5 Insider Tips for Growing Longer, Stronger Hair

Problems with hair growth are one of the most common struggles for hair care. There are tons of hacks on how to get your locks to reach their full potential length, but with the wealth of information out there and new products coming out every day, it can be overwhelming.

Whether you’re trying to beat a dry spell in your hair growth journey or you’re trying to keep the momentum going, growing long hair can seem like a daunting process. From a mix of both expert tips and natural remedies, we’ve put together a guide on what to do to promote hair growth and get the longer, stronger hair you’ve always wanted.

5.) Food Is Your Friend

Well, the right food is. One thing that is true about hair growth is that, regardless of hair texture, a healthy diet, plenty of water and regular exercise matters in having healthy hair. Just like with skin, spending a ton of money on expensive products without healthy habits will only get you so far. So before you shell out the big bucks on popular hair products, evaluate your fridge and change your diet. The results will please you.

Key Food To Boost Your Hair Growth

A diet that is rich in protein, iron and vitamin C is key to growing strong, luscious hair. Vitamin E and magnesium are also key to growing longer, stronger hair and almonds are rich in both nutrients. Eating 1/4 cup of almonds or almond butter each day provides at least 45% of the daily recommended amount of Vitamin E and 25% of the recommended amount of magnesium.

Eat dark, leafy greens like spinach for an iron boost. It helps with the production of sebum, which keeps hair full of life and shiny. Vitamin C helps our hair absorb iron well, and we can find it in our favorite citrus fruits, especially tangerines. To promote hair growth, protein-rich foods like eggs and Greek yogurt are also essential.

4.) Try a Natural Cleanser 

While there are plenty of great drug store shampoos and conditioners available for on-the-go cleansing, mixing in a few natural cleansers can really make a difference in hair growth. Raechele Gathers, MD, of hair health blog MDHairMixtress, recommends natural clay washes like a Rhassoul Clay Wash because of its cleansing properties without stripping the hair of its natural sebum. Natural sebum is essential for all hair types as it acts as a natural conditioner of the hair.

People have been using Rhassoul Clay as a natural skin and hair cleanser for centuries. This natural red clay is found in the Atlas Mountains in Morocco and packed with nutrients that your hair needs. It’s packed with nutrients that your hair needs to promote growth and strength like silica, magnesium, iron, calcium, sodium and aluminum.

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Ingredients for Rhassoul Clay Wash

• Rhassoul clay (1–2 tbsp)
• Water (add enough to get your desired consistency)
• Oil of choice (avocado, olive, rosehip, etc.)
• Essential oil (a few drops of your favorites)

3.) Kick The Heat Damage

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Heating tools are hard to stay away from. Straighteners and curlers are reliable ways to achieve whatever look we may go for, but they can be one of the biggest enemies of growing long and strong hair. No matter what texture of hair you have, repeatedly applying heat to your strands can leave them extremely dry, lifeless, and fried. If you’re trying to avoid heat damage and see progress in your hair growth, dropping the heat tools is obviously strongly recommended.

Another way to grow long, healthy hair is to not be scissors-shy. If you’re suffering from severe heat damage, then it may be time to make an appointment with your stylist and say goodbye to those damaged ends. The longer you keep those damaged ends on, the more the damage will affect the healthier parts of your hair, prolonging the growth process.

For whatever reason, if you can’t say no to the flatiron, then make sure you’re using a flat iron that won’t fry your hair, or will at least do minimal damage to your strands. Professional hair stylists recommend using straighteners on 365 degrees, which allows adequate heat distribution without frying the hair strands.

Try a flat iron with titanium or ceramic plates, like the Nume Style Setter Hair Straightener, which helps protect the hair while applying heat and eliminates frizz.

2.) A Healthy Scalp Is Key

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Scalp massage

Taking the extra time to massage your scalp can make a difference when trying to grow your hair. We recommend to massage your scalp at least once a day, to promote blood circulation to the scalp, stimulating growth. Be sure to spend more time on any “problem” areas you may have. Add in an essential oil every once in a while to nourish hair follicles and stimulate hair growth.

Scalp tonic

Sometimes we forget that a healthy head of hair stems from an equally healthy scalp. When the scalp is dry, flaky or full of buildup, this is usually one of the biggest causes of issues in hair growth and breakage. A natural scalp tonic will help clarify it and help the hair follicles breathe, and the ingredients will nourish your scalp and your hair equally. If you’re dealing with an itchy, irritated scalp, try this aloe-vera-based DIY scalp tonic by Alikay Naturals. Spray on this homemade tonic and massage at least once a week.

Ingredients

• Aloe Vera Juice
• Jojoba Oil
• Eucalyptus Oil
• Tea Tree Oil
• Almond Oil
• Shea butter

1.) Amla — The Secret Ingredient Your Hair Is Missing

People in India, the Middle East and other Southeast Asia countries have been using Amla, also known as Indian gooseberry, for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine because of its health benefits. It’s considered a hair superfood and in recent years has become popular in the Western world as a natural hair growth stimulant. Amla has many health benefits for the body, skin, and hair. It is believed to stimulate hair growth, enhance luster and shine, and ease dandruff. Some say that adding alma to your routine, whether in oil or mask form, can be just what you need to grow long, healthy hair.

Products like Amla Oil can be added into your haircare routine easily. Or, you can try a monthly at-home mask that uses amla in powder form.

Ingredients

• 1 cup of your favorite deep conditioner
• 1/2 avocado
• 1 tbsp. hibiscus powder
• 1 tbsp. amla powder

Method

• Apply to hair for 20 minutes under a plastic cap and then rinse/style as normal.

Looking for even more amazing ways to improve your hair’s health? Try These 5 Natural DIY Hair Masks At Home.