Best Acids For Hair Growth | Medlinks

13 June, 2024 | Hair Treatment | Author : Shveta Virmani

In today’s day and age, hair growth is not just a cosmetic concern. It is, in fact, an indicator of overall health and well-being. Healthy growing hair is a combined outcome of proper nutrition, effective care, and the use of the right hair care products. While the role of acid in skincare has gained widespread popularity, acids are also highly beneficial for hair growth.

In this article, we will discuss the top eight benefits of hair growth along with an in-depth explanation of the best acids for hair growth.

Table of content

Inspecting the Top 8 Benefits of Hair Growth

Hair growth is an occurrence that has a wide range of connotations and advantages, as discussed below.

Better Self-Esteem: A healthy head of hair serves as a major confidence booster and is often associated with beauty. It helps improve self-confidence and overall mood.
Scalp Protection: Thick, luscious hair helps protect the scalp from the harmful UV rays of the sun and also dirt, dust and pollution.
Temperature Control: Hair plays a major role in maintaining body temperature. In winter, the muscles of the hair follicles contract and help trap heat. Conversely, in summer, it helps shield the scalp from direct sunlight.
Health Indicator: A lot of times, hair loss occurs as a result of underlying health conditions and nutritional deficiency. Weak, damaged hair or severe hair loss is thereby a viable indicator of your overall health.
Economic Advantages: A healthy head of hair means fewer visits to the salon and fewer need for expensive hair care treatments. By using the best acids for hair growth, you can guarantee that at-home effective treatments will have long-lasting results.
Better Styling: When your hair grows long, you can style it in any way you want. It also becomes more manageable.
Psychological Well-being: Our physical appearance often leaves a mark on our mental health, and our hair is no different. Premature balding and diffuse thinning can all affect an individual negatively. On the other hand, healthy hair growth helps reduce the stress of hair loss and improves mental health.
Professional Benefits: A well-groomed hair elevates the overall appearance and helps create a positive first impression. This becomes beneficial in different professional settings.

Examining the Best Acids for Hair Growth

Having understood the different benefits of hair growth, here are the different acids you can use to experience healthy growing hair.

Amino Acids for Hair Growth

Amino acids are essentially organic compounds that are the building blocks of protein. They are key for the structure, cell regulation, function, and tissues of living organisms. In terms of hair growth, there are 12 different types of amino acids that are helpful for hair growth.

Arginine: It helps in protein synthesis and helps hair growth by promoting blood circulation. It also helps to provide nutrition to hair follicles and to generate collagen in the hair shafts. The latter is vital for hair strength.

Source: salmon, eggs, legumes, tuna, etc

Aspartic Acid: This negatively charged amino acid helps in enzyme activity along with hormone regulation, supporting hair growth.

Source: fish, nuts, beef etc.

Alanine: It helps in energy production, reduces stress, helps form collagen and supports the immune system. All this together helps in hair growth.

Source: dairy, legumes, meat, eggs, etc

Serine: It is one of the best acids for hair growth. It helps build and repair hair tissues and helps build healthy hair cell membranes.

Source: wheat-based products, meat, etc

Valine: Valine helps in repairing tissues and building them ultimately promoting hair growth.

Source: dairy, fish, meat, eggs, etc

Proline: It helps form collagen, which is necessary for healthy hair growth.

Source: dairy, fish, meat, eggs, etc

Threonine: It also helps with collagen formation and supports the immune system.

Source: Shellfish, dairy.

L-carnitine: A form of amino acid that helps in producing energy and also promotes cardiolipin synthesis in the cell membranes. It supports cell regrowth and prevents hair thinning.

Source: red meat, dairy fish. You can also get a carnitine hair treatment.

Isoleucine: It plays a key role in protein synthesis and helps build and repair tissues related to hair growth.

Source: dairy, fish, meat, eggs, nuts, pork, seeds, etc

Histidine: It aids in hair growth through protein synthesis, detoxification and histamine synthesis.

Source: legumes, fish, meat.

