How To Make A Natural Hair Blog

Let me tell you about the time I finally got the bangs I debated forever and immediately regretted it. In my attempt to figure out how to make hair grow faster, I bought it all, tried it all, and applied it all, and although I was able to grow my bangs out (eventually), nothing worked overnight. Fun fact: Even the healthiest hair with the fewest split ends only grows about half an inch every month, according to celebrity hairstylist Mark Townsend. I'll let you do the math to figure out how long it could take you to reach your desired length. The point I'm trying to make is hair growth takes time. But that doesn't mean you have to sit there and wait! There's plenty you can do to encourage the process a bit.

Taking care of the hair you have is just as important as growing new hair because healthy hair (and a healthy scalp) means longer hair. I wish I could give you one life-changing tip I learned, but the reality is growing your hair is way more complex than that. "Improving hair health and promoting growth really requires a multi-factor approach," explains Leo Izquierdo, cofounder of IGK Hair Care. To give you all the information you need to grow your hair really long and really fast (well, as long and fast as possible), we turned to the best dermatologists, trichologists, and hairstylists. Ahead, all the advice you need to grow out your hair (or in my case, bangs).

This content is imported from {embed-name}. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

1. Ask your doctor about hair-growth treatments

First things first: If you're concerned your hair isn't growing fast enough—and/or you're experiencing hair loss and thinning—book an appointment with a trichologist (a hair expert) or a dermatologist before you try anything. They'll be able to help you figure out what's going on and prescribe you a treatment plan, which might include a topical solution or medication (the most common being minoxidil—the common ingredient found in hair-growth treatments like Rogaine).

Also, let's keep it in perspective: "You lose about 50 to 100 hairs every day, which is about 0.001 percent of your total hair," trichologist Dominic Burg, chief scientist at Evolis Professional, has told Cosmo. "Now, when you notice that amount doubling or tripling, that's an indication that your hair cycle is too short." Try not to worry though—there are a handful of common factors that contribute to hair loss (think: diet, stress, and hormones) and your doctor can walk you through all your options.

Women's Rogaine 5% Minoxidil Foam

Hers Minoxidil Topical Solution

Keranique Hair Regrowth Treatment 2% Minoxidil

Virtue Flourish Minoxidil Foam 5% for Women

2. Massage your scalp with hair-growth oils

Get access to *all* of Cosmo.

I never need an excuse to massage my scalp (who doesn't love a massage?!), but the fact that it also helps increase blood circulation is a pretty good excuse. Hope Mitchell, MD, board-certified medical and cosmetic dermatologist and the founder of Mitchell Dermatology, recommends pairing a scalp massage with hair oils such as coconut oil (which acts as an antimicrobial and antifungal and prevents free radicals that damage the hair), jojoba oil (which has antifungal properties and is rich in vitamin E and omega 6 and 9 fatty acids), castor oil (which has ricinoleic acid and omega 6 fatty acids), and rosemary oil (which was shown to be as effective as to 2.5% minoxidil for hair growth) for the most benefit.

Of course, there's no such thing as a magic oil that'll grow your hair super long overnight (remember: half an inch a month is the standard), but there are plenty of ways a hair oil could contribute to healthy hair and a healthy scalp, so you don't want to skip this step.

Kreyòl Essence Haitian Black Castor Oil

Briogeo B. Well Organic Cold-Pressed Castor Oil

Sunny Isle Jamaican Black Castor Oil

Sky Organics Organic Cold-Pressed Castor Oil

3. Try caffeine treatments to grow hair

Turns out caffeine is a really excellent ingredient if you're trying to grow your hair longer. And, no, I'm not talking about drinking an extra cup of coffee every morning—I mean adding a caffeine-spiked hair product to your styling routine. According to dermatologist Dhaval G. Bhanusali, MD, caffeine not only helps stimulate blood flow to your scalp (which is v essential for hair growth), but it also counteracts DHT, the hormone responsible for hair loss.

Heads up that you won't see a difference in your hair density or length right away, though—caffeine usually takes two to three months for results to kick in. So start using one of these shampoos, scalp serums, or leave-ins ASAP if you're after longer, thicker hair:

Marc Anthony Grow Long Leave-In

Davines NaturalTech Energizing Shampoo

Grow Gorgeous Volume Bodifying Conditioner

Curlsmith Scalp Stimulating Booster

4. Focus on scalp care for hair growth

If you're trying to grow your hair fast, you need to pay attention to your scalp. "The two most important layers of the skin in relation to the scalp are the dermis and the epidermis—the dermis contains our hair follicles, glands, nerves, blood vessels, collagen, elastin fibers, and fat cells," says Bridgette Hill, trichologist and colorist at Paul Labrecque Salon and Skincare Spa. "Introducing proper scalp care into your hair care routine will impact the rate of hair growth and the health of your hair fiber."

