Want long, healthy, lustrous-looking hair? We reveal all the things you can do to ensure your hair gets as long as possible.
Growing your hair can feel like watching paint dry—it’s a slow, arduous process. But there are some things you can do to ensure that your hair grows as quick as it can. It isn’t physically possible to speed up your natural hair growth and there aren’t any miracle hair growth products, but there are some easy ways to help your hair along.
Here we reveal 9 tips that will help you to stimulate your hair growth and prevent breakage, plus the products that will help support healthy hair growth so your strands can grow as long as possible, as quickly as possible.
First, it’s worth understanding how hair grows. There are four different phases. During the anagen phase the hair grows, next there is the catagen phase, during which the hair growth stabilizes. The length of these phases is determined by your genetics, which is why some people can grow their hair down to their waist while others struggle to get passed their shoulders!
The telogen phase is where the hair sheds and, finally, there is the dormant phase, and this lasts around one to four months. It is this inactivity that allows the follicles to regenerate so new, healthy hair can grow.
The secret to supporting the growth phase and staving off the shedding phase is to take good care of your scalp and strands, inside and out. Keep reading for the 9 tips that will help your hair grow long and strong.
Keeping your hair and scalp clean is crucial to healthy hair growth but keep the water warm as hot water can dry out your scalp and strands. Try to choose a shampoo based on the needs of your scalp and hair type, as this will support healthy hair growth, too. Shop Kerastase shampoos here.
Pro tip: A blast of cold water after conditioning will help seal the cuticles on your strands which will ensure you hair looks as shiny as possible.
When you’re shampooing be sure to give your scalp a massage. This will encourage blood flow to the follicles delivering all-important oxygen and nutrients to roots of your strands. Not only will a massage help your hair growth, it’s a relaxing way to spend a few minutes!
Read: Scalp Condition—The Secret to Healthy, Beautiful Hair
Support optimal hair growth from the inside out by eating a healthy diet. Biotin is a supplement thought to increase hair growth, but did you know you can find biotin naturally in foods like salmon, eggs and chicken?
Hair is comprised of protein, so it makes sense to ensure you’re factoring in a good amount at each meal. A lack of protein has been linked to hair loss, so factor in protein-rich foods like lean meats, fish, dairy and tofu into your diet every day.
Finally, good fats will ensure your follicles get all the nutrients they need. Treat yourself to avocado on toast, snack on nuts or drizzle your salad with olive oil.
It’s no secret that heat styling can damage strands and hinder hair growth. Try to limit your use of hair dryers, tongs and straighteners. If you do want to use them, that’s cool (or should that be hot?) just make sure you use a heat protector like the L’Incroyable Blow-dry that offers thermo protection up to 230 °C.
Regular haircuts may seem counterintuitive when you’re trying to grow your hair long, but a micro trim (where the hairdresser only cuts off unwanted split ends) will help your hair grow strong and healthy.
Once split ends take hold, the strand can split right up the shaft. If you don’t keep on top of split ends and you leave them to get worse, you could end up needing more than a few centimeters lopped off at your next appointment.
Only around 10-15 per cent of the strands on your head are in the growth phase, so if you’re overzealous with your brushing you could accidentally tug out some of those all-important growth-phase strands. Tread gently. Always start brushing your hair at the ends, working your way up to the roots.
Tangles and knots happen to the best of us, especially when it’s scarf weather. Make sure your hair is conditioned well by using a mask once or twice a week. Discover Kerastase’s selection of conditioners and masks here.
Stress has been linked to hair loss time and again. Be sure to factor in plenty of stress-relieving activities into your week, whether that’s a yoga session, reading a good book or getting out in nature for a walk, keep your stress levels in check can help your hair grow long and strong.
As we said, tangles are the enemy of healthy hair growth! Try switching your cotton pillowcase for a silk one. The smoother fabric will cause less friction between your strands and you’ll notice fewer tangles when you wake up from your slumber.
Nourish strands, banish dryness and enhance shine with a hair oil. Many oils are packed with omega 3, 6, and 9 fatty acids that offer nutrition to your strands as they grow, whilst limiting frizz and tangles too. Apply a few drops of oil to towel-dried mid-length and ends or use a little on dry hair to tame frizz. Shop Kerastase’s range of oils here.
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