Hair can be an essential factor in physical appearance. If you notice changes in your hair, such as thinning, loss of quality, greasy hair or breakage, it is always advisable to address the condition. Unfortunately, several factors can contribute to dull, weak or thinning hair. But fortunately, hair care and hair loss prevention have come a long way and there are many remedies to help your hair, including growth serums, hair supplements and laser.
While there are many cures for weak or thinning hair, the best approach is to maintain healthier hair throughout your life. The great thing is that there are simple and natural ways to not only maintain healthy hair, but also protect against hair loss, one of which can be CBD. As CBD spreads across the globe, it’s clear that its potential benefits can’t be ignored, as more and more people are turning to CBD products for a variety of reasons, from stress to insomnia – and hair care is no exception. There are now hair care products such as hair gels, shampoos and rinse-free conditioners with CBD as the main ingredient. But does CBD provide real benefits to hair, or is it just another fashion gimmick?
Effects of CBD on hair
There are many different sources that claim that CBD has potential effects on hair. However, it is important to note that there is currently no concrete evidence to suggest the benefits that CBD has for hair, particularly for hair growth and hair loss. This is partly due to the lack of sufficient research into the effects of CBD on hair. However, it is important to understand that the effects of CBD on hair may lead to a new trend in hair care that you may want to follow. It’s time to explore the effects of CBD on hair:
Causes of hair loss
One of the biggest hair care problems is hair loss. Before you start looking for solutions to thinning or damaged hair, it’s best to understand both the cause and symptoms of hair loss. Hair loss, also referred to as alopecia, can affect your entire body or just your scalp, and depending on the cause, it can be temporary or permanent. Hair loss includes the following causes:
- Genetics (heredity)
- Supplements and medicines
- Health conditions
- Hormonal changes and imbalances
- Hairstyles and treatments (e.g. aggressive combing, excessive styling, improper hair styling products, etc.)
- Stress
Symptoms of hair loss
Hair loss can manifest itself in different ways, depending on what is causing it. Hair loss can occur suddenly, or it can be a slow and gradual process. To help you understand more about hair loss, here are a few symptoms to watch for:
- Slow and gradual thinning of hair on the top of the head
- Sudden relaxation of hair
- Hair loss/hair loss on the whole body
- Circular baldness on the head
Background on CBD
Cannabidiol – commonly referred to as CBD – is available in a variety of forms, including oils, tinctures, topicals and even food. A quick lesson on CBD – there are about 113 active chemical compounds in cannabis, known as cannabinoids. The two main key components are cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC, however, is a banned psychoactive (usually regulated) that is known to have a euphoric effect on its users. CBD, on the other hand, is legal in most states, has no psychoactive properties, and makes up about 40% of cannabis extracts;
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Most CBD products are made from industrial hemp. Research is still ongoing, but various studies have found that CBD can be useful for a number of conditions such as stress, inflammation, epilepsy, pain management and more;
How CBD works in your body
CBD works in the body through the ECS – the endocannabinoid system. The ECS is a complex system that consists of enzymes and receptors. The two central receptors of the endocannabinoid system are CB1 and CB2. These are the receptors used by the ECS to regulate bodily functions such as homeostasis. When it comes to CBD oil and hair, CBD interacts with the ECS, and the endocannabinoid system enhances the body’s repair function, thereby supporting the process of healthy cell formation. This means that if your scalp is damaged or if your hair is thinning, the endocannabinoid system can increase the production of healthy cells, which could help repair damage and promote hair growth;
Various studies show that the endocannabinoid system plays a significant role in reducing and sometimes even eliminating symptoms of skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema. So if you suffer from hair loss due to any of these health conditions, you may benefit significantly from boosting your endocannabinoid system with CBD. Once you eliminate the symptoms of these skin conditions, your hair can be affected so that it will be healthier again;
Studies suggesting the existence of an endocannabinoid system in the skin indicate that it could regulate and induce several biological processes such as cytokines, proliferation, differentiation and others. The role of the cutaneous endocannabinoid system is to control and maintain proper and balanced tolerance, immune competence, proliferation and differentiation of skin cells. This means that using CBD can help maintain this delicate balance and help skin conditions such as allergic dermatitis, psoriasis, acne and hair growth disorders.
Effects of CBD on hair and scalp
So now that you know how CBD interacts with your body through the ECS, it’s time to look at the effects of CBD on your hair and scalp. Here’s a look at some of the potential benefits of CBD for your hair:
It can help hair growth
Perhaps the main reason why CBD mentioned in connection with potential effects on hair growth is the content of other important substances. Many fatty acids can be found in CBD, omega-3, omega-6 and omega-9. It may also contain linoleic acid and gamma-linoleic acid (GLA), which are known to promote new hair growth;
It can improve scalp health
It is also reported that CBD contains several minerals, including calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and potassium, and vitamin E – all of which are excellent for the scalp. In addition, CBD has anti-inflammatory properties that can help with scalp conditions such as folliculitis.
CBD for dry hair
People often want soft and shiny hair and avoid dry and dull hair. CBD can be helpful in combating dry hair because it could help regulate the natural oil production on the scalp. This can make it a good choice for both dry and oily hair types. Therefore, CBD oil can help you reduce dryness in your hair.
Strengthen and protect hair
Weak hair can sometimes end up in hair loss. Hair strands are made of protein. Cannabidiol oil contains all 21 amino acids that are the building blocks of proteins. Thus, if CBD is used regularly, it can help strengthen the user’s hair. CBD may act as a stronger antioxidant than you think and its vitamins A, C and E could help protect your hair from external damage.
What type of CBD oil is best for hair?
Basically, there are two ways to take advantage of CBD’s potential benefits for hair: you can take it orally or you can apply it topically. However, not all CBD oils are the same. If you’re turning to CBD to help with hair growth, prevent hair loss, or get rid of dry hair and achieve fuller, longer, healthier hair, you may want to choose a full-spectrum CBD oil. This type of CBD oil contains all of the potentially beneficial cannabinoids and other synergistic ingredients.
How to use CBD in your hair care routine
One way to incorporate CBD oil into your hair care routine is by adding CBD oil to your shampoo and conditioner. You can then use them as regular hair care products. Check with your doctor before adding CBD oil to your routine in any form.
If you’ve experienced dry hair or hair loss, you know how annoying and frustrating it can be to see your hair disappear. Fortunately, there are many medications that can help improve your hair, and CBD may be one of them;
