HAIR CARE · HAIR GROWING TIPS

The most common question I get here at HairStyle.com, is how to make hair grow faster.

Unfortunately the truth is there is no instant way to grow long hair. Long hair is a committment and something that takes alot of time and care.

If you want long hair for a specific event, such as a wedding or prom, then hair extensions, clip on ponytails or long wigs are the only solution for instant hair growth.

Not everyone can grow a head of waist length hair. If you have fine, thin or severely damaged hair, you may have a difficult time growing your hair past a medium length.

Your hair grows up to 6 inches a year. The weather can also affect the your hair growth - hair tends to grow more rapidly in the summer, while growing more slowly during winter.

If you're ready for the commitment of growing long hair, make sure you continue to have regular trims to keep your hair looking and feeling healthy. It might seem like the quickest way to grow your hair is not to cut it at all, but that is not the case. Regular trims, every 8-10 weeks, will keep your hair looking good while you go through many stages of growing it out.

Wear and Tear

Once your hair emerges from your scalp, it is considered dead and has no way to renew itself. So by the time your hair is past your shoulders it is a couple of years old.

Even if we look after our hair, it is still a long time to face the daily wear and tear we inflict on our hair - brushing, washing, blow drying, dying and more! This daily damage plus your bodies health can all impact on your hair growing abilities.

Reasons for slow hair growth

A healthy diet also plays a major role in your hair's condition and growth rate. Nutritional deficiencies can lead to thinning hair - ultimately your hair reflects the condition of your body.

Your hair may stop growing if you have any health problems or are suffering from any nutritional deficiencies.

Since hair is protein, a low protein diet may sometimes be the cause of a slow hair growth cycle. If you eat a protein-rich diet, it will often result in improved hair growth.

Excessive stress is known to slow down hair growth, and can even lead to hair falling out. If your life is particularly stressful, try to set aside some time for meditation or relaxation. It has also been discovered that regular sleep can help your hair grow faster (7-9 hours a night is suggested).

Foods, Vitamins and supplements to help hair growth

Hair is mostly protein, so nutritionists advise those wanting healthy hair to eat well balanced diets that include healthy proteins, along with foods high in vitamin B, C, E, A and K.

Your hair will most likely respond well to the addition of high protein foods such as meats, eggs, cheese, seeds and nuts. Fish has good protein as well as essential fatty acids and natural oils.

Vitamin B - Green vegetables, beans, sunflower seeds, nuts and peas.

Vitamin C - Citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, limes, melons and berries.

Vitamin E - Avocados, rice bran, nuts, dark green vegetables, legumes and whole grains.

Vitamin A - Carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, broccoli, cantaloupe and apricots.

Vitamin K - Seafood, dairy, figs, asparagus, broccoli, lettuce, brussel sprouts, cabbage, dark green leafy vegetables, oatmeal, soybeans, wheat, yoghurt, egg yolks and liver.

Hair Growing Tips

• Eating a healthy diet. Avoid or cut back on smoking, drinking alcohol, caffeine and foods that are high in sugar or fat. These are all bad for your body, and will affect the condition of your hair.
• Allow your body to grow hair by giving yourself plenty of sleep and rest. Give yourself time to relax when you're feeling very stressed.
• Buy a good quality brush or comb - avoid cheap plastic brushes.
• Treat your hair carefully by avoiding any unnecessary brushing.
• Limit the use of styling tools such as straighteners, hair dryers and hot rollers - these all cause stress to your hair.
• Have regular trims to get rid of split ends and to keep your hair looking and feeling healthy.
• Weekly scalp massages provide stimulation to the hair follicles.
• Also do a weekly hair treatment to protect the hair's shaft.
• Avoid chlorine and saltwater. If you go swimming, shampoo your hair as soon as possible afterwards. If you spend alot of time in the sun, use a conditioner that provides SPF protection.
• Do not brush your hair when wet. Use a wide tooth comb and be gentle with your hair when it is wet. Do not rub it vigorously with a towel