A head of luscious long locks is some women's dream, but getting there takes patience. On average a person grows six inches of hair per year---or half an inch per month. Hair hitting your shoulders is about two years old. Going from a pixie hairdo to waist-length locks will not happen overnight. Still, follow a few hair tips to help make your hair grow longer faster.
Step 1
Get regular trims. Cut hair every three to four months by half an inch to remove damaged hair and split ends. Use only scissors made for cutting hair, suggests the website Long Locks. Split ends will continue to run up the individual hairs, causing breakage.
Step 2
Rinse hair in cold water after shampooing. The cold rinse will allow the cuticle to remain flat, making hair breakage is less likely. The hair will become shinier and easier to comb after washing.
Step 3
Deep condition your hair once a week. Use a natural hot oil treatment containing jojoba oil. Purchase over-the-counter hot oil treatments, commonly packaged in 1 to 3 oz. formulas. Create a homemade treatment by applying 3 to 4 tbsp. of warm olive, avocado or almond oil. Massage the oil into the scalp and hair, concentrating on the ends. Leave the conditioner or hot oil treatment on the hair for approximately 30 minutes. Leave on overnight for extra conditioning. Cover your head with a shower or swim cap to keep pillows clean. Lather with shampoo and rinse hair to remove the oil; shampoo hair several times to remove all of the oil, if needed.
Step 4
Take appropriate vitamins on a regular basis. Include 50 mg of B6, 1 to 2 g of vitamin C and 400 to 800 IU of vitamin E daily. Take a daily dose of 400 mg of magnesium and 15 mg zinc. Increase your intake of beta-carotene, also known as vitamin A, often found in green and yellow fruits and vegetables. According to a variety of groups such as the American Heart Association and the American Cancer Society, it is recommended you get daily beta-carotene through diet and not supplements. Eating five servings of fruits and vegetables daily adds 6 to 8 mg of beta-carotene to your daily diet--a recommended daily value has not been set. Check your daily multivitamin to see what is included and to discover what additional supplements you need to take.
Step 5
Eat healthfully. Consume protein on a regular basis. Fish, eggs, beans and yogurt are all sources of protein promoting hair growth, according to the website Hair Boutique. For vegetarians, try cooking with tofu when making a variety of meals, such as stir-fry or stews. Avoid high-fat and sugary foods.
Step 6
Avoid stress; stress and other factors causing anxiety will stop hair growth as well as cause hair thinning. Hair Boutique suggests meditation and relaxation techniques. Sign up for a yoga or Pilates class for additional mind and body wellness. Rest your body by getting enough sleep nightly---seven to nine hours are recommended.
Step 7
Massage your scalp on a weekly basis. Use your fingertips or have a spouse or partner give you a massage. Gently rub the scalp to increase circulation and aid hair growth.
Tips and Warnings
- For healthy-looking hair you must remove all damaged or over-processed hair. Cut off or trim all damaged hair until only healthy hair remains, suggests the Long Locks website.
Things You'll Need
- Hair-cutting scissors
- Deep conditioner
- Hot oil treatment
- Vitamins B6, C and E
- Magnesium
- Zinc
- Sulfur
- Beta-carotene
- Protein
References
- Long Locks: How to Grow Long Hair
- Hair Boutique: Hair Growing Tips
- The Hair Bible: The Ultimate Guide to Healthy, Beautiful Hair Forever; Susan Craig Scott, Karen W. Bressler; 2003.
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