Difference between revisions of "Get Your Hair to Be Long and Healthy"

{{fa}}Are you pining for long, lustrous locks? The first thing you'll need is patience: hair grows about 6 inches (15 cm) per year, or an average of 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) per month,<ref name="rf1">http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/hair-loss/science-hair?page=2#2</ref> and there is little we can do to speed up this process. That said, we can help our hair by getting the right nutrition and minimizing damage. Many elements of routine styling can actually be stressful for the hair: shampooing, heat styling, coloring, and even brushing the wrong way all have the potential to do more harm than good. With the right care, however, your hair can grow out healthy and strong.

#* Thin hair is hair that has a lower density per square inch. While these hairs may or may not be fine, thin hair has many of the styling issues that fine hair has.<ref name="rf2">http://www.hairfinder.com/hairquestions/fine_hair.htm</ref>

#* Thick hair, by contrast, has a higher density per square inch. No matter whether it's straight, wavy, or curly, thick hair tends to be drier than fine hair.<ref name="rf3">http://www.paulaschoice.com/expert-advice/beauty-buzz/_/find-the-best-products-for-your-hair-type</ref>

#* Color-treated hair has been dyed using chemical processes. Dyes strip the protective outer layer of lipids from hair, leaving it vulnerable to damage. Products designed for this kind of hair are meant to protect it and keep heat and water from leaching your color.<ref name="rf4">http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/hair/dyed-hair-care-tips</ref>  

#* Oily hair usually refers to oily scalp. Hair may be difficult to clean, feel greasy, or have an unpleasant smell. Dandruff also results from an oily scalp. This can be due to a number of factors, including hormones, vitamin deficiencies, and heredity. Ironically, it could also be that your scalp was dry–and the body, in compensation, is now overproducing oil.<ref name="rf5">http://goaskalice.columbia.edu/hair-condition-oily-or-dry</ref>  

#* Fine and thin hair may benefit from products labeled "volumizing," which boosts body.<ref name="rf6">http://www.webmd.com/beauty/shampoo/hair-washing</ref>

#* For thick and/or curly hair, avoid products with sulfates in them (ammonium laureth sulfate, ammonium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, sodium lauryl sulfate). These are detergents that can strip curly hair of its moisture and leave it frizzy.<ref name="rf7">http://www.naturallycurly.com/topics/view/sulfates-no-poo</ref>  

#* For dry hair, look for moisturizing ingredients, especially natural oils like coconut, argan, avocado, jojoba, and grapeseed. Stay away from products containing alcohol.<ref name="rf5" /><ref name="rf6" />

#* Color-treated hair should be washed with products specifically formulated not to strip the color. Steer clear of "clarifying" shampoos, as they are too harsh for your hair.<ref name="rf4" />

#* For oily hair, choose a mild, oil-free shampoo, such as baby shampoo, and a conditioner formulated for oily hair.<ref name="rf5" />

#* Contrary to popular belief, dandruff is caused by an oily scalp. Yeast lives in the oils and creates irritating by-products that cause flaking in the scalp. Consider a shampoo and conditioner with tea tree oil, which acts as a natural anti-fungal.<ref name="rf6" /><ref name="rf8">http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-101358/How-eat-way-healthy-hair.html</ref>

#Apply shampoo to your scalp, not along the length of the hair. You want to target where the oils are produced, which is at the hair follicles, located under the scalp. Massage a small amount of shampoo into your scalp, and when you rinse, let it flow through the length of your hair.<ref name="rf9">https://www.aad.org/dermatology-a-to-z/health-and-beauty/hair-care/stop-hair-damage</ref>

#Massage your scalp. Giving yourself a little scalp massage helps increase circulation; more blood to your hair follicles means that nutrients can reach them more quickly.<ref name="rf10">http://www.pacificcollege.edu/acupuncture-massage-news/articles/1000-the-benefits-of-scalp-massage-for-hair-loss.html</ref> While you can do this any time, washing your hair is a good opportunity, since you have to massage the shampoo in anyway. After you apply the shampoo, work your fingertips gently into your scalp, starting from the back of the neck and ending at the hairline.<ref name="rf11">http://www.marieclaire.com/beauty/hair/how-to/a90/hair-grow/</ref>

#Shampoo only as often as you need to. Very oily hair may need daily washing, but dry and even normal hair can often do with a shampoo once every couple of days.<ref name="rf12">http://www.webmd.com/beauty/shampoo/how-often-wash-hair</ref> Shampoos contain harsh detergents that strip the hair of its oils, so using them less frequently can help your hair look and feel better.<ref name="rf13">http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=102062969</ref>

#Follow shampoo with conditioner. Conditioner can increase shine, improve elasticity, reduce tangles, and even provide some UV protection. Conditioner only needs to be applied to the ends of the hair, however, so skip the scalp.It is also really good to rinse your hair with cold water before getting out from shower.<ref name="rf14">https://www.aad.org/dermatology-a-to-z/health-and-beauty/hair-care/tips-for-healthy-hair</ref>

