We’ve all seen articles, hair brands, medications, advertisements, and products claiming to have the secret to hair growth... and they're usually a scam. So many people are looking for the secret to longer hair. Ads cater to that desire by claiming to to have an easy solution.
You probably already know that the truth isn't easy. If it were, we'd all have the hair length of our dreams. Hair growth is a slow process that requires commitment and consistency, and there's no instant or easy way to achieve it.
But don't be disappointed yet! There is a secret to hair growth... but it's not easy. The truth is:
HEALTHY HAIR GROWTH IS A REFLECTION OF A HEALTHY BODY.
This should be your one takeaway from this article: you need to make permanent and consistent changes to your lifestyle in order to see results. Read on to learn the healthy practices that promote hair growth. If you follow the advice in this article, you will see results!
The appearance of longer hair is the combination of two factors: actual growth, and length retention. You need BOTH for your hair to get longer, and BOTH are dependent on a healthy body and lifestyle. Here are Limpho Style Bubble tips for each!
How to accelerate actual hair growth:
1. Maintain a balanced scalp pH. The natural pH of your scalp is between 4.5 - 5.5, the ideal acidity for preventing fungi and bacteria that can inflame the scalp, slow hair growth, and even cause hair loss. I recommend checking the pH of your hair products and avoiding alkali products (with a very high pH.) Jojoba oil is an excellent way to balance scalp pH, since it mimics the pH of your natural scalp oils. Vitamin E oil also helps balance scalp pH and repairs damage to your hair follicles.
2. Reduce inflammation and infection. This one is a no-brainer: the healthier your scalp, the easier your hair can grow. Jamaican black castor oil is effective at warding off infections. Lavender, orange, and lemon essential oils are anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial. Apple cider vinegar rinses can kill off bacteria and reduce inflammation.
3. Promote blood circulation to your scalp. Blood circulation feeds your hair follicles with the oxygen, nutrients, and minerals they need to grow. You can increase blood circulation with head massages, regular stretching, and yoga! Many essential oils, especially lavender essential oil, increase blood circulation to the scalp.
4. Clarify and exfoliate, especially if you use a lot of styling products. Your hair follicles need oxygen to grow, so make sure your scalp can breathe. If you shampoo every two weeks or less often, consider using a cowash or doing apple cider vinegar treatments in-between washes to reduce product buildup and exfoliate your scalp.
5. Don't overwash. I know, I just said to make sure to wash and exfoliate your scalp! But shampoo has an alkali pH, which can offset the normal pH of your scalp. It also strips your hair of sebum, which is essential in maintaining the normal pH of your scalp. Don't shampoo more often than once a week, and use a gentle shampoo that won't strip your hair of sebum.
6. Reduce stress. Did you know that excessive stress can push more of your hairs into the telogen (falling) phase of the life cycle? Reducing stress will reduce hair loss and reduce physical tension in your scalp, which can stunt hair growth. Everyone has different ways of reducing stress, so find what works for you, whether it's journaling, spending time with close friends, reading, or spending time outside. The following activities are universally helpful in reducing stress: exercise, sleep, yoga, meditation, and essential oils.
7. Change your diet. Your hair needs vitamins, nutrients, and protein to grow. While you can add them to your hair topically, they must be present in your diet as well. Eat foods rich in protein, iron, vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, biotin, and niacin. But be careful- I said change your diet, not to go on a diet! If your calorie intake is too low, your body will limit the nutrients and and energy allocated to hair growth.
8. Exercise regularly! Exercise is one of the best ways to follow many of these other tips. It reduces stress and promotes blood circulation and oxygen/nutrient flow to the scalp. Sweat itself helps exfoliate the scalp and unclog hair follicles.
How to improve length retention
1. Trim your hair regularly. I know, it feels so counterproductive! However, split ends and single strand knots lead to tangles and dryness, which in turn cause breakage. They can even increase hair loss by making it impossible for you to detangle your hair gently. Trim your hair every few months (3-4 times a year) to keep your ends healthy and retain length.
2. Moisture is the secret to length retention. Moisturized hair is more elastic, less prone to breakage, and less prone to tangles. This will all help you retain length as your hair grows. Moisturizing your natural hair daily with water. And and seal with oil after. If you want to know kinds of seals to use, click here to check them out.
3. Drink enough water. If you are dehydrated or under-hydrated on a regular basis, your body will ration less moisture to your hair. This results in dry hair. Make sure you drink (8 glasses) of water a day for healthy and soft hair.
4. Deep condition your hair, especially with ingredients that promote hair growth. Use conditioners that contain:
a. Avocados, which promote hair growth, prevent hair loss, and moisturize hair.
b. Coconut oil, which prevents breakage
c. Tea tree oil, which prevents infections
d. Lavender essential oil, which is anti-inflammatory
e. Vitamin E, which repairs hair follicles and reduces inflammation
f. Citric acid, which prevents bacterial growth.
5. Avoid chemicals that strip your hair (such as sulfates, isopropyl alcohol, ethanol alcohol, polyethylene glycol, etc.) as well as chemicals that coat your hair without moisturizing it (mineral oil, silicones, etc.) Such ingredients make your hair more brittle and prone to breakage.
6. Avoid harsh color, chemical, or heat treatments. These treatments strip moisture out of your hair, and increase your likelihood of breakage and hair loss.
I hope these tips on hair growth were helpful!