out the hair, as well as well-tolerated shampoos, can support this effect.
Regular combing is also important because on the one hand it does not knot the hair and on the other hand it improves the oxygen supply to the scalp.
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Read more on the subject at: Accelerate hair growth
Various home remedies can help hair growth, although this is not necessarily based on scientific evidence.
An example here is the use of Silicawhich is available as a gel for application or as capsules / tablets for ingestion. Silica contains various minerals, including silicon, and binds water so that improved water and nutrient absorption is guaranteed in tissues. This especially affects the nails and hair. Whether the hair growth is faster as a result is questionable. Many only describe a healthier appearance of the hair.
The use of Scalp massages is described as an aid for faster hair growth. The massage is expected to improve the supply of moisture, nutrients and oxygen and thus an improvement in the starting position for increased growth.
