GROWING YOUR HAIR LONG & STRONG

1) Start With A Clean Slate - Ditch the damaged parts of your hair at the very beginning of your growing cycle.  If your heart is set on with the right locks.

 

 

 

3) Trim   -   Once your hair is ready to grow, make sure you keep it trimmed every 2 to 3 months.  Regular trims keep your hair looking and feeling healthy.  It will also give you hair a great transitional shape as it grows through the many different stages.   Don't fool yourself into thinking that you don't need regular trims.  You do.

 

3) Eat Right & Take Your Vitamins   -  The right vitamins and minerals play a major role in keeping your hair healthy. Any nutritional deficiencies can lead to thinning hair or even total baldness.  It is a well-known fact that an under active thyroid can result in frizzy or brittle hair while an overactive thyroid turn hair greasy and limp.

 

4) Be Gentle  - Be *extremely* gentle with your hair when it is wet. Don't rub your hair vigorously with a towel, gently squeeze the towel down the length of your hair. Turbie Twists are a great alternative to twisting your hair in a standard towel (I can get all my hip-length hair into one, but just barely). NEVER brush your hair when it's wet, this is when your hair is at its most delicate. Use a very wide-tooth comb to smooth wet hair. In fact, it is best to avoid brushing your hair at all, a wide-tooth comb is always better with the exception of the next step.

5) Rinse in Cold Water - Rinse your hair in as cold water as you can stand. Not only will this make the cuticle lay flat and less likely to snag and break, but by the same token you'll get the added benefit of very shiny hair that's easier to comb wet. Yes, you will get used to doing this, even in the shower, and it is wonderfully invigorating for your whole bod, not just your hair. I know, I know... I couldn't convince Hubby either, but it's true, I swear! Trust me.

6) Deep Condition Monthly   -   Deep condition your hair at least monthly, even if it's in good shape this will help keep it that way. If your hair is dry or damaged, deep condition weekly. Hot oil treatments are a good alternative for very dry hair or for extra conditioning (but be forewarned, to some extent hot oil treatments will lift any non permanent color you've added). You might want to try washing and applying conditioner at night, wearing a shower cap to bed, and rinsing in the morning for a really intense conditioning treatment as well.

 

7) DON'T Swim   -    Avoid chlorine and saltwater. If you have go swimming in either, shampoo your hair as soon as possible after exposure.  If you swim very often, invest in a good bathing cap (and to be really kind to your hair, apply deep conditioner and take advantage of the body heat that will be generated while you're wearing it). If you spend a lot of time in the sun, use a conditioner that provides SPF protection against the sun's rays, or cover your hair with a hat or scarf.

 

Other Hair Growing Tips

Hair specialists have discovered excellent hair growing results from adoption of the Zone Diet which is very low in fat.  

Here are some other general hair growing guidelines:

1. Eliminate or cut back on smoking, caffeine and carbonated sodas which weaken the body and block maximum hair growing potential.
   
2. Minimize intake of alcohol and try to avoid foods that are high in sugar or fat.
   
3. Avoid the use of hot water, hot steam or saunas that may stress the hair.
4. Have a weekly scalp massage to provide added stimulation to the hair follicles.
   
5. Perform a series of ongoing hot oil or deep conditioning treatments to protect the hair's shaft.
   
6. Keep the environment in mind.  Before taking your hair for a ride in a convertible or for a day at the beach, comb a protective conditioner through the hair.  Protect your hair from sun, wind, heat, salt water and pool chemicals.
   
7. Exercise for your hair.  Any form of physical activity will increase blood circulation to the scalp, helping nutrients to flow more easily down to the individual hair follicles.
   
8. Get enough sleep to allow your cells to renew and refresh.  To avoid breaking hair while sleeping, consider using easy glide satin pillowcases.  Another option is to invest in a hair sock that will keep the hair from twisting, breaking or snagging if you happen to be a restless sleeper.
   
9. Allow your hair to breathe.  Avoid constricting your hair with tight bands, hats, cornrow braids and the like.  These also lead to split ends and hair breakage.
   
10. If you must use chemicals on your hair, go to a professional and try "spot" treatments to get maximum results with minimal damage.
    
11. Use "hair friendly" hair accessories like elastic covered bands, smooth hair clips and snag less barrettes.
    
12. Avoid boredom.  If you get the itch to clip, divert your attention with a new or zig zag part, new or altered bangs or wild clip-on hair.