What you eat counts
Nutritionists, top doctors and beauty professionals all agree that what we eat counts for our over-all health and that includes healthy hair growth. On average hair grows 1/2 inch per month. Eating a well balanced diet that contains the vitamins, protein, and minerals your body needs to be healthy is the best advice for what your hair needs to be healthy and for its best growing potential.
You can spend your money on vitamins supplements that claim to grow hair longer and faster, but the truth is to date no one has been able to prove the truth of these claims. The depth of your pain (how badly you want the fix) will determine how much money you will throw at it. We believe what we want to believe and if what we want to believe get’s lots of positive media hype . . . it can easily become our next saving grace!
A vitamin deficiency can affect healthy hair growth as well as play a part in diseases of the scalp. But, buying vitamins touted as “hair growth vitamins” isn’t the right answer . . . how do you know if you’re deficient in them? Over-kill can happen with certain vitamins, where having too much of a ‘good thing’ can be . . . well, too much.
Your doctor or nutritionist will be the one best able to assess if you need to take vitamin supplements for any deficiency. They can tell what supplements you need as well as the right dosage to start taking. They will help get you on track with a diet and exercise program that suits you; a balanced diet to give you the boost of the nutrients you’re missing and an exercise program for all around good health.
A Healthy Maintenance Routine
One of the most obvious solutions to help hair grow faster and longer is in proper hair maintenance. If you don’t know what products to use, or allow your hair to become brittle by washing twice a day may, you might be at odds with the hair-growing gods!
There is commonly a simple solution – finding the right shampoo for your hair to keep it healthy and manageable. If you’re someone who is troubled by frizzed out hair in the humid summer months, or constantly pulling your hair back because it appears too oily, try shampoos that are heavy in vitamin E and other nourishing qualities that won’t weigh down your locks in TOO much moisture.
Redken’s Clear Moisture shampoo and conditioner are an affordable way to add moisture and help hair grow longer. If you’re willing to break the bank, Oribe’s Ultra Rich Conditioner is a makeover in a bottle – and a little goes a long way. Make sure to use conditioner following every shampoo treatment. Shampoo can strip your hair of essential oils in their attempt to clean dirt and grime from your tresses.
Oils are essential to help hair grow faster and longer. Ideally it is best to wash your hair every other day, to allow the natural oils in your scalp to build up and stimulate growth; however, that greasy look sported so sensually by Johnny Depp can look the opposite of chic for your hot date. Instead, opt for hot oil treatments once every two weeks. It allows for better circulation and stimulates the scalp for rapid growth.
Try using olive, coconut, or rosemary oils, which will allow optimal nourishment. Heat the oil in the microwave for about 30 seconds and apply liberally to your hair and scalp. The longer you leave the treatment in, the more favorable the outcome. Extra shine and great fragrance will be added benefits!
Finally, to help your hair grow faster, you may want to dip into a few natural vitamins. Vitamin B and folic acid are what help your hair grow faster by quickly circulating the growth cycle in your hair follicles. Vitamin B and folic acid can be found in whole unprocessed food, including turkey, tuna, kombucha, whole grains, potatoes, bananas, lentils, chili peppers, tempeh, beans, brewer’s yeast, and molasses. So on a hot summer day, it may not be such a bad idea to grab a cold beer, and pamper yourself! Your hair may thank you.
