How to grow long hair

 How to grow long hair

Our hair is our crowning glory and long hair has a charm of its own. Yes, it can be difficult to manage long hair but there is so much you can do with it – tie it up, leave it open, try different hairstyles, etc. If you are someone who has always admired Rapunzel and wanted to have long tresses, here are tips which can help you get that. A few efforts can do the trick.

Hair basics

Our hair is made of a protein called keratin. At any given point, there are hair follicles which are in the resting phase (10%) and then there are others in the active or growing phase (90%). It is natural to shed 50-100 strands of hair on a daily basis. But if you feel your hair breaks easily, then that needs to be curbed in order to prolong its life and also to improve your hair health. This will then allow your hair to grow faster and longer. Here are a few tips to get long hair.

Trim your hair every few months

Sounds like an oxymoron? The truth is if you want long hair, you need to make sure there are no split ends in them. It is a good idea to go to a salon and get a trim done every three months. This way, the ends will not split resulting in a healthy growth. But keep in mind that you just opt for a trim and not a cut which shortens the length too much. Ask them to only cut an inch or two and not drastically reduce the length.

Care for your hair

Your tresses are like your skin – if you want them to look good, you need to take good care of them. There are certain factors which if controlled, can enhance your hair’s health. Though hair wash is important, make sure you use a mild shampoo and do not wash your hair too often. Also, do not blow-dry it every time as it will weaken the hair. Excessive usage of styling tools and products will also cause damage.

Oil to the rescue

Do not underestimate the power of hair oils. They may not bring back lost hair but can definitely help you in conditioning your locks. Make it a weekly routine to give your mane a warm oil massage an hour before you wash it. Choose from olive, almond, coconut, castor oil, etc. You can even blend two oils if you like.

Pay attention to your diet

Think hair and nutrition have no link? You are mistaken. Your hair is what you eat. It makes sense to pay attention to your food plate to have a long mane. Says Dr Jaishree Sharad, a celebrity cosmetic dermatologist, ‘Have a protein-rich diet. Include cereals, pulses, lean meat, milk, eggs, etc. along with vegetables for vitamins and minerals.’

Supplements can help

If you are not seeing any visible growth in the length of your hair even after taking good care of it, it could be due to some internal deficiency in your body. Firstly, find out with a blood test and then take adequate supplements for the same. ‘For example, take iron supplements if your hemoglobin levels are low. Take biotin as it can prevent hair fall. Check your vitamin B12 and D3 levels and if they are low then take supplements for those too,’ recommends Dr Sharad.

With these practices, you will certainly be able to see a marked difference in your hair. Remember, hair does not grow long overnight but give it a few months’ time and you will have long tresses just as you desire. Feed your hair the right food and make it healthy and strong both internally and externally to have a mane which is lustrous and long.