Photo credit: unknown

Photo credit: unknown

EVERYTHING YOU’VE EVER WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT FASTER HAIR GROWTH

Hair grows 6 -7 inches a year on average. So growing 15 inches of hair might take as long as three years! Ouch, seems like a long time but armed with this list of tips and reminders will allow you to potentially speed-up this process, or at least keep the scalp activated enough to continue growing healthy hair without unnecessary breakage.

Keep in mind that everyone looses some hair every day. Loosing up to 100 hairs a day is normal. But if you’re shedding much more than that you may consider revisiting your diet and lifestyle; obviously abstaining from alcohol and cigarettes as these cause inflammation and restrict blood from adequately reaching the scalp; and incorporating a weekly practice of hair-packs and multivitamins.

Internally, eating a healthy diet is the foundational principle to a healthy mane. Externally it’s all about respecting the scalps’ micro-biome! Your hair grows from a healthy scalp so using shampoos, conditioners and styling products that care for this precious skin area and the micro-biome residing here is essential.

Here are 15 tips to get you going:

1. Think of your scalp as equivalent to the soil from which a plant can grow. Focus more intently on products that maintain the integrity of the scalp than what they actually claim to do for your hair. For this use only what is mild, pH balanced, free from harsh perfumes or chemicals.

2. Diet-wise, if you’re wanting to grow strong hair focus specifically on eating sufficient amounts of clean protein, fats, phytonutrients, and a good dose of raw and cooked vegetables to feed the micro-biome in your gut.

3. Avoid yo-yo dieting as this will cause stress to the follicles and often develop in hair loss.

4. Apply a weekly DIY hair-pack treatment such as this one:

One egg white + one teaspoon of olive oil + half a banana + one tablespoon of honey.

Mash ingredients together into a paste-like consistency and apply to the entire scalp and hair. Leave on for about 15-20 minutes, and then rinse with cool water and a mild pH balanced shampoo.

5. Consider taking brewers yeast. Rich in B vitamins, this can be a delicious addition to any salad or salad dressing.

6. Avoid brushing your hair when wet, as it tends to rip. When hair is wet only comb very delicately; then vigorously brush head-down once the hair is dry.

7. Before bedtime give yourself a head massage to stimulate circulation to the scalp and promote hair growth. Use a stimulating essential oil such as rosemary or a pinch of cayenne pepper in 2 teaspoons of castor or coconut oil. Cover your head with a warm towel and let these stimulating ingredients and the warm steam activate the circulation to the head.

8. Do not shampoo every time you shower and use the mildest of formulas each time. Over-washing can dry out the hair and irritate the scalp causing a weak follicle which leads to breakage.

9. It is thought that supplementing with prenatal vitamins used once or twice a year will boost hair growth.

10. Brush your hair with a wooden bristle brush that stimulates the scalp and pulls the natural oils produced top to ends helping maintain a natural hydration.

11. Yoga inversion poses are great for circulation to the head and promote hair growth as well. Do these 3 times a week.

12. Use meditation and visualization to lower any stress levels. As everything is connected stress too can result in hair loss.

13. Avoid hair dryers and excessive hair treatments of any kind.

14. Pay special attention in the winter months. Keep the scalp warm and activated. The best way to do this is by adopting the Ayurvedic beauty ritual of applying Bhringral oil – an oil made of Eclipta Alba and sesame oil which can be bought or made at home. Studies show that Eclipta Alba is an effective growth promoter.

15. Each hair has it’s own stage of development. Once the cycle ends it restarts and a new strand of hair begins to form. Therefore maintain a healthy diet, lifestyle and beauty routine for at least 9 months to see optimal results.