Faster Hair Growth
A: I wish I could say "Yes", because if that worked, every woman who wanted long, luxurious hair could do it! Unfortunately, your hair will grow as fast as it grows. Washing and conditioning your hair every other day can help keep your scalp and hair in good condition, but it won't make your hair grow faster.
There is, however, a big difference between growing hair faster and being able to retain more length. You won’t be able to speed up your natural hair growth rate, but you can take steps to prevent your hair from breaking. This means more of the hair you grow stays healthy, allowing your hair to gradually become longer.
There are things you can do to make sure you grow the best hair you can:
• Eat a well-balanced diet. Concentrate on getting adequate protein (since hair is made of a protein called keratin) and foods rich in vitamins A, C, E, and iron. Rather than relying on hair-growth supplements, focus on nutritious whole foods. If you suspect you have a nutritional deficiency, discuss it with a doctor first.
• Keep your scalp clean and stimulated. A clean scalp prevents oil buildup and irritation that can interfere with a healthy scalp environment. Washing every other day is great if it suits your hair type.
• Protect your hair while you sleep. Since your hair is past your shoulders, it rubs against your clothes and bedding while you sleep. Swapping a cotton pillowcase for silk or satin (or wearing a satin bonnet) minimizes friction, preventing tangles and split ends.
• Keep your hair conditioned. Conditioner helps improve the feel and manageability of the hair and can make it easier to comb it without causing damage. This is important when you're trying to grow your hair long.
• Detangle gently. Always detangle wet hair carefully using a wide-tooth comb or flexible brush, starting at the ends and working upward. Be especially careful with the ends of your hair, since they are the oldest and most weathered part of your hair.
• Be careful with heat and chemicals. Blow dryers, flat irons, curling irons, bleaching, and other chemical treatments can contribute to dryness and breakage. Limit high heat, always use a heat protectant, opt for low-temperature settings, and avoid chemical treatments whenever possible. Avoiding breakage is one of the best ways to make progress toward longer hair!
• Rethink how you dry your hair. Avoid rough towel-drying, which roughens the hair cuticle. Instead, gently squeeze excess water out with a microfiber towel or an old t-shirt.
• Get regular trims. Trimming your hair does not make it grow faster, because cutting the ends has no effect on the follicles in your scalp. However, removing split ends can help prevent splits from traveling farther up the hair shaft.
• Avoid constant tension. Tight ponytails, buns, or braids put repeated strain on the roots of your hair, and cause tension breakage. Give your scalp breaks and wear your hair loose whenever possible.
• Protect your hair against environmental damage. UV rays, chlorine, and salt water make hair fragile. Protect your hair with hats or protective products when spending long periods outdoors or swimming.
Don't get discouraged if it seems like your hair isn't growing. When you're looking at your hair every day, a half inch or 1.25 cm a month is difficult to notice. Taking a photo every few months, using the same lighting and the same hairstyle, can give you a much better idea of how much length you've gained.
Since your hair is already a little past your shoulders, you're at the point where length retention becomes very important. The farther your hair gets from your scalp, the older the ends are, and the more opportunities they have had to get damaged. Keeping those hair ends in good condition can make a noticeable difference over time.
©Hairfinder.com
See also:
How to accelerate hair growth
New hair growth diet
Deep conditioning