How rubbing your fingernails together daily boosts hair growth - “You think I’m crazy? Google it!”
- Replies 3
All of us here at the SDC have had a bad haircut at least once in our lives and, at that moment, wished for a time machine that could fast forward us to when our hair had regrown enough to look decent again (as well as grabbing next week’s lotto numbers!)
Fortunately, if we ever have to endure a bad haircut again (hopefully not), one hairstylist revealed a peculiar yet simple trick that you can do daily for just a few minutes to promote hair growth.
Helen Reavey demonstrating the unusual hair growth hack. Image Credit:actandacre
Helen Reavey, the founder of the haircare brand Act+Acre, suggests rubbing your fingernails every day for ten minutes to promote thicker and faster growing hair.
The trichologist explained that performing the hand motion triggers the brain to send signals to adult stem cells to reactivate dormant and unproductive hair follicles.
She also added that the motion also encourages blood flow to the hair follicles which in turn, provides you with healthier hair growth.
“You think I'm crazy? Google it.” she said in her TikTok video, demonstrating the trick.
The footage amassed a whopping 5 million views and 400 thousand likes, with hundreds of users swarming to the comments section to share their takes.
Video Credit: @actandacre
“You realize I'm doing this for the rest of my life now?” one user wrote.
“What if I don’t want hair on my fingernails?” teased a second.
“So THAT'S what flies are doing…” a third chimed in.
While a fourth mentioned that this was something they already knew: “I used to do that when I was a kid… My mom told me to do it to make my hair stronger.”
Image Credit: Expert Home Tips
The practice is commonly known as ‘Balayam’, which is a form of yoga practice believed to improve health.
HealthShots further explains the trick, saying: “This practice shows its impact on the hair as the nerves below the nail bed are connected to the scalp and regular nail rubbing stimulates blood flow and oxygen to the scalp.”
“It also helps rejuvenate hair follicles and enhance hair growth by controlling DHT (Dihydrotestosterone).”
Medical experts also believe that ending your shower with a 30-second blast of cold water can help strengthen your hair and leave it looking softer.
According to Beauty Heaven, cold showers flatten the hair follicles and increase their ability to grip onto the scalp. This leads to shinier, stronger and healthier hair overall.
There’s no harm in trying it out, right? What are your thoughts on this story? Share it with us in the comments!
Want hair tips from a medical professional? Watch the video below!
Video Credit: Anthony Youn, MD