As the saying goes, “Hair is your best accessory,” and it’s easy to see why. Whether it’s making a statement or completing a look, your hair is always front and center. While some people naturally have hair that grows quickly and looks effortlessly shiny, others may find that achieving long, beautiful hair requires a bit more effort and know-how.
The secret to healthy, fast-growing hair lies in caring for your scalp and hair while understanding what to avoid and using scientifically-backed techniques for hair growth. To help you achieve a gorgeous mane, we’ve compiled our top tips for growing your hair longer and healthier.
How Does Hair Grow?
Hair is primarily made of proteins, with keratin being the most common. Each strand grows from its own follicle, which houses a hair bulb at the base. This bulb acts as a control center, drawing nutrients and oxygen from your body to produce the protein-rich strands that emerge from the follicle.
Hair growth occurs in three phases:
- Anagen phase: The active growth phase, lasting 2-7 years, during which about 85% of your hair is growing.
- Catagen phase: The transitional phase where growth stops, and the hair prepares to shed, making up about 5% of your hair.
- Telogen phase: The resting phase before shedding, with about 10% of your hair in this phase at any given time.
After these phases, the hair sheds, and the cycle repeats.
Why Does My Hair Grow So Slowly?
Hair grows at an average rate of about half an inch per month, or six inches per year. However, several factors can slow this process, including poor scalp circulation, nutrient deficiencies, stress, unhealthy habits, and medical conditions.
When these factors disrupt your hair’s growth cycle, fewer strands remain in the active growth phase, leading to slower growth, thinning, and hair loss.
Promoting Healthy Hair Growth
Although you’re born with a set number of hair follicles, there are steps you can take to promote hair growth. The key is nourishing your body from the inside out and maintaining a hair care routine that prioritizes scalp and hair health. Follow these tips, and you may notice a difference in just a few months.
Step 1: Establish a Strong Hair Care Routine
- Shampoo regularly: Clean hair and a clear scalp are essential for growth. You don’t need to wash your hair daily, but ensure you do so when it feels dirty or oily, using a shampoo suited to your hair type.
- Condition frequently: Always follow shampooing with a conditioner to keep your hair moisturized and prevent breakage. Deep conditioners or hydrating masks can offer an extra moisture boost.
- Try scalp massages: Research shows that scalp massages can stimulate blood flow to hair follicles, promoting faster growth. Consider using a scalp scrub to enhance the effect.
- Brush gently: Rough handling can lead to unnecessary shedding. Use a detangling spray and be gentle when brushing or combing your hair.
- Get regular trims: While trimming won’t speed up growth, removing split ends prevents breakage and helps maintain hair length.
- Sleep on a silk pillowcase: Silk pillowcases reduce friction, helping to prevent damage and breakage.
- Wear protective hairstyles: Styles like braids, twists, and locs minimize friction and damage, promoting long, healthy hair.
Step 2: Nourish Your Hair from Within
A consistent hair care regimen is vital, but so is proper nutrition. Nutritional deficiencies are a common cause of hair loss and thinning. A balanced diet rich in vitamins and proteins is crucial for healthy hair growth. Aim to consume 50-175 grams of protein daily, depending on your body weight, to prevent deficiency.
Taking a daily vitamin supplement can help ensure you get the necessary vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids. A blood test from your doctor can identify any deficiencies you need to address.
Step 3: Consult a Professional
If you’re experiencing ongoing hair loss, it’s wise to seek medical advice. A dermatologist, trichologist, or general practitioner can help identify the cause and suggest tailored treatment options. They may check for vitamin deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, and thyroid issues, and explore lifestyle factors like stress or smoking.
Based on their findings, they might recommend treatments such as minoxidil for stimulating hair growth, or other supplements and medications to address underlying issues.
Things to Avoid:
Alongside following the tips for hair growth, be mindful of habits that can damage your hair or contribute to hair loss:
- Minimize stress: Chronic stress can lead to rapid hair loss known as telogen effluvium, where stress hormones push hair into the dormant phase, resulting in shedding months later.
- Avoid excessive heat and chemicals: Heat styling and chemical treatments can dry out and damage hair, leading to dullness and breakage. Use the lowest heat setting possible and always apply a heat protectant.
- Limit dry shampoo use: While convenient, dry shampoo can build up on the scalp and hinder hair growth. Use it sparingly and shampoo regularly.
- Avoid extreme diets: Extremely low-calorie diets can deprive your body of essential nutrients and protein, leading to hair loss and impacting overall health.
With these tips and a deeper understanding of how hair grows, you’re well on your way to achieving a beautiful, healthy mane.
