How To Make Your Hair Lengthen (with Pictures)

2024 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 09:13

Have you ever dreamed of having very long and full-bodied hair? Did you cut them and regret the result? In any case, it is not difficult to stimulate their growth! If you are willing to put in a little more effort, you can make them become healthier, stronger and longer.

Steps

Part 1 of 4: Start Taking Care of Your Hair

Step 1. Wash them with mild shampoo and conditioner

The length of the hair starts with hair care, and hair care starts with cleansing. It is essential to use products that make them strong rather than damage them. Ask your hairdresser to recommend shampoo and conditioner formulated for your hair type.

The idea of avoiding shampoo is increasingly common in order not to compromise the natural production of sebum

Step 2. Avoid sulfates and parabens

Many shampoos contain chemicals, called sulfates, which are bad for your hair. These are aggressive agents that weaken them and favor their breakdown, hindering their growth. So, opt for a paraben- and sulfate-free product and avoid those containing SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate).

Step 3. Use a suitable conditioner

Make sure it is free of silicones, as these substances tend to accumulate on the hair and damage it over time. Apply it only on the longest parts as the oils it is made of can clog the follicles and slow down growth.

Step 4. Wash them less frequently

Too frequent washing can weaken the hair and promote breakage, as well as remove the sebum from the scalp. Most dermatologists and hairdressers advise against washing them daily and claim that 3-4 times a week is enough, although in some cases you feel the need to wash them every day when they tend to get greasy easily.

Step 5. Use cold water

Hot water damages the hair shaft, making it brittle and prone to breakage. On the contrary, the cold one helps to close the cuticle (the outer covering), making it more shiny and healthy. To keep your hair shiny and healthy, use the coldest water you can handle.

Cold water should be used especially at the end to remove the conditioner because it allows the hair to stay hydrated after applying the conditioner

Step 6. Brush and comb your hair gently

Brushes, combs and other styling tools play a vital role in hair health. Many people exaggerate or misuse them. Although the hair should be untangled and kept in order, be careful not to brush or comb it too often. If you make proper use of tools and hairstyles, the hair will not weaken.

Brush them only when necessary, perhaps to remove knots or style them. If you overdo it or are too energetic, you risk damaging and tearing them. Never brush them when they are wet. If so, use a wide-toothed comb

Step 7. Use the comb instead of the brush when they are wet or knots

Comb and brush serve different purposes. Use them correctly. The comb should be used on wet hair and to remove knots, but also to separate hair and distribute styling products. The brush is used to distribute the sebum, put them in the fold especially with the hairdryer.

For example, the comb allows you to remove knots without breaking the hair, while the brush does not give you this possibility

Step 8. Use the right brush

Do not use plastic ones because you risk abusing the scalp favoring the formation of split ends. Choose one with soft and natural bristles: boar bristles are particularly recommended. Brushes with hard bristles are more suitable for thick, curly hair that is difficult to manage with those made up with soft bristles.

Part 2 of 4: Use Less Harmful Styling Techniques

Step 1. Decrease the use of thermal tools

They are very aggressive and should not be used too often. Before using them, apply a special serum to protect your hair. Do not select the highest temperature. The same goes for the hair dryer: always set it to the lowest temperature.

Step 2. Be careful not to ruin them

Avoid hairstyles that are too tight, such as a ponytail and bun, but also extensions, because they pull the hair and do not promote growth. The tension exerted on the roots risks weakening them and causing them to break. In addition, it is harmful to the scalp because it inhibits blood circulation, causing headaches and hindering the nourishment of the hair.

• Hair loss (traction alopecia) can occur in areas that are most subject to tension.
• If you want to wear them tied up, choose softer hairstyles and avoid clips containing metal pieces that can get caught in your hair and pull it. Rubber bands that are too tight can also pull them. Opt for delicate ribbons and elastics that do not traumatize the locks.

Step 3. Tick them off

It sounds counterintuitive, but giving it a tick every now and then can actually promote hair growth. If they have split ends, they become brittle and tend to crack. By trimming them regularly, you will reduce split ends and have more beautiful and stronger hair. Shorten them every 6-8 weeks.

While cutting them you will have to sacrifice length, keep in mind that it is better to have shorter and healthier hair than long and weak

Part 3 of 4: Having Stronger Hair

Step 1. Stimulate the scalp

Massage it, pat it, and use a natural bristle brush to promote hair growth. In this way you will increase the blood flow to the follicles, distributing the necessary nutrients. In addition, it is a great way to reduce the headache caused by hairstyles that are too tight. Try one of these scalp massage techniques:

• Effleurage: Helps heat muscle tissue and improve scalp circulation. It is performed by applying light pressure with the fingertips or palms of the hands.
• Petrissage: involves the use of specific movements, such as the "dough" one, therefore it is a more vigorous massage than the previous one. Petrissage relaxes and stretches the muscles and also improves circulation in the scalp.

Step 2. Eat healthily

Nutrition plays a fundamental role in hair growth because it affects the nutrients assimilated by the body and involved in the production of new hair. If you do not take the necessary substances, you will not have thick and strong hair. Eat a balanced diet rich in essential nutrients to promote hair growth.

