Bobs and pixie cuts may be in fashion just now but lets face it, as women we love having long, luscious hair. You know the kind I’m thinking about, think Disney princesses. Still, we experiment none the less, myself included. I used to have hair down to my bum but I chopped it off, then I grew it half way down my back and chopped it off, now it’s finally half way down my back again and I’ve vowed never to get the chop again (or at least for now…). When we’re trying to grow our hair it can be an extremely frustrating process however. We gaze in the mirror everyday wishing for a miracle yet still our hair grows slower than a snail’s pace. It’s a nightmare! That’s why I’ve been doing my research and have found these forty methods which are said to make your hair grow faster. Fingers crossed and here goes…
1. Up Your Folic Acid Intake
Upping your folic acid intake is said to help your hair grow quicker. You can do this by taking folic acid supplements or you can combine it naturally into your diet. Citrus fruits such as lemons are high in folic acid, as are leafy greens, the best of which is spinach. This is also a great way to help your nails grow long and strong, preventing them from flaking and breaking.
2. Stay Away From Heat
In this modern world, staying away from heat appliances such as hairdryers and curlers can be tricky, especially if you have hair with a mind of it’s own that frizzes out of control or simply looks limp. No matter how much we may think we need the aid of a hairdryer or anything similar however, the fact remains that heating our hair like this does more damage than good, even if you do use all the serums your hairdresser recommends. Applying heat to your hair leads to split ends, fraying hairs, and in short unhealthy hair which means it grows slower. Whenever possible, try to air dry your hair and if you must use hair appliances set them to a cooler temperatures and use them for as little time as possible.
3. Targeted Shampoos and Conditioners
Did you know that there are some shampoos and conditioners which aim to target hair growth? I know, it sounds too good to be true, right? Well, you’d better start believing because this is one hundred percent true. Of course, it’s up for debate how well these serums work but research suggests that they do intact produce results, even if it’s not the miracle we’re hoping for. Keep a look out for them the next time you’re in your local drug store or supermarket. Even if you don’t have hair growing passed your bum overnight it’s worth a shot.
4. Get a Trim Every Six to Eight Weeks
I know, I know, you’re trying to grow your hair so why would you cut it, right? Well, it actually makes more sense than you’d think. If you don’t trim your hair then you’ll be prone to split ends which means your hair will spend more time trying to repair itself than growing, thus it will grow slower. Plus, if you don’t trim your hair then when it does finally get around to being long it won’t be as healthy as it would otherwise. All it takes to counteract this is a quick trim taking just a quarter of an inch off every couple of months. Your hair will be much healthier for it and much longer in the long run too.
5. Egg White Mix
This is a home remedy for you to try, one which is incredibly simple and actually sounds very promising. All you need to do is mix together the whites of three eggs then massage it into your hair, focussing primarily on your scalp and the roots of your hair. Then leave it on for five to ten minutes. The idea is that all the nutritional ingredients in the egg whites will be absorbed by your hair, encouraging it to grow stronger and healthier. As a result of being healthy your hair should grow faster. After your time is up simply hop in the shower and wash off the goo with warm water and some shampoo.
6. Drink More Water
It doesn’t matter what health benefit you’re trying to achieve, chances are it can be done by hydrating yourself with six to eight glasses of water per day. Water is great for your body for countless reasons. When it comes to your hair, it hydrates it, making it loo shiny and sleek, and makes it healthy and, as you may have guessed, healthy hair grows faster and you’ll see less split ends along the way.
7. Don’t Shampoo So Often
As tempting as it can be to wash your hair every day, don’t! Shampooing your hair can strip it of it’s natural oils and nutrients, things which your hair needs to grow. This eventually breaks down your hair and causes more harm than good. Instead, just wash your hair every other day or every third day. Don’t worry, your hair won’t look any greasier to worse, in fact it will look better! This doesn’t mean you can’t still shower daily, instead just do what I do and invest in a shower cap to wear on the days when you’re not washing your hair. Plus, life is so much easier when you hop out of the shower and find you don’t have to worry about letting your hair dry too.
8. Eat Lots of Protein
Your hair is basically made up of protein so it makes sense that you should eat plenty of it if you want long, luscious locks. Try to eat at least twenty to thirty grams per meal for the bets results. You can find protein in lots of foods, a few of my favourites are eggs, Greek yoghurt, nuts and seeds, and chicken to name but a few. It’s much easier to each a high protein diet than you might think so tuck in and chow down.
