Up until last year, I had hair that came to about my shoulders. It was relatively healthy, but it had been in the same style for years and it was time for a change. I thought of getting my hair cut short, but I had done that before and I wanted to try something different. I also wanted to grow my hair long so I could eventually donate it to a charity.
With these goals in mind, I set out to grow my hair long, strong and healthy. I also had a few requirements:
1. I wanted to use only natural products
2. I didn’t want to spend a lot of money
3. I wanted the hair growth to happen fast
A tall order, for sure, but I was determined to make it happen. I am happy to report that after about one year, my hair has grown down to the middle of my back, and it is longer (and healthier) than it has ever been!
So how can you grow healthy, long hair quickly and easily?
Step 1: Get a haircut
I know what you’re thinking, “But I’m trying to grow it long! Getting a haircut is the opposite of that.” I know it seems counter-intuitive, but trust me, it improves the overall health of your hair and will allow you to grow long hair that looks and feels healthy. Think of it this way, if your ends are damaged or split, the damage will eventually travel up the hair shaft, making it break. Broken hair is shorter hair, and split hair is unhealthy and will look (and feel) damaged. Getting your hair ends trimmed will help your hair stay healthy, and will allow you to easily grow it long without having to battle broken hair.
Step 2: Don’t over-style
Blow dryers, curling irons, hot rollers, flat irons, bleach, commercial color, perms, teasing brushes – they can all wreak havoc on your tresses. Try to significantly limit, or even eliminate, using these styling elements, and you will quickly notice a difference in the quality of your hair. Likewise, take precautions when swimming by applying conditioner to wet hair before even heading to the pool.
Step 3: Don’t comb your hair when it is wet
One of the quickest ways to stretch, break and damage your hair is by dragging a brush through it while it is wet. If your hair tangles easily like mine did when it was wet, try running your fingers through it right out of the shower or bath. Then, either wrap it up in a microfiber towel (preferably not a terry cloth towel), or leave it hanging down to dry undisturbed. The trick here is leaving your hair alone until it is dry. Don’t rub hair vigorously with a towel or twist it to wring it. If you need to, you can always gently pat it dry. Once your hair is completely dry, you can brush it without the damage.
Step 4: Switch to a cruelty-free boar’s bristle brush
I used to have what I called pyramid hair. I had flat, oily hair at the roots, and a fuzzy poof of hair at the ends, leaving my hair looking like a pyramid. It was awful, and I would spend a lot of time every day slathering on anti-frizz products, washing my hair to get rid of the oils, and trying to style my hair so that it looked more normal. Now my pyramid hair is history! I picked myself up a cruelty-free 100 percent boar’s hair brush, and I noticed a huge difference in my hair in only one week!
Boar’s bristle brushes smooth the hair cuticle and massage the scalp, leading to healthy hair growth, plenty of shine, smooth hair, and well distributed natural hair oils (sebum). Now my morning routine consists of me waking up and brushing my hair with the boar’s hair brush, that’s it! No more expensive (and ineffective) products to tame the frizz, I have no frizz to tame. No more scrubbing the oil from my scalp, I simply redistribute the oils to the tips of my hair with my daily brushing. Using the boar’s hair brush twice every day has made the biggest difference in my hair, and it is a difference I can both feel and see.
Step 5: Wash hair less often
By now you’re probably already thinking, “Ew. No, I have to wash my hair every day.” Trust me, I used to wash my hair every day, too, but now I wash my hair only a few times per week. Washing hair every day strips the natural oils from hair, leaving it dry and delicate. By going longer in between washings, you are allowing the hair oils to naturally distribute throughout your hair. This is especially true if you use the boar’s hair brush mentioned in Step 4. Worried that hair will be dirty and stinky? No need to worry. My hair always smells fresh and is perfectly clean. When I exercise, if I am in between shampoos, I rinse my hair thoroughly with water to remove any sweat, and I allow the hair to dry naturally. I also use my boar’s hair brush to remove pollutants, dirt, and pollens from my hair by brushing thoroughly a few times a day. Yes, there can be an adjustment period, but if you stick with it for a short while, you will notice an amazing difference in your hair.
Step 6: Switch to natural shampoos and conditioners
I used to spend a fortune on shampoos and conditioners that left my hair looking OK – not great, but OK. When I finally made the switch to a natural shampoo and conditioner, I couldn’t believe the difference. My hair was shiny, full of body, manageable, smooth and smelled incredible! I have never gone back to the chemical concoctions that I used to use on my hair. If I can’t pronounce it, I don’t use it on my hair. For me, natural works best, and it allows my hair to kind of self-regulate, as strange as that may sound. My hair now cranks out an appropriate amount of oil, distributed by brushing, and it so silky that I often only need a tiny dollop of conditioner. Whenever I do shampoo, I apply a dime sized amount of conditioner or oil to the ends of my hair only, and my hair is more manageable and healthier than ever. If you can, ditch the chemicals, and switch to more gentle shampoos and conditioners. Some people even choose to go shampoo-free, which I think is very cool, I just haven’t given it a try yet!
Step 7: Mind what you eat
A healthy diet means healthy hair. Eating plenty of vegetables, fruits, and other healthy foods will accelerate hair growth, and will help to make your long hair healthy. When I switched my dietary habits a year ago, I noticed a difference in my body immediately. It wasn’t until a few months of hair growth had passed that I noticed the great effects my diet had on my hair. Also, add a multivitamin to your daily routine, and make sure that it includes biotin. Great hair starts with great nutrition!
Step 8: Be careful how you style your hair
Tight braids that pull hair, snugly wrapped coiled buns, or root tugging ponytails are all off limits as they can damage hair over time. Instead, opt for loose ponytails, loose French twists, loose buns, and other styles that don’t put too much stress on your hair. After all, if you want to grow long, healthy hair, breaking it off during styling will definitely not help. Keep this in mind when you are buying hair accessories, as well. Avoid anything that looks damaging, or could get snagged in your locks.
It may also be a good idea to wear your hair with the ends tucked in as often as possible. There is a theory that not exposing hair ends to the air constantly will keep them from drying out, and will promote faster hair growth. It can’t hurt to try it, and the styles are gorgeous.
Step 9: Deep condition
About once a month, treat your hair to a deep conditioning. This can be a homemade deep conditioner or a natural deep conditioner that you purchase. Either way, your hair will thank you for the extra love and moisture!
Step 10: Bedtime for your hair
Never sleep with loose hair. Put it into a loose style before going to bed so it does not become the victim of bedhead friction. If you can’t sleep unless your hair is loose, pick yourself up a satin pillowcase to lessen the friction on your hair.
Follow these easy tips, and you’ll see longer, healthier, stronger hair in no time. Good luck, and happy hair growing!