To have long, luscious hair, you need to keep it healthy and hydrated to prevent it from drying out or getting damaged. According to experts, the shampoo should be used at most 2-3 times a week, while the conditioner should be used every day. In addition, it is necessary to make a mask and massage the scalp from time to time, to stimulate hair growth. For best results, keep a healthy diet, use a silk or satin pillowcase, limit the use of heat, and don't use dyes or other harsh chemicals. With patience and constancy your hair will become as long and strong as you wish.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Wash the Hair
Step 1. Wash your hair 2-3 times a week with a sulfate-free shampoo
Instead of shampooing every day, leave at least 48-72 hours between washes. This way the oils produced by the scalp will have time to moisturize and repair the hair. The shampoo washes out these important oils, so use it every other day maximum. Rub a small amount between your palms and then massage it into your scalp and hair.
- If you feel that you have an oily or itchy scalp, you should wash your hair.
- Look for a shampoo formulated with ingredients that nourish the hair, such as vitamins E and B5, iron, copper and zinc. These substances stimulate the production of keratin, the main protein of hair, and provide the elements needed to keep them healthy, long and strong.
Step 2. Moisturize your hair with conditioner every day, even when you're not shampooing
Get in the shower, wet your hair, and apply a generous dose of conditioner. Distribute it from the roots to the ends and massage it into the scalp. Leave it on for a couple of minutes before rinsing. Using the conditioner daily will keep your hair healthy, hydrated and reduce the risk of split ends.
- Choose a conditioner enriched with moisturizing ingredients such as coconut or argan oil, shea butter and panthenol (vitamin B5).
- Shampooing every day is superfluous and counterproductive; on the contrary, a frequent use of the conditioner allows to keep the hair healthy and hydrated, stimulating its growth.
- The conditioner compensates for the loss of lipids and proteins from the hair, thus making them healthier and more beautiful. Remember that when hair is healthy it grows faster.
Step 3. Rinse your hair with cold water
Hot water is as bad for your skin as it is for your hair. After shampooing, reduce the water temperature and rinse your hair for a long time. Cold water stimulates the closing of the cuticles and strengthens the follicles for the next styling phase.
Make sure there are no traces of shampoo or conditioner left on the hair
Step 4. Make a mask once a week to deeply hydrate your hair
Apply a generous amount of conditioner to clean hair, especially on the ends which are generally the driest and most fragile. Leave it on for 15-45 minutes, then rinse your hair thoroughly. To enhance the effect of the compress, wear a shower cap during the exposure time.
- To make the mask even more effective, put on your shower cap and then heat your hair with a thermal helmet. The heat allows the conditioner to penetrate deeper into the hair.
- Wraps and masks moisturize and nourish the hair, stimulate its growth and prevent the formation of split ends.
Step 5. Massage the scalp with essential oils a couple of times a week
Pour a dime-sized amount into your palm and warm it in your hands. Place your hands in an "L" shape and massage the scalp starting from the hairline. Make small circular movements with your ten fingers. Continue massaging for 5-10 minutes to promote blood flow to the follicles and hair growth.
- Essential oils also have a relaxing effect. Stress is a major cause of hair thinning, so you will get a double benefit.
- You can use eucalyptus, rosemary, peppermint, or tea tree essential oil.
- Reduce the pressure when massaging your temples and neck.
Method 2 of 3: Maintain Healthy Hair
Step 1. Adopt a healthy diet rich in vitamins A, C, D, zinc and protein
Hair health starts with a healthy diet. Eat foods that contain vitamins that promote hair growth every day. The list of hair health allies includes spinach, broccoli and all dark green leafy vegetables, as they are rich in vitamins A and C. Also salmon, eggs, avocado, sunflower seeds, almonds, yellow peppers and sweet potatoes make hair healthier.
- Sweet potatoes help the body retain vitamin A, sunflower seeds have a high content of vitamin E, yellow peppers are rich in vitamin C, while almonds provide a large amount of protein and biotin.
- Salmon is rich in vitamin D and protein, eggs contain biotin and omega-3s, while avocados have a high concentration of essential fatty acids.
Step 2. Get more vitamins, such as biotin, vitamin B and vitamin C
These vitamins stimulate hair growth and strengthen the follicles. You can take them separately or together through a multivitamin. Look for a product formulated to improve the health of "skin, nails and hair". For greater effectiveness, take your vitamins in the morning as soon as you wake up following the directions on the product.
Over time, your hair will become healthier, longer and stronger if you take these vitamins regularly. It may take a few months to see visible results, but your skin will also become more beautiful
Step 3. Trim your hair about an inch every 4-6 weeks
You can easily trim them at home or by going to the hairdresser. Trimming your hair regularly will keep it healthy, eliminate split ends and revitalize the follicles.
