One of my clients most frequently asked questions is "How do I grow my hair?". Many complaining that it doesn't grow or grow fast enough. I've decided to write a blog about it and I hope it can help to make your precious locks grow nice and long.
First of all. All hairs are different. Some people actually can't grow past a certain length and we all have different growth speed. But on the average hair grows half inch or just over a cm a month. But there're some things you can do to help your hair grow faster and stay healthy.
1. Regular trimsI know you won't like hearing this. But to grow nice and healthy hair a regular trim is necessary. The longer you leave it the more needs to come off. You probably can leave it longer than every 6 weeks but definitely every 2-3 months.
2. ExerciseExercise improves blood circulation which gives the follicles a boost of oxygen and distributes natural sebum evenly across the scalp, leading to good hair growth.
3. WashingDon't wash the hair too often as you need your natural oils to keep your hair healthy.
- 2-3 times a week max
- Use shampoo only on the scalp
- Use an organic or natural shampoo without Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) as it strips your scalp from your natural oils and damages your hair (See my post on WHY SHOULD I USE ORGANIC BEAUTY PRODUCTS?)
- Don't apply conditioner to your scalp only on the length of your hair.
4. TreatmentsTo look after your long locks, it's important to treat it often. Using coconut oil and protein treatments regularly is a must.
5. DietHealthy hair starts from within. What you eat and drink. Drink lots of water and eat protein, iron, biotin and vitamins. Zinc is very important for healthy hair growth. Make sure you eat green vegetables, fruit, nuts and seeds. For those who eat fish, salmon is great for your hair. Other foods are avocado, almonds, walnuts, peppers, sweet potatoes etc.
6. Take time-outStress is the worst thing you can do to your hair. It slows down hair growth and can lead to breakage and hair loss. Make sure you get time for yourself to unwind and do what you enjoy. If it's go for a run or sit down with a cup of tea and a good book make sure you do it for not only your own good but for the health of your hair.
7. MassageHaving head massage stimulates your scalp which promotes hair growth by bringing nutrients to the hair follicle. You can massage your head yourself using your fingertips, rub the whole scalp from the back of the neck (nape) forward towards your forehead. Use a circular motion and repeat this for few minutes every day.
8. No to heatLet your hair dry naturally. Using heat damages your hair. Only bring out the straighteners and curling tongs on special occasions.
9. Avoid over-processingBleaching and colour your hair on a regular basis will dry out your hair and damage it. Avoid cheap box colour and invest on salon visits. Go for a colour closer to your natural colour. You're not going to be able to grow your hair if you trying to be blonde when your natural hair is black. Use more natural colours with fewer chemicals in them as it will be more gentle on your hair. (See my
review on h2o colour)
10. Good quality productsDon't just use any rubbish on your hair that will cause more damage. Invest time to do some research and get good products. I choose natural and organic products that will help my hair stay healthy instead of using harsh synthetic ingredients. I use a coffee shampoo (O'right recoffee) made from old coffee grounds that are known for good hair growth.
I hope this was helpful and you now can start growing long beautiful hair.
What have you found helpful and not helpful in the past?
