Secrets of a Healthy Scalp: 9 Ways to Grow Longer Hair

Many people want to grow their hair out but don't know how. Growing longer hair is possible with the right strategies and understanding of your scalp. Here are nine tips for growing longer hair:

Hair Care Products

This one might be a shocker - but believe it or not, hair care products are the number one reason people don't manage to their hair out. Products that dry your scalp and cause breakage can keep you from growing your strands to new lengths! If this is a problem for you, then ditch all of the store-bought shampoos and conditioners unless they are chemical-free (natural oils are a plus).

Scalp Massage

An easy and relaxing way to improve hair growth is with a simple scalp massage. Some great tools on the market, like the Scalpmaster tool, make it super easy. Take about ten minutes every night before bed, and give yourself an invigorating scalp massage. You can research the benefits of scalp massage to see what other health benefits it can have on your body- because believe it or not, there are a lot!

Lifestyle

Your lifestyle is essential when you trying to grow your hair. For example, wearing a tight ponytail or braids for hours each day will cause split ends and breakage. If this has been an issue in the past, try wearing your hair down or in a loose braid to reduce the damage.

Another lifestyle factor that may affect your hair is smoking and drinking alcohol. Although these two items are known for their immediate effects on our bodies when consumed excessively, they also cause negative impacts on overall health, one of them being the long-term effect it has on your hair.

Exercise

Exercise is not only good for your body - it can also be beneficial to hair and scalp health. Not only will you feel more energized and happier with a healthy lifestyle of exercise, but you may notice that your locks grow faster too. Try to get in at least 20 minutes of exercise a day, whether it's going for a walk or riding your bike.

Diet and Vitamins

Your diet is also essential for growing your hair longer and more robust, so consider eating more vegetables that are rich in Vitamin E or supplementing with a vitamin of this type for faster results. Also, be sure you are getting enough iron because anemia can cause thinning hair, affecting the length of your locks. Hair is made up of protein, so taking vitamins and minerals to support your hair growth from the inside out can also have great results! Try biotin supplements or B-12 shots every few weeks to give your scalp a nutrient boost that will work wonders on growing longer locks. Taking a daily multivitamin is one of the simplest ways to aid hair growth. Hair, skin, and nails are made up of proteins found in many different foods. By taking a vitamin each day, you will ensure your body is getting these essential nutrients at their optimal levels for healthy hair, skin, and nails.

Haircut and Treatment

If you are trying to grow your hair longer, consider getting a haircut that will help it look fuller (and less like split ends). A trim every six weeks is good for maintaining the length of your locks. You may also want to see what treatments can be done at home or in a salon. Some other treatments that can be considered that have very high success include scalp micropigmentation at Nouveau Permanent Cosmetics & Esthetic. The treatment is a permanent cosmetic procedure that involves the process of tiny tattooing dots to mimic hair follicles. This also stimulates new growth and can give you a fuller-looking head of hair, but it will never grow back without surgery!

Sun Exposure

If you expose your scalp to the sun without proper protection, you are at risk for scalp damage in addition to skin cancer. Look for products containing ingredients like Tea Tree Oil and Cade oil that will help protect the scalp from harmful UV rays. Also, use hats or caps with a brim when exposed outside. Sun exposure can be especially harmful in the early morning and late evening when UV rays are at their most intense.

Water Intake

It is essential to drink plenty of water daily, but remember not everyone's body needs the same amount. Water intake varies for each person based on size and level of activity.

Starting a water regimen can be complicated and overwhelming. Still, once you get into the habit of drinking the daily recommended amount (eight glasses for most people), it will become second nature.

Water intake is beneficial for overall health, but it also has specific benefits to the hair and scalp.

Water acts as a natural conditioning treatment by helping remove impurities from the skin on your head - It dilutes sebum (the oil produced by glands in the skin) that would typically clog pores resulting in an oily scalp and greasy hair - It softens and adds shine to the strands.

Water helps eliminate dandruff and itchiness in the scalp by cleaning away dead skin cells and itchy sebum. Drinking water can help prevent thinning or shedding of hair because when you drink plenty of water, blood flow increases. This increased blood flow means more oxygen is being pumped into the scalp, which encourages hair growth. Water helps prevent split ends caused by dryness because it keeps your strands hydrated and moisturized.

Begin each morning by drinking a tall glass of water to help start your day off right. If you struggle with drinking enough throughout the day, try carrying around an empty bottle and filling it up or using a reusable water bottle with a built-in filter.

Time

Time is a critical factor in growing long healthy hair. The length of your strands is related to the speed at which they grow, and only about half an inch per month. Besides time, stress can also significantly contribute to unhealthy greying locks that won't seem to grow past a certain point. Try meditation or yoga for some stress relief if this may be a factor for you