There's no miracle technique or product that will greatly accelerate your hair growth. However, you can improve your hair's growth rate and its overall health with proper care and nutrition. Treating your hair carefully and avoiding nutrient deficiencies that can cause brittle, dry or thinning hair will maximize your hair growth potential. It'll also help you to keep the hair you grow healthy.
Hair Care
Step 1
Cut any split ends or damaged hair to ensure you start out with healthy hair. The longer your hair, the older the hair at the ends is. There is no way to repair it once it is damaged, so you need to begin with strong hair that is in good health. Healthy hair does not need to be trimmed as often, so once you remove the unhealthy portions your hair will get longer faster. Trims are needed because damage such as split ends moves up your hair. Trim ½ an inch every three to four months while growing your hair out, and the same amount monthly once you are maintaining a hair length.
Step 2
Maintain your hair. Quit using hot water to wash it. Quit using or cut back on using hot hair care tools like curling irons and hair dryers that stress hair. It is best to let your hair dry naturally. Also eliminate any harsh chemicals used on your hair, such as peroxide. If you do have color in your hair, use shampoos and conditioners that are made for color treated hair. Deep condition your hair often-monthly at a minimum. Do not perm your hair or straighten your hair, and stay out of chlorine and salt water.
Step 3
Choose your hair jewelry and hair styles carefully. Avoid metal barrettes, rubber bands and anything with sharp edges. Scrunchies and soft hair bands are OK. A good rule of thumb is to avoid anything that takes hair with it when it is removed. When styling, make sure the coif does not put strain on individual hairs, such as tiny braids or hair that is pulled tight.
Step 4
Treat your hair gently when it is wet. This is when it is most delicate. Don't vigorously towel your hair dry or use a brush on wet hair. Instead use a detangling comb or other wide-tooth comb. Also, remove tangles in your hair before shampooing. When you wash your hair, apply shampoo only to the roots. Or, just use conditioner if your hair is not very dirty. Work conditioner through the ends of your hair.
Step 5
Use a boar bristle brush or wood pin brush on dry hair. These will distribute your hair's natural oils, which work better than store-bought conditioners. Always work in small sections as you brush your hair.
Nutrition
Step 1
Consume enough protein, including eggs. Your hair growth cycle may go into a resting phase if you do not eat enough protein. Eggs are an especially good choice because they're rich in L-cysteine, an amino acid important for hair health. Eggs also are a great source of minerals like manganese and the B vitamin biotin, which helps the body prevent hair loss.
Step 2
Eliminate habits that hamper your hair health. Cut out high-sugar carbohydrates, trans fats and saturated fats. These foods stress the body and can lead to dry skin and hair when they are eaten instead of food that contains vital nutrients. Reduce or quit smoking, caffeine and carbonated beverage consumption and alcohol use.
Step 3
Pick nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables and whole grains. Gain vitamin A in orange and yellow vegetables to promote health of the glands in the scalp. Take in vitamin C to protect hair from breaking. It's in tomatoes, strawberries, citrus fruits and dark green veggies. Consume vitamin E to improve hair quality. It's in green leafy vegetables. Eat foods with silica to improve hair strength. It's found in alfalfa, beets and green leafy vegetables. Whole grains contain biotin, which is involved in keratin production. Keratin is a protein that hair is made of. They also have inositol, which protects hair follicles, vitamin B5, which aids in regulating hormones related to hair growth, and vitamin B6, which also interacts with hormones important to hair growth.
Step 4
Ensure you get enough essential fatty acids and zinc. These are vital for hair health and are often added to hair care products. Especially make sure to get your omega-3s. These are found in fish and flaxseed oils. Zinc deficiency is associated with hair loss and dandruff. Beef and pork are good sources. Also eat chicken, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, oysters, clams, herring, liver, bran, wheat germ, whole oatmeal and blackstrap molasses.
Step 5
Ensure you don't have too much copper in the body or too little iron. Both can bring on hair loss. Ask your doctor for a blood test. Iron is found in meat, leafy greens, eggs, beets, dried beans, kelp, enriched cereals, sesame seeds, pumpkin and blackstrap molasses.
Things You'll Need
- Boar bristle brush
- Scrunchies
- Eggs
- Fruits and vegetables
- Zinc
- Healthy fats
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