Do Goosebumps Make Hair Grow Faster? The Answer Will Shock You!

The primary cause of goosebumps is cold air, although memorable events and emotional situations can be a cause of goosebumps as well.

Goosebumps are associated with adrenaline release, from the adrenal glands that are situated on top of our kidneys. Apart from influencing arrector pili muscles, adrenaline controls other functions in our body.

Goosebumps, goose pimples, or goose bumps are bumps on the skin at the bottom of body hair that may be an involuntary development when one experiences powerful emotions like euphoria or fear, cold, or is being tickled. The vestigial reflex is when goosebumps are formed on people under stress.

In other apes, its function is to raise the hair on the body.

This feature likely helped our ancestors insulate heat by trapping more air in the fur or appearing larger than their actual size to get rid of predators.

Pilomotor reflex, piloerection, or typically, horripilation is a reflex that produces goosebumps. This develops in several mammals like porcupines, who can extend their quills when under threat, and sea otters when threatened by predators like sharks.

Meaning Of Goosebumps

Goosebumps are areas on the skin where hair cells stand.

Goosebumps are reflexes that were of great use for ancient humans and are a trait we have acquired from them. When tiny muscles, called arrector pili muscles, present at the base of each hair contract, pulling the hair straight up and raising goosebumps.

• Usually, the hair stands on our forearms, but goosebumps can occur on our neck, leg hair, and other body parts.
• Animals use goosebumps to tackle the cold weather.
• The fur coat in animals raises due to muscle contraction, expanding the insulative air layer.
• Animals use goosebumps for more heat retention, particularly the ones with thicker fur.
• When you get goosebumps due to stress or strong emotions, it is usually accompanied by a fast heart rate, sweaty palms, and trembling hands.

When do we get goosebumps?

We get goosebumps in response to fear, anxiety, nervousness, or cold.

The reason for goosebumps was discovered by Harvard University scientists as - the cell types that are responsible for goosebumps are also vital to stimulate stem cells, which reproduce the hair and the hair follicle.

The arrector pili muscles that contract beneath the skin and make hair cells stand are needed to bridge a connection between the sympathetic nerves (next to hair follicles) and hair follicle stem cells.

This nerve reacts to cold with muscle contraction and causes short-term goosebumps and by activating hair follicle stem cells and new hair growth for the long term.

• The nerves which are a part of the sympathetic nervous system control pulse, pupil dilation, and process.
• Sympathetic nerves are also present around tiny arrector pili.
• It has been discovered that getting goosebumps not only makes hair cells stand regulating hair growth but also may heal wounds.
• Every stem cell in our body is usually dormant. So, when they wake, they can replace any injured skin cells and grow into new hair.

How do goosebumps stimulate hair growth?

Yes, goosebumps stimulate the process of hair growth.

Muscles and nerves which raise goosebumps are also responsible for regulating other cells for hair growth and to reproduce hair follicles. The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for a lot of vital body functions.

Sympathetic nerves are next to stem cells eventually creating hair follicles. It was also found that the nerve endings are naked and connect with the hair follicle stem cells. These sympathetic nerves produce norepinephrine hormone that is responsible for many involuntary body reactions, also needed to boost hair growth.

• Stem cell research may also help provide a reason for hair loss being the side effect of heart-related drugs like beta-blockers as they interfere with the norepinephrine hormone's actions.
• As these nerves next to hair follicles are present around tiny arrector pili, they can pull these muscles and hair stand.
• Mice that have had gene changes and restricted the muscles growing, lack sympathetic nerves.
• Some men lack arrector pili muscles. These men that lack arrector pili muscles often have male pattern baldness.

What stimulates hair growth?

Things that boost hair growth including goosebumps are castor oil, aloe vera, rosemary oil, coconut oil, and biotin.

Although goosebumps can stimulate hair growth over the long term, other methods help your hair grow. It is necessary to be consistent with these methods as hair follicles are slow units.

All of us are born with all the hair follicles we need. Beneath each hair follicle under our skin, there's a root from where our hair grows. Blood flows through hair follicles to supply nutrients and oxygen to the root, boosting hair growth.

• Some benefits of aloe vera are that it promotes healing, calms irritated skin and itchy scalps, repairs and strengthens hair, and leaves your hair smooth and shiny.
• Castor oil is a great solution for split ends and dry hair.
• Scalp massages improve blood circulation through our follicles.
• Use essential oils for the better health of your hair. Some of them are lavender oil, peppermint oil, and rosemary oil.