Pixie cuts, bobs and shoulder-length hair can all perfectly frame a face, but when it comes time to grow out strands for a new style, the wait can be a real drag.
Forget marking days off the calendar until you’ve achieved a Rapunzel-inspired mane, read on for the fastest way to grow your tresses.
Adjust your diet
A healthy diet that incorporates a mix of protein and nutrients can improve the condition of your hair. Balanced eating keeps follicles strong and prevents the hair from breaking easily. Incorporate omega-3 oils such as salmon or supplements. Nuts are a good source too, especially almonds.
It’s important to keep weight stable and to avoid yo-yo dieting, as hair can be affected by extreme regimen changes in addition to stress and hormone levels.
Get smart about styling
It’s a well-acknowledged fact that heat can be wildly damaging to hair, especially when it’s already compromised, so limiting the use of a flat iron or curling wand to three times a week is best. Limit exposure to sunlight and blow drying as it can strip the hair. A weekly deep conditioner masque is a good idea to keep hair as healthy as possible. Many hair care products include the same stripping ingredients as detergents, so it’s vital to choose wisely.
Try vitamins and conditioning ingredients
Phytantriol, arginine and fish oil, and biotin aid in the production of enzymes and hormones, which can help stimulate hair growth. The cleanse/treat/condition routine is designed to push regenerating anti-aging ingredients, like hyaluronic acid, deeper into the follicle, scalp and hair, which helps prolong the hair’s growth phase.
Take it easy
Because stress can affect hair, a weekly deep-tissue massages to relax body and mind is recommended. The adrenals pump out extra cortisol when we are stressed, which leads to acne, skin inflammation, and possible hair disorders.
And you can always afford to take some time off. Your hair is a reflection of how you feel. If you are healthy, or on holiday, your hair looks great, shiny, and is easy to style.
- Compiled by Caxton East and South features writer, Carmen Norton.
