Do I want it long, or do I want it short?.. Well, if you’re looking for the ways to make your hair grow faster, you’re most likely going through the phase of regretting your cute short haircut and wanting your Rapunzel hair to come back. Or, you might be struggling with the slow hair growth rate and wondering what else in the world may help it grow at least a little bit faster than it’s stubbornly used to.
While the average hair growth rate is about 6 inches per year, which leaves us with a half an inch per month, different types of hair tend to grow at a different speed. The studies prove that representatives of different races, as well as people, who live in different climate conditions and follow different diets, don’t grow their hair equally fast.
For instance, the structure of Asian hair allows it to grow the fastest, while African natural hair with its tight, curly and easy to damage structure grows the slowest. Surprisingly, the survey didn’t show any particular hair growth speed distinction between male and female participants. On the side note, the lifestyle and living condition of every single individual influence the rate his/her hair grows at.
But, as our inherited features and biological pre-conditions that determine the hair growth rate aren’t something we have powers to change (and why should we?), there’s definitely something we can change about our lifestyles and hair care routines to make our hair grow faster.
Those could be life changing habits or simple products and tricks that prevent hair damage, make it healthier and thus trigger its faster growth. But, as usual, a balanced combination of both works best. So, let’s figure out what our options are and start doing something about our hair gowth.
10 ways to make your hair grow faster
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Don’t wash your hair with steaming hot water
It harms the skin on your head, as well as the actual hair. On the other hand, cold water decreases hair loss. If you’re like me and you love taking really hot showers, then wash your hair with comfortably warm water first and get the temperature up afterwards. Finish your shower with a cool water hair rinse to seal the hair cuticles and you’re ready to style.
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Trim your hair on demand
Many people believe that haircuts trigger hair growth. Well, they actually don’t. But what hair trims do is that they get rid of split ends and damaged parts of your hair, preventing its further breakage and maintaining the length and its healthy look. Thus, regular visits to the hair stylist for tiny trims will save your long, but terribly damaged hair from desperate chops.
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Review your diet and incorporate hair growth stimulating foods in it
Your hair’s health is more dependent on your eating habits than on the hair care products you use. Proper nutrition will make it a lot healthier and provide it with the necessary amount of nutrients, which, in their turn, will promote faster growth. Try to consume more fruit and vegetables, increase your protein intake and avoid fast food.
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Eliminate nighttime hair tangling and breaking
Replace your ordinary pillowcases with silk ones. The less damage and breakage your hair experiences, the longer it grows. Sleeping with your hair braided or tied in a low ponytail will helps as well.
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Train your hair to last grease-free without daily washes
Natural hair oils stimulate the growth and provide vital for hair growth nutrients you deprive your hair of when washing and shampooing it every single day. Your split ends, dry scalp, slow hair growth, excessive oil production and lack of sheen might be primarily caused by such frequent washes. So, in order to make your hair grow faster, get a little bit lazier, take one step at a time and start washing your hair every other day, every two days, etc.
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Brush your hair carefully and thoroughly
Find a gentle brush that suits your hair type, section your hair into many small parts, and brush out each of them starting from the ends. This way you won’t pull out a handful of hair during each brushing, as well as make your hair last smooth longer.
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Consider taking vitamins and hair growth stimulating food supplements
Don’t play with them, though. Before buying a bunch of random vitamins and supplements with appealing labels, make sure to consult with your doctor and nutritionist to figure out whether your body needs them or not, which kinds you may take and which ones to refrain from.
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Stop torturing your hair with hot tools
Wash your hair in the evening to avoid blow-drying it and use heatless ways to curl it when you need to. When you have to go for a perfect look you can’t achieve without reaching out to your curling wand or flat iron, make sure to use heat protection to bring the damage to the minimum.
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Try blood flow and growth stimulating masks
They contain various ingredients, which, when applied to the scalp, draw the blood to this area of your body in increased amounts. Thus, your hair follicles get a chance to gather more nutrients and provide for healthier and faster hair growth. Those could be the mustard seed, chilli pepper, egg, coconut oil and other inexpensive and mostly natural DIY hair growth treatments that can make your hair grow faster or at least improve its condition. You may check the recipes and applying instruction on Homeremediesforlife.com. (Don’t use anything you might be allergic to!)
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Wear protective hairstyles
If you have natural African hair that doesn’t want to grow out, make sure to stick to a strict consistent conditioning and moisturizing routine. In addition to that, go to HireRush.com to post a hair braiding task for hairdressers in your local area to give your brittle natural hair a break from combing and styling damage by wearing a long-lasting protective hairstyle. If you get your hair straightened and don’t want to go natural, ask your hairstylist about chemical-free procedures (like Brazilian keratin treatment) that won’t harm your hair as much as traditional relaxers. By the way, normal 3-strand braids will serve as protective hairstyles for the non-African hair.
My last piece of advice is to stop thinking about it. Once you figure out your hair care routine, don’t measure your hair length every single day. Just let the nature do its thing and enjoy your days without being too obsessed with your hair.
