How does hair grow?
Hair grows from the root at the bottom of the hair follicle and blood from the blood vessels in your scalp feed the root. This creates more cells and makes the hair grow. The hair is then pushed up through the skin as it grows through the sebaceous glands that add sebum to the hair to keep it soft, but too much can make the hair greasy. The hair dies by the time it protrudes from the skin so believe it or not hair is dead. Hair grows fast and the only part of the body that grows faster is bone marrow. On average, most people grow about a quarter to a half-inch a month or up to six inches a year.
What is the Inversion Method?
This is a new trend that claims to increase hair growth. The method is carried out over a period of seven days. You give yourself a scalp massage nightly with an oil and invert (tip upside down”> yourself or just your head. Some choose to lean their head over the side of a bed, stand upside down, sit in a chair and lean over, or another variation of inversion for up to four minutes. Be careful as you can become dizzy, light-headed, or disoriented when trying this. This method claims to increase the blood flow to your scalp and stimulate the hair follicles, which will result in quicker growth, but does this work?
The Science behind the inversion method
This is what trichologist Dr. Kari Williams has to say about the inversion method:
“Everyone is on the hunt for the newest ‘trick’ to grow hair, when the best ‘trick’ is found in the simplicity of maintaining a healthy lifestyle through regular exercise and a nutrient-rich diet. Healthy hair is a reflection of a healthy body. Increased blood circulation to the scalp can simply be achieved through scalp massages using deep rotary movements. These movements manipulate the tissues in the scalp, which stimulate blood flow, improve cellular functions and cellular regeneration. So you can stand on your head if you want to, but it’s not necessary. You can simply massage your scalp and get the same benefits without the possible risks.”
Verdict on the Inversion Method
Scalp massages are great for increasing blood flow to the hair follicles, conditioning the scalp, strengthening the roots, and even reducing stress according to Pacific College of Oriental Medicine. Many do it nightly with great results so that alone is a winner in my book but coupling it with the inversion method has not been scientifically proven on humans for quicker hair growth. If you are physically fit, not pregnant, or do not have high blood pressure then you may want to give it a try, but as for me I will stick with the scalp massages. Here’s one of my favorites massage oil mixes.
My Nightly Stress Reliever
- 1 tbsp. of jojoba oil
- Few drops of lavender oil
- Extra-small ramekin
Mix oils in extra-small ramekin before massaging throughout the scalp gently and in a circular motion.
Have you tried the inversion method?
