Balayam, is an alternative reflexology therapy for hair growth which involves rubbing identical fingernails together with some amount of force. Though there are a number of people who believe that this technique really works, it has its own share of critics, too. So, before coming to a conclusion, let’s take a look at some facts about Balayam and also try to debunk some myths as well.
How it works?
Rubbing finger nails for a minimum of 10-20 minutes daily, can make your hair grow again. You should rub all your fingernails except for your thumb, because rubbing thumbnails may cause growth of facial hair. The number of fingernails you rub does not really matter.
What Balayam claims?
Balayam claims that your bald spots will reduce and you can get your normal hairline back. It also claims to prevent hair greying and hair loss.
The science behind Balayam
Believers say that there are certain nerve-endings below your fingernails which are stimulated when you rub them together. It is claimed that when you rub your fingernails, you stimulate your brain to send a signal to adult stem cells to revive the dead or unproductive hair follicles. Rubbing fingernails also increases blood circulation to your scalp, which strengthens your hair follicles and in turn prevents hair fall or greying.
However, no scientific research has been conducted to substantiate these positive claims of Balayam.
Who should avoid Balayam?
- People with high blood pressure should not perform Balayam as it may worsen their condition.
- It is also believed that sometimes Balayam may lead to drowsiness, so it is not advisable to perform it during work hours or before driving a vehicle.
- Pregnant women too are advised not to perform it, as it may cause uterine contractions or high blood pressure.
When will the results be visible?
If you are looking to combat hair loss then it will take about 3-6 months, whereas for hair growth you will need to wait for about 6-9 months, depending upon how frequently you rub your fingernails.
What research says?
A research made by Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology claims that hair turns grey because of a chemical reaction within our body which causes the hair to bleach on its own. This process starts when an enzyme called catalase starts decreasing in our body. Lack of catalase means that hydrogen peroxide cannot be broken down and it starts accumulating in your hair, which in turn lead to grey hair.
Every person faces hair fall due to different reasons. Some of the factors which can cause hair loss include hereditary problems, hormonal imbalance especially in the case of women, prolonged illness, anaemia, stress, and lifestyle and dietary habits. Balayam cannot address all these problems together and hence its critics opine that it is ineffective.
Our verdict
While there are glowing reports about Balayam’s effectiveness, there are a significant number of people who don’t believe in it at all. One positive thing about Balayam is that it does not have any side effects. So, give it a shot without worrying about any side effects and see if it works for you or not.