How to Maximize Your Hair Growth

 The symptoms of too much stress should be enough to stop them.  Working too hard, worrying too much, or becoming upset over trivial matters could ultimately lead to terrible hair ailments:ThinningSheddingBreakageDrynessTemporary or permanent alopecia (aka balding)Addressing the stress and removing it from your life is the best way to regain the full potential of your hair.Sleep is not only beneficial to the mind; it is also ideal for your physical well-being.The human body regenerates and repairs itself while sleeping; this includes optimizing hair growth.  According to the National Sleep Foundation, adults 18 years old and above need 7-9 hours of sleep to be fully rested and reap the rewards of health.   It may seem counterproductive to trim the ends to achieve longer hair, but this is exactly what will allow each hair shaft to grow towards its maximum length.If your hair is suffering from excessive damage, ignoring split ends will only cause them to travel further up as time goes by.   Cutting them off will salvage the undamaged hair and allow it to grow for longer periods of time.  It’s better to remove a little now than a lot later.Remember:  There’s a difference between a trim and a cut.  Trims should take off no more than one half inch at a time.View the list »
To grow healthy, thick hair from the very start, it’s best to attack the root of the cause—literally.  Keeping your hair follicles clear of excess dirt, oil and bacteria will allow them to breathe and expand naturally, producing hair that flourishes.  It’s just like tending to a vegetable garden:  weed and clear the soil to guarantee the roots can gain all the nutrients.Several methods to clarify the scalp:Bentonite clayApple cider vinegarAloe vera juiceCommercial shampoos and hair cleansersSearch for alternatives that do not include sulfate detergents in the ingredients list.

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Currently on the hair care market lies hundreds of hair products reputing to grow your hair to lengths it’s never seen before. They state that the dream of achieving a foot of hair in six months can be yours; all you have to do is buy their product for the next three years.

However, the single, solid fact remains:

There is no magic pill for faster, thicker or longer hair growth.

The length of a person’s hair is determined by genetics. By reviewing past genealogy and ancestry, individuals can calculate approximately how much growth they can attain. If their family’s genetics are not prone to long hair, it would be highly unlikely that they could achieve it through the use of special oils, supplements, shampoos or creams.

While it is not possible to grow ropes of hair without a foundation of knowledge, it is possible to optimize the hair that you can grow. The following list includes tips and suggestions on how you can receive the most out of your hair growth.

View the list
  • To grow healthy, thick hair from the very start, it’s best to attack the root of the cause—literally.  Keeping your hair follicles clear of excess dirt, oil and bacteria will allow them to breathe and expand naturally, producing hair that flourishes.  It’s just like tending to a vegetable garden:  weed and clear the soil to guarantee the roots can gain all the nutrients.Several methods to clarify the scalp:Bentonite clayApple cider vinegarAloe vera juiceCommercial shampoos and hair cleansersSearch for alternatives that do not include sulfate detergents in the ingredients list.
  •  It may seem counterproductive to trim the ends to achieve longer hair, but this is exactly what will allow each hair shaft to grow towards its maximum length.If your hair is suffering from excessive damage, ignoring split ends will only cause them to travel further up as time goes by.   Cutting them off will salvage the undamaged hair and allow it to grow for longer periods of time.  It’s better to remove a little now than a lot later.Remember:  There’s a difference between a trim and a cut.  Trims should take off no more than one half inch at a time.
  • Sleep is not only beneficial to the mind; it is also ideal for your physical well-being.The human body regenerates and repairs itself while sleeping; this includes optimizing hair growth.  According to the National Sleep Foundation, adults 18 years old and above need 7-9 hours of sleep to be fully rested and reap the rewards of health.  
  •  The symptoms of too much stress should be enough to stop them.  Working too hard, worrying too much, or becoming upset over trivial matters could ultimately lead to terrible hair ailments:ThinningSheddingBreakageDrynessTemporary or permanent alopecia (aka balding)Addressing the stress and removing it from your life is the best way to regain the full potential of your hair.
  •  The human body is 60% water -- and so is your hair.  Drinking water will keep your strands soft and supple.How much water should you drink?  Traditionally, the medical amount was cited as eight glasses a day to be the optimal levels of intake.  However, many physicians today state that merely “drinking until no longer thirsty” is more than enough.  Listen to your body; it knows when it’s quenched.  
  •  Aside from removing stress and receiving enough hours of sleep, the common denominator amongst all of these points is to put yourself in the best of health.  This includes eating a healthy, balanced diet and exercising regularly.Walking as little as 15 minutes a day, three days a week, can improve your heart and overall blood circulation.  Fresh fruits, green vegetables, whole grains and proteins provide the nutrients your hair—and your body—needs to give you an energetic boost.
  • If it’s feeling limp or lifeless, give it a protein conditioner to strengthen the strands.If it’s overly dry in between washes, spray it lightly with water, aloe vera juice, or a leave-in conditioner on a daily basis.If you notice breakage when you brush, don’t brush (or at least use a different styling tool).  Often, quality combs are enough to distribute the natural oils in your hair.There are no rules to what will or won’t benefit your hair, so don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.After all is said and done, though, the best way to maximize hair growth is…let it go.Over-coloring, over-combing, over-brushing, over-teasing, over-perming, and just overdoing your hair can quickly wear it thin.  Tend to it on wash days, style it in a way that will make it last for at least a week, and then let it do its thing.Your hair will grow with more than enough time to enjoy it.
View the list

, Atlanta Natural Beauty Examiner

Brandee Mack has lived with hair and skin all her life and learned long ago that clarity and beauty can be attained by stepping no further than her kitchen. While her left hemisphere works as a technical editor for The Coca-Cola Company, Brandee's right entertains the masses with quirky,...

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