Grooming Naturally Long Hairs
On the average, hair grows half an inch a month but how would you like to grow your hair over an inch in just one week? Find out how you can more than triple your hair growth AND grow brand new hairs here.
Ever since I was a teenager I’ve been some what follically changed with a very sluggish hair growth cycle. This is caused by a combination of genetics, over-styling and a low iron count, and my hair can go through phases of struggling to grow new hair so it needs a helping hand every now and then.
I was always looking for how to grow hair faster and over the years I’ve experimented with lots of different hair products and home remedies. After a lot of reading and heaps of testing, I’ve finally found a formula that really does work. I’m mostly concerned with cultivating new hairs, but it was a very happy surprise to find my hair grew rapidly at the same time.
Now I know it’s hard to believe, but this article really can teach you how to grow your hair in one day. I want to share with you what has worked for me because it may just work for you…
How fast does hair grow?
Before we start on the ways to make hair grow faster, let’s first discuss how quickly it usually grows so we can understand what to expect.
According to the U.S Center for Disease Control, hair grows at an average of 0.50 inches (1.25cm) per month which means the average person grows 6 inches per year.
The speed at which your hair grows can depend on two things: genetics and the shape of your follicles. Asian hair is on average the thickest and most coarse hair compared to Caucasian and African hair. Now I am of Asian descent but my mother has very thin hair while my father has very thick hair. I have a combination of both their hair so I have thick hair strands but unfortunately not much of them!
Hair grows at 0.50 inches on average per month which to me sounds like a lot but in reality why doesn’t it feel it? Well, things like over-styling, bad diet and not taking good care of your hair can result in split ends and breakages which shorten the length of your hair.
So this lead us to the next question…
How does hair grow?
Each hair grows from one follicle and, again depending on your genetic makeup, your scalp can have between 90,000 and 150,000 follicles.
Follicles are a mammalian skin organ and along with stem cells, they help produce and grow hair. Your hair begins to grow from the root in the bottom of the follicle which is made up of cells of protein.
Blood from the blood vessels in your scalps feeds the root which creates more cells and makes hair grow. In this article, you will find tips that will both directly boost cells of protein and blood flow which should result in faster hair growth.
The production of hair occurs in three different phases.
Anagen – The growth phase. The longer a hair remains in the Anagen phase the longer it will grow – this depends on genetics but it can last 2 – 6 years.
Catagen – This is a transitional phase that hair goes into once Anagen has ended. The hair follicle will shrink, the papilla detaches and the hair is no longer attached to it’s ‘life supply’ of nutrients. Hair is no longer growing.
Telogen – Also known as the resting phase. The follicle remains dormant and the hair will be anchored in place. Depending on the strength of the follicle, it will eventually soften and the hair will eventually break free and shed.
The phases run simultaneously so some hairs on your head will be in the Anagen phase and others in Telogen. For each hair strand, the Anagen phase should start again once the Telogen phase is complete, but some people may experience longer Telogen phases meaning hair is shedding but no new hair is growing.
This may result in thinning of the hair, so what we want to do is effectively ‘jump-start’ the Anagen phase and encourage the growth phase to begin.
There are a few ways we can help our bodies to do this, which I will explain later.
While genetics or other growth inhibitors like Chemotherapy or Alopecia may prevent you from being able to ‘jump-start’ the process, you may be able to achieve this with the following steps.
Disclaimer: What has worked for me may not work for you, but I found all these elements together helped my hair grow over an inch in a week and I also found a lot of new hairs on the crown and around my hairline.
How to grow your hair long – fast!
1. Eat Biotin-rich food to help hair grow
Biotin, also known as Vitamin H, forms a part of the B-complex group of vitamins that help turn food into fuel for energy. It also assists in the metabolism of fats, carbs and amino acids which are the building blocks of protein.
As we discussed earlier, hair begins to grow from the root in the bottom of the follicle which is made up of cells of protein. So to make it simple – we need to eat a protein-rich diet, but for faster hair growth you need need to be making sure you’re eating Biotin-rich foods too in order to facilitate the building blocks of protein.
Your daily requirement is 30 micrograms so ensure you’re getting in the minimum by taking it in a supplement form which is commonly found in health stores like Holland & Barrett. If you prefer, you can eat foods that are naturally high in Biotin. I prefer to do this as the Biotin-rich foods will have many other body-boosting benefits, too such as stronger nails and eyelashes.
Foods to make your hair grow faster
- Almonds, Peanuts, Pecans and Walnuts
- Eggs (the yolk has one of the highest concentrations of Biotin)
- Milk and Cheese
- Pork and Cooked Liver
- Salmon and Sardines
- Avocado
- Cauliflower
Check out The World’s Healthiest Foods for all you need to know about foods rich in Biotin, from what foods to eat to how to cook and prepare.
2. The ‘Inversion Method’
This here will change your haircare regime. Beauty bloggers and YouTube vloggers across the world have been raving about it for months, and it really can work. I’ve tried the Inversion Method and my hair grew over an inch in a week. Now it might not work for everyone, but it’s definitely worth a try. Just make sure you measure your hair before and after for conclusive results, and look for new hairs around your hairline – they may be slightly static and will stand on end.
Method:
Once a day for seven consecutive days (no longer, no less), massage your scalp with your fingertips for five minutes. Make sure you use a timer so you are continuously massaging.
