Does A Durag Help Hair Growth? Discover the Truth!
Have you ever seen Chris Gayle, a star player, wearing a durag on a cricket ground? Are you wondering whether a durag helps in hair growth? Do you know the benefits and side effects of wearing durags?
Durags are part of our daily lives, and we wear them to protect our styles. But in addition to this, durags also help us to grow our hair stronger and healthier.
There is no rocket science in this. As we all know, the durags keep our scalp warm, and in this way, blood circulation increases in our scalp, which produces healthy cells.
But do you know durags have some side effects too? If you are wondering whether you should use durags or not, then read this article to the end.
History of Durags
Durags were commonly used by Africans when they were slaves of Americans in the 19th century. Africans used these durags to cover their heads from the harsh conditions of slavery.
Durags were also commonly used by soldiers and prisoners to keep their hair neat and clean.
Durags became more popular and fashionable in the 20th century in the African American community. Some celebrities and athletes used to wear durags as a symbol of their culture and identity.
How Durags Might Affect Hair Growth
First of all, we want to tell you the ground reality that durags are not the magic solutions that will help in hair growth overnight.
Durags have positive effects, but they can also cause negative effects on hair growth if they are worn incorrectly.
Positive Affects
Durags can affect hair growth in several ways.
Increases blood circulation
It keeps our scalp warm. In this way, blood circulation increases in our scalp, which helps to produce healthier and stronger hair.
Prevents damage to the hair cuticle
Durags also protect our hair from various environmental factors such as dirt, friction, and dust that can damage our hair cuticle. These factors can also cause dryness and breakage of our hair.
Keeps hair hydrated and healthy
People also use durags after applying oils to their hair. In this way, durags maintain moisture and oil in the hair. This helps in keeping hair hydrated and healthy.
Prevents hair-splitting
Durags also prevent from splitting the ends of hair. The split ends can cause the hair to look dull and frizzy.
Increases the efficacy of hair treatment
If you are receiving any hair treatment, then durags can be very helpful to boost the efficiency of your hair treatment. If you are applying any hair growth serum on your scalp, then you can wear durags to ensure that the serum is completely absorbed in your scalp.
Negative Affects
Durags can also have negative effects on hair growth if they are not used properly.
Traction Alopecia
Durags can also cause traction alopecia. This is a type of hair loss that is caused by pulling too tightly or for a long time. This causes stress to the roots of the hair and leads to inflammation and permanent damage.
Folliculitis
Durags can also folliculitis. This is the inflammation of the hair follicles. This inflammation is caused by fungi, bacteria, and viruses.
Folliculitis causes symptoms such as swelling, itching, redness of the scalp, pain, and pus-filled bumps on the scalp.
Hydral Fatigue
Durags can also cause hydral fatigue. This is a condition that occurs when the hair becomes weak and brittle due to the repeated cycles of wetting and drying.
Expert Opinions and Studies About Durags
Durags have been the attention of many hairstylists and trichologists. Many hairstylists and trichologists argue in favor of durags for hair growth.
Dr. Kari Williams
Dr. Kari Williams is a board-certified trichologist and celebrity hairstylist. According to her, durags are helpful in hair growth because they protect our hair from harsh external environmental factors and preserve the oil and moisture in our hair.
However, she has also warned that durags can also cause hair loss if they are not properly used. She also added that durags should be worn only when necessary, such as during physical activities or at night.
J.D. Okoroafor
J.D. Okoroafor is a famous barber and the founder of The Wave App. This app is a platform that connects wavers and barbers.
According to him, durags can compress and smooth hair. He also added that durags retain moisture and oils in the hair that keep our hair healthy and shiny.
He also advised that one should use a moisturizer, a conditioner, or an oil on the hair before wearing durags because it can prevent dryness and breakage.
What research studies say
There is no research study that supports the claim that wearing a durag can promote hair growth.
Tips for Using Durags Effectively
Durags can be helpful in hair growth if you are using them in the correct way. Following are some tips that will help you with hair growth.
Choose the right type of durag
First of all, you need to choose the type of durag for yourself. Durags come in different materials, colors, and designs. But all these types of durags are not suitable for hair growth.
The best durags for hair growth are made of soft fabrics such as silk or satin and they reduce friction and heat on the hair and scalp.
You should avoid durags that are made of rough materials such as polyester or nylon. These materials cause irritation and damage to the hair and scalp.
You should also avoid durags that have tight knots or strings. These types of durags can cause pressure and tension on the hair and scalp.
Wash your durags regularly
You need to clean your durags on a regular basis. Various types of bacteria, oil, and dirt can accumulate in the durags. These factors can cause infection and inflammation on the scalp.
You need to wash your durag every day or every other day to prevent these problems. You can use mild detergent and warm water for this purpose.
You should not share your durag with other people.
Do not wear durags more than 6 to 8 hours
You should not wear your durag all the time. If you wear durags all the time, they can restrict the blood flow and oxygen to the scalp.
You need to wear durags on specific occasions, such as at night or during physical activities. If you can’t wear durags at night or during physical activities, you can wear them during the daytime, but for a limited duration. You should not wear them more than 6 to 8 hours.
You need to wear them loosely and comfortably. You should not cover the ears, foreheads, and eyebrows.
Moisturize and condition your hair before wearing a durag
You need to moisturize and oil your hair before wearing a durag. Durags help in retaining the moisture and oils in the hair for a long duration.
If you are not applying moisturizer or oil to your hair, durags can dry out your hair. This step is very necessary for the people who have dry and brittle hair. This will help in replenishing the moisture and nutrients in the hair.
Conclusion
So, does a durag help hair growth? The answer is yes, it does. It can help in hair growth in such a way that it protects your hair from environmental damage such as dust, dirt, and pollution.
It also helps to retain moisture by keeping natural and applied oils close to the scalp. During sleeping, it can protect your hair from tangling and damage due to rubbing against friction.
In this way, durags promote hair growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a durag make hair wavy?
As we know, durags compress our hair. It can hold our hair into our desired wave pattern by compressing and retaining moisture.
To create a specific wave pattern in your hair, first brush your hair into the desired pattern. Then, immediately wear the durag tightly over the styled hair. By wearing the durag consistently and securely, it helps to achieve the desired wave pattern.
Can I put a durag on wet hair?
Yes, you can. If you are wearing a durag on wet hair, then it can help you to mold and set your hair into your desired style. It also helps to maintain moisture in your hair if you have applied a leave-in conditioner.
Why does my durag hurt my head?
- If your durag hurting your head, that means, you have not worn it correctly. If you are tying it tightly, it can create excessive pressure on your scalp that can hurt your head,
- If you are wearing it tightly for an extended period, it can hurt your head due to restricted blood flow.
- If you have a sensitive scalp, then you need to wear it less tightly.