Are you dreaming of long flowing locks but your hair seems to be in a state of hibernation? Well here are nine tips to get your hair growing.
1) First and foremost, you are what you eat. For healthy skin, hair and nails, you must improve your diet. Avoid foods that have high sugar and fat. Eliminate smoking, caffeine and sodas which weaken the body and hinder hair growth. Exercise; reduce stress, gets lots of sleep and you are well on your way to maximizing your hair growth potential. You can either take a good supplement that contains the necessary vitamins and minerals or you can make up your own formula. Some recommended supplements are:
· Vitamin B-complex - 50 mg. of the major B-vitamins (including folate, biotin and inositol)
· Vitamin B-6 - 50 mg. of vitamin B-6
· Vitamin C with bioflavonoids - one to two grams daily
· Vitamin E - 400 to 800 IU daily
· Beta-Carotene - 10,000 to 15,000 IU of beta-carotene daily
· One recommended daily dose of magnesium, sulfur, zinc
· Silica (horsetail) - 300 mg. daily
Nettle-250mg. three times daily
· Flaxseed oil - one tbsp daily or one tablet
· Beta-Carotene - 10,000 to 15,000 IU of beta-carotene daily
2) Do you know what the secret to long hair is? Strong hair! That means getting rid of all damaged ends. So, suck it up and head to the salon for a good snip. How much to cut? Unless your hair is very thick or very curly, have the stylist trim until your hair is all one length (as short as the shortest layer in your hair). All-one-length hair stays healthier and that means you can grow it without having as many trims from here on out. Thick- or curly-haired girls will want to keep a few long layers to help weigh hair down.
Furthermore, cut your hair 3 days before the moon is full. It’s no secret the moon pulls the tides but what is lesser known is the moon’s subtle effect on the growth of all living things. Lunar gardening and lunar agriculture are proven practices. Since the 1st century A.D., gardeners and farmers planted their crops during favorable moon cycles to achieve maximum growth and yield. Their thinking was, if the moon could have such a strong effect on the ocean, then plants, composed of a good deal of water, must at least be affected to some degree.
For humans, water accounts for 60-80% of our body weight. If the moon affects all bodies of water then it will certainly have an influence in the cycles of our lives, including our hair. While it’s true the hair shaft is dead material and almost entirely protein, the moon does have an effect on hair since the hair follicles are made of epithelial tissue that is comprised mainly of Hydrogen and Oxygen, the two elements that combine to form water. So you may think I am crazy but ask any farmer and they will tell you cutting by the Moons phases works!
3) I know a lot of women and traditional hair stylists won’t agree but washing your hair daily is not healthy! Daily washing strips your hair of the natural oils that it needs, therefore making your hair dry and brittle. Even a daily moisturizing shampoo does this.
If your hair is extremely oily and you feel you need to wash it daily try a dry shampoo. Great natural clays & powders to use as a dry shampoo are Multani Mitti, Shikakai Powder and Bhringraj Powder.
4) Treat your hair lovingly. Treat it gently avoiding any unnecessary brushing, combing or handling.
5) Avoid using excessively hot water, hot blow dryers or other hair care tools that may stress the hair.
6) Give yourself a weekly scalp massage to stimulate your hair follicles.
7) Do a series of ongoing hot oil treatments with Ayurvedic oils such as amla or brahmi to protect the hair's shaft.
8) Get plenty of rest and sleep to help your hair grow.