9. Eat More Vitamin B
Like protein, Vitamin B is also something which your hair needs to help it grow strong and healthy. Lack of Vitamin B means your hair hair will become dry and as a result it will become brittle and break, something none of us want. You can either take a supplement of Vitamin B, take a multi vitamin supplement (making sure it has a high Vitamin B content), or you can up your intake the natural way by eating foods which contain lots of the vitamin. Peppers and bananas are two of the best foods you can eat to get a good source of Vitamin B.
10. Don’t Stress, Just Relax
There is a proven correlation between hair loss and damaged hair and stress. That’s why when you’re doing through a rough patch your hair often looks bleak, limp, and sometime even comes out in clumps. To promote healthy hair, try to avoid stress whenever possible or, if stress is unavoidable in your life, try and relax whenever you can. Take some time to look after you – enjoy the sunshine, relax with a cup of tea and a good book, have a spa day, you get the picture!
11. Scalp Massages
As odd as it may sound, scalp massages are proven to aid hair growth as the gentle movement stimulates hair follicles, thus promoting hair growth. Don’t worry, you don’t have to worry about finding the time or money to pop down to your local salon every day to do this, it’s something you can do at home. Just take a few minutes every day to massage your own scalp and you’ll soon be seeing results. Or why not ask your other half to help you? I love sitting on the floor in front of my fiancee while he massages my head and then brushes my hair, it’s pure bliss!
12. Say No To Ponytails
While wearing out hair in ponytails may look good it’s not helpful when it comes to growing your hair. Pulling all your hair back like that puts strain on your hair and causes damage to the strands. Instead of wearing your hair up constantly only do it in moderation and don’t tie it back too sternly either. Perhaps loop your hair band around only twice instead of thrice, thus relieving some pressure. If you have to wear your hair back for work try experimenting with some different styles like side plaits and using hair grips.
13. Don’t Brush Excessively
While brushing your hair every time you step in front of a mirror may make it look good for a time it’s actually damaging your hair. It’s pulling at your hairs, putting strain on them and causing them to break over time. Instead, try to stick to brushing your hair just once or twice a day (when you wake up and before you got to bed), three at absolute most. Otherwise you’ll find your hairbrush clogged with hairs and your beautiful hair becoming thinner by the day.
14. Biotin Supplements
Biotin is a form of Vitamin B which aims to increase collagen creation, thus preventing the breakdown of protein (see ti eight again for why this is important). You can either take it in supplement form or you can increase your intake by ensuring you eat lots of foods with it in such as nuts, seeds, and fish.
15. Eat More Leafy Greens
Leafy greens are a great source of iron, folate, Vitamin E, some B vitamins, and portent making them great in nutritional value for your hair and body. They help to nourish your cells, promoting healthy, restoration, and growth so I’m sure you can see why they’re good for your hair. Try to eat your fill of left greens each day, even one portion is better than none if you’re not a veggie kind of girl. You can even combine them with some protein rich foods like chicken for even better results.
16. Use Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is fantastic for helping to moisturise your hair, especially right after drying it if you’re still using heat. Once you’ve dried your hair or let it dry naturally, simply put a small dab of coconut oil on your hands, rub them together and then rub it through your hair, combing afterwards. Try to focus on applying it to your ends and the lower midsection for the best results. Don’t apply it to the roots, especially if you’ve just washed your hair, as this may cause it to become oily. This really seals in the moisture to keep your hair happy and growing strong. You can also use coconut oil as a hair mask and wash it out in a warm shower if you think your hair needs a little extra TLC too. Using it after drying gets the best results however. This is because since you’re not washing the coconut oil out it has time to really soak into your hair so it can work it’s magic.
17. Lay Off The Sugar
Sugar is one of the worst things you can eat when it comes to having healthy hair. This is because it breaks down collagen at alarming rates, thus not preserving protein (what your hair is made up of) so your hair becomes brittle, dry, and frayed. As if this wasn’t bad enough, sugar consumption can also increase acne, cause weight gain, and make you unhealthy overall. I’m not saying cut sugar out of your diet completely because we do need a little bit but maybe just don’t stir extra into your cups of tea or pour it over your cereal.
18. Commit To Succeed
The thing with growing our hair out is that we can get bored real easy, something which makes us want to get the chop just so we can have a new style. Obviously however this is never going to help with hair growth, you’ll get nowhere if you opt for anything other than a simple trim when you’re in the salon.Take my story which I shared at the start of this article for instance – if I’d not have my hair chopped off twice already I’ve no doubt it would be close to my ankles by now (though I’m not sure I’d want it quite that long…). If we want to do this then we have to commit or else we’ll never succeed. Be firm in your resolve.
