How to Grow Longer, Healthier Hair

                

During the first year, my hair barely grew. My hair is naturally brittle, so it was breaking off as fast I could grow it. This helped my hair grow 4-5 inches in about a year and a half. Here are my top seven, tried and true, tips for growing longer, healthier hair.

#1. Exercise. Yes, I know, it sounds crazy and a little tiring, but it works! I kid you not, I have read blog after blog saying the same thing about exercise growing longer hair, and I am convinced that this is the main reason for my longer hair. So, I started exercising, as a commitment to “operation regrow”, as well as improving my heart health. Each morning, I work out no less than 15 minutes and then I walk for half of my lunch break.  My 15 minute morning exercise consists of this awesome workout I found on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWEdJRRndkQ.  I use 5lb hand weights to add to the workout, and then I run in place for the remaining 5 minutes. I am a busy mom of 3, with a full-time career and I find time for volunteer work. If I can find time to work out, so can you. Any time during the day is fine, and you should keep your blood moving throughout the day.

#2. Wash your hair ONLY once per week. Yes, I know, another shocker. Trust me when I tell you that my first comment when someone suggested this was, “gross!”. But, here’s the deal, washing your hair dries it out, as does blow drying. Have you ever noticed how long and gorgeous an Indian woman’s hair is? Most Indians are not daily hair washers.  It took my hairdresser, a friend and reading several blogs for me to finally give my hair the break it needed from daily washing. I started with every other day, then every third day, and now I can usually go up to a week. My hair looks fabulous. I get so many compliments! Trust me, just try this! Read below for more info on how to make it work.

#3. Use the right shampoo and conditioner. I decided to spend a few extra bucks and purchase a salon shampoo and conditioner set; Hempz Moisturizing. It is paraben-free. From what I understand, parabens and sulfates severely dry out your hair, avoid them! If you don’t want to fork over the $50-ish for this set, then try to find a set that is similar, with no parabens or sulfates. And, remember, since you’re now shampooing less, you will not go through as much product. One set lasts me around 3-4 months. It is a long term  investment in my hair.

#4. Use weekly homemade oil treatments. You can go to any health food store in your area, or order it online from someplace like Amazon, but natural oils are pretty easy to get your hands on these days. I have read many, many blogs about oils, and tried several different combinations. Which combo works best for me, you ask? Jojoba oil, Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Castor oil. Cute. Simple. Cheap. I mix up about a ¼ cup of my little witches brew, using mostly Olive and Castor oil with about two teaspoons of jojoba, and start slathering it on my dry hair, a handful at a time.  Cover every section, paying mind to your ends a little extra, and be sure to massage it into your scalp. Use as much oil as you need to cover your hair. Afterwards, put it into a bun and let it sit for an hour, then wash and condition as usual.

5. Use the right products. I’ve tried nearly everything out there available for frizzy hair. Trust me, I know fizzy hair, it has become my friend, though I have tamed it from a wild, crazy, partying-all-night friend, to a sweet, calm, poetry writing friend. I now love my hair. It is possible! When I get out of the shower, I like to towel dry my hair, and then apply a dime sized amount of almond oil and a squirt of my favorite hair tonic-ey stuff; TRESemme Split Remedy Leave in Conditioning treatment. Then, I coat it with a few sprays of Paul Mitchell’s Heat Seal, blow dry it for a few minutes and  let it air dry from there. I do not use mouse or hairspray, as my hair is fairly easy to control, and I certainly do not need anything for volumizing. You’re on your own if you need opinions on that stuff.

6. Put your hair to bed. First off, buy a satin pillow case. It’s good for your hair and facial skin, much better than cotton. And, a friend taught me how to put my hair to bed each night; top-knot bun using a soft hair band with NO rubber! This will do several things for your locks; it will keep your hair from getting sweaty or dirty, it will add body to your hair and it will help preserve any curls you had from the day before. Each morning, I wake up, then, ritualistically, wake my hair up from its bun…I usually run a brush through it, put a couple curls in it and I am done, yes, DONE with my hair styling routine for the day. You’re welcome!

7. Eat and drink well. As part of my commitment to “operation regrow” and bettering my heart and overall health, I have been eating more fruits and veggies. I have always drunk plenty of water, you should drink plenty of water because it is good for you. Also, avoid soda pop, especially the diet stuff, it actually depletes your body of calcium and your hair needs calcium to grow. Here’s a quick run-down to help you grasp what a day of healthy eating should look like:

-Get up in the morning, drink a big glass of water

-For breakfast, make a green smoothie, like to use pineapple, kale and mango, eat a whole    avocado, drink at least 12ozs.

-Mix up a tablespoon full of Nutritional Yeast with a cup full of water and down that

-Go to work (or send kids off to school), drink 24ozs between start of work and lunch

-Snack on any non-meat, non-junk food, vegetable or fruit item, maybe mini peeled carrots or  almonds

-For lunch, eat a main entrée with two vegetable or fruit side dishes; drink another 24ozs of water  with lunch to wash it down

-Snack (same as above)

-Drink another 24ozs between lunch and end of work (school)

-For dinner, eat a main entrée with two vegetable or fruit sides and a starch; drink another 24ozs pf  water to wash it down.

-Before bed, drink a 12oz glass of water

Well, you’ve made it through my seven tips for longer hair. I have grown my hair out 4-5 inches since starting my “program regrow”, plus I feel ten times healthier than before. Good luck to you and your hair!