Hair growth tips

Sep 13, 2016

Hannah F.

My hair is pretty short, and I really want to grow it longer so I can try more hairstyles with it. Any tips on how to grow it out faster?

Sep 13, 2016

Liz S.

I stopped using as much heat, started taking hair vitamins, and started using oils and hair masks on my hair (: it has worked so well for me.

Sep 13, 2016

Alexis C.

There's no miracle product or technique to make hair grow faster as hair growth is based on genetics however there are things you can do to help your hair grow to its fullest potential.

-use sulphate free shampoos
-use a hair mask at least once a week
-don't brush hair when wet
-use as little heat as possible
-use a heat protectant when you do use heat
-make sure your buns/ponytails aren't too tight
-drink plenty of water and keep yourself healthy as well

Please do NOT take biotin, Hairfinity, or any other hair, skin, and nail pills unless you consult a doctor first. Taking a supplement without a deficiency can cause serious health problems.

Sep 14, 2016

Aurora S.

Definitely agree on doing things to prevent breakage.
The thing is, some people just don't grow hair fast it's just their genetics.
I know scalp massages can help with circulation and may help with hair growing a tiny bit better.

You can take supplements like biotin which can help some peoples hair grow a little faster but it doesn't even work for everyone.
Biotin is water soluble so if your body doesn't need biotin it'll just flush out the excess like vitamin C.
The only cases where it could result in "too much" is if you're not drinking enough plain water.
Keeping in mind, at least in America, I've heard that around 70% or maybe 80% of Americans are severely dehydrated.
Which would contribute to too much biotin

Sep 14, 2016

Cara G.

Like some of the others here have already said, hair growth mostly comes down to genetics. Meaning it is only going to grow at a certain rate and will generally only reach a certain length. However, the reason why most people have difficulty growing their hair long (when they're trying to) is due to breakage and damage, not necessarily bad genes.

I'll just tell you how I care for my own hair, which is beneath my butt at its longest area. The key for me is doing everything I can to work with my natural scalp oils rather than against them. Here is what I do:

-Do not wash your hair everyday. I think most of us already know this but it can't be said enough. Overwashing strips the cuticle of your precious oils whose job is to keep your strands strong, hydrated, and healthy. For in between days use dry shampoo or if you don't want to purchase any, you can substitute corn starch or cocoa powder (if you have dark hair).
-Once a week, do a hair mask using coconut oil. Just heat up about two tablespoons in the microwave and soak your hair from the ears to the ends. Leave it in for at least 20 minutes, longer if you have time, and then shampoo out in the shower. Coconut oil behaves differently than other oils like olive or vegetable so it rinses easily and quickly and doesn't leave any greasy residue on the hair. And it will be soft as satin afterwards.
-Use a wide tooth comb to detangle your hair when it's wet and a paddle brush when it's dry. If you're blow drying, always use a vented brush so that the air stream can pass through the brush and will cut down your drying time.
-***This is a big one*** Invest in an ionic/ceramic/tourmaline hair dryer. The one I have is by Jilber? Paris. The technology behind these tools is intended to significantly shorten the amount of time spent drying the hair. And less time exposed to heat = less dryness/damage/breakage. Mine dries my 3' long hair in under 7 minutes every single time, I'm not exaggerating. I also use it to dry my mother's hair, which is just about the same length as mine, and get the same results. I tell everyone about this dryer because of how much heat damage it has saved me from. I've had it for 3 years and will never use any other kind of hair dryer.
-That all being said, I only blow dry my hair on special occasions. Limit the amount of heat styling you use. Heat damages the hair cuticle substantially so the less, the better. Get creative with ways to make heatless waves, crimps and curls so that you can cut back on how often a 400? tool tortures your hair.
-Do not rough up your hair to get it from wet to damp quicker. Treat it like a fine fabric and gently squeeze the excess moisture out. I use a thing called a Turbie Twist for after the shower. You just roll your hair up, twist the towel, and hold it in place with the elastic at the nape of the neck. They are super absorbent too.
-I try to use as few hair styling products as possible too. Almost all of them contain alcohol, which obviously will dry the hair out. I realize there's no way around this for some people but I do my best to be mindful of how frequently I use them.
-Pay attention to where you place your purse, where your seat belt sits, and anything else that your hair may be snagging on without you realizing. This can also cause breakage.
-Supplements. There seems to be some controversy over the safety of biotin if you aren't biotin deficient. This is one of several supplements that I take daily and have for years, along with a multi, fish oil, and magnesium. I had severe hair loss a few years ago and my doctor at the time advised me to start taking biotin for it. I didn't start taking it until the hair loss worsened and almost 70% of my hair was gone. But it worked for me. My hair grew back and filled in with extra to spare.
However, I've read research that says a biotin supplement is not indicated in people who are not biotin deficient. As far as it causing harm? I asked my boyfriend who is a physician and his answer was that no, excess biotin is not harmful. But when taken in excess (meaning by those who aren't deficient) it can inhibit the natural process by which we make hair and nail proteins. So in that case, taking it would be counterproductive. Of course it's always wise to check with your doctor prior to starting anything new (diet, workout, supplements, medications) but generally speaking, biotin supplements wouldn't be sold OTC if they posed an actual threat to health when used as directed.
-Put your hair up before going to sleep at night. If you toss and turn, your hair will get caught under you or otherwise tangled and will get damaged and then break. A loose ponytail or bun, or maybe a braid if you want soft waves the next day, is all you need.

The only other thing I can really say is that you must be patient while growing out your hair. You are already at an advantage by wanting to try new styles with longer hair so you can do that at any point during the growth process. Have fun with it! The bulk of my hair length - I'm talking about noticeable length that made other people comment on it - happened within a year and a half. That was how much time it took to grow from around my collarbone to my elbows. I picked up the rest of my length in the year after that. So it took about two and a half (roughly, maybe a little bit longer) for my hair to grow from just under my shoulders to my behind where it is now.

Sorry for the long comment but when you have hair this long it becomes your "thing", one of the main reasons why people notice you. And I work hard to maintain the health and appearance of my hair so I've learned a lot over the years. I hope some of this helps you! :)