Within less than four years, my hair grew four times its original length: How I did it.
The answer greatly depends on several changes I’ve made in hair care since my last “Bob” style four years ago. After careful consideration, I’ve narrowed down the top five effective routines I’ve used to grow my hair longer.
Hair growth rate is influenced by age, health, genetics, and diet, averaging 0.5 inches (1.25 cm) per month or 6 inches (15 cm) annually for most individuals.
While factors like age and genetics can’t be altered, adopting certain hair care routines can significantly aid healthy hair growth.
1. Consume Nutrient-Rich Diet
Consuming a balanced diet with the right nutrients can help promote hair growth. Are you consuming the right nutrients on the daily? A lack of the right nutrients including Vitamins A, C, D and E, zinc, B vitamins, iron, biotin, protein and essential fatty acids may slow down hair growth or even cause hair loss.
I don’t rely on supplements for hair growth
I credit a major part of my rapid hair growth to consuming raw fruits and vegetables. I ensure I eat 4-6 different fruits/veggies daily (variety is key) and have witnessed their positive impact on my hair growth. Consistency matters—consume fruits daily instead of a few times a week.
2. Don’t Blow-Dry or Use Heat After Every Wash
I rarely blow-dry my hair, aiming to minimize heat exposure and promote healthier growth. Typically, I reserve heated styling tools for special occasions only. However, this doesn’t mean I leave my hair entirely untouched. I’ve discovered alternative methods to style and maintain its appearance without causing damage. After washing, I allow my hair to air dry and then use one of these various techniques:
- Only blow dry hair strands directly surrounding my face using a small metal brush for a polished look, letting the rest of the hair blend naturally.
- Use a flat iron to straighten out the static strands around my face, ears, an immediately below the neck where hair tends to be the waviest.
- When pressed for time, I section my hair down the middle, tie a low tight pony tail at the back of my head and leave the house. This helps keep the little strands around my face straight while they air dry. When I untie my hair later it looks straight on the top and wavy on bottom.
- I’ve mastered simple YouTube tutorials for creating elegant buns, becoming adept at styling my hair in a bun.
3. Opt for Root Dyeing Rather Than Coloring Your Entire Hair
One trick I have learned over the years is to only touch up the very top inch of my roots instead of my entire hair.
Many women, including myself, deal with a few strands of gray hair, making monthly hair dyeing a necessity. For me, that adds up to about 10-12 times a year. I’ve found that focusing on dyeing only the top inch of my hair minimizes damage. This method effectively covers grays, giving my hair a refreshed color and shine. Occasionally, I might do a full dye treatment annually, but not always. Interestingly, this approach has also created a lovely soft ombre effect that I’ve grown to love and continue to embrace.
4.Integrating Exercise into Your Weekly Routine
Exercise not only enhances overall body health but also stimulates a robust hair growth cycle. It improves blood flow to the scalp, fostering better circulation that promotes hair growth. Additionally, exercise can alleviate stress, a significant contributor to hair loss. I suggest starting with at least 30 minutes of exercise, 3-4 times a week. You’ll likely notice your hair becoming longer and healthier as a result.
5. Quarterly Trims for Healthy Hair Growth
When my hair was in the growing stage, I trimmed it every 2-3 months by about an inch, not noticeably affecting the length. This routine encouraged healthy growth without hindering the length. Soon enough, my hair achieved both length and health. Once I reached my desired length, I trimmed less frequently
Remember, the journey to growing healthy hair hinges on lifestyle adjustments, not quick fixes. It’s a gradual process, but sticking to my fundamental hair care routines can accelerate hair growth. Also, try not to obsess over every inch of growth. I’ve noticed significant length gains when I’ve stopped fixating on hair length and let it grow naturally over time.