Whether you want longer hair for a big occasion or you’ve had a terrible haircut you want rid of, these tips may help your hair grow faster! Hair growth depends a lot on genetics, but hair typically grows less than half an inch a month – and that’s when your hair is super healthy. If you lust after some celebrity’s new long tresses, the chances are they’re extensions. So, patience is critical, but the following will help.
It might seem illogical, but a regular cut will help your hair stay strong, healthy and ultimately long. Split ends are your enemy, so trim about an inch every three months. One thing you should not do too regularly is shampoo. Yes, you need to clean your hair, but if you shampoo every day, you remove all the essential natural oils that keep your hair strong. But, when you do shampoo, always follow up with a conditioner and try a cold water rinse. Warm water works for the wash and condition, but do a quick cool – cold if you can – rinse to boost hair growth. Ditch the big fluffy towel – the twist and weight of the towel on wet hair can break strands, especially around the face.
Using your fingers or a wire scalp massager for about five minutes a day (but not every day) helps boost blood flow to your follicles, which in turn helps your hair grow faster and healthier. Sitting on a chair and bending your head over so your head is just below your heart – inverted massage – will improve that blood flow. But if you feel light-headed at all, sit back up! One theory is to do a five-minute massage every day for a week to boost hair growth quickly.
Modern life means we have to wash our hair more often – spend a day in town shopping, and you can feel it – so you need to redress the natural oil balance in your hair with oil treatment, weekly if you can. Some people use raw olive oil, some prefer coconut oil, some do a DIY mix of oils (coconut, almond, jojoba), and some buy an oil treatment. Hot oil is perfect, but whatever you use, apply the oil to damp hair, then shampoo and condition.
Curling tongs, straighteners, and even hair dryers damage your hair. Brushing your hair from top to bottom damages it. Chemical treatments damage your hair. Even ponytails can damage your hair. Leaving your hair as natural as possible will make it grow stronger. Try not to use hot appliances every day. Brush tangles out gently from the lower lengths of your hair. Don’t pull ponytails too tight, don’t wear them in the same place every time, and be careful the hairbands you use don’t snag and break strands.
And this almost goes without saying as it is valid for life – eat healthily! But, eggs, spinach, nuts (almonds in particular) and salmon are especially good for promoting hair growth.