Cysteine: It aids in forming collagen and keratin, which are necessary for healthy hair follicles and the surrounding skin.

Source: You can opt for a Cysteine treatment for hair or include more eggs, fish, nuts, and dairy products in your diet.

Phenylalanine: It is key to building the hair structure.

Source- meat, fish, nuts, oats, legumes and brown rice.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Hair Growth

Among the fatty acids good for hair growth, Omega-3 is the most essential. It is a group of polyunsaturated fatty acids known for their high levels of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. Omega-3 helps maintain good health, and blood circulation, which in turn can trigger hair cell formation and promote hair growth.

The three types of Omega-3 fatty acids are:

Alpha-linolenic Acid (AHA)
Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA)
Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA)

Sources of Omega-3 fatty acids include fatty fish, flax seeds, chia seeds, hemp seeds, walnuts and supplements.

Lactic Acid for Hair Growth

Lactic acid is an Alpha hydroxy acid (AHA). It helps in scalp exfoliation, dandruff reduction, and, ultimately, hair growth. It also helps remove tangles and makes hair smoother and more manageable. It breaks down the dead skin build-up in hair roots and removes the accumulated product.

The primary source of lactic acid is milk. Using hair care products infused with lactic acid 2 -3 times a week can significantly improve hair quality. It is one of the best acids for hair growth. The top five benefits of lactic acid are:

It helps break down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together and acts as a good exfoliant.
It protects the hair shaft from harm caused by UV rays and styling products.
Enhances hair texture.
Promotes blood circulation in the scalp.
It provides key nutrients and oxygen to hair follicles, thereby helping hair growth.

Hyaluronic Acid for Hair Growth

Hyaluronic acid is a natural form of acid that provides moisturisation. It retains the weight of water, which helps provide moisture to the hair follicles. This, in turn, provides frizz-free smooth hair. Hair with no frizz and tangles will not break off during combing. It will also naturally appear shinier and healthier.

Hyaluronic acid protects dermal papilla cells which are essential to maintain hair growth. In fact, these cells assist and promote the growth of new hair follicles. Besides protection, hyaluronic acid also enhances protein secretion, which enables better blood flow.

The best hyaluronic acid for hair growth can be found in high-end and medicated shampoos, conditioners and masks.

Glycolic Acid for Hair

The best acids for hair growth are gaining popularity among the masses. At MedLinks, you can reverse your hair loss by opting for minoxidil and glycolic acid treatments. Glycolic acid is a powerful ingredient that offers excellent benefits for hair care. It comes from sugar cane and is part of the alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) group. When used on hair, glycolic acid helps to exfoliate the scalp.

Glycolic acid also hydrates the hair. It pulls moisture into the strands, making them softer and smoother. This reduces frizz and helps prevent breakage. Healthy, moisturized hair looks shinier and feels stronger. Over time, using products with glycolic acid can improve the overall health of your hair.

Minoxidil Acid

Minoxidil is one of the best acids for hair growth. It works by stimulating hair follicles, helping to reverse hair loss. When applied to the scalp, minoxidil increases blood flow to the hair follicles. This extra blood supply delivers more oxygen and nutrients, which encourages hair growth.

Minoxidil also extends the growth phase of the hair cycle. Normally, hair goes through cycles of growth, rest, and shedding. By prolonging the growth phase, minoxidil allows hair to grow longer and thicker before it sheds. This makes hair appear fuller over time.

One of the biggest benefits of minoxidil is its effectiveness. Many people with thinning hair or bald spots see significant improvement with regular use. It can take a few months to see the full effects, but consistent application leads to visible results. Minoxidil works for both men and women. It is particularly effective for those experiencing genetic hair loss.

Oleanolic Acid for Hair Growth

Oleanolic acid (OA) is a pentacyclic triterpenoid compound found in over 200 plant species.OA helps trigger hair growth by activating hair matrix cell proliferation via the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and reducing the levels of tumour necrosis factor-alpha. It also transforms the 5α-reductase, growth factor-beta 1, and dihydrotestosterone.

