“What can I do to grow my hair longer?”

“How can I make my hair grow more quickly?”

“Are there any products I can use to help my hair grow?”

As a stylist, I find this is one of the most frequently discussed topics. The struggle is real! A lot of us ladies grew up on Disney movies such as Beauty & the Beast, Little Mermaid, and Rapunzel where women we admired had long, luscious locks. I mean, who didn’t dream of growing up to be a Disney princess? Hair style trends are constantly evolving and we watch celebrities change their hair like they change their outfits. Envy gets the best of us and we want that instant gratification that they are able to obtain! Unfortunately, these types of resources aren’t available to most of us but, whether you’re recovering from a bad haircut, your hair just doesn’t seem to grow, or you are just wanting to grow your hair longer, I have mapped out some helpful tips to help aid your process.

Your Health:

Your personal health is key! Getting proper rest at night, eating well, and drinking water are huge components of not only hair growth, but overall positive body development. Making smart, healthy decisions benefits us in more ways than we can count. Consuming foods high in vitamins, minerals and proteins will get you well on your way! Iron and zinc are said to help hair follicles grow and can be found in lean, red meat. Also, soybeans and lentils are rich in vitamin-c and boost iron absorption. Protein, one of the building blocks of life, is very important to consume because it supports cell growth and boosts hair strength! It is ideal for a woman to consume at least 46 grams a day. Eating fatty fish high in omegas 3’s can also help keep your hair hydrated while actually relieving depression and helping your heart.

Supplemental vitamins:

Who hasn’t seen the Instagram posts marketing “Sugarbearhair” vitamin gummies? Celebrities claim to use them so they must work, right? I can’t vouch for their validity, but I do know there are more vitamins than ever on the market for hair growth. One of my favorites is Biotin; a safe, natural vitamin for hair, skin, and nails. Also, a women’s daily vitamin is helpful for your hair and your overall health. Some women determined to grow their hair quickly have even deferred to prenatal vitamins. Several studies have found that vitamin D aids in hair growth. Excessive exposure to UV rays can be harmful, so it is best to take a 1,000 IU daily supplement instead. Not all supplements are treated equally; be sure to choose vitamins that are natural in origin and drug free.

Trims:

No, this is not a marketing ploy to get you to spend more money on haircuts. You really do need to “trim”/”dust” your hair every 8-10 weeks to avoid split ends. These split ends will only end up giving you the haircut you didn’t want. I can’t tell you how many clients of mine thank me profusely for getting them in for trims. “My hair is growing faster than ever, thank you so much for keeping me on track!”

Washing:

I could write a blog on this topic alone. A lot of people do not understand how to properly wash their hair. When you wash, shampoo should only be rubbed into your scalp. As you wash the suds away the ends will get the cleaning that they need. When you condition, start with your ends and only use the residual product near your roots. Using too much conditioner near your roots will only lead to an oily scalp and you needing to wash your hair more. Also, DO NOT OVER WASH. The more you wash, the more dry your hair will become, leaving your hair brittle and more prone to damage and breakage. Your hair needs the natural oils. Sounds gross, but the less you wash your hair the better. Aim to wash your hair no more than 3-4 times a week. Lastly, are you using a good shampoo and conditioner? Avoid shampoos with sulfates and other harmful ingredients. Stick to salon grade shampoos that protect your color (if you color your hair) and are suitable to your hair type.

Masks/Treatments:

Oh how I love masks! They smell delicious and make my hair feel SO good. One of my personal favorites is the Oribe “Gold Lust” Mask because it hydrates my hair without completely weighing it down. I am also a big proponent of Olaplex leave-in treatments. If I know I am going to wash my hair the next day, I rinse my hair the night before (do not wash), towel dry and apply the “Olaplex Hair Perfecter o. 3” from roots to ends. I actually sleep with the mask and shampoo and condition my hair the following morning. I always feel as if my hair is dramatically healthier, leaving it less susceptible to damage or breakage.

Hairstyling:

I know you don’t want to hear it, but limit how often you use hot tools. Your hair will thank you! A fantastic diet and every vitamin in the world will not help you if you are using an excessive amount of heat on your hair. I would recommend limiting the use of hot tools to 3-4 times a week max. Once your hair becomes healthier, it will look better natural. In fact, there are many YouTube tutorials out there to help you style your hair without the use of heat. Remember, when you do use heat, a heat protectant product is always your friend.

Unfortunately, there is no magical pill that will help your hair grow and extensions can be ridiculously expensive! Treat your hair and body well by staying hydrated, getting rest, eating well and consuming the proper nutrients. Don’t abuse your hair by washing incorrectly, using poor products, or heat-styling often. These tips may seem like no-brainers, but are you actually making sure you are doing them? Be patient and diligent and your hair will grow longer in no time!