Many firms have begun including green tea into their products, particularly those that promise to help your hair healthier. You may question, though, if green tea genuinely enhances your hair.
This article delves into the history of green tea and its possible advantages for hair health.
What Exactly Is Green Tea?
Camellia sinensis is the plant that produces tea leaves. Tea leaves may make green, black, white, or oolong tea depending on the processing procedure. Green tea is manufactured from fresh tea leaves that are dried and exposed to sunshine to avoid oxidation and fermentation, which gives green tea its characteristic taste.Various processing processes may be used for different varieties of green tea. Matcha green tea, for example, is made from pre-harvest tea leaves that have been exposed to 90% shade, resulting in a deeper taste and increased antioxidant content.
Green teas are widely renowned for their antioxidant content. The majority of the antioxidants in green tea are derived from flavonols, namely catechins.
Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), the most abundant and strong catechin in green tea, has been associated to a lower risk of heart disease and some forms of cancer.
Green tea and its extracts are being utilized for different reasons, such as reducing hair loss and enhancing hair health, due to its high antioxidant content.
Green Tea Hair Benefits
For its alleged advantages, green tea is incorporated to many hair care products. Here are some possible green tea hair advantages.Hair loss may be avoided
Many men and women worldwide suffer from hair loss, which may be caused by a variety of factors such as stress, nutrition, autoimmune illnesses, and hormonal changes.Androgenetic alopecia, or hormonal hair loss, affects about 50 million men and 30 million women in the United States. In fact, 50% of men and 25% of women over 50 will have some level of hormone-related hair loss.
The normal growth cycle of the hair varies after hair loss. The cycle is divided into three stages: androgen (hair growth), catagen (transitional phase), and telogen (rest) (hair loss).
Two hormones, testosterone and dihydrotestosterone, have been linked to a reduction in hair growth and an increase in hair loss. According to some studies, EGCG may suppress the effects of these hormones on hair and decrease hair loss.
Ten volunteers with androgenetic alopecia used Forti5 for 24 weeks in a company-funded pilot research. 80% of subjects reported substantial improvements in hair regrowth at the conclusion of the research.
The supplement did, however, include an unknown quantity of green tea extract, melatonin, vitamin D, omega-3, omega-6, beta-sitosterol, and soy isoflavones. As a result, it's impossible to say if the green tea extract was responsible for these gains.
In one research, mice that got a topical application of EGCG-rich green tea lost much less hair than those who did not.
EGCG seems to reduce testosterone-induced hair loss by extending the androgen phase of hair development and decreasing the telogen phase, which results in hair shedding.
Promotes Hair Growth
Green tea may aid in hair growth and regeneration.In one tiny trial, researchers applied a topical green tea-derived EGCG extract to the scalps of three alopecia patients. The subjects' hair growth activity increased significantly after 4 days.
EGCG seems to promote hair development by activating hair follicles and reducing skin and hair cell damage.
Furthermore, in a mouse hair loss study, researchers discovered that 33% of the animals who drank green tea extract saw hair regrowth after 6 months, whereas no mice in the control group improved.
However, it is still uncertain how quickly or effectively green tea hair treatments promote hair growth in individuals, particularly those without hormone-related hair loss.
Enhanced Nutrition Delivery
Hair is a component of the integumentary system, which comprises nails, skin, hair, and accessory structures. In truth, your hair grows straight from your skin, where it obtains blood flow and nourishment while growing.Researchers discovered that taking supplements containing green tea extract for 12 weeks enhanced cutaneous blood flow and oxygen delivery by 29% when compared to the control group in a short trial of 15 subjects.
30 individuals in the same trial consumed 4 cups (1 liter) of green tea for 12 weeks in another group. The green tea group improved skin moisture much more than the control group.
The transport of oxygen and nutrients to the skin is closely tied to hair development. Hair loss may be caused by inadequate blood circulation. As a result, drinking green tea may boost hair development by increasing the flow of these nutrients to your scalp.
How to Use Green Tea on Hair
Because of the growth-promoting characteristics of green tea and green tea extract, they are often used as a key component in hair products. They are available online and at most retail outlets.Here are a few methods for using green tea on your hair:
1. Shampoo: Use a green tea extract shampoo on a regular basis. Apply the majority of the shampoo on your roots and scalp and gently scrub.
Conditioner. Apply a green tea conditioner or hair mask to the roots, shafts, and tips of your hair. Leave on for 3-10 minutes, or until the manufacturer's recommendations are followed.
2. Conditioner: Hair rinse prepared from scratch. Allow 1-2 green tea bags to soak in boiling water for 5 minutes. When the liquid has cooled, apply it to your hair at the conclusion of your shower.
3. Homemade hair rinse: You may also attempt to consume 1-2 cups (240-480 ml) of green tea every day to feed your body with antioxidants.
A Word Of Warning
Although some study suggests that drinking green tea and using green tea hair products might help with hair development, there are a few factors to bear in mind.Toxicity
While green tea is safe to drink, many green tea supplements and oils contain substantially greater levels of EGCG, which may cause major problems such as liver damage and stomach distress.According to a recent study, the safe daily dose of EGCG in supplements and brewed tea is 338 mg and 704 mg, respectively. As a result, be wary of supplements that contain much greater amounts.
Also, before beginning a new supplement, consult with your healthcare physician.
Most individuals may comfortably consume up to 3-4 cups (710-950 ml) of green tea each day.
How to Make Use of the Products
Green tea hair products are omnipresent, and their cost-effectiveness is dependent on how you use them.Hair follicles get blood flow and nourishment to encourage hair strand development. When a hair strand (shaft) grows out of a hair follicle, it no longer obtains nutrition.
As a result, consuming green tea will have no effect on the strength of your existing hair. It will only effect newly formed hair in the hair follicle. While certain hair treatments hydrate and feed hair strands, they do not stimulate them to grow.
If you use a hair mask or shampoo, be sure to apply it to your roots and scalp to allow the substance to reach your hair follicles. Also, while using shampoo, carefully exfoliate your hair to prevent hurting the roots.
In Conclusion
Green tea is an antioxidant-rich beverage that is popular all over the globe.Its consumption and use in hair products may reduce the risk of hair loss and perhaps boost hair regeneration.
Many green tea hair products are available in shops or online, but for optimal effects, apply them to the scalp and roots. After washing and conditioning your hair, you may rinse it with brewed green tea.
If you prefer to drink green tea, you may safely have up to 3-4 cups (710-950 ml) each day.
