Hair Pros Say That Washing Your Hair Less Can Actually Make it Grow Longer and Faster
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From good housekeeping
If you're trying to grow your hair thicker and longer, the process can take forever. According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, hair grows an average of 6 inches each year, but often the growth feels minimal - especially when most people lose 50 to 100 hairs a day.
While it seems that for some women, enviable long hair happens, but for the rest of us, certain aspects of our daily beauty regimen need adjusting. Whether you're using a different hairbrush, adjusting how often you use your hairdryer, adding foods to make hair grow faster, or adding a vitamin to the mix, or sleeping on a silk pillowcase (yes, really), there are secrets for fast hair growth and home remedies that make the hair even thicker. Learn how to grow hair naturally faster with these pro tips!
1. Get frequent cuts.
It might seem counterintuitive, but if you want long hair that is actually healthy, you need to cut regularly. "While haircuts don't make your hair grow any faster, they get rid of the split ends that break your hair," explains Michael Dueñas, a well-known hairdresser at Aloxxi in Los Angeles. "When you remove the break, it will look like your hair will grow faster." After all, split ends that break can cause your hair to lose length - not to mention shine, volume, and smoothness.
2. Resist the urge to go blonde.
As chic as platinum colored hair looks, a switch from darker to light blonde hair could stand between you and your longest possible hair. "When the hair's cuticles are damaged by bleach, it can lead to more breaks or split ends," said Elizabeth Hiserodt, senior colorist at the Cutler Salon in New York City. "The fewer chemical treatments, the better your hair will grow."
3. Distribute the natural oils in your hair.
Going to bed with unbrushed hair may seem tempting when you're tired, but a few quick strokes of your hair can be beneficial for your health. "Starting from the scalp, use a boar bristle brush to evenly distribute your scalp oils onto your hair so it is naturally hydrated," recommends Meri Kate O'Connor, senior colorist at Tabb & Sparks Salon in Santa Monica. Approx. Bonus: This simple step per night will boost blood circulation and make your scalp healthier.
4. Eat the right foods.
Long, thick hair doesn't just depend on what products you put on your hair. It also depends on what you put into your body. "To encourage hair growth, you need to" feed "the hair from the inside," explains Francesca Fusco, M.D., NYC dermatologist. Which foods make hair grow faster? Those that are high in protein are the building blocks of hair, including meat and other sources. "Try increasing your protein intake with foods like fish, beans, nuts, and whole grains," she recommends.
Even if you are not a meat lover, you should still make an effort to maintain a high protein diet for hair growth. Women who don't get enough of it often experience "more hair loss," says Dr. Fusco. In addition to protein-rich foods, vitamins A, C and E, minerals such as zinc and iron as well as omega-3 fatty acids can also contribute to healthier hair, advises the Nutrition Lab of the Good Housekeeping Institute.
5. Add a vitamin to your AM routine.
When your diet isn't getting you enough nutrients, supplementation can make a world of difference. "Look for a multivitamin that is formulated and labeled for your hair, skin, and nails," suggests Dr. Fusco in front. "These contain important vitamins like biotin as well as C and B, which support the health of the hair." Bonus: You may get better skin doing it!
6. Skip the daily shampoo.
By now you've probably heard all of the testimonials attributing great hair to "no 'poo", but do you know why it actually helps your hair? "Shampooing your hair two to three times a week will allow your natural oils to penetrate your hair, hydrate and repair it on their own," explains Ken Paves, a well-known LA hairdresser. For thicker, fuller hair, quickly choose a formula called "volume" or "thickening".
7. Hydrate and condition your hair frequently.
According to the professionals at GH Beauty Lab, regularly coating your strands with a silky deep conditioner or a hair mask can help prevent damage while detangling the strands. Once a week, apply a store-bought or homemade hair mask from root to tip: One with cinnamon can stimulate blood circulation to promote stronger, longer hair in no time, says Liana Zingarino, hairdresser at Serge Normant at the John Frieda Salon in New York City.
8. Keep your showers cooler and focus on scalp care.
A hot shower can dry out your skin - and it's rough on your hair, too. "Lower the water temperature when cleaning," recommends Paves. But give your scalp a little more love: give it a mini massage while you shampoo to deeply de-darken and stimulate blood circulation.
9. Be careful when brushing wet hair.
Hair is particularly prone to breakage when it's wet. "Exposure to water swells and stretches the hair shaft, lifting the shingle-like outer layer. If you add stress by brushing while in this state, it can cause breakage," says Sabina Wizemann, senior chemist at the Good Housekeeping Institute's Beauty Lab. Instead, brush your hair before shampooing. If you need to untangle them while wet, towel dry them first to stop them dripping. Apply leave-in conditioner from roots to ends and use a gentler wide-toothed comb or detangling brush to reduce friction and work in small sections from the ends to avoid hairline cracks, she advises .
10. Start using Minoxidil.
Get a bottle of Rogaine for women, recommends GH Beauty Director April Franzino. "Minoxidil is FDA-approved and has been shown to help stop hair loss and encourage hair regrowth with continued use according to packaging instructions." For a more targeted solution, take your 2% topical minoxidil solution and use the dropper applicator to focus on more specific problem areas.
11. Avoid excessive heat styling.
"Stop overstyling your hair," says Paves. If you need to use heat, he recommends lowering the temperature and always using a heat protectant. Otherwise, you risk damaging your hair, resulting in breakage and frizz.
12. Stop doing trendy "cleans".
Diet companies may try to convince you that a "cleanse" will change your life, but Dueñas strongly advises against it. "Cleansing is terrible for your hair because it deprives your body of nutrients," he warns. "After a week of cleansing, you will notice slower hair growth and lackluster curls."
13. Sleep on a silk pillowcase.
Better hair while you sleep is possible - all you need is to change your pillowcase. "Silk is gentle on your hair - it helps prevent tangles and breaks," says Jesleen Ahluwalia, M.D., dermatologist at Spring Street Dermatology in NYC. The less there is hair loss, the longer your hair will become. In fact, they're so good that the Good Housekeeping Institute even conducted an entire study to find the best silk pillowcases - see below for the winners!
14. Take care of your skin.
It's easy to spot shiny hair at first and assume that a hair product will work for you. However, Dean recommends taking a closer look at your scalp. "What the formula does to your skin, in general, is what it does to your hair," he says. "Does your skin feel dry, stripped, heavy, waxy, sticky, or greasy? Or does it feel soft, hydrated, silky, and supple?" Treat your hair the way you would treat your skin - after all, it's another part of you! If your hair follicle is clogged and clogged, there is no way it can grow as efficiently.
15. Think about what is going on below the surface.
The underlying causes can contribute to the slow (or no) growth of your hair. One in four American women reports hair thinning - and that doesn't apply to those born with tousled or sparse strands. "Hair that is naturally thin [fine] or thin is genetic," said Joyce Davis, a dermatologist in NYC. "Hair loss is often an inherited (or androgenic) thinning that tends to be blotchy." Another common type is telogen effluvium (TE), or allover shedding due to hormones or health problems such as thyroid or autoimmune diseases and anemia.
In TE, hair generally grows back once the problem has been addressed. Consult a doctor for diagnosis. For androgenic loss, the aforementioned over-the-counter topical minoxidil has been shown to grow hair with continued use. For all species, professional PRP (platelet rich plasma) treatment stimulates growth with scalp injections of your blood's growth factors, says Dr. Davis. Consult a dermatologist to find out if it is right for you.
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