Let me guess. You decided to take the plunge and cut your hair into the oh so popular #lob and regretted it almost immediately. Or maybe you’ve been dealing with stress, diet changes, or hormonal changes and your hair just isn’t what it used to be. Man, oh man, have I been there.
When I was younger I did everything wrong in the book – washing everyday? check! heat styling? check! excessive dying? check! And yet for so many years my hair was still practically down to my ass with no effort! I couldn’t help but thinking I was just naturally *blessed*.
It wasn’t until I hit my twenties and started rapidly loosing my hair that I realized how badly I had been caring for it. I was working as a model, and truth be told I was not eating right. This, in combination with having my hair constantly pulled and teased at shoots resulted in the ultimate demise of my hair. I was so caught up in my career I didn’t even notice the state of my hair. It finally occurred to me when one day I went to the hair dresser and they told me with a gasp that it looked like four inches of my hair had fallen out!
For me my hair was my identity, my best feature, my security blanket. And with that rude awakening I decided I would research and experiment with everything I could, until I found solutions that worked and would restore my hair. Lucky for you I’ve weeded out all the gimmicks and have narrowed it down to…
How to Grow Your Hair Fast:
My Top Ten Tips-
• Copper
Bet you’ve never heard this one before! That’s right copper is a major supplement for both hair growth and preventing grey hair! Why? Because it actually blocks the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT) which has been shown to curb hair growth. Lucky for you copper supplements are super affordable and might even already be present in your daily multi-vitamin. But if it’s not be sure to make the switch or just eat more copper rich foods like oysters, shiitake mushrooms, and lobster! Doesn’t sound like a bad diet to me 😉
• Biotin
I’m sure you hear this one over and over again but it’s true! Although scientists are unable to determine why biotin is so important for hair growth, studies have shown that biotin deficiency is one of the leading causes of hair loss. So don’t forget it, and make sure you’re combining it with folic acid for maximum results (see below)
• Folic acid
Most commonly used as a prenatal vitamin, folic acid is actually very powerful for hair growth. This B vitamin has been shown to boost healthy cell generation, and therefore is a stimulator of natural hair growth in both men and women. If you’re taking biotin it’s imperative that you’re taking it in combination with folic acid; folic acid essentially activates biotin and makes it easier for your body to absorb.
• Viviscal
If you have really stubborn hair, then I highly recommend using Vivscal. It was the first effective hair vitamin I tried and I can honestly say it WORKS. Within a year my hair grew 8 inches and also became sooo much fuller & stronger. The secret ingredient? It’s what they call AminoMar®: The groundbreaking, clinically proven marine complex available exclusively in Viviscal supplements. Derived from key marine protein molecules combined with a blend of Horsetail (Stem) Extract and naturally occurring Silica, it provides essential nutrients needed to promote existing hair growth from within. While I have loved and used Viviscal for 4 years unfortunately I do feel as though my body is no longer responding to it the way it used to. Which is why I’ve recently made the switch to…
• Nutrafol
What a lot of people don’t know is that the leading causes of hair loss are actually stress (elevated cortisol) and hormones (DHT). Nutrafol is innovative in the fact that the ingredients focus on stress adaptogens and DHT inhibitors to regulate your stress and hormone levels. It’s also packed with super antioxidants that supercharge hair growth for a killer combination. Although it claims it may take up to 6 months to show results, I’m on month three and have already seen 3 inches of growth and my hair looks soo full!
• Collagen Powder
Collagen is a big contender in both hair growth and hair regeneration. This is because it possesses anti-oxidant properties, and fights the production of free radicals in the body. Free radicals are responsible for damaging the hair follicles which eventually leads to hair loss. As we approach the age of thirty, our bodies naturally stop producing collagen so it’s important to start adding the use of it to your routine! My favorite brand of collagen powder is Vital Proteins – they have some amazing flavored and unflavored options. I personally love adding two scoops of the unflavored powder to my latte every morning – I feel like it gives me a burst of energy too!
• Sulfate-Free Shampoo
You may have heard of sulfate-free products before, but do you actually know what sulfate is? Sulfate is an ingredient added to shampoo and other cleaners to help the products lather up. This lathering effect makes us feel like we’re getting cleaner, but in actuality it’s stripping moisture and essential oils from the hair. In order to grow your hair you need to allow your natural oils to form at the scalp. So sulfate free products are a must! I personally really like Tara Formula’s line of products – they are made with all natural products and super nurturing! I’ve only tried their Nurture line, but the Onion Remedy line is supposed to be especially effective for hair growth.
• Hair Masks
Hair masks are essential for deep nourishment, as they are packed with ingredients that will strengthen your hair, repair breakage, and increase shine. If you are regularly coloring your hair it is imperative that you are using a hair mask every week to keep your hair strong and healthy. My personal favorites would have to be Brigeo’s Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask & Olaplex!
• Space out your haircuts
It’s a common myth that if you want to grow your hair out you should be cutting it every six weeks. I have to disagree with this one! I find that hair stylists always cut off way more than necessary, which can hinder your growth. In my experience I find it best to wait 4 months in between cuts to give your hair ample time to grow. Just make sure you’re using hair masks and split end treatments so the damage on your ends stays minimal.
• Limit washing your hair
In order for your hair to produce the natural oils needed for it to grow, it’s important that you aren’t washing your hair everyday. It will take time to train your hair to get used to this. But just start gradually washing it more and more infrequently. Some people are able to manage washing their hair just once a week! Just remember that dry shampoo is your friend 😉
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