When you take care of your scalp, you're actually ensuring that blood and nutrients can easily flow to the hair follicle, which then helps minimize shedding and loss, says Hill. So, what exactly does scalp care look like for you? Well, for starters, you'll want to invest in a scalp oil, serum, or mask with scalp-stimulating ingredients like peppermint, tea tree, or citrus-based oils to help increase circulation and "decongest" the scalp.

BTW: While you're at it, go ahead and buy a scalp shampoo, too, (think: something clarifying if you're dealing with buildup, something lightweight and hydrating if you're dealing with excess oil). Hill suggests giving yourself a proper shampoo once a week, i.e. where you apply the product directly on your scalp—not just your hair—letting it sit for five minutes before rinsing and conditioning. Pro tip: A hair-color applicator bottle can help easily distribute the shampoo through your scalp.

"Also, remember that consistency is key," adds Adam Federico, vice president of technical education at R+Co. "Work yourself into a scalp-care routine and stick with it. Remember that when it comes to hair health, you're playing the long game."

Meet your scalp-care routine:

Scalp oil

Rene Furterer Complexe 5 Stimulating Plant Concentrate

Scalp mask

Philip Kingsley Trichotherapy Soothing Scalp Mask

Klorane Soothing Shampoo with Peony Extract

Applicator bottle

Bar5F Hair Color Applicator Bottle

5. Trim your hair to maintain length

Hair, Face, Blond, Eyebrow, Lip, Hairstyle, Hair coloring, Beauty, Skin, Long hair,

Imaxtree

Ah, the age-old beauty debate. Even though experts are divided on the concept of trimming your hair to make it grow faster, one thing's for sure: If you're after long, healthy-looking hair, frequent trims are non-negotiable. Living with frayed, split ends will eventually cause your hair to break farther up on the strand, which will not only make your hair look way thinner but, you know, also keep it from ever getting longer past a certain point.

"Your hair will actually be shorter un-cut than it would be if you were to get consistent trims," Townsend says. He suggests asking your stylist to take just an eighth of an inch off your hair every 10 to 12 weeks to prevent split ends before they even start.

This content is imported from {embed-name}. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

6. Eat a balanced diet

"Hair growth and retention start with a healthy diet," says Federico. If your diet is missing crucial nutrients, your hair's appearance will reflect that. When you're not getting the proper amount of nutrients you need to grow healthy, long hair or you're in an intense period of stress or trauma, Burg explains your body will shut down your hair growth first and redirect nutrients and energy to the organs that need it more. Just another reason why eating a balanced diet is so important.

According to Dr. Mitchell, what you want to look for are foods rich in protein, iron, vitamin B12, omega 3 fatty acids, and vitamin E to promote new hair growth and healthy hair.

7. Consider hair-growth vitamins

Face, Hair, Eyebrow, Lip, Hairstyle, Cheek, Chin, Skin, Forehead, Beauty,

Imaxtree

For the record, hair supplements are not a miracle cure and definitely shouldn't be taken without talking to your doctor first. I know, sorry, but hair vitamins aren't actually regulated by the FDA, meaning they can contain any ingredients they want and can claim whatever they want.

If you already follow a somewhat balanced diet, your body is typically already loaded with the hair-strengthening ingredients you'll find in supplements (think: biotin, folic acid, vitamins D, A, C, and E), and doubling (or tripling!) your dose won't actually make a difference. "Your body only keeps what it needs and then it gets rid of the rest," says Burg.

That said, if you think you might be vitamin deficient, you could be a solid candidate for supplements, ask your doctor. You'll want to make sure you're taking the right amount (and type) of vitamins and that they won't interact with any medications you're currently taking. If you're in the clear, these are some of the internet's favorites:

Viviscal Hair Growth Supplement for Women

HUM Nutrition Hair Sweet Hair Growth

Hairfinity Candilocks Chewable Hair Vitamins

8. Load up on conditioner to avoid hair breakage

Consider conditioner your new best friend if it isn't already. "It's shocking to me how many people skip conditioner when showering, which is the worst thing you can do for your hair—especially when you're trying to grow it long," Townsend says, explaining that over time, coloring and heat styling cause the hair strands to get thinner at the bottom, which can lead to more breakage and shorter lengths.

So to restore your hair back to good health, load up on conditioner, which helps replace the lipids and proteins inside the hair shaft as well as seal the outer cuticle. Basically, it's your first defense against the damage that threatens your long-hair goals. And always, always rinse with cold water. "Cold water lays down the outer layer of your hair more smoothly, which helps prevent moisture loss, snags, and heat damage," he says. "You only need to do it for a few seconds, but this one extra step can make a huge difference over time." Yeah, cold showers suck, but anything for longer hair, right?

