5 Insider Tips for Growing Longer, Stronger Hair
Hair growth issues are common struggles in hair care. There’s an abundance of tips on how to achieve the full potential of your locks – so many that it can feel overwhelming. It doesn’t matter whether you’re trying to beat a dry spell in your hair growth journey or maintain momentum, growing longer, healthier hair can seem like a daunting process.
That’s why we’ve compiled a guide on promoting hair growth, full of both expert advice and natural remedies. It’s time to achieve longer, stronger hair that you can show off with pride.
5. Food Is Your Friend
Healthy hair starts with a healthy lifestyle, and that includes what we feed ourselves. While it’s true that hair texture varies, a diet rich in nutrients, regular exercise, and hydration all contribute to the growth and quality of our hair. It’s easy to get caught up in the hype of expensive hair products, but without healthy habits, they may fall short. Instead, take a look in the fridge and make a switch! The results will make you happy you did.
Key Food To Boost Your Hair Growth
Eating a nutrient-packed diet is key to achieving strong, healthy hair. Vital components include protein, iron, vitamin C, vitamin E, and magnesium, all of which contribute to maintaining lush locks. Vitamin E and magnesium found in almonds make them the perfect snack for promoting hair growth. A mere 1/4 cup of almonds or almond butter daily provides 45% and 25% of the recommended daily amounts of vitamin E and magnesium, respectively. Incorporating dark, leafy greens like spinach into your diet is a great way to boost iron and improve sebum production. Additionally, vitamin C found in citrus fruits such as tangerines helps the body absorb iron, promoting glossy locks. Include protein-rich foods like eggs and Greek yogurt as well, to further enhance hair growth.
4. Try a Natural Cleanser
While drugstore shampoos and conditioners are great for on-the-go cleansing, incorporating natural cleansers can significantly improve hair growth. According to Raechele Gathers, MD, blogger of the hair health site MDHairMixtress, Rhassoul Clay Wash is an excellent option due to its cleansing properties that don’t strip your hair of natural sebum, which is essential for conditioning all hair types.
For centuries, people have been using Rhassoul Clay as a natural skin and hair cleanser. Rich in silica, magnesium, iron, calcium, sodium, and aluminum, they packed this natural red clay from the Atlas Mountains in Morocco with the nutrients your hair needs to promote growth and strength.
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Ingredients for Rhassoul Clay Wash
- Rhassoul clay (1–2 tbsp)
- Water (add enough to get your desired consistency)
- Oil of choice (avocado, olive, rosehip, etc.)
- Essential oil (a few drops of your favorites)
3. Kick The Heat Damage
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Heating tools like straighteners and curlers can be a reliable way to achieve any hairstyle, but they can also pose a risk to maintaining long and strong hair. Regardless of hair texture, overusing heat on your locks can leave them dry, lifeless, and damaged.
To avoid heat damage and promote hair growth, try cutting down on heat tools whenever possible. Additionally, if you do experience severe heat damage, it may be time to schedule a visit with your stylist and trim off the damaged ends.
By doing this, you can prevent further damage from spreading to the healthier parts of your hair, ultimately speeding up the growth process. So, style your hair smartly and prioritize its health over anything else!
For whatever reason, if you can’t say no to the flatiron, then make sure you’re using a flat iron that won’t fry your hair, or will at least do minimal damage to your strands. Professional hair stylists recommend using straighteners on 365 degrees, which allows adequate heat distribution without frying the hair strands.
Try a flat iron with titanium or ceramic plates, like the Nume Style Setter Hair Straightener, which helps protect the hair while applying heat and eliminates frizz.
2. A Healthy Scalp Is Key
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Scalp massage
Giving your scalp an extra massage could transform your hair growth game! We recommend massaging your scalp at least once daily to enhance blood circulation, which, in turn, stimulates growth. Concentrate on “problem” areas, and add essential oils every once in a while to nourish hair follicles, driving growth.
Scalp tonic
Effective hair care requires a healthy scalp, yet we tend to forget this. Common problems, including stunted hair growth or breakage, often stem from a dry, flaky scalp or product build up. A natural scalp tonic can clarify, breathe life into hair follicles, and nourish both scalp and hair. If you’re grappling with an itchy, irritated scalp, try Alikay Naturals’ homemade aloe-vera-based tonic. Use weekly for best results; massage the scalp after spritzing.
Ingredients
- Aloe Vera Juice
- Jojoba Oil
- Eucalyptus Oil
- Tea Tree Oil
- Almond Oil
- Shea butter
1. Amla — The Secret Ingredient Your Hair Is Missing
For centuries, people in India, the Middle East and Southeast Asia have reaped the health benefits of Amla (also known as Indian gooseberry) in Ayurvedic medicine. Recently, its popular reputation as a natural hair growth stimulant has extended to the Western world, thanks to its reputation as a hair superfood. Adding Amla into your regimen – whether in mask or oil form – can enhance hair luster and shine, ease dandruff and stimulate growth. Beyond hair, the fruit is believed to offer many other health benefits for the body and skin, making it a valuable holistic addition to one’s routine.
Products like Amla Oil can be added into your haircare routine easily. Or, you can try a monthly at-home mask that uses amla in powder form.
Ingredients
- 1 cup of your favorite deep conditioner
- 1/2 avocado
- 1 tbsp. hibiscus powder
- 1 tbsp. amla powder
Method
- Apply to hair for 20 minutes under a plastic cap and then rinse/style as normal.
Looking for even more amazing ways to improve your hair’s health? Try These 5 Natural DIY Hair Masks At Home.
