Growing your hair out can feel like watching paint dry—it’s a slow, arduous process. But there are some things you can do to ensure that your hair growth happens as quick as it can. It isn’t physically possible to speed up your natural hair growth and there aren’t any miracle hair growth products, but there are some easy ways to help your hair grow long.
Here we reveal 9 tips that will help you to stimulate your hair growth and prevent breakage, plus suggest the products that help support healthy hair growth so you can achieve the long hair of your dreams, as quickly as possible.
How does hair grow?
First, it’s worth understanding how hair grows. There are four different phases. During the Anagen phase there is initial hair growth, followed by Catagen transition phase, next there is the Telegen phase, during which the hair growth stabilizes. The length of these phases is determined by your genetics, which is why some people can grow their hair down to their waist while others struggle to get hair growth passed their shoulders!
The Exogen phase is where the hair sheds and, finally, there is the dormant phase which lasts approximately one to four months. It's this phase of inactivity that allows the follicles to regenerate so new, healthy hair growth can take place.
The secret to supporting the growth phase and staving off the shedding phase is to take good care of your scalp and strands, inside and out. Keep reading for the 9 hair growth tips that will help you grow strong, healthy and long hair.
Hair growth tip #1: Avoid hot water
Keeping your hair and scalp clean is crucial to healthy hair growth but keep the water warm as hot water can dry out your scalp and strands. Try to choose a shampoo based on the needs of your scalp and hair type, as this will support healthy hair growth, too.
Pro tip: A blast of cold water after conditioning will help seal the cuticles on your strands which will ensure you hair looks as shiny as possible.
Hair growth tip #2: Take care of your scalp
When you’re shampooing be sure to give your scalp a massage. This will encourage blood flow to the follicles delivering all-important oxygen and nutrients to roots of your strands. Not only will a massage help your hair growth, it’s a relaxing way to spend a few minutes!
Hair growth tip #3: Eat healthy
Support optimal hair growth from the inside out by eating a healthy diet. Biotin is a supplement thought to increase hair growth, but did you know you can find biotin naturally in foods like salmon, eggs and chicken?
Hair is comprised of protein, so it makes sense to ensure you’re factoring in a good amount at each meal. A lack of protein has been linked to hair loss, so factor in protein-rich foods like lean meats, fish, dairy and tofu into your diet every day.
Finally, good fats will ensure your follicles get all the nutrients they need. Treat yourself to avocado on toast, snack on nuts or drizzle your salad with olive oil.
Hair growth tip #4: Cool down
It’s no secret that heat styling can damage strands and hinder hair growth. Try to limit your use of hair dryers, tongs and straighteners. If you do want to use them, that’s cool (or should that be hot?) just make sure you use a heat protector like the L’Incroyable Blowdry Lotion that offers thermo-protection up to 450°F.
Hair growth tip #5: Get regular trims
Regular haircuts may seem counterintuitive when you’re going for hair growth and trying to grow your hair long, but a micro trim (where the hairdresser only cuts off unwanted split ends) will help your hair grow strong and healthy. Once split ends take hold, the strand can split right up the shaft. If you don’t keep on top of split ends and you leave them to get worse, you could end up needing more than a few centimeters lopped off at your next appointment.
Hair growth tip #6: Brush Gently
At any time, about 90% of the strands on your head are in the anagen phase or hair growth phase, so if you’re overzealous with your brushing you could accidentally tug out some of those all-important growth-phase strands. Tread gently. Always start brushing your hair at the ends, working your way up to the roots. Tangles and knots happen to the best of us, especially when it’s hat weather. Make sure your hair is conditioned well by using a hair mask once or twice a week. Discover Kerastase’s selection of conditioners and hair masks.
Hair growth tip #7: Keep Calm
Stress has been linked to hair loss time and again. Be sure to factor in plenty of stress-relieving activities into your week, whether that’s a yoga session, reading a good book or getting out in nature for a walk, keep your stress levels in check can help your hair growth goals.
Hair growth tip #8: Get enough sleep
Sleep is the ultimate cure. Your body produces a hormone called melatonin. This hormone helps your body regulate your sleep cycle, and it also has been shown to increase hair growth. Make sure you are getting enough sleep and be sure to try a silk pillow to avoid hair breakage, as well as a night hair serum to help protect your hair while it is in its hair growth phases overnight.
Hair growth tip #9: Use Oils
Nourish strands, banish dryness and enhance shine with a hair oil. Many hair oils are packed with omega 3, 6, and 9 fatty acids that offer nutrition as your hair growth kicks off, whilst limiting frizz and tangles too. Apply a few drops of oil to towel-dried mid-length and ends or use a little on dry hair to tame frizz. Shop our collection of hair oils and serums for all hair types.
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