Who doesn’t love long, luscious hair? From the fairytale princesses to the modern-day style icons, we have always drooled over their shiny, long tresses! While some of us are genetically blessed with thick hair that grows fast, most of us have to go that extra mile to achieve perfect long hair. Today I am here to disclose a ton of haircare secrets on how to make your hair grow faster. If long and gorgeous hair has always felt like a far-fetched dream then these tips will finally make it a reality for you!

Protect Your Hair From Heat to Grow Longer Hair

Heat exposure is one of the biggest culprits behind dry and damaged hair. Prolonged or regular exposure to heat makes the hair brittle, causing breakage. If you want to make your hair grow then you must protect it from all forms of heat. Avoid heat styling and blow-drying your hair as much as possible. If you must heat style then use a heat protectant religiously. Heat protection sprays contain silicones or oils that create a protective layer to prevent the keratin in your hair from being destroyed by the heat. If you do not want to use heat protectants then opt for air drying and no heat styles.

Overnight curls are a great option and can easily be achieved without heat using braids or by wrapping your hair in ribbons. You must also use cold or room temperature water for washing your hair. Additionally, make sure to cover your hair if you are stepping out in the afternoon sun. You can also use shea butter as a leave-in treatment to protect your hair from the hot sunlight.

Avoid These Harsh Chemicals At All Costs

Two of the most harmful chemicals for your hair are Sulfates and Bleach. Sulfates are a family of surfactants that are present in a lot of shampoos. These are responsible for the lather produced by the shampoo but can be extremely drying for the hair. Sulfates strip the natural oils and moisture from the scalp and hair, making the hair look dry, dull, and damaged.

These days a lot of sulfate-free shampoos are readily available which are way safer for your hair. SLS-free shampoos tend to lather less than the shampoos with sulfates in them, but your hair and scalp get used to them after 3-4 washes. They are less stripping and help the hair retain its natural moisture. I recommend switching to SLS-free shampoos asap and not shampooing your hair more than twice a week, if your lifestyle permits. Shampooing too often can again strip the natural moisture of the hair and make it brittle. You can opt for a dry shampoo to extend the time between two washes. It is a savior for those with an oily scalp!

The second chemical that wreaks havoc for the hair is Bleach. If you want your hair to grow long and strong then avoid bleach at all costs! It does nothing for the hair except lightening it, while making it super weak in the process. This may crush your dream of having platinum blonde locks, but trust me, they are not worth it if you care for healthy hair. Hair colors in general tend to damage the hair, but the lighter you go the higher the damage is. If you absolutely cannot live without coloring your hair then opt for ammonia-free colors that are close to your natural color and do not require pre-lightening.

100 Brush Strokes Before Bed!

If you asked my grandmother for tips on how to make your hair grow faster, her reply would be – 100 brush strokes before bed! This hack is not just an old wives’ tale and has a scientific explanation. Brushing your hair before going to bed ensures that the oil produced by the scalp is evenly distributed throughout the hair. This helps to keep your hair moisturized while preventing the scalp from getting too oily. If a hundred brush strokes sound tedious then at least brush your hair every night for as long as you can.

Detangle Wisely

While we are on the subject of brushing the hair, let us also discuss the topic of brushing wet hair. Wet hair tends to be weaker than dry hair. This is why a lot of experts warn against brushing wet hair. Brushing wet hair leads to breakage and puts a dampener on your hair goals, quite literally! Those with fine hair that gets knotted easily find it difficult to detangle their shampooed hair when dry. What they can do is brush the hair well before shampooing and apply conditioner with a wide-toothed comb to further prevent knots. You can then use a detangling serum on air-dried hair to brush them without hassle.

If you still prefer brushing your hair when wet then opt for a Wet Brush or a Tangle Teezer. These brushes are specially designed for wet hair and minimize breakage while detangling the hair.

How To Make Your Hair Grow Longer With Food

It is true that you are what you eat. Your diet will directly impact your hair health, so make sure to consume nutrients that promote hair growth. Omega 3 Fatty Acids, Vitamins A, C, and E, Zinc, and Iron are some of the hair foods that you must include in your diet. These are found in beans, nuts, whole grains, and fish. You can also opt for nutritional supplements if your diet is not able to supply all these nutrients. Omega 3 capsules and multi-vitamin pills formulated for hair, skin, and nail health will be your best friends.

Switch to Silk!

Silk pillowcases and scrunchies prevent hair from getting tangled and reduce breakage. Not only does this material look classy and luxurious, it will also help your hair grow faster. Also, make sure to wash and change your pillowcases regularly as you do not want your scalp’s oils to accumulate on them!

Get Rid Of Split Ends to Grow Longer Hair

Another popular theory on how to make your hair grow faster is that regular trims will help. While trimming your hair frequently doesn’t affect the rate at which your hair grows, it does prevent breakage caused by split ends. As your hair grows longer, the ends tend to get brittle. Hence, getting rid of split ends regularly will prevent breakage. However, do not chop off a lot of hair during these trims, an inch is enough.

Topical Treatments

If you have already tried every trick in the book but are still struggling with hair loss or stunted hair growth then you can consider topical treatments. Topical treatments containing Minoxidil are known to help with faster hair growth. You can consult a medical practitioner before opting for the same.

With these tried and tested tricks on how to make your hair grow faster, I am sure you will be flaunting long and healthy hair soon. Be patient and mindful of how you treat your hair. Long and shiny locks are not a wishful dream, all it needs is the right set of lifestyle choices!