How to Grow Your Hair Long and Keep It Healthy

Your hair needs moisture to prevent it from splitting.

If you're a short-haired girl who dreams of long, luxurious locks, make your dream a reality. Believe it or not, you can achieve long hair. However, you will have to change your lifestyle. In order to grow your hair, you will need to focus on providing your body with the adequate nutrition it needs. But that's not all. You will have to treat your hair with kid gloves and give it extra attention.

Instructions

1. Take biotin to strengthen your hair. The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends taking a supplement of 30 mcg daily. Biotin is found in foods such as eggs yolks, almonds, peanuts, soybeans, black-eyed peas and cauliflower. Try to add some of these foods to your diet, along with a biotin supplement.

2. Add protein to your diet. You can get protein in fish or chicken. Aim for at least two 3-oz. servings of protein every day, says Dr. Elizabeth Whitmore, a professor of dermatology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore. You lose hair every day, and protein is necessary in the production of new hair.

3. Use caution when styling hair. Try to avoid heat appliances as much as possible because the heat dries and weakens hair, leading to split ends. Another way to protect your hair is to wear loose hairstyles. Tight ponytails or buns can potentially cause you to lose hair from the stress you are putting on the roots.

4. Avoid chemical procedures. This includes dying, relaxing or bleaching hair. All of these procedures can damage and split your hair. If you must dye your hair, try to do it as little as possible.

5. Trim split ends at least every six weeks. This will prevent split ends from moving further up the hair shaft.

6. Use a conditioner. Don't forget to apply a conditioner every time you wash your hair. Long hair needs moisture so that it will not split, so don't skip this vital step. You should also use a deep conditioner at least once a month. You can get this type of product at any drug store or beauty supply store. Follow the directions on the label.

References

• University of Maryland Medical Center: Vitamin H (Biotin)
• "The Doctors Book of Home Remedies": Hair Loss
• Mayo Clinic: Hair Loss: Prevention
• Long Locks: The Long Locks Top Ten Picks for Healthy Hair at Any Length
• Mayo Clinic: Hair Loss: Causes