1. STOP CLOGGING YOUR FOLLICLES
Dirt, oils and product build-up can block your follicles and slow down hair growth. To avoid overloading your roots, try to give your hair a rest from styling products every now and then.
2. USE THE RIGHT SHAMPOO
Shampoo is great for washing away dirt and product build-up. However, using the wrong shampoo, or simply washing your hair too often, will strip your strands of the natural, essentials oils that keep them soft and healthy. So what to do? Our best tip is to use a reparative shampoo that will both restore and be gentle on your hair strands.
3. USE CONDITIONER EVERY TIME YOU SHAMPOO.
Over time, colouring and heat styling will thin out your ends. The best solution for this is to use conditioner on a regular basis. Conditioner helps to seal the cuticle, and thus to prevent more damage. So don’t skip it!
4. APPLY OIL OR MASK TREATMENTS
One inevitability of growing your hair long, is that your ends will have suffered a lot more damage than the rest of your hair. Therefore, they might need more care than what a conditioner can supply. But fear not – you don’t have to chop them off yet. Try introducing a mask or hair oil to your weekly hair care regime. And if you’re not crazy about regular oils you can try an oil-based hair treatment instead.
5. DITCH YOUR COTTON PILLOWCASE.
Try switching from a cotton pillowcase to a sateen fabric. Why? Because it has a softer surface that won't cause friction in the same way as a cotton one does. Therefore, you'll wake up with fewer tangles.
6. ADDRESS YOUR DIET AND CONSIDER SUPPLEMENTS
Your body requires many vital nutrients to create new hair. For your hair to be in its best shape you need to be eating sufficient levels of iron, B vitamins, zinc and protein. We know, it’s not as easy as it sounds. Luckily there are hair supplements, specifically formulated to make your hair healthier.
7. ADJUST YOUR EXPECTATIONS
Last but not least, remember this. While your efforts will create the best possible conditions for healthy and shiny hair, gaining length will take time. A recent study shows that the average hair growth rate
of Asian female participants was 6 inches (15 cm) per year.
African female participants was 4 inches (10 cm) per year.
Caucasian female participants was just a little over 5 inches (13 cm) per year.