Pantene Pro-V Daily Moisture Renewal Hydrating Conditioner

Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Special Conditioner

Leonor Greyl Paris Crème de Soin a l'Amarante Conditioner

Adwoa Beauty Blue Tansy Reparative Conditioner

9. Try DIY deep-conditioners for hair growth

But sometimes you need a little bit more TLC than your regular conditioner can give, and that's where DIY deep-conditioning masks and hot oil treatments come in. "I make a natural oil treatment and give it to all my clients to use pre-shampoo," Townsend says. And trust me: It's very easy to do at home. Just mix together the following ingredients for this easy hair-oil recipe:

Because oils can leave behind a residue, Townsend recommends applying it to damp hair—rather than soaking-wet hair—and leaving it on for 10 minutes before shampooing and conditioning to remove the oil. " These oils are able to fill strands with fatty acids, even after they're rinsed out," he says, and those fatty acids help strengthen and protect your hair as you grow it out. Not into DIY? Try one of these pre-made oil treatments instead:

Melanin Haircare Multi-Use Pure Oil Blend

SheaMoisture 100% Virgin Coconut Oil Rehydration Masque

Moroccanoil Restorative Hair Mask

Nexxus Vitall 8-in-1 Masque for All Hair Types

10. Stay away from bleach to grow hair

Sometimes you have to choose between the color you want or the length you want because according to Dr. Mitchell, avoiding hair dyes and bleach is best for growing out your hair. When you bleach your hair, it opens up the cuticle of your hair strands, causing significant damage—especially for those with darker hair—every single time. And hair that's been color- or chemically treated is more likely to break off or split, which means more trims and less length for you (sensing a theme here? Healthy hair = longer hair). If you want your hair to grow longer and faster, you might want to reconsider that platinum dye job.

11. Minimize friction with the right fabrics

If you wake up with matted hair and tangles, your cotton pillowcase could be the culprit. Townsend recommends switching to a silk or satin pillowcase, which has a softer surface that won't cause friction the way that woven cotton does and it helps your hair retain moisture.

The same goes for your bath towel, too. "It causes so much breakage," Townsend says. "Your hair gets caught in all the woven fibers, and since most people almost always wrap it too tight around their head, all those tiny, fragile strands around your hairline are pulled taut and prone to breaking." Opt for a T-shirt or a super-thin microfiber hair towel that reduces friction and is much gentler on the hair.

Kitsch Leopard Satin Pillowcase

Slip Pure Silk King Pillowcase

Swurly Co. Solid Queen Silk Pillowcases

Ntbay Zippered Satin Pillowcases

12. Brush and detangle hair gently

Hair, Face, Eyebrow, Hairstyle, Chin, Forehead, Beauty, Lip, Long hair, Brown hair,

Imaxtree

Brushing or combing your hair is essential, obviously, but just keep in mind that aggressive, excessive brushing can cause physical damage to your hair that will prevent it from ever looking long. Basically, if you can hear the sound of the brush crunching through your hair, you're being too rough. And be especially careful when your hair is wet and more susceptible to breakage.

"When you detangle wet hair, be sure to start from the bottom and work your way up slowly," says Townsend. "We often instinctually brush from the scalp down, but that just pushes small tangles into one large knot and can cause you to lose a lot of hair." Instead of using whatever janky comb you've had since high school, Townsend suggests reaching for a natural boar-bristle brush, which helps gently distribute your scalp's natural oils down the hair shaft (which means healthier, more moisturized hair).

13. Go easy on the hair accessories

Unless we're talking about moisture, less is more is the motto for helping your hair grow faster. Dr. Mitchell recommends limiting the use of hair clips, extensions, and tight braids that can cause tension. Simply just wearing your hair in the same hairstyle, like a ponytail or bun, every day can cause your hair to break over time, too. Frequently changing your pony or bun placement is an easy move that can help maintain the strength of your hair, which means it'll continue to grow out strong and damage-free.

The final word

Okay, so you definitely can't grow your hair overnight, but you *can* change up your routine to make sure your hair is as healthy as humanly possible. Keeping it nice and hydrated and minimizing damage is essential if you're looking to grow out your hair and is a good place to start. Be sure to consult your hairstylist for advice, too. "Your stylist is a great resource for individual recommendations and can work with you to create a custom care and growth plan, help track progress, and assist in making adjustments as needed," says Izquierdo. And if you're really concerned about your hair growth, make an appointment with your derm or see a trichologist.

This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io