“How to make your hair grow?” is a question that most people have asked themselves at one time or another. While the only ways to suddenly gain significant extra hair length is to invest in hair extensions or a wig, there are some steps that you can take to help promote hair growth – from the way you sleep, to what you eat and the products you use, it all plays a part.
Some of us are lucky enough to be blessed with hair that grows quickly and stays thick and shiny however we treat it. For the rest of us, here are some tips on how to make your hair grow:
A healthy diet is important
A balanced diet full of the right vitamins and nutrients is key to longer, thicker hair. Hair is often a good indicator of our physical (and sometimes emotional) health, so it makes sense that improving your diet is how to make your hair grow.
Eating lots of protein is essential to reduce hair shedding and promote growth. Even if you don’t eat red meat as part of your diet, fish, beans, nuts, whole grains are all things that you should be incorporating. Vitamins A, C and E as well as minerals zinc and iron along with omega-3 fatty acids are all important too. If you’re struggling to get enough of these in the food you eat, consider a supplement or vitamin to top up those areas that you’re not quite hitting your targets in.
Skip the trendy cleanses and detoxes in favour of eating food that nourishes your body and skin. Often a “cleanse” deprives your body of essential nutrients and can leave your skin and hair looking a little sad.
Be kind to your hair
Avoiding too much heat styling and over-processing of your hair (platinum-blonde locks anyone?) can significantly reduce the number of split ends. And also damage and breakage that you experience. It’s also best to be careful when you brush your hair when it’s wet as it’s more susceptible to breakage then too. We get that sometimes you’ll need to get those knots and tangles out of wet hair. Use a wide-tooth comb or specially designed brush for the job and make sure your brushing technique is up to speed.
Silk scrunchies, microfibre towels, not tying your hair away from your face too tightly and reducing how much you play with your hair are some other, easy ways to be kind to your hair on a daily basis.
Taking these steps can help to keep your hair healthier and stronger, which means that it’s much easier to grow it long and lustrous.
Cool down if you want to make your hair grow
Ever hopped out of a hot shower and realised that it’s left you feeling sweaty and your skin feeling red and hot? Yeah, that’s not how to make your hair grow either. As well as skipping the heat styling, turning down the heat in the shower or bath is a good idea for growth too, as is rinsing with cool water to help seal the hair cuticle after washing.
Keep it trimmed
It can be tempting to skip your hair appointments – if you’re trying to grow your hair, it doesn’t make sense to get some of the length cut off…right? Wrong! You need to get rid of split ends and damage to your hair to promote growth. By getting rid of damaged or split ends, you stop this damage from traveling right the way up the hair shaft and weakening your hair lengths (as well as making it duller, more prone to frizz, and lacking in volume). It has the added benefit of making your hair look and feel healthier, which can sometimes give the illusion of growth.
Natural oils are your friend
You might not think to brush your hair before bed, but a quick once over with a good quality hairbrush (like a boar bristle brush) is a great way to evenly distribute your natural oils through you’re scalp and hair. This keeps it naturally moisturised and helps with circulation and blood flow to your scalp. A healthy scalp is key to healthy hair and growth.
Something else to consider with natural oils is how often you shampoo your hair. Some of us will feel the need to shampoo hair every day, which is sometimes just the way it is, but be careful that you’re not stripping out your natural oils. You need these to keep your hair hydrated and repaired.
Get some rest in the right way
Speaking of bed, a good night’s sleep is essential for physical and mental wellbeing. This includes your hair! The way you sleep can make a difference in how to make your hair grow too. A silk pillowcase is way easier on your hair than a regular one and helps to reduce tangling and breakage. As we’ve already said, reducing breakage and damage is key if you’re trying to grow your hair.
Bonus tip: a silk pillowcase is great for your skin too, especially if you wash it regularly. You’d be surprised how much build-up and bacteria lives on the average pillowcase which can affect your skin (sorry).
Use the right products on your hair
While there aren’t many products out there that can really offer hair growth the way they suggest, Rogaine for women contains minoxidil. FDA-approved and proven to help reduce hair loss and promote hair regrowth when used as instructed. You can also get minoxidil in a topical solution that you apply with a dropper if you have specific areas you want to grow.
Regular treatments for your hair and scalp – like intensive conditioners, scalp exfoliators and leave-in treatments – as well as using the right tools (we’re a big fan of a shampoo brush!) can all help to keep your hair in better condition, which can equal growth.
So, there you have it, our recommendations to help you. If you’re wondering how to make your hair grow and stay thick, healthy and lustrous while you add length to your locks
