Forget about finding a scientific formula that will magically make your hair longer in a short period of time. There’s no such thing as formula or shortcut that will give you an answer to the question “what makes hair grow faster”. That’s why you must cut through the myths and hype, as well as those marketers who promote faster hair growth by selling you expensive products.
The hair normally grows at a quarter of an inch to a half an inch a month, and that is only if the hair is healthy without tons of split ends. So, for starters, you need to practice patience because your hair won’t grow overnight. However, your hair growth depends on plenty of factors, like the product you’re using, your living habits, your health, your diet, and so on.
Instead of waiting for lengthier locks, we have gathered the best tricks, treatments, and tips for you to try to ensure that you’re keeping your hair happy and healthy.
Diet
Eating a healthy diet rich in vital vitamins, minerals and proteins is an important factor to a healthy hair and faster hair growth. You need to eat foods high in iron, copper, magnesium, selenium, zinc, and vitamins A, B, C and E. B complex is one of the crucial vitamins you need to include in your diet.
You should also consider including milk, yogurt, cheese, salmon, eggs, spinach, whole grains, bell peppers, broccoli, avocado, grapefruit, parsley, and oats in your diet because these foods help nourish your scalp. And don’t forget about fresh juices – orange, carrot, lettuce, and grapefruit juice are also beneficial.
About 3% of your hair shaft is made up of Omega-3 acids, so needless to say, foods rich in these fatty acids should also be included in your diet, including fish, walnuts, flax seeds, winter squash, and beans.
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Regular trims
Yep, we investigated this theory, and although it sounds ironic, regular trims lead to hair growth. Okay, cutting the hair is not directly related to faster growth, but it keeps the hair healthy and prevents split ends. If you ignore your split ends, you’ll end up with unhealthy hair and breakage, which is the total opposite of what we need now, right? Trimming ¼ of an inch of your hair every two months is what your hair needs.
Your hair starts to taper, the strands become thinner, and the cuticles wear away. The damage from your scalp to the tips increases because the hair is subjected to more torture, like drying, heat styling etc. So, simply put, cutting the hair is a great way to trigger a longer length and faster growth.
Oh, and speaking of torturing your hair…
Minimizing damage
We know it’s impossible to style your hair without certain products and tools, but please, try to minimize their use and lay off your straightener, curler, colorings and other hair treatments. All you need to do is let your hair air dry and brush it with a quality hairbrush. Avoid damaging and breaking your hair at all costs. If you’re in a hurry and must heat-style your hair, make sure you’re using heat-protective products before you turn up the heat.
There’s much more than treatments and chemicals that cause damage to your hair. Wearing your hair in a tight ponytail, styling it in tight braids, or styling it in an uncomfortable hairdo can cause your hair to become broken or weakened. So, do your best to avoid heat and too much pressure on your hair.
Pampering your scalp
Adding a scalp massage to your hair grow treatment will stimulate the scalp (duh), reduce stress and improve circulation, which is a win-win combination for promoting hair growth. Gently massage the scalp with your fingers for 2-3 minutes; by massaging the skin around your head, you’re stimulating the scalp’s blood flow and thus helping your hair grow faster.
Healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp, so you must take good care of it. Don’t apply hair conditioners and other products to the roots of your hair because they will make your hair oily, and moreover, they will prevent the scalp from breathing because most products contain silicon and wax.
However, you can massage your hair scalp with homemade warm oils, like coconut oil, jojoba oil, olive oil, or linen oil, to name a few. The message should last for 20 minutes tops. This treatment works like magic for hair growth.
Additional tips
- Ditch your cotton pillowcase – opt for sateen one;
- Brush your hair with care;
- Don’t wrap your hair in a towel;
- Chill with the super-hot water;
- Try safe home remedies like olive oil or coconut oil
- Don’t believe lies.
So, now that you have learned how to take great care of your hair and unlearned the bad habits, you need discipline and patience. By focusing on your overall health and your lifestyle habits, you’re getting your hair to grow as fast as possible.
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