You just cut your hair but all you want is for it to grow back. There are no magic shampoos to rush the matter, but there are methods to help the process. Here's how to encourage long, healthy hair growth.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Part One: Keeping Hair Fit While Growing
Step 1. Get a clear idea of what kind of look you are looking for
As your hair grows back it is best to have some idea in mind of the final look you want. This way, you can make maintenance cuts so that your hair has the shape you want.
- If you want to have them long you will have to ask the hairdresser to arrange some parts shorter than others.
- When you go to get your hair fixed, bring a photograph of someone who looks similar to what you want. This way you can be sure that your hairdresser will have a clear idea.
Step 2. Make maintenance cuts when the hair is still short
If they come from behind, they need to be cut every couple of months to keep them in order. Short hair needs more attention.
- Make sure your hairdresser knows you are growing them back. Otherwise it could shorten them too much and make you go back to the starting point.
- Stop cutting them when the length goes past the shoulders. At this point, your hair should be heavy enough to stay straight without help. Trim them every 3 to 4 months to avoid split ends. Then all you have to do is wait.
Step 3. Take advantage of the cut
Whether you are still at a basic level or just missing a few inches before reaching the desired length, still take advantage of the wait to style your hair the way you like it.
- Make them stand out. Is your hair still somewhere in between? Pretend you've always wanted them that way. Blow them up, curl them or wear them natural, it doesn't matter. If you wear them confidently, people will think the hairstyle is wanted.
- Try headbands, barrettes, and other fun accessories to hold on to shorter locks and look more chic as you try to grow them.
- Wear a hat. On days when you get up and it seems impossible to put your hair in place, wear a hat. Choose one according to the season - a nice hat in the winter, a straw hat in the summer.
Part 2 of 3: Part Two: Starting a Routine to Help Them Grow Faster
Step 1. Change the way you wash your hair
Do you wash them every day? This can dry them out as washing them takes away the natural oils that coat them and serve to keep them strong and healthy. By washing them so often, the hair will weaken and the ends will break, which means that you will have to cut them more often and they will take longer to grow. To keep your hair healthy, follow this routine:
- Wash them three to four times a week. It will feel greasy at first, but soon your scalp will produce enough oil to keep your hair soft without making it dirty.
- Wash them with the coldest water you can handle. The hot one breaks the ends and makes them frizzy, while the cold one keeps them smooth and healthy.
Step 2. Dry them carefully
How you dry your hair can have a big impact on the speed of growth. Do you tend to dry them with a towel, brushing the knots and using the hair dryer? This is the source of the greatest damage. Replace this routine of yours with the following:
- When you get out of the shower, gently squeeze out any excess water using a soft towel. Do not rub or massage, simply pat.
- Use a wide-toothed comb - it's better than brushing them. Gently comb them to untangle them without breaking them.
- Let them air dry throughout the day. It is the best method.
Step 3. Gently style them
On some days you won't be able to air dry them, especially if you are planning a special event in which you will need to get a hairstyle. When you want your hair to look perfect and shiny try these alternatives:
- Blow dry them cold. It hurts less and is still useful for giving the hair a more refined look.
- Curl them without heat. Use the t-shirt method, the sock method, or others that do not require the use of a curler or heated curlers.
Part 3 of 3: Part Three: Lifestyle Choices That Make Hair Healthier
Step 1. Do not use chemicals
It's time to carefully read the ingredients of your shampoos. All hair products have chemical ingredients that make hair beautiful immediately, then drying it out over time. Choosing better products will not make your hair heavy and dry as it grows back.
- Do not use sulfate shampoos. These are elements that are used in dishwasher detergents and have a very bad effect on the hair. Find a sulfate-free shampoo or make a shampoo yourself.
- Do not use conditioner or silicone based products. They would initially add sparkle but eventually weigh down the hair. They are also only removed with sulfate-based shampoos, so it's best to avoid them.
- Don't get permed or other chemical treatments.
- As you grow them, don't dye them.
Step 2. Eat well and fill up with water
A healthy diet and the right hydration help your hair stay healthy and shiny, which is helpful in making it grow.
- Drink 8 glasses of water a day. Avoid taking certain liquids which, on the contrary, would dehydrate the skin.
- Get plenty of vitamin B. Find it in fruits, vegetables and nuts - these vitamins help keep hair strong and thick.
- Eat protein. They are the building blocks of hair so you need them a lot. Eat meat, fish, legumes, and leafy vegetables.
- Get some omega-3s. They are "good" fats that make hair shiny. Eat salmon, olive oil, nuts, and avocados.
Advice
- Hot oil treatments are perfect for nourishing skin and hair.
- Keep the curling iron and straightener aside for when the hair has grown out.
- It takes time to lengthen your hair. Don't get anxious. Be patient.
- Try virgin coconut oil. Contains natural ingredients that relieve the scalp. Dissolve three tablespoons of oil and then pour the liquid over your hair, letting it sit for an hour or overnight. Finally, rinse your hair several times to get rid of all the oil. You will have a soft and silky hair.
