HOW HAIR GROWS: UNDERSTANDING THE THREE STAGES OF HAIR GROWTH

While some ladies appear to have enviably long hair overnight, the rest of us must make adjustments to our daily haircare routines. There are rapid hair growth secrets and home remedies that even grow hair thicker, whether it’s using a different hair brush, modifying how often you use your hair drier, adding foods that make hair grow faster or a vitamin to the mix, or sleeping on a silk pillowcase (yes, really). HOW HAIR GROWS

HOW HAIR GROWS: UNDERSTANDING THE THREE STAGES OF HAIR GROWTH

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1st, get your hair trimmed on a regular basis.

It may seem paradoxical, but getting frequent cuts is necessary if you want long, healthy hair. “While haircuts do not speed up hair growth, they do remove split ends that damage hair,” says Michael Dueas, a celebrity hairstylist for Aloxxi in Los Angeles. “Reducing breakage makes it appear as if your hair is growing faster.” After all, a broken split end can cause your hair to lose length, as well as gloss, volume, and smoothness.

2. Eat a well-balanced diet.

It’s not just about what you put on your hair to have long, strong hair; it’s also about what you put in your body. “You need to ‘feed’ the hair from the inside to promote hair development,” says Francesca Fusco, M.D., a dermatologist in New York City. So, what foods promote hair growth? Protein-rich foods, such as meats and other sources, are the building blocks of hair. “Eat foods like fish, beans, almonds, and whole grains to boost your protein consumption,” she suggests.

Even if you don’t consume meat, you should attempt to eat a high-protein diet to promote hair development. According to Dr. Fusco, women who don’t get enough of it face “greater hair losing.” According to the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Nutrition Lab, meals strong in protein, vitamins A, C, and E, minerals like zinc and iron, and omega-3 fatty acids can all help with hair health.

Also, stay away from fashionable “cleanses” for a variety of reasons. “Cleansing is bad for your hair since it deprives your body of nutrients,” Dueas cautions. “You’ll notice decreased hair growth and dull locks after doing a detox for even a week.”

3. Include a hair-strengthening vitamin in your morning regimen.

A supplement could make all the difference if your diet isn’t providing you with adequate nourishment. Dr. Fusco recommends looking for a multivitamin that’s developed and branded ‘for hair, skin, and nails.’ “They include key vitamins like biotin, as well as vitamins C and B, which can help with hair health.” Plus, you might improve your skin in the process.

4. Use less shampoo and more moisturizer.

Paves notes, “Shampooing your hair [just] two to three times a week lets your natural oils to infiltrate your hair, allowing it to moisturize and heal itself.” Choose a shampoo that says “volumizing” or “thickening” to have thicker, fuller-looking hair quickly.

According to GH Beauty Lab experts, routinely coating your strands in a velvety deep conditioner or hair treatment will help prevent damage while detangling strands. Once a week, apply a store-bought or homemade hair mask from root to tip: According to Liana Zingarino, a hair stylist at Serge Normant at John Frieda Salon in New York City, one with cinnamon can promote blood circulation, resulting in stronger, longer hair in no time.

5. Don’t use bleach.

As glamorous as platinum hair may appear, switching from a darker shade to light blonde may be the only thing standing between you and your longest hair. “Bleaching damages the hair cuticle, which can result in additional breakage or split ends,” says Elizabeth Hiserodt, senior colorist at Cutler Salon in New York City. “The fewer chemical treatments you have, the faster your hair grows.”

6. Avoid overheating your hair.

Ken Paves, a celebrity hairstylist in Los Angeles, advises, “Stop over-styling your hair.” If you must use heat, he suggests turning it down and always wearing a heat protectant; otherwise, you risk harming your hair and causing breakage and frizz.

7. Brush your hair on a regular basis.

When you’re weary, it’s tempting to go to bed with your hair unbrushed, but giving your hair a few brief strokes can be beneficial to your hair and scalp’s overall health. “Begin at the scalp and use a boar bristle brush to evenly distribute your scalp’s oils onto your hair so it stays naturally hydrated,” Meri suggests. Senior colorist at Tabb & Sparks Salon in Santa Monica, CA, Kate O’Connor. Bonus: Taking this simple action every night improves circulation, which makes your scalp healthier.

8. Take shorter showers and concentrate on scalp care.

A hot shower can dry your skin and make your hair frizzy. “When cleansing, turn the water temperature down,” Paves advises, “and give your scalp a little extra love.” To deeply de-gunk and assist increase circulation, massage with your fingers while shampooing.

9. Prevent physical injury to your hair.

When your hair is damp, it is more prone to breaking, so untangle it beforehand before shampooing. “Water exposure expands and strains the hair shaft, causing the shingle-like outer layer to lift, and additional tension from brushing in this state can cause it to break,” says Sabina Wizemann, senior chemist at the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab.

If you have to untangle damp hair, use these steps: Wizemann recommends using a leave-in conditioner from roots to ends and a gentler wide-tooth comb or detangling brush to lessen friction, working from the ends up in small portions to avoid ripping hair.

10. Use a silk pillowcase to sleep on.

All you have to do is alter up your pillowcase to get better hair overnight. “Silk is gentler on hair, preventing knots and breakage,” explains Jesleen Ahluwalia, M.D., of Spring Street Dermatology in New York City. The less hair breakage you have, the longer your hair will be. They’re so nice, in fact, that the Good Housekeeping Institute ran research to determine the best silk pillowcases.

11. Consider using minoxidil.

GH Beauty Director April Franzino suggests picking up a bottle of Women’s Rogaine. “The active component, minoxidil, is FDA-approved and has been shown to help reduce hair loss and encourage hair regeneration when used as directed.” Pick up Hers 2 percent Minoxidil Topical Remedy and use the dropper applicator to focus on more particular problem areas for a more targeted solution.

12. Consult your doctor about your hair loss.

Your hair’s delayed (or non-existent) growth could be due to underlying factors. One in every four American women has thinning hair, and this does not include those who were born with wispy or sparse strands. “Hair that is inherently tiny or scant in diameter is genetic,” explains Joyce Davis, M.D., a dermatologist in New York City. “Hair loss is frequently caused by genetic (or androgenic) thinning, which is patchy.” Telogen effluvium (TE), or allover shedding caused by hormones or health conditions such as thyroid or autoimmune disease, and anemia, is another common kind of hair loss.

Hair usually grows back when TE is treated; consult a doctor for a diagnosis. The over-the-counter topical minoxidil indicated above has been shown to grow hair with continued treatment in cases of androgenic loss. According to Dr. Davis, the professional therapy PRP (platelet-rich plasma) encourages growth by injecting growth factors into the scalp. If you’re not sure if it’s right for you, go to a dermatologist.

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