19. Nut and Seed Snacks
Snacking on nuts and seeds is a great way to keep your hair healthy. They’re rich in things like zinc, Vitamin B, and selenium, all nutrients which your hair needs for healthy growth and staying strong. They’re also full of healthy fats (yes there is such a thing!) which helps to prevent breakage of your hair by keeping it hydrated and moist. It doesn’t matter what seeds you eat or how you eat them, just so long as you get your fill. My favourites are walnuts, almonds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, hemp seeds, and chai seems. I especially love mixing them into my home made granola or making my own trail mixes.
20. Hot Oil Massages
I’ve already mentioned the benefits of coconut oil but that doesn’t mean other oils aren’t any good. In fact, they’re great! A hot oil treatment gently massaged into your hair might be just the thing you need to stimulate hair growth and have it looking fuller and thicker in no time at all. You can get plenty of store bought serums but honestly you can’t go wrong with DIY treatments either. Jojoba oil, coconut oil, olive oils, and most other oils will work wonders on your hair. Simply heat them up, apply them to your scalp, rub them in and then wait a little while while you relax with a book or a tub of Ben and Jerry’s. After roughly forty five minutes all you need to do is hop in the shower and wash it off. This is best done once a week for awesome results.
21. Deep Conditions
Hair treatment obviously starts at the root and therefore the scalp so it’s important that you keep your roots and scalp nice and healthy. To do this it’s important that you deep condition your hair roughly once a week to nourish your hair. You can either request this at your local salon or you can even do it at home. Honestly, your hair will feel like silk afterward and will feel amazing.
22. Use Essential Oils
To help your hair grow why not mix your own essential oil mixture? My personal favourite is made with three drops of lavender oil, three drops of rosemary oil, and two drops each of thyme oil and cedar wood oil, along with some jojoba oil. All of this should be applied to your hair and left for half and hour before you wash it out. When your hair is dry again it will be left looking and feeling incredible.
23. Potato Hair Masks
Believe it or not, potatoes can be used to create an amazing hair mask. All you have to do is mulch up 3 potatoes, add in one egg yolk and some honey and then apply the thick mixture to your hair. Simply let it sit for a while before washing it all out with warm water and then you’re set. This is great for adding nutrition to your hair and locking in moisture, plus the egg whites add protein too.
24. Use Onion Water
I know, you’re sitting there thinking ‘she’s lost it’, right? Well, no actually, this is one of the methods on this list which I’ve tried, tested, and loved. Onions are my favourite ingredient when it comes to cooking but it turns out they’re awesome for promoting lush hair too. All you have to do is boil some onions in a pan and then rinse your hair through with the water when you’re done. Easy, right? This will help your hair grow thicker and fuller, oh, and don’t worry about the potential lingering smell. If you ring your hair through thoroughly with warm water afterward there will be no smell to speak of.
25. Exercise!
Yes, that’s right, exercising can help you to grow your hair faster. This is because the increased circulation in your body helps to stimulate hair follicles thus making hair grow faster. The more blod flow that goes to your scalp the more nutrition your hair receives so it’s time to grab your running trainers and get your heart pumping.
26. Buy A Wide Toothed Comb
When brushing your hair, you’re best to use a wide toothed comb as this done’s tangle in your hair as much and doesn’t pull at it, thus breaking it. It’s much gentler on your hair while still doing the same job. You’ll be able to work through any knots and tangles safely without worrying about the damage you’re doing to your hair. It’s a good investment if you ask me!
27. Tie Your Hair Up
I know, I know, before I told you to stay away form ponytails and now I’m going back on myself. Well, yes…but it’s for a good reason. Tying your hair up now and again (loosely however so it doesn’t strain it,) ensures that all of your hair gets plenty of oxygen which helps to stimulate hair follicles and therefore increase hair growth. Smart, huh?
28. Argon Oil
Argon oil is a great leave-in treatment that can stimulate hair growth. All you need to do is apply some to your ends every other day and run a touch through the rest of your hair once a week and your hair will be looking luscious and long in no time at all.
29. Don’t Brush Wet Hair
I’m a horrible culprit of this but after reading some shocking articles I don’t think I will be any longer. It turns out that brushing your hair when wet is terribly damaging and destroys your hair. You’re better to wait until your hair is dry before trying to style it with a brush. If you must brush out your hair when it’s wet, reach for a comb instead as this won’t do anywhere near as much damage. Seriously, it’s horrifying what brushing wet hair can do. No wonder my hair grows so slow, I’ve been doing it after every shower for as long as I can remember. Yikes!
