How to Know the Direction of Hair Growth? 4 Best Techniques
You might have noted that a particular hairstyle suits one person but looks terrible on another individual. Have you ever thought about the reason? Its answer lies in the fact that human hair growth direction varies from one individual to another.
Understanding the natural growth direction of hair helps you choose the right hairstyles and haircare products and overcome hair problems. In this blog post, we will provide a comprehensive guide about how to know the direction of hair growth of various body parts. Let’s get into the details.
Understanding Hair Growth Patterns
Understanding your hair’s natural growth direction is crucial for effective styling. Hair follicles generally grow in a specific direction which can significantly influence how your hair can be styled. The common hair growth directions in humans are:
- The downward direction is the most common one where hair grows down from the scalp.
- In some people, hair grows in an Upward direction, especially from the head crown.
- Whirlpools are characterized by hair growth in a circular pattern.
- Cowlicks are small hair patches that show growth direction opposite to that of surrounding hair.
These varying hair growth directions have a great influence on hair styling. For example, upward-growing hair is more voluminous than other hair. Cowlicks and whirlpools are challenging in styling. The styling products also respond differently to hair of varying growth directions.
Factors Influencing Hair Growth Direction
Genetics
Like the other characters, the hair growth direction is also determined by the individual’s genetic makeup. Therefore, individuals belonging to varying ethnicities have variable hair growth direction.
Hormones
Androgens are proven, by scientific research in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, to play a role in hair growth. Testosterone is involved in determining hair growth in males. In females, estrogen causes hair growth. Its changes in pregnancy and menopause greatly impact growth patterns. The imbalances of thyroid hormone also affect the direction of growth and density of hair.
Age
According to a research study published in the International Journal of Women’s Dermatology, the pattern of hair growth changes with increasing age due to genetic and hormonal changes. At younger ages, hair grows in different directions while adults experience hair thinning with age mostly due to hormonal changes.
The Importance of Following Hair Growth Direction
The hair growth must be taken into account while grooming and styling the hair. This will be helpful in the following ways:
- Brushing the hair in the direction of growth prevents hair breakage by reducing the stress on the hair.
- The hair should be styled in a growth direction to get a smooth and polished look. This also reduces the frizziness of hair.
- The health of the hair can easily be maintained by following the direction of hair growth.
- The knowledge of hair growth direction is also helpful in customizing grooming routines and selecting the best products for hair.
Methods for Determining Hair Growth Direction
1: Visual Observation
The visual determination of hair growth involves examining the hair in natural light to see the natural falling direction of the hair. This method can be aided by using a magnifying glass for a closer look or wetting the hair to make the growth direction more apparent. The styling products, when applied to hair, also highlight the natural growth direction, making it easily visible.
2: Fingertip Test
The fingertip test is an effective method to know the direction of hair growth. For this purpose, moisten your fingertips and strike the clean hair in different directions with your fingertips. Note the feelings as you pass your fingertips over the hair.
You will experience resistance when moving against the growth direction and smoothness when striking in the direction of hair growth. For accurate results, prefer to start from the hair roots. Be gentle while striking the hair to avoid hair breakage and damage.
3: Using Hair Growth Tools
Another efficient and simplest tool for determining hair growth direction is using a credit card. Slide the longer side of the credit card over the skin and note in which direction the hairs are pulled up. This direction is opposite to that of hair growth. The hair lay down smoothly in the direction of growth.
4: Professional Consultation
If you are facing a problem in determining growth direction, consult the professionals. They have comprehensive knowledge for assessing hair conditions, growth patterns, and underlying reasons for hair problems. They will address your hair growth direction and concerns efficiently and give long-term solutions to prevent future problems.
Hair Growth Direction on Specific Body Parts
Face
The major facial hair includes a beard, mustache, and eyebrows. Beard hair shows varying hair growth directions depending on the part of the face. The hair on the chin typically grows downward, while the cheek hair has an outward and slightly downward direction. The neck hair grows in an upward direction and sideburns have inward and downward growth directions.
The mustache hair grows downward with a slight outward curve on the upper lip. The hair growing towards the sideburns usually grows downward and inward. The eyebrow hair shows inward growth towards the nose. Some individuals may have slight upward growth at the beginning point of their eyebrows.
Armpit
The armpit hair growth direction is typically downward. It greatly influences the effectiveness of hair removal techniques like shaving and waxing. One should prefer shaving in the growth direction to reduce irritation.
Shaving in the opposite direction causes irritation and ingrown hair. Waxing is preferable as it removes the hair from the root to give long-lasting results, as waxing slows down hair growth. One must do it in the direction opposite to hair growth and follow proper waxing techniques.
Leg Hair
The growth direction of leg hair varies from one individual to another. The majority of people have downward leg hair growth but some hair may show outward growth. Some individuals also have an intermix of downward and outward growth.
Waxing is an effective method for leg hair removal when done in the opposite direction. Before waxing, exfoliate the skin to prevent irritation. Shaving should be done in the direction of growth to reduce the risk of irritation and ingrown hair.
Tips for Following Hair Growth Direction
Observing the Hair
The most important tip for following the hair growth direction is to observe the hair when it is wet. When hair is wet, it lies flat and you can easily reveal the hair growth direction. While combing or brushing, move from the roots towards the tips to check the direction in which hair falls.
Patience
One needs to show patience when it comes to hair growth. Hair growth is a gradual process that usually takes several months to get visible results. Each individual has their own hair growth pattern, so never compare your hair growth pattern with others.
Styling Tips
While styling, prefer brushing or combing the hair in a growth direction to reduce the stress on hair roots. To reduce frizziness, direct the blow-dryer’s airflow along the natural growth direction of your hair. Always apply the styling products in the direction of growth to smooth down the hair.
Hair Products Application
Always try to apply hair products such as hair masks and conditioners to dampen hair. This will lay down the hair in the natural direction of hair growth, thus controlling the frizziness. Application in the opposite direction causes damage to the hair.
Conclusion
Understanding the right direction of hair growth is necessary to keep the hair strong and healthy. Human hair shows a variety of growth directions due to various factors. The direction also varies with the parts of the body.
To know the direction of hair growth, several methods are in use. One can choose the most suitable one according to their hair type, texture, and styling technique. The right determination of growth direction helps in optimizing hair styling and preventing damage. One has to be patient and consistent with their hair care to observe visible results.
FAQs
1. Why is the determination of hair growth direction important?
Understanding the correct hair growth direction helps in making better choices for hair care and styling, which promotes overall hair health and helps combat hair loss. It also aids in choosing the right product for your hair.
2. Does hair growth direction change over time?
As genetics play a role in determining the hair growth direction, it remains almost constant throughout life. Sometimes it can be influenced by age, hormonal changes, and hair loss.
3. How do you train your hair to grow in a different direction?
The natural growth direction of hair can not be changed, but hair can be trained to lay in a specific direction by using gels, pins, or bands for a few weeks. These must be applied even during sleep.
4. How can I determine the hair growth direction of my curly hair?
The determination of the direction of curly hair growth is easy. You can get clues about the growth direction from the direction in which your curls fall naturally.
5. Can stress cause a change in the direction of hair growth?
Temporary changes in hair growth direction can occur as a result of sudden and excessive stress from hair loss. Managing stress levels through relaxation and meditation can help promote hair growth.
