Extending hair can be a very tiring process. You may want to look different overnight, but you'll have to wait quite a while if you want to protect your hair properly. Keeping your hair healthy and strong will make it grow faster naturally. Remember to be patient because while you can speed up hair growth by protecting it from damage, time is still the key determinant.
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Method 1 of 3: Washing Hair Properly
Step 1. Reduce the frequency of washing your hair
Your hair's natural oils will be lifted when you apply the shampoo. This oil can protect the hair shaft and moisturize the scalp.
- Chemicals that hit the hair will cause damage and prevent hair from growing healthily. Think of it like if you wash your hands too often. The more often you wash your hair, the more dry and brittle it will become.
- However, that doesn't mean you have to stop washing your hair altogether. Start washing your hair every 2 days. Once you get used to it, you can wash your hair every 3 days. A schedule for washing hair like this is recommended to maintain healthy hair.
Step 2. Use shampoo properly
Make sure not to damage your hair when you wash it. Using too much shampoo can make hair brittle and make split ends worse.
- Just pour the shampoo on the scalp and keep it away from the ends of your hair. The lather of the shampoo will run to the ends of your hair as you rinse it, thereby gently cleansing your hair. Rubbing shampoo vigorously through the ends of your hair will only damage them.
- Some people think that they have to change the shampoo they use frequently. Even so, experts recommend sticking with products that are right for you.
- If you have oily hair or use a product for oily hair, you may need to replace it with a cleansing shampoo. Stronger shampoos will remove excess oil or product that has been used too often.
Step 3. Use conditioner after shampooing
While shampooing too often can cause damage, most conditioners are able to restore lipids and proteins to the hair. Use conditioner every time your hair is wet.
- Hair dyes or heating devices can remove important lipids and proteins from the hair. As a result, the hair roots will weaken and you will need to restore their condition.
- The conditioner will also lock the cuticles at the ends of the hair. That way, preventing it from being damaged in the future. If this damage can be countered, your hair will stay healthy and strong for a long time.
Step 4. Comb the hair carefully
Research shows that irritation or inflammation of the scalp will greatly affect hair health. Some people do not realize that their hair is damaged until it starts to fall out. You should try to avoid this problem by taking care of your scalp from now on.
At any time, vigorous combing is very harmful to hair health. The pulling will make the hair fibers tense, and cause the protective layer of cuticles to peel off
Step 5. Dry hair naturally
Speeding up the drying of your hair can cause problems and damage its health. Using a hairdryer, as with any other fast drying method, will burn off the layer of moisture on the surface of the hair. Unfortunately, this type of drying will also dry out the water that binds to the hair, also known as "hydrating water."
- Lifting water like this will make the hair cuticle dry, stiff, and brittle. As a result, the cuticle will break and lead to hair breakage.
- You may also want to avoid using a towel to dry your hair. Your hair will be damaged every time you wrap the towel tightly while it's still wet. In fact, simply wiping your hair with a towel until it's dry can make your hair worse.
- If you need to dry your hair quickly, use a soft microfiber towel or a cotton t-shirt.
Method 2 of 3: Get in the habit of Proper Hair Care
Step 1. Trim the split ends
Contrary to popular belief, trimming split ends will not actually speed up hair growth. The determinants of the rate of hair growth are the follicles on the scalp. When the split ends are trimmed, you will only ensure their health.
- At the ends of the hair, many follicles are damaged as this area is most affected by coloring, curling, and straightening of hair. When trimming the ends of the hair, this damage will also be overcome. Thus, new, healthier hair can grow in its place.
- As your hair grows longer, your cuticles become more brittle and weak. As a result, the middle part of the hair will not be protected, and the split ends can creep up. Prevent this from happening by trimming split ends quickly.
Step 2. Give the oil treatment
There are many oil treatments that can improve hair health. You can buy natural oils at health or vitamin stores. Giving this treatment once a week will spur the growth of new healthy hair.