While you’re doing it make sure you are tipping your head over slightly so it’s hanging over. Sitting on a chair and bending your head over works very well. By doing this, you’re encouraging the blood to flow to your head and are stimulating your hair follicles to encourage the Anagen stage.
Remember – ‘Inversion’ is when your heart is positioned higher than your head. Inversion poses and twists are commonly found in yoga practises and are safe to perform, but if you feel dizzy or light-headed stop immediately.
To help boost the method and give your hair an intensive moisturising treatment, every other day or for a few days during the seven, use a natural oil like Coconut Oil, Olive Oil or Argan Oil whilst massaging. If you can, leave it in overnight in a shower cap. More on these oils later.
You don’t have to use the oil, but it will help condition so your hair will feel stronger and shinier than ever. For best results, get your hair trimmed before you do the Inversion Method. If you have split ends, you may not be able to see the full growth as the splits in the hair make it look shorter.
Repeat the method every 4 weeks and see how you get on!
3. Cold water
Hot water strips the hair of moisture and weakens hair strands making it more perceptible to breakage. Make sure you’re washing your hair with luke warm water and definitely not hot or scorching.
You want to open pores to clean your scalp which luke warm water will do, then close the cuticles which will help reduce hair loss and frizz. So ensure you finish washing your hair with a blast of cold water.
Closed pores are far less vulnerable than open pores so by washing your hair in cold water you’ll help protect your scalp from dirt, grease and oil. If pores are sealed then your hair is more likely to be stronger and shed less. This one step can make a huge difference.
4. Grass-fed Gelatin
Gelatin is pure protein and helps nourish your entire body, but it’s especially beneficial to your hair, skin and nails. Gelatin can help the production of collagen in the skin which is essential for strong hair and a healthy complexion. Don’t believe everything you read about skincare containing collagen – you need to boost collagen from the inside as well as the outside! It’ll also help improve joint care.
You can get your gelatin fix from common foods like low-calorie jelly, but for an even bigger boost try Grass-fed gelatin. It comes from cows that graze on grass instead of grain. Healthier cows boast higher gelatin prowess according to the suppliers.
You can buy grass-fed gelatin as a supplement that can be added to hot and room temperature drinks. Great Lakes have an affordable range and can be bought from Amazon. Simply add a teaspoon to your morning tea or coffee.
5. Lee Stafford Hair Growth Treatment
About a year ago, I cut my hair into a short pixie cut and while I loved it, it was hard to manage and I soon started to grow it out. It was while I was on my search for hair-growing products, that I was recommended Lee Stafford’s Hair Growth range from a lady in a LUSH shop.
The range includes a Hair Treatment, Shampoo, Conditioner and Leave-In Conditioner. All contain their unique ‘Pro-Growth’ Complex which contains a protein-based complex that helps fertilise your hair follicles and encourages new growth as well as anchoring your existing hair to your scalp – new hair growth and less hair loss – win, win.
You don’t need to use all the products, but I highly recommend the leave-in conditioner and the treatment. The treatment can be used every time you massage your hair during the Inversion Method instead of a natural oil.
Some blogs may recommend natural products and the ‘no-poo’ method, which involves cutting out all haircare and relying on baking soda to clean your hair. I am a big fan of Coconut Oil and Olive Oil as both beauty and haircare products, but I found the Lee Stafford range to really work. Coupled with the other elements, I noticed hair growth, new hair growth and also my hair was stronger and shinier than ever.
6. Cut out the heat and let your hair loose
If you’re using heat tools every day whether that be hot irons or the hair-dryer, try to cut down on using them while you are doing the Inversion Method. Heat can weaken your hair so even just alternating or going an extra day without heat can dramatically improve the condition of your hair.
If you must use heat, try to gently towel and air dry your hair until it’s around 60% dry then use the hairdyer on a medium setting and always use lots of hair protection spray.
While you are on your hair mission, try to avoid tying your hair very tightly. You don’t want to cause any unnecessary pulling which can results in breakage, splits and snags.
7. Spinach and broccoli
Spinach is an important vegetable for hair growth because it’s high in protein and vitamins A and C which your body needs in order to produce sebum to moisturise your scalp. A deficiency in these vitamins can result in brittle hair or even hair loss so make sure you are eating plenty of spinach in your diet.
Broccoli is one of the most important greens you can eat and it’s also a fantastic superfood, essential for hair health and growth. As well as Vitamin A and C it also contains essential B vitamins that are needed for strong hair. The antioxidants in broccoli, particularly vitamin C also prevent hair loss by eliminating the free radicals, contributing to healthier and thicker hair.
Both are reasonably priced so make sure you eat at least one portion of either once a day and you’ll start to notice not only a healthier bowel, but you skin hair and nails should look better than ever.
8. Coconut Oil
I mentioned this oil in the Inversion Method section so if you don’t already own a tub of Coconut Oil make sure you visit your health food store or online retailer. A tub will last you a good few months and it’s packed with vitamins and fatty acids to help nourish your hair.
Comprised mainly of smaller medium-chain fatty acids, the oil is also able to penetrate more deeply and faster than most other conditioners, and because it’s 100% natural you can use it as much as you like without any damage.
There are numerous benefit of using Coconut Oil on your hair, these include:
- Stimulates hair growth by penetrating deep into the follicles
- Provides amazing moisturisation for dry hair
- Adds shine to hair
- Reduces protein loss in your hair – the only oil to do this
- Contains anti-bacterial properties to soothe an ichy or flakey scalp
Use Coconut Oil while doing the Inversion Method or as a once a week overnight treatment.
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