In essence, Oleanolic acid is a compound found in topical products used to treat hair. It mainly makes the scalp area healthy and leads the way for healthy hair growth. To naturally incorporate OA, you can opt for a plant-based diet like leafy greens, olives, apples, rosemary and grapes.

Folic Acid for Hair Growth

Folic acid is a crucial B vitamin that helps in cell growth and its function. It helps the production of DNA and RBC. This vitamin plays a key role in promoting hair growth. It regulates cell metabolism and enhances keratin production. Keratin is the protein that forms the hair structure. With the promotion of proper cell growth and functioning of these cells, folic acid aids in healthy and strong hair. Besides, folic acid also helps in the betterment of the scalp health, supports blood circulation and reduces inflammation. This prevents hair thinning and keeps the hair in proper condition.

You can get the best folic acid for hair growth by adding the following food items to your diet.

Broccoli
Beans
Salmon
Meat
Eggs
Avocado
Citrus
Legumes
Brussel Sprouts
Sunflower Seeds
Leafy Greens
Asparagus

Hair growth offers a wide range of benefits, from enhancing self-esteem to indicating overall health. Acids, whether applied topically, through products or consumed via food, play a major role in promoting hair growth.

The best acids for hair growth work on a cellular level and guarantee long-lasting outcomes. Maintain a diet rich in all the acids, take proper care of your hair and always be sure to consult a physician for any issues or before taking any supplement.

FAQ's

Is hyaluronic Acid Good for Hair?

Hyaluronic acid is wonderful for hair, as it attracts and binds moisture into the hair strands. This reduces frizz, and your hair becomes smoother. If it's well-moisturised, it's less likely to break and get split ends. Moreover, hyaluronic acid could also give volume to the hair and make it look thicker. Safe for all types of hair, this treatment is really easy to incorporate into your routine.

Is Folic Acid Good for Hair?

Folic acid supports the hair's well-being. It allows the growth of cells and creates healthy red blood cells that help carry oxygen to the follicles. This process can be helpful for hair growth and improving thickness. Folic acid also prevents grey hair and keeps your hair strong.

Which Acid is Best for Hair Growth?

Note that there are several best acids for hair growth. However, Minoxidil acid is best for hair growth. It stimulates the hair follicles and increases blood flow to the scalp. This will help promote hair growth longer and thicker. Minoxidil is exceptionally effective and can be used by either men or women with a thinning or loss of hair condition.

Which Chemical is Best for Hair Growth?

Minoxidil happens to be an excellent chemical that lays a foundation for hair growth. It is a medically proven cure in itself as it activates hair follicles to provide one with thicker and longer hair. It increases blood flow in the scalp and opens up the scalp for all the necessary nutrients for hair growth to reach there.

Can Glycolic Acid Make Hair Grow?

Glycolic acid improves hair and scalp health but doesn’t directly cause hair growth. It exfoliates the scalp, removing dead skin cells and buildup that can block hair follicles. This creates a healthier environment for hair to grow. Glycolic acid also hydrates the hair, making it stronger and less prone to breakage.

Which Amino Acid is Best for Hair Growth?

Cysteine is the best amino acid for hair growth. It’s a key component of keratin, the protein that makes up hair. Cysteine strengthens hair, making it more resistant to damage and breakage. It also helps in the formation of new hair cells, promoting growth. Cysteine improves hair texture and adds shine.

Is it Good To Use Hyaluronic Acid In Your Hair?

Yes. Hyaluronic acid helps trap water and provides moisture to your hair. It prevents frizz and dry scalp and promotes a voluminous mane.

How Can I Use Acids For Hair Growth?

Most acids that help in hair growth are present in food items we usually consume, like dairy products, fish, meat, eggs, nuts, and legumes. Having a well-balanced diet will help intake all necessary acids that aid in hair growth. You can also go for treatments that help incorporate a particular acid through specialised methods.

Which Acid Helps Grow Hair Faster?

Folic acid is the best acid for faster hair growth. It enhances keratin production and cell metabolism. You can consume it through broccoli, meat, asparagus, beans, legumes, etc.