6 Go-to-tips for Growing Long Hair
If your hair is in the awkward in between stage of being short & long then you probably feel as though you’ve reached a complete stand still. It’s at this stage that any growth is the least noticeable for the longest time. There’s no benchmarks or milestones in the hair growth journey left to surpass i.e it’s passed your ears, chin, reached your shoulders and now it’s just, sort of…there. However if you have dreamed of long hair then resist the temptation to cut it into a dramatic new style because you can make it to new lengths!
One of the main complaints that we hear in hairdressing is “My hair won’t grow!”. This is simply not the case, unless you have a medical condition then your hair will always grow because beneath the scalp your hair follicles are living cells. It’s true that some people’s hair grows faster than others but mainly any aesthetic problem is that any length that is gained during the hair growing process is lost to breakage . This leaves people feeling frustrated about waiting and waiting and getting no results and so they tend to give up and go for the chop.
Unfortunately there are no miracle hair growth products or supplements that will add 6 inches to your hair in 6 weeks, (if only!) but there are some simple tips to follow that will ensure your hair is kept in optimum health and has the maximum opportunity for growth. If you invest in maintaining and improving your hair health then you can have the long hair that you dream of. The following tips will help you on your way to good hair growth..
1. Avoid going lighter – Note the word ‘lighter’ because not all colour will damage your hair. In fact depositing colour/going darker can be very conditioning. However, by going lighter your hair is being stripped of colour and as a result, left more fragile and prone to breakage. If you feel like you must go lighter then be patient and do it over several months to avoid breakage.
2. Cool it on the heat – Poor quality blow dryers and straighteners tend to get way too hot, making them uber destructive to your hair. If you want your hair to grow then be open to investing a little extra money on quality stylers. They won’t be nearly as harsh. If you aren’t in a position to upgrade your stylers then you must use them less. Summer is the perfect time to wear your natural texture so after washing simply blast your hair 50% dry on the cool setting, apply some product and allow to dry naturally.
3. Ensure you have good nourishment – A poor diet will really affect the potential of your hair growth. If you don’t have a nutritious diet then there is nothing to nourish your hair cells. Optimum foods for hair growth include those rich in protein & vitamins such as salmon, walnuts, poultry, spinach & blueberries. Or try a vitamin supplement aimed at hair, teeth and nails.
4. Get it trimmed – It’s important to get your hair trimmed to prevent splitting and breaking. In the long run this will help your hair show good length faster. Also, it may seem obvious but TELL your stylist that you’re trying to grow your hair or they may take off the usual 1/2 to 1 inch. Having your hair trimmed around every 6-8 weeks, and asking for just 1/4 inch off will give good results.
5. Use good products – You get what you pay for when it comes to hair products. If you use heat on your hair daily then nice products are essential to protecting it. Using a deep conditioning mask twice a week such as Matrix Exquisite Oil mask will restore lost moisture and stop hair becoming dry. A heat protective spray is also a must to reduce split ends. Some of the best products are Matrix Design Pulse Iron In Spray and Matrix Biolage Exquisite oil.
6. Leave it alone! Most importantly, the best advice is to simply leave your hair alone. Do not go through any drastic colour changes if your looking for growth and don’t use heated stylers every day. Give your hair some down time, wear your natural texture, and allow your hair to regain it’s health so any growth will remain in tact without breaking away.
