How To Grow Your Hair Long
Many of us would love to have long, luscious locks, but growing long hair can be frustratingly difficult, whether that’s down to breaking ends or overeager hairdressers.
If you want to know how to grow your hair faster, we’ve got six growing hair out tips that could help you finally achieve that magnificent mane you’ve always dreamed of.
1. Use a specialised shampoo and conditioner
2. Rinse your hair with cold water
3. Style your hair correctly
4. Trade in your hair towel
5. Be careful when brushing
6. But do brush before bed
7. Eat well
1. Use a specialised shampoo and conditioner
When thinking about how to grow your hair long, it might sound counter-intuitive, but you should start with the ends. It’s only a matter of time before the these can start to dry out, making them thin and unmanageable.
Indeed, a Pantene survey found that 50% of women who want to grow long hair can’t, and the number one reason is because of damaged ends.
However, if you want to know how to grow your hair long, then Pantene has the answer with its Smart Pro V formula, which specifically targets weak parts of the hair.
It then works to protect these weak spots against damage, repair imperfections and strengthen hair fibres. This means you can go for longer between trims and, when you do go, your hairdresser won’t need to take as much off your ends.
Dr Vicky Jolliffe, consultant dermatologist at Royal London Hospital, oversaw a 12-week study of 13 women who agreed the Pantene formula helped them extend their cutting point and that their longer hair looked great from root to tip.
“After only six weeks I noticed improvements in her hair shine, texture at both the root and tips, and in overall hair health,” says Dr Vicky of one of the participants.
The formula also has a creamy consistency, which allows for easier wet detangling, preventing breakage when brushing (see point 4 for more on this).
For best results, try using Pantene Repair & Protect Shampoo, followed by Pantene Pro-V Breakage Defence Conditioner.
2. Rinse your hair with cold water
After washing your hair, finish off with a blast of cold water. It might be hard to handle, but it’s worth it because, as with the pores on your skin, cold water closes your hair cuticles.
This makes your hair smoother and less likely to tangle, plus it helps it to retain moisture and protects it from deep heat damage, and so helps to grow your hair long. You only need to do it for a few seconds, and it can make a real difference, so give it a go.
3. Style your hair correctly
Let's face it, we all want long luscious hair - but what's the secret? How to get long hair? Well, it's not just about genetics. It's about taking care of those precious locks! And that means using less abrasive styling tools. We've all been guilty of cranking up the heat a little too high on our hair dryers and straighteners, but trust me, your hair will thank you later if you.. don't!
Also, don't forget to give your locks some protection. Just like you wouldn't leave the house without sunscreen, your hair needs some UV protection too
4. Trade in your hair towel
If you wrap your hair in a towel turban after washing, you could be doing real damage. Not only can the lengths get caught in the towel fibres, but the weight of the towel can pull on your hair roots, weakening them and making it harder to grow long hair.
Either lay the towel over your hair and dab it dry, or wrap hair in a lightweight or microfiber towel instead.
5. Be careful when brushing
Wet hair is weak hair, but if you do need to detangle it make sure you do it gently and with a wide-toothed comb. A good hair tip for how to grow hair out and growing long hair is to start from the ends and work upwards so you avoid any excessive pulling at the roots to keep hair strong and to help it grow long.
6. But do brush before bed
Using a natural-bristled brush, do long strokes from roots to tip to help spread the natural oils across your hair so it can nourish while you sleep. Plus the brush will stimulate the circulation in your scalp to encourage growing long hair.
7. Eat well
Your body needs certain nutrients in order for it to grow long hair, so if you’re wondering how to make your hair grow longer, you need to make sure your levels are tip-top, particularly when it comes to Omega-3, protein, iron, zinc and numerous letters of the vitamin alphabet.
Enjoy meals including salmon, spinach, lentils, eggs, sweet potatoes, walnuts, carrots, chicken and turkey to give your hair a boost. Learn more about other ways to eat yourself beautiful here.