How to Promote Hair Growth

If longer, thicker hair is your desire, there are a few simple things you can do to keep the hair that you have healthy. While genetics plays a large role in the type of hair you have, changes in diet and grooming practices can go a long way.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• shampoo & conditioner
• styling tools (comb, brush, curlers, etc.)
• a good stylist
• vitamin supplements

1. See a stylist regarding the daily care of your hair. Get recommendations regarding shampoos, conditioners, and other styling products. Find out how often you should get trims, and stick to the schedule. Make it clear that you are aiming for optimum hair growth, not to keep up with the latest styling trends.

2. Minimize damage to your hair. Harsh shampoos like those used for dandruff or lice should only be used with the recommendation of someone diagnosing the problem- you may be creating more problems than you solve with a self-diagnosis. Minimize the use of heat to style your hair- bonnet dryers, air drying, setting your hair with non-heated curlers are all good ways to get lasting styles with little heat. Try alcohol-free styling products, and avoid product use that results in stiff, brittle hair. Limit the chemical processing your hair endures- try henna or other vegetable dyes, and you may want to forgo chemical straightening or perms entirely. Consider wearing hats to protect your hair from sun damage in summer months.

3. Your hair is as healthy as you are. Make changes to your diet if it's lacking in nutrition, and try a basic vitamin supplement- it need not be a special "hair vitamin". Get enough sleep for your age and activity level. Consider starting an exercise program if your health and health professional permits- the effects of exercise will be felt (and seen) from head to toe.

4. Take good, regular care of your hair. Shampoo gently, massaging the scalp to stimulate blood flow. Use conditioner regularly, focusing on the ends, which are the oldest part of the hair. Never use a bristle brush on your hair while wet, and choose styles that don't pull on the hairline. Never tug or pull on hair; gently remove tangles and any object caught in the hair. Deep condition as recommended by your stylist. and change shampoos from time to time. In short, be good to your hair, and it will repay the kindness.

Tips & Warnings

• Go to a stylist who favors hair health over hair trends.
• The more changes you make to your hair- i.e. in texture and color- the more stress your hair will be under. If you are a curly-haired brunette, striving for stick-straight blond locks may well be too much for your hair to bear.
• If you do make significant changes to your hair, keep it short- hair will be cut off before it can show much damage.
• Be patient- hair grows about 1/2 an inch a month.
• If you're losing hair due to a medical condition, you will need to see a health professional. Hair loss is a normal part of hair growth, but if it is significantly faster than usual, with no new hair growing in, that is cause for more serious action.

Resources

• Natural Hair Care- Pioneer Thinking
• Burt's Bees- Natural Beauty Products
• Sally Beauty Supply

[revisitingnixon]

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-Rich