Once the split ends are eliminated, your hair will look longer and thicker. If you don't peel them regularly, the bifurcation could advance and the hair could break
Step 4. Get keratin treatment every 8 weeks to hydrate your hair
As they stretch, it is helpful to have a keratin treatment every couple of months. Keratin is the protein of which hair is made and the treatment is aimed at coating it with a protective layer. In addition to protecting them from damage, this outer barrier makes them smoother, so you will need less use of styling tools. You can make an appointment with your hairdresser or buy keratin products to use at home. The keratin treatment should be repeated approximately every 8 weeks.
- Keratin treatment is especially recommended for chemically dyed or straightened hair. It is also very popular with those with curly hair because it makes them more manageable.
- Some keratin products also contain formaldehyde. Consult your hairdresser to choose a safe treatment that suits your needs.
Step 5. Try using a silk or satin pillowcase to protect your hair
The cotton with which normal pillowcases are made is coarse and tends to absorb moisture from the hair. Purchase a silk or satin pillowcase to reduce friction and prevent your hair from becoming dehydrated and damaged as a result.
- You can buy a silk or satin pillowcase at home linen stores or online.
- Silk and satin reduce the chances of knots forming and breaking hair, thus helping you to have longer and healthier hair.
- Silk is the best choice, but satin is a much cheaper alternative.
Step 6. Avoid chemical dyes and straightenings to avoid damaging your hair
When the hair cuticles are exposed to the chemicals contained in dyes, bleaches and relaxers, they dehydrate and become damaged. If you have dry hair, the chances of it breaking or split ends increase. Limit the use of chemical treatments if you want your hair to become long and strong.
Step 7. Try a treatment that stimulates hair growth if it is thinning
If you dream of having them long and strong, but they are currently sparse or very fragile, consider investing in a product that stimulates their regrowth. You can rely on the expert hands of the hairdresser or get advice on a treatment to be carried out at home to save money. These products have a dual purpose: to stimulate the growth of new hair and to preserve the health of those present.
Do some research online before buying a product that stimulates hair growth. Make sure it is approved by the relevant bodies and that it does not contain chemicals that are hazardous to health
Method 3 of 3: Styling the Hair
Step 1. Use a boar bristle brush or plastic comb to avoid damaging your hair
It is important to use tools that treat the hair and scalp in a gentle way. Flat brushes help you make your hair smoother and therefore make it look longer, while round brushes help give volume to the roots. Boar bristle brushes have the ability to distribute natural oils along the entire hair shaft, promoting health and growth.
- When tying your hair, use a rubber band with no metal parts, otherwise they may break or get damaged.
- Metal combs tend to damage the ends of your hair, so use a plastic one.
Step 2. Find a line of styling products made with natural ingredients
You most likely have a habit of using products such as gels, foam, leave-in conditioner, hairspray and serums to style your hair more easily. To avoid damaging them with chemicals and artificial substances, it is important to look for a line of products based on natural ingredients. The chemicals deprive the hair of its protective natural oils and consequently make it dry. On the contrary, natural ingredients moisturize and nourish them.
Look for products enriched with coconut, jojoba, castor or almond oil. Essential oils, for example those of peppermint, eucalyptus or tea tree, also help make hair stronger
Step 3. Use a line of fortifying products for healthier, fuller hair
In addition to natural ingredients, there are shampoos, conditioners and styling products with a "volumizing", "fortifying" or "growth-accelerating" action. These products contain ingredients that open the hair cuticles. There are also formulas to stimulate growth.
For best results, apply a dime-sized amount of product when you wash or style your hair
Step 4. Use dry shampoo to add volume to your hair as it grows
To give the idea of voluminous hair, use a dry shampoo powder. Follow the directions on the package regarding the dosage, massage it between your hands and then run your fingers through the roots of the hair. Dry shampoo temporarily increases the thickness of the hair shaft.
Dry shampoo also lifts the roots, so the hair looks thicker
Step 5. Limit the use of heat
Exposure to high temperatures damages the hair, makes it dry and causes split ends. To keep them as healthy as possible, avoid using the straightener and curling iron. Leave them natural or gather them in a ponytail, braid or bun.
- Don't forget to apply a heat protection serum if you can't help but use a straightener or curler.
- Also choose the most modern tools that damage the hair less, such as ceramic plates and ion hair dryers.
- Some styling tools damage the hair less than others because they reach lower temperatures, for example thermal curlers are less harmful than curling irons.
Advice
- Try to reduce your stress levels to make your hair grow healthier.
- If you don't want to wait for your hair to grow on its own, consider using extensions to make it longer and thicker.
