It’s no secret; women adore long hair. They spend a lot of time and money on haircuts, styling products, and other ways to look beautiful with long hair. But have you ever wondered what matters when it comes to growing your mane? What are the most essential tips that will help you reach your goal faster? We did some research, and here is our top 18 list.
1. Discipline
Make a commitment to yourself that you are going to grow your hair long. You can’t do it halfway, so don’t even try! No breaks, no changes of mind, no stopping in the middle of the way just because you feel bored with your tailbone-length hair. It takes a lot of patience and perseverance, but it is well worth the effort.
2. Good food + plenty of water = healthy hair for life!
It’s that simple. Hair needs to be fed to stay healthy, shiny, and long. If you are not eating enough proteins, vitamin C, or iron, your hair will suffer. The same thing with water intake. If you are not drinking sufficient water every day, your hair won’t grow properly.
2 cups of milk a day provide plenty of calcium which promotes healthy growth of hair and nails.
3. Take care of the skin surrounding your hairline.
Cutting split ends is just half of the job. You also have to take care of your hairline, which is prone to sun damage just like any other part of your face. Regular exfoliation is recommended to get rid of dead skin cells and allow new ones to grow properly (you can do it at home by mixing two tablespoons of baking soda with a teaspoon of olive oil and two teaspoons of lemon juice). Your hair and skin around it will be so happy!
4. Cut your hair frequently
About every two months, you should cut off 1/3rd of your hair or even more if it’s needeĺ. After all, long healthy hair requires that you always keep the same length. So when you get to your desired length, maintain it by trimming a few inches every two months.
5. Protein treatment twice a week
Your hair is damaged from heat styling tools, dying, bleaching, and other chemical treatments you subject it to during the hair care process. To repair them, add some protein into your favorite mask or conditioner and apply it to your hair. You can also use protein treatments only every two weeks if you are not big on masks and conditioners.
6. Weekly hot oil massage
To promote hair growth, mix one-part coconut oil with 3 parts almond or jojoba oil, Microwave it for a few seconds. (If you don’t like to heat up your home) and apply the mixture to your scalp. Use a gentle massage motion and leave it in overnight. At first you should do in the morning is wash your hair with a mild shampoo and conditioner to seal in moisture. After that, apply a serum or leave-in conditioner if desired.
7. Get enough sleep
Hair is growing while we sleep, so make sure you get at least 8 hours of sleep every night. Then, leave your worries in the past and go to bed early. And don’t forget – having enough sleep will help you look younger, so it’s a win-win situation!
8. Shampoo only what needs washing
Washing your hair daily dries it up because of the hot water (if you want to protect your skin around your hairline, do it only every 2nd or 3rd day). When your hair looks greasy and flat, that means it doesn’t need washing.
9. Rinse your hair with chamomile tea
It’s a perfect way to get rid of dandruff and promote healthy hair growth. In a spray bottle, combine one teaspoon of pure organic chamomile tea with two teaspoons of organic apple cider vinegar. Spay it on your scalp, let it sit for a few minutes, and rinse off with cold water.
10. Use castor oil
It’s like the universal medicine – you can use it for anything: as a hot oil treatment (leave it in overnight), as a deep conditioner (apply it to your hair and leave it for an hour or so), or as a styling product (apply some oil onto the ends of your hair).
11. Don’t forget about trims!
As we already mentioned above, you should maintain the same length all the time by cutting off split ends. The main trick is to do it every time you see the first sign of split end (that’s when you should act) or once in two months.
12. Try apple cider vinegar
It will help if your scalp is dry and flaky, so mix some ACV with any other treatment product (such as coconut oil or even plain yogurt) and put it on your scalp. Leave the mixture in overnight and wash it off with shampoo in the morning.
13. Use witch hazel
If you have oily hair, mix one-part witch hazel with two parts water and apply it onto your scalp after washing it. It also helps get rid of dandruff.
14. Use cornstarch instead of dry shampoo
Cornstarch absorbs grease, so it’s perfect for a quick fix when you don’t have time to wash your hair or if you want to stretch out the next washing (for example, the day before an important event). Just sprinkle some corn starch onto your scalp and brush it through your hair.
15. Condition your hair every time you wash it
Washing your locks with cold water will make them shinier and easier to detangle (as well as healthier). In addition, it closes the cuticles, making the hair smoother and silkier.
After washing, your hair is very fragile, so don’t let the shampoo go without leaving any conditioner on your locks. If you think the conditioner weighs down your hair, some shampoos come with a built-in conditioner, or you can try some lighter ones (like a leave-in conditioner) – it’s a good idea to switch every few days.
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16. Use hair serum
It will help you detangle your hair and make it shinier. Just apply some serum onto the ends of your hair after washing (and maybe even once or twice during the day).
17. Apply castor oil every night before going to bed
Massage your scalp with castor oil every day – at night before going to bed. It will promote hair growth and protect your mane from dandruff as well as other problems.
18. Use a comb instead of a brush
After washing your hair, using a wide-toothed comb is much more gentle than brushing it with a regular brush. It will prevent damage and promote smooth, shiny hair.
Conclusion:
Many women, especially those with thin and flat hair, complain that they can’t grow their locks longer than the shoulder. The reason for this may be an improper diet and lack of moisture (and even oil). If you want stronger, healthier hair, eat a nutritious diet – it will not only improve your health, but it will also help your hair grow faster.