30. Aloe Vera, Egg, and Brandy Mix
I know, this sounds like madness, right? Well, this is another of these seemingly crazy serums that I’ve tried and fallen in love with. All you have to do is mix some aloe vera which has been squeezed fresh from the leaves with and egg and a day of brandy then rub the mix into your scalp. Leave it on there for at least an hour, though it can be left on for longer for even better results, and when you’re sone simply rinse it off with warm water. I know girls who swear by this and after just two tries I’m starting to see why!
31. Avoid Silicone Based Hair Products
While silicone based hair products may leave your hair looking healthier for a time, they actually damage your hair in the long run. They seal over hair follies and block out moisture, thus wrecking your hair. This is true of even the most expensive silicone based product so I advise that you stay away from them as much as possible.
32. Use Natural Hair Products
Instead of using silicone based products use natural hair products instead. Organic hair products are by far the best as they’re not putting anything unnatural onto your hair. When all is said and done, it’s best to go back to your roots (see what I did there?) and go natural. Always read the labels to see what you’re buying before applying it to you precious hair.
33. Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse
Mix some apple cider vinegar with some water and then use the mix to rinse your hair after you’ve shampooed it. While it may sound like an odd mix it’s great for stimulating hair growth and engaging hair follicles. Don’t worry about it leaving a strong vinegary smell either, apple cider vinegar won’t leave you smelling like a bag of chips.
34. Never Condition Your Scalp
Unless you’re going for a deep cleanse treatment, never, ever condition your scalp. Shampooing it is essential but conditioning it is a big no, no. It can lead to frizzy hairs, dandruff, oily hair, limp hair, you name it. For a time I always conditioned my scalp until suddenly after every wash I was stepping out the shower with gross, greasy hair. This is because I over conditioned. Now I only condition from half way down my hair, and even then I only do it twice a week maximum. It may not be what you’re used to but trust me, it works. My hair has never looked better.
35. Avoid Hair Products
Every now and again we all need to apply a little hair product to our hair but for the most part they’re best avoided. If you want your hair to grow thick and fast, go au natural and only use hair products for very special occasions.
36. Protect Your Hair With Palm Oil
When you’re on vacation chances are your hair is going to be exposed to a lot of harsh sunlight so you should protect your hair with palm oil. When on vacation, apply palm oil daily (or whenever you’re going to have a shower). Simply run it through your hair but not the scalp, let it set for about ten minutes, then wash it off and shampoo your hair as you normally would. This will protect your hair from sun, salt, and chlorine water which would otherwise make your hair dull, dry, brittle, therefore stopping it from growing long.
37. Wear Hats and Scarves
You can also protect your hair from the dangers sunlight posses by wearing hats and scarves. Nothing too tight fitting, simply something to take your hair out of the sunlight and stop it from becoming dry and brittle. This is a simple, fashionable tip but it’s really helpful in the long run.
38. Eat Up
You are what you eat is definitely true so if you want healthy hair that has the potential to grow long and strong then you need to eat healthily to do so. Make sure you eat plenty of fruit and veg, as well as the other foods I’ve mentioned on this list, and avoid processed and fast foods as much as possible. Don’t binge too much on sweets or else you’ll intake too much sugar too. A simple, balanced diet is key when it comes to growing lovely, long, luscious hair. Trust me, I love all the foods that are bad for me but since I’ve been following this tip my hair and body has never looked better.
39. Sleep With Loose Hair
Sleeping with your hair pulled back tightly or braided is a sure way to damage hair. Instead either sleep with your hair loose or wear it in a loose, low ponytail so it doesn’t suffer quite so much. You might even find it’s more comfortable too, I did!
40. Use Silk Pillow Covers
Believe it or not, your pillowcases could be damaging your hair. By making the simple switch from cotton to silk pillowcases you could be doing your hair a lot of good. Cotton covers are very clingy and can pull out your hairs but silk cases are much kinder. Oh, and did I mention that they feel ten times better too? AND they’re good for your skin? Seriously, why has no one told us this before?
If you’ve tried and tested any of these methods or have any of your own then I’d love to hear from you. And if you’ve enjoyed this article then don’t forget to share and check out my other health and beauty tips and tricks. Thanks guys, happy hair day!
(all images sourced via pinterest.com)
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