For those who want to encourage hair growth or to maintain their hair healthy and long, there are several standard measures that need to be taken.
- Clean and stimulate the scalp.
It all starts at the source. An inflamed scalp with dirt and oil buildup or dermatitis can close off the hair follicle, suffocating its root and leading to hair loss or thinning. Pollution and oxidative stress can cause inflammation to the scalp, this is why it is important to clean it regularly and increase the blood flow. By stimulating the hair follicles, you help delivering oxygen and vital nutrients that promote hair growth. So wash your scalp gently and learn how to give it a tension-relieving massage to decrease scalp tension and to remove the buildup that closes off the hair follicle, limiting your hair’s growth.
- Take hair-growth supplements
You can promote hair growth by providing your body the vital nutrients it needs to produce keratin, your hair’s main component. This protein is made from several amino acids like serine, proline, cysteine, glycine and glutamic acid. Supplements that contain some of these amino acids can support hair growth and have other healthy-hair benefits. Biotin and collagen both contain high amounts of vital nutrients for the hair. So, if you want to encourage your body’s collagen production- thus make your hair grow faster- you can try adding some supplements with collagen and biotin into your diet. We recommend YOUTH FOUNTAIN, from ALLKME, a vegan collagen booster made only from 100% natural ingredients. This formula contains vitamins, biotin and other essentials that encourage cellular rejuvenation and hair growth. You can also check with your doctor if you have biotin deficiencies that may lead to hair loss.
- Protect it from physical damage.
Physical damage like friction or pulling caused by harsh brushing, shower or your daily wear and tear can stop you from achieving your hair’s length goals. These actions lead to breakage and can cause a completely change of your look and volume. So if you have a breakage-prone hair you might want to consider switching the styles regularly so you won’t put too much pressure on the same spot every day. Remember that a too-tight hairstyle can cause friction so if you want less damage, wear a braid. Also, it is very important to always brush your hair from the tips up. If you start from the roots, you will end up having frayed ends. Finally, be careful how often you’re shampooing your hair and how you wash it. When it is wet, hair is very vulnerable so if you’re too aggressive with it you can make it tangle and create knots.
- Keep it moisturized.
If you try to grow long hair, it is very important to keep it moisturized, especially if your hair has a drier texture. A dry hair has open cuticles, it turns to brittle easier and breaks a lot. So make sure you keep your hair hydrated to have less friction between strands. Conditioners and masks can seal down the cuticles and trap water inside your hair strains, causing less breakage. If your hair has suffered chemicals treatments like coloring that caused open cuticles, you will need to use an oil treatment or a hydrating mask as well.
- Use antioxidants.
Like the rest of your body, your hair is also damaged by the oxidative stress. As you age, you’ll experience more hair loss and the speed of hair growth also decreases. To make sure you will neutralize the free radicals in your body that lead to hair loss, you should supplement your diet with foods that are high in antioxidants. Your hair needs vitamin-rich superfoods that promote collagen production and strengthen its roots. Using topical antioxidants like serums, sprays and oils might help as well fight against free radical damage caused by pollution or UV rays so look for hair-care products that contain Vitamin E or other common antioxidants.
- Wear protective hairstyles.
If you want to grow your hair long, you’ll have to wear protective styles while transitioning between different hair textures. Minimize the daily hair routine and give yourself breaks between textured hair and straightened hair to avoid scalp tension that can also lead to alopecia. This medical condition can also be caused by too-tight hairstyles so go for cornrow ponytails, flat twists or any other safeguarding natural hair style that is not harsh with your strands. Finally, try to prolong the periods between re-styling and wetting so you won’t cause constant damage. If your hair is already dry and has a tight texture, load up on conditioners and make sure it is constantly and sufficiently hydrated. If you have curly hair, try styling your hair while damp.
- Give daily heat styling a break.
Don’t use hot tools daily if you want to grow your hair. Heat styling breaks down the hydrogen bonds in your hair to restructure its pattern. This means that to restyle your hair you will decrease its moisture content and increase breakage. So if you have straight hair but want to add curls or the other way around, look for a heating styling tool that can protect your hair up to 400°F or use natural oils while styling.
