All products featured on Vogue are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links.
If you’ve ever typed “How to grow long hair?” into a search bar, you’re not alone. At some time or another, nearly everyone I know—including myself—has dreamed of growing longer hair. Unfortunately, there isn’t just one simple trick that will deliver the lustrous mane of your fantasies. If there was, I’d definitely let you know.
That said, there are plenty of effective remedies that can help stimulate hair growth. When combined with techniques that prevent breakage and promote strong strands, they can definitely help you achieve your hair goals. Here are nine tips to apply to your hair routine if you’re hoping to grow longer hair.
Get a trim
It seems counterintuitive, but getting a good haircut can ultimately lead to longer hair. The general rule of thumb is to trim ends every two to three months to keep hair healthy and remove dry, split ends. After all, a split end will continue to break up higher and higher on the strand if it’s not removed. Communicate with your hairdresser and let them know you’re growing out your hair so that they can take it into account.
Choose the right shampoo
Not all shampoos are equal. Choosing the right one for your hair type is essential because it will not only allow you to wash your hair properly but also maintain optimum health. Too aggressive of a shampoo can strip hair of its moisture and lead to damage long-term.
Using the wrong shampoo for your hair type can also cause buildup or irritation to the scalp, clogging the hair follicles and slowing growth. If you do not know which shampoo is ideal for you, choose one that is moisturizing and gentle.
Scalp care is hair care
So much attention is paid to the skin of the face, yet we forget that the scalp deserves the same attention. If the scalp is healthy, clean, and hydrated, it will have better blood circulation and bring more nutrients to the hair follicles. This results in stronger hair that grows faster.
This is where a scalp scrub and a scalp massager come in handy. Use them once to twice a week to cleanse, exfoliate, and stimulate blood circulation to the scalp.
Stimulate the roots
Speaking of stimulation, scrubs and massage brushes are not the only way to get it done; scalp serums are excellent for promoting circulation and growth while also strengthening the hair. In addition to stimulating the roots, serums help long, healthy hair by giving nourishment to the strands. Look for ingredients like minoxidil, rosemary oil, and biotin which each offer various degrees of efficacy for promoting hair growth.
Towel dry carefully
Rubbing hair too aggressively with a towel can be detrimental to the beauty of your hair; it can weaken the vulnerable wet strands, causing breakage. It can also pull hair out from the root and open the cuticles, making strands more porous and, consequently, frizzier. Instead of rubbing hair, gently use a soft 100% cotton or microfiber towel to remove excess water.
.jpg)
Brush correctly
That old adage of 100 strokes before bedtime is silly. In fact, excessively brushing the hair from root to tip can be damaging and cause excessive hair loss. Instead, make a habit of using a special brush to massage the scalp and stimulate the roots and use the right brush for your hair type when brushing the lengths of your hair.
Avoid heat
It is well known that heat from blow dryers and straighteners can be traumatic for hair, so avoid hot styling tools if you’re trying to grow out the length of your hair. If you really must heat style, protect the lengths by applying a heat protectant to preserve the health of the hair.
Sleep with silk
A silk pillowcase can be a savior for those looking to baby their hair and promote growth. Resting your head on a light, soft fabric not only allows your hair to look shinier because it is not subjected to rubbing (as is the case with cotton and linen), but it also promotes scalp health by improving air flow around the head.
Eat well and supplement often
Like everything else, supporting hair growth often comes down to proper nutrition. Try to eat a “hair diet” filled with plenty of protein, healthy fats, vitamins, and antioxidants. Then, you can fill in the dietary gaps with supplements. When choosing hair supplements, it is important to read labels carefully. Look for the following nutrients to support hair growth:
- Biotin
A type of B vitamin, biotin supports hair growth because it is involved in the body’s synthesis of keratin, the main component of hair. It’s found in foods such as liver, egg yolk, soybeans, spinach, cauliflower, broccoli, mushrooms, lentils, and nuts. It’s also found in chicken, tuna, salmon, fruits, grains, dairy products, and yeast. It’s widely available in the form of hair growth supplements.
- Keratin
Keratin is the main protein found in hair structure. Over time, it tends to diminish, making hair weaker and duller in turn. Supplementing it allows you to restore strength and vitality to the hair. For this reason, it is important to eat keratin-rich foods like fish, lean meats, legumes, yogurt, low-fat milk, and low-fat dairy products.
- Folic acid
Folic acid also contributes to keratin synthesis and plays a key role in cell turnover. It’s found in green leafy green vegetables like spinach, broccoli, herbs, and asparagus, as well as liver meat, some whole grains grains, and citrus fruits.
- Niacin
Also known as vitamin B3, Niacin is among the most important nutrients for hair growth and nourish those hair bulbs. Food sources include chicken, liver, salmon, tuna, and swordfish, mushrooms, spinach, avocado, peanuts, and yeast.
- Vitamin C
Vitamin C stimulates blood circulation in the scalp, promoting hair growth. It is found in fruits and vegetables, especially in citrus fruits, carrots, tomatoes, red peppers, and berries.
- Vitamin E
This antioxidant protects hair and regulates scalp sebum production making it essential for healthy hair. It is found in nuts, peanuts, egg yolk, fish oil, spinach, asparagus, broccoli, tomatoes, whole grains, and smoked salmon.
- Vitamin A
Vitamin A, also known as retinol, helps prevent aging hair follicles and helps regulate the sebaceous glands in the skin. Foods that contain Vitamin A include leafy vegetables, cabbage, squash, broccoli, carrots, liver, and egg yolk.
- Vitamin D
Vitamin D plays an important role in the growth phase of the hair life cycle. You get adequate amounts of vitamin D with careful sun exposure and these foods: egg yolk, mushrooms, milk, and fish such as salmon, mackerel, herring, tuna, swordfish, and cod.
_0007_41QFsv%2520dEzL._AC_SL1200.jpg)
_0006_51yoxnK1QIL._AC_SL1500.jpg)