• Proteins: hair is mainly made up of proteins, so you won't be able to have strong hair if you don't take it in adequate quantities. Make sure you consume complete protein foods by opting for lean meats, soy products, and alternative protein sources. Beans, seeds, nuts, milk and seaweed are also excellent sources, but should be consumed in combination to ensure complete protein intake.
• Omega-3 fatty acids: these are used by the body to produce hair. The stem is made up of 3% nutrients. However, as the body cannot make them on its own, you should include them in your diet. Fish (such as salmon) and nuts (such as walnuts) are excellent sources of fatty acids, as well as protein.
• Zinc: Without this mineral, the scalp dries up and itches. As a result, hair grows slower or can even fall out. You find it in fortified cereals, oysters and eggs.
• Vitamin A or beta-carotene: the supply of beta-carotene allows the body to produce vitamin A. The latter performs various functions, one of which is to regulate the production of sebum. Without sebum, in fact, the skin dries up and the hair is damaged. You find it in sweet potatoes, squash, apricots and carrots.
• Iron: serves to oxygenate the blood, so it is important for hair growth. Deficiency of this mineral is one of the main causes of hair loss, especially in women. Increase your intake by eating dark green leafy vegetables, eggs, and meat.
• Vitamin B: all B vitamins promote hair growth. Vitamin B5 serves to assimilate the fatty acids mentioned above, B7 and B12 help to assimilate proteins, while B9 acts directly on cell growth. You can find them in turkey, tuna and lentils.
• Vitamin E: it is essential to keep the skin healthy, and consequently also the scalp, and to protect the hair. You can find it in sunflower seeds, nuts and avocado.

Step 3. Take vitamin supplements

Vitamins offer the body the nutrients it needs to produce healthy hair. Even if a healthy and balanced diet should guarantee the supply of all the necessary nutrients, food supplementation allows you to assimilate each vitamin in the right quantities. Prenatal ones are probably better suited for promoting hair growth because they typically contain vitamins that stimulate hair growth.

Not everyone reacts to supplements in the same way or has the same nutritional needs. Check with your doctor before you start taking them

Step 4. Make an antioxidant mask

By applying a couple of tablespoons of olive oil and coconut oil to damp hair every two weeks, you will give your hair the antioxidants it needs to protect itself from the action of free radicals.

• Mix both oils and heat the mixture just enough, preventing it from burning your scalp.
• Apply it to your hair with the comb, distributing it from roots to ends.
• Leave it on for 20-30 minutes, then wash your hair and air dry it.

Step 5. Drink water

Water promotes hair and scalp health. When the body does not get enough water, it begins to dehydrate. The skin and hair are the main and most evident areas where dehydration produces its effects. Eight glasses of water a day is the generally recommended amount for adults.

Step 6. Get enough sleep

Sleep helps the body regulate melatonin and cortisol levels, which affect hair growth. In addition, it is necessary for general physical health. When you don't get enough rest, some processes that reside in daily functioning rhythms, such as hair production, start to stop. Each person has different sleep needs, so make sure you get enough sleep for your body.

Part 4 of 4: Making a Hair Mask

Step 1. Open the refrigerator

Here are the ingredients you'll need to make a simple hair mask:

• 2 eggs;
• 1 teaspoon of cinnamon;
• 1 teaspoon of mustard;

• 2 tablespoons of oil (coconut, jojoba, grapeseed, castor, agave, or olive; alternatively, mix them all!).

  • You can of course add other ingredients! Milk, lemon (although it may lighten your hair), honey, and apple cider vinegar are just as effective. You can also substitute mustard if you don't like its smell!
  • Olive oil gives strength and shine to the hair. Milk and coconut oil make them soft and voluminous. Honey gives shine, while apple cider vinegar fortifies them. The healthier they are, the more they grow.

  

  Step 2. Mix everything in a bowl

  Make sure you beat the egg well as it takes longer to blend with the other ingredients. If you have very long hair, you could add another one or pour in some oil to stretch the mixture.

  

  Step 3. Apply the mask to the roots first

  Don't be afraid to get your fingers dirty! The more you massage the mixture, the better the results. You have to make sure that every strand is soaked in your miraculous concoction.

  Apply the mixture starting from the center of the head, then move the head so as to cover the entire length of the hair to the ends. Divide them by spreading the mask in various directions. Make sure you cover the area behind the ears

  

  Step 4. Apply the rest of the mask

  Make sure you cover the entire scalp to the ends. However, the most important part is the head because growth is stimulated at the roots. When you think you are done, continue on the head for a few more minutes.

  

  Step 5. Collect your hair and let the mask work for 30 minutes

  A bun, a shower cap, a ponytail will do, but since you'll probably be tempted to touch them, a cap is your best bet. You can also wrap them in a thin towel. Do some yoga exercises while watching your favorite TV series and go back to the bathroom when the episode is over.

  

  Step 6. Wash your hair thoroughly and use cold water at the end

  It is very important to rinse your head with cold water because the eggs in contact with the heat make the hair stringy. So, since they create this reaction, shampoo them normally, but clean them thoroughly. Make sure the sticky effect is gone to avoid smelling like a jar of mayonnaise throughout the day.

  Apply shampoo and conditioner as usual if you like. If you have dry hair, it doesn't need shampoo. Get to know them: does the mask grease them? If they are fat, wash them. If not, avoid

  

  Step 7. Dry them normally

  If you want, you can use the mask for a deep treatment once a week. You will notice the difference in no time!