#Be very careful with wet hair. Hair is a fiber: think of it as a delicate wool. Just like wool, it is particularly fragile when wet. To minimize damage, avoid brushing your hair when it's wet, and ''never'' use heating irons (curling or flattening) on wet locks.<ref name="rf15">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dermapproved/8-dermatologist-tips-for-_b_4101535.html</ref>

#* Use a paddle brush with ball-tipped bristles, which is gentler on the hair.<ref name="rf16">http://www.oprah.com/style/Biggest-Hair-Myths-Do-Frequent-Trims-Make-Hair-Grow-Faster/4</ref>

#Trade towel-drying for t-shirt drying. Towels can cause friction and can rough up the hair cuticle, causing frizz (particularly if you rub your hair with one). A soft cotton t-shirt, on the other hand, is a much gentler way to absorb excess water.<ref name="rf17">http://fashionista.com/2014/07/hair-air-dry-technique</ref> Instead of wringing out your hair, wrap it in the t-shirt.

#Minimize your use of heat styling. Let your hair air dry if possible.<ref name="rf9" />

#* If you're using a curling or flattening iron, minimize the time it contacts your hair, limiting it to 3-4 seconds per section. Always apply a heat-protective product beforehand.<ref name="rf18">http://www.webmd.com/beauty/hair-repair/how-not-to-wreck-your-hair</ref>

#[[Remove and Prevent Split Ends|Trim split ends]] regularly. While it's a myth that this can actually make your hair grow faster, split ends can actually inhibit the growth of long, healthy hair. Neglected split ends can travel up the hair shaft all the way to the roots. What's worse, you can develop multiple split ends, where the splits themselves develop splits.<ref name="rf19">http://www.hairboutique.com/tips/tip1135.htm</ref> To keep this problem at bay, cut your hair every 8 to 12 weeks, and ask your stylist to take off the ends only.<ref name="rf20">http://www.oprah.com/style/Biggest-Hair-Myths-Do-Frequent-Trims-Make-Hair-Grow-Faster</ref>

#Avoid very tight hairstyles, especially if you have fine hair. Anything that feels like it's pulling is probably too tight. Extensions and cornrows can also cause damage. Instead, stick with looser ponytails or braids.<ref name="rf15" />

#Eat enough protein. Consuming adequate levels of protein is essential for hair health.<ref name="rf15" /> While the amount of protein you need depends on several factors, including how physically active you are, a good rule of thumb is to eat a minimum of 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight, or about 2.8 grams per pound. Sources of protein include: seafood, lean meats, eggs, beans, nuts, milk, cheese, and yogurt.<ref name="rf21">http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/guide/good-protein-sources</ref>

#Check your vitamin levels. Iron-deficiency anemia can be a cause of unhealthy hair (as well as other health issues), so it is important to ensure your iron levels are adequate. B vitamins and biotin encourage hair and scalp health.<ref name="rf22">http://www.care2.com/greenliving/12-natural-remedies-that-boost-hair-growth.html</ref> Likewise, low stores of Vitamin C can result in poor hair growth. If your levels are low, consider taking a multivitamin with iron.<ref name="rf15" /><ref name="rf8" />

#Boost your consumption of fatty acids. Polyunsaturated fats have a range of benefits for your hair. They help skin and hair retain moisture and stay supple, and can also help reduce dandruff. Omega 6 fatty acids are found in leafy vegetables, seeds, nuts, grains, and vegetable oils (corn, safflower, soybean, cottonseed, sesame, sunflower), while walnuts, flax seeds, mung beans, and fatty fish are packed with Omega 3 fatty acids.<ref name="rf23">http://www.pcrm.org/health/health-topics/essential-fatty-acids</ref>

#Stop smoking. While this may not sound like a nutrition change, smoking actually limits the delivery of nutrients to your hair by restricting blood vessels. The result is dull, brittle locks. Your hair will look (and smell) better if you quit.<ref name="rf8" />

#Learn to [[Reduce Stress|reduce stress]]. When you're stressed, your body may produce more cortisol (a steroid hormone), which results in increased hair shedding. Learn ways to minimize stress, such as meditation, regular exercise, and adequate sleep.<ref name="rf24">http://www.youbeauty.com/hair/how-to-make-your-hair-grow-faster</ref>

#Beware of products that claim to make your hair grow faster. The market is full of products that claim to speed up hair growth. However, there is no scientific way to make your hair grow ''faster'', so think twice about spending a fortune on such items, whether pills, shampoos, or oils. What you can do is to support scalp health and hair growth with proper care, styling, and nutrition, as described in this article.<ref name="rf24" />

#Have patience. It takes at least three months to notice the benefits of dietary changes you make.<ref name="rf8" /> Know that you've made good choices for yourself and your hair and that you'll soon reap the rewards.

*Hair loss may be a sign of an underlying health condition. While it's normal to lose 50 to 100 hairs per day, if you feel your hair is thinning, see a dermatologist to get to the root of the issue.<ref name="rf25">https://www.aad.org/dermatology-a-to-z/health-and-beauty/hair-care/hair-loss-vs--hair-shedding</ref>