Looking for tips on growing longer hair and strengthening your strands? Here are a few strategies that might help you achieve your ideal hair length.
Wondering how to grow your hair faster and stronger? We know that healthy hair is a sign that our bodies have enough good stuff to keep our locks happy. But what are the exact nutrients that make all that magic happen? Do our hair brushing and hair drying habits have anything to do with growing hair faster?
Although hair growth takes time and no solution will give you that perfect hair length overnight, it’s worth making sure that you’re giving your hair the best chance at growing long and healthy with these easy tips.
Cutting your hair might seem counterintuitive when you’re on a mission to grow it. But getting rid of split ends can be a hair-saver. This is because split ends can lead to breakage further up the hair strand, squashing all the hope that your hair will grow past a certain point. So don’t be afraid to sacrifice a few centimetres every few months. You’re actually adding an important stepping stone to your healthy hair journey.
We all want to get rid of the knots in our hair, but those quick brushes might cause more harm than good. The hair can break quite easily, especially when it’s wet. Taking your time and gently brushing your hair, ideally before you jump into the shower, will help your hair grow faster.
We put so much thought and effort into hair care that it’s easy to forget how important a healthy scalp is for growing long and healthy hair. Scalp massages are a great way to stimulate blood circulation which helps with growth. Another good trick to achieve this is to use scalp oils or scalp masks with ingredients such as peppermint, coffee or citrus that have a similar effect. Cooler showers can help strengthen hair follicles too, so turning the water to a lukewarm setting for a few seconds might give you an additional boost.
Whether you’re straightening your hair or adding a few extra curls, the process can lead to considerable breakage caused by the high heat. If using no heat styling tools is not an option, there are many products you can turn to for extra protection from heat. And don’t forget that you can always put the hair dryer away and instead start air drying your hair. This will not only help prevent further heat damage, but your hair may also feel more hydrated.
Shampoos with sulphate formulas can strip out your natural hair oils, which are so beneficial for healthy hair that’s ready to do a lot of growing. Shampooing your hair less often or choosing sulphate-free products is a good tip to help you reach your hair-growth goals.
One of the best ways to prevent damage and help your hair grow faster is using a conditioner. It will keep your hair hydrated and make detangling a lot easier on your strands. Applying deep-conditioning treatments once a week will provide your hair with vital nutrients that help strengthen it while also repairing damage from bleaching or other harsh treatments.
Castor oil is sometimes hailed as a miracle ingredient and one of the best tips when you want to grow your hair faster. It’s full of nutrients, it’s highly moisturising and it helps seal the hair shafts to keep all that good stuff in for shinier, stronger locks. You can use it before applying shampoo or even turn it into a trusted ingredient for your weekly deep conditioning routine.
Stressful episodes can result in losing more hair than what you’re used to. Finding ways to relax and avoid getting overwhelmed is key to making sure your hair growth journey won’t get derailed. Meditating and going out for walks are some of the oldest tricks in the book when it comes to keeping the mind stress-free.
A balanced diet with plenty of protein and vitamins is also key to helping your hair grow faster. Meat is an excellent source of protein, but if you’re trying to eat less of it, beans and nuts are meat-free sources that will give you a good dose of this important nutrient.
Sometimes we’re not getting all the nutrients we need from our diets. So, if you need a bit of help to boost the intake of vitamins and minerals that promote hair growth, here are the ones to keep in mind.
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin B7 (biotin)
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin D
• Vitamin E
• Iron
• Zinc
• Omega-3
Supplements are available for each one of these nutrients, so you can correct individual deficiencies when they appear. But vitamins and minerals work best together and need each other to help you accomplish your hair goals. For example, vitamin C helps your body absorb iron. Plus, the B vitamins do a great job together which is why they’re often bundled into supplements. So, multivitamins might be the best way to go for you.
It’s always helpful to talk to your GP about your hair growth goals. They might refer you to a specialist, or even help you review the list of medications you’re taking to make sure hair loss is not one of the side effects that’s keeping your locks’ growth back.
Next, find out more about the vitamins that help your skin, hair and nails stay healthy.
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