- Coconut oil is rich in vitamin E. Vitamin E can strengthen hair roots by stimulating circulation. As a result, your hair will grow thicker and shinier.
- Argan oil which, although quite expensive, contains a variety of nutrients that will increase the strength and flexibility of hair.
- Extra-virgin olive oil (the oil you also use to make salad dressing) can improve scalp health and fight bacteria.
- Make sure to give the oil treatment properly. Massage a small amount of the oil at room temperature or warmer into the hair roots and scalp. Let the oil run down the ends of your hair as if you were using conditioner.
- Put on a shower cap and let the oil soak in for about half an hour, then wash and rinse as usual.
Step 3. Use a softer pillow
Even if we often sleep with cotton-covered pillows, the rough texture will make hair tangle while you sleep. If allowed to continue to rub against the cotton, over time the hair will be damaged and unhealthy.
- Silk fabric is very similar to the structure of human hair, containing 97% amino acids, as well as 3% waxy fiber and fat.
- Satin pillowcases are cheaper than silk pillowcases, and are quite beneficial for hair. A cotton pillowcase will pull moisture away from your hair, making it rough, dry, and brittle.
Method 3 of 3: Improving Body Health
Step 1. Try hair strengthening vitamins
Adding vitamins to your diet will improve your overall health. You can also buy certain vitamins that have a direct effect on hair health. Most of these vitamins can be included in your normal diet, if they aren't already in them.
- Biotin, otherwise known as vitamin H can improve hair health. Biotin will increase hair flexibility and moisturize dry hair, thus preventing hair breakage. Biotin is found in brown rice, lentils, oats, and a variety of other foods.
- Vitamin A can help produce healthy sebum, an oily compound from the scalp that helps prevent dry hair. Just don't use too much vitamin A because excess of this vitamin can trigger hair loss.
- Vitamin E can nourish the skin while improving circulation. This vitamin can increase the body's ability to absorb oxygen. Sufficient oxygen flow will help the body produce new hair cells.
Step 2. Increase protein intake
In addition to strengthening hair, protein content in food will also improve body health. When digested by the body, protein will break down into amino acids. These amino acids will help the formation of body tissues, antibodies, hormones, enzymes, and new blood cells.
- Beef, chicken, and fish contain healthy protein and amino acids. However, if you don't eat meat, protein is also found in tofu, beans, and legumes. These foods also contain other vitamins that are important for hair growth.
- Protein is needed in tissue repair. The body's cells need amino acids to stay healthy and intact. Protein is an active compound that is needed in the process of repairing damaged cells, so the protein content in food will help restore dead skin and hair cells.
Step 3. Include omega-3 fatty acids in your diet
Although difficult to obtain, omega-3 fatty acids are very important to improve the health of the body. Healthy fatty acids in the diet will lower triglyceride levels and reduce the risk of heart disease.
- Researchers found that high levels of omega-3 fatty acids can also reduce depression. Fish oil can even increase the effectiveness of certain antidepressants.
- Although omega-3 fatty acids can be obtained from supplements, you should still include them in your diet. Many types of fish, including salmon, herring, and mackerel, are rich in healthy fatty acids.
- For vegetarians, omega-3 fatty acids can be obtained from walnuts and flaxseed. Canola and soybean oils also contain these fatty acids.
Step 4. Drink more water
Most of the body is composed of water so the amount of water you drink will greatly affect the health of your skin and hair. Make sure to drink properly purified water to avoid consuming harmful toxins.
- If you exercise regularly, you must replace the water that is lost through sweat. Pay attention to the color of your urine. Pale yellow or colorless urine is a sign that you have been drinking enough water.
- Drinking water will remove toxins from the body. Drink at least 8 cups of water every day, or one cup for every 10 kg of your body weight.
- Lack of water will make hair dry. As a result, the hair will be tangled and healthy hair growth will be inhibited.
