How to make your hair grow faster:
It’s amusing. When it comes to you, toes, pits, and bits, hair seems to have a habit of growing quickly in places where it isn’t intended.
But why the glacial speed when it comes to our heads, and how to grow hair faster?
If your hair splits and flakes as soon as it reaches your shoulders or you have post-trim regret, you might look for something that will quickly lengthen your hair.
The issue is that far too many companies overpromise expensive miracle treatments while falling short of their promises.
To separate what actually works from what doesn’t so you can stop spending your money on fad products that promise the moon, we went to the top hair professionals in the nation (Trichologists).
We also asked them to reveal the most effective techniques for permanently accelerating hair growth.
Spoiler alert: lifestyle and heredity play a large role. Hopefully, the advice provided below will be helpful to you as you embark on your long hair adventure with the hottest hairstyles ever.
How fast does Hair Grow?
Let’s get right to it: The average rate of hair growth is six inches per year, or half an inch each month.
You have one follicle for each hair on your head. The follicle’s bulb, from which new hair originates, is located at its base.
A sebaceous gland is located higher along the follicle (near the skin), and it secretes oil to keep your hair moisturized.
The cycle of hair growth involves three main phases. The first stage is the anagen phase when the hair bulb is actively producing new hair.
The catagen phase, which follows, is characterized by a period of inactivity and regression.
Finally, there’s the telogen phase, also known as the resting phase. On the scalp, this final phase can last upward to a year.
Though your hair is alive while it remains inside the follicle, it doesn’t emerge from your skin until it’s dead.
Your hair consists primarily of dead keratin cells, though the hair shaft also contains other essential compounds, including water and lipids, all of which play a role in your hair’s health and appearance.
Are there any miracle treatments that can help you grow your hair faster?
Avoid “cures” that claim to change your hair in a matter of hours. According to Kingsley, there are therapies that work well to promote hair development. “I wouldn’t call it a miracle, though.
First off, keep in mind that any treatment or routine will take time; while you can anticipate seeing effects at least six weeks after beginning something new, more apparent changes to hair growth happen three months later.
This results from both the individual hair growth cycles as well as the rate of hair growth, which is about half an inch every month.
Furthermore, Kingsley emphasizes that there is no “one size fits all” approach to treatment. “It heavily depends on your lifestyle and unique internal environment.
For instance, stress levels, hormone levels, heredity, nutritional deficiencies, food, and general wellness can all affect hair growth.
You must determine the areas that require attention and take appropriate action, she continues.
Top trichologist Stephanie Sey, however, states that “the only treatment that is clinically proved to grow hair thicker and faster is minoxidil (commonly known as Regaine), however, this medicine is only used for patients suffering from male or female pattern hair loss” in extremely severe situations.
What causes hair loss?
According to hairstylist and 3 More Inches creator Michael Van Clarke, lifestyle choices including drinking alcohol, smoking, and eating a lot of sugar can cause scalp issues. Crash diets can also be harmful.
According to Kingsley, since hair is a non-essential tissue, it is the first area of the body to be deprived of nutrients when your diet is inadequate. As a result, restrictive eating can lead to excessive hair shedding.
Also, it could be wise to pay attention to how tightly you tie your could be wise could be wise ponytail, since “this can create traction damage and may even pull out hairs from their follicles,” according to Kingsley.
And also, While there is a wide range of individuals, the average hair growth rate is roughly six inches each year.
Age, genetics, and gender are a few factors that can affect how quickly hair grows: For instance, research indicates that while natural, textured hair tends to grow more slowly than other hair varieties, male hair tends to tend to grow faster than female hair.
Seasonal variations, your level of stress, and the condition of your scalp are examples of external variables that might impact hair growth.
Also, significant breakage can give the impression that your hair is growing more slowly than it truly is (this is why hairstylists often recommend getting a trim every six to eight weeks).
Also read about Common Hair Breakage Causes You Need To Know! It will be very helpful.
How to grow hair faster?
In general, the healthier you are, the healthier your hair will be, so rather than simply turning to products, it’s important to keep an eye on your lifestyle.
Read Also: Hair Breakage Treatment: 10 Causes And Ways to Repair
How to make your hair grow faster: A well-balanced diet
“Poor lifestyle and diet has limited effect on the rate of growth but does impact on the quality,” says Clarke.
“Hair is made of 97 percent protein,” says top trichologist, Stephen Carson. “Hair needs sufficient regular amounts of complete protein, vitamins, minerals, and water as well as the omega 3 fatty acids found in oily fish, fruit, and vegetables,” he adds.
“To ensure your hair is getting the protein it needs to grow, eat at least a palm-sized portion of protein at breakfast and lunch.
Great examples are fish, eggs, lean meat, low-fat cottage cheese, quinoa, and pulses,” says Kingsley.
“To help ensure that your hair is receiving enough energy for growth (hair cells are the second fastest growing cells the body produces after bone marrow), including a portion of complex carbohydrates with each meal. I.e. brown rice, whole-wheat toast, potatoes with skin-on or oatmeal,” adds Kingsley.
Optimal slumber
You need a good night’s rest so that your body can heal and rebuild, advises Carson. “For adrenal healing, if you lead a stressful lifestyle, sleep is crucial.”
Vitamins and Supplements
A healthy, balanced diet ought to be your first line of defense, according to the experts. Vitamin supplements shouldn’t be used in place of a diversified diet, but they can benefit those who follow an unbalanced regimen, according to Clake.
According to Kingsley, it can be challenging to address your hair’s unique nutritional needs with food alone. Supplements are highly useful since they give your hair readily available nutrients.
Check for Omega 3 fatty acids, protein, iron, zinc, vitamin B12, vitamin D, and biotin. “Biotin plays a role in the creation of hair proteins like keratin, making it particularly crucial for maintaining healthy hair.
According to Clarke, a lack of biotin has also been linked to hair loss and breakage. B12 is crucial for vegans because it can only be obtained naturally through animal sources, according to Kingsley.
Among the vital vitamins and minerals in Philip Kingsley’s Tricho Complex Nutritional Supplement’s concoction is biotin.
Carson suggests getting a blood test and talking to a doctor before using supplements.
Regular trims
A trim won’t make your hair grow faster, but it can make it look better. “A trim can help to improve and maintain the quality and density of your ends,” explains Kingsley.
“Regular trims will help get rid of the old weathered ends of the hair,” agrees Sey. “The ends of the hair are the oldest having gone through repeated washing, combing, and styling.
If you want to retain the length you are growing then it is essential to trim.”
“As hair grows it changes shape. So regular reshaping as it gets longer is important to keep you happy with your hair all the way through,” says Clarke.
As for how often we should trim, Carson recommends every six to eight weeks.
Scalp scrubs and regular shampooing
“Hair grows best from a healthy scalp,” says Kingsley. So it’s important to cleanse it regularly, since “shampooing gets rid of the dirt and debris on the scalp, which includes pollution, sweat, and old skin cells,” says Sey.
And to make the most of it, really massage your shampoo in. “Scalp massage is good for blood circulation which brings oxygen and nutrients to the hair follicle and takes toxins away,” says Clarke.
Finally, it’s a good idea to use an exfoliating scalp mask once a week “to keep your scalp supple and to remove dead skin cells,” says Kingsley.
Both exfoliating and cleansing will also help to remove any blockages (like dead skin cells or product build-up) from impeding your hair from growing.
You can use a scrub, just be careful to scrub gently so as not to cause breakages, or use a liquid exfoliator like The INKEY List’s Salicylic Acid Exfoliating Scalp Treatment.
Natural scalp-friendly ingredients
It’s worth noting that natural doesn’t necessarily mean better, but some natural ingredients are worth the hype. Camelia oil has been used as a hair and scalp treatment in Asia for generations and has y
ears of proof to back its effectiveness.
“It has antioxidant properties, which neutralize free radicals to help keep the skin on your scalp healthy and strong,” explains Peter Bailey, who heads up Unilever’s Research and Development team.
Aloe vera can soothe scalps and moisturize strands while balancing sebum, charcoal can absorb excess oils, kelp, and olive oil are gentle and nourishing and honey is antibacterial.
We especially love Klorane’s Anti-Pollution Shampoo which contains detoxifying aquatic mint. All are worth looking out for in our haircare.
Meanwhile, chemicals like SLS do an impressive job of deep-cleaning our hair but can create problems elsewhere such as dryness and itchiness on sensitive scalps, so maybe one to red-flag if you’re prone to irritation as a sore scalp isn’t the best starting place for healthy hair growth.
Conditioners and masks to grow hair faster
According to Clarke, shampooing raises the surface cuticle of the hair shaft, so conditioner is necessary to smooth it out and shield the shaft.
By using a nice conditioner, you may give your hair a great look and feel and, in some situations, you can even make it more manageable, says Sey.
Using conditioning masks can boost the thickness of your mid-lengths and ends by strengthening your hair and preventing breakage.
Your hair just won’t be able to grow as long as it otherwise could if your ends are breaking.
They also add moisture to your hair shaft, giving strands the appearance of having more body, according to Kingsley.
Protection from heat styling
“If you are wur styling tools you definitely need to use heat protectors,” says Carson.
“In my opinion, today’s powerful hair dryers set on the high temperatures are too hot,” he adds.
Kingsley agrees, noting that some hair tools can get hot enough to caramelize the sugar.
In order to reduce the damage, don’t hold your dryer too close to your hair “hold it approximately 12 inches away,” says Kingsley. Opt for a medium or low heat setting, and turn your dryer off as soon as your hair is just dry.
“Applying heat to already dried hair evaporates precious moisture from within your hair shaft, which can cause brittleness and breakage,” says Kingsley, so try to limit using your straighteners or tools to once a week if possible.
“And don’t go over the same areas of hair repeatedly,” warns Kingsley. Even better, we love these air-drying tips for embracing your natural texture.
Careful Brushing
When damp, your hair is at its weakest, Carson explains. “Water separates some of the bonds, which is why this is. Because the bonds are “reformed” when the hair is dry, it’s crucial to use caution when brushing wet hair. Use a soft hair brush to detangle the beginning at the ends.
The friendliest brush is one with rounded, plastic prongs and a vented, cushioned base, according to Kingsley. We adore the Philip Kingsley Vented Paddle Brush and the WetBrush Detangler Brush.
According to Kingsley, steer clear of brushes with metal prongs and anything with tough boar bristles since they may cause portions of your outer hair cuticle to be removed.
They have the propensity to heat up quickly and can burn both your scalp and your hair.
Takeaway
Gentle hair ties
As for hair bands, soft fabric is your best bet. “Hard ties and clips in and out of the hair can lead to breakage,” says Clarke.
“Anything that ties the hair should have some give so that if there is any pressure it can flex around the hair shaft.”
Hard metal edges can cut into your hair and lead to snapping, so avoid them. We love the fabric hair ties from Popband which come in a range of pretty colors and the stretchy Invisibobbles which hold the hair in place without causing kinks.
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