GROWING YOUR HAIR MAY SEEM SIMPLE – JUST DON’T GET IT CUT SO OFTEN – BUT ACHIEVING LONGER HAIR THAT LOOKS THICK, HEALTHY AND GLOSSY IS NOT SO EASY. HERE’S EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT GROWING LONG HAIR THAT’S LUSTROUS. BY GEORGIA DAY
Hair is one of the many things that make us human. It’s also one of the most visible signs of our health, which is why we’re so interested in how it grows. But what exactly is hair, and what makes it grow?
Hair is made mostly of a protein called keratin. It’s produced in tiny tubes in the skin called follicles. As new cells form at the base of the follicle, they push older cells up to the surface. This process is known as cell regeneration, and it’s what gives our hair its natural colour and texture.
So how does hair grow? Well, it all starts with a signal from the brain. Bulb-shaped structures at the base of each follicle called papilla receive signals from the body that tell them when to start growing new hair. These signals are then sent to the cells at the base of the follicle, which begin to divide and grow. As they do, they push existing cells up towards the surface of the skin, where they eventually die and are replaced by new ones. The entire process takes about two to six years.
Why do you need hair growth hacks?
Most of us take our hair for granted – that is until we start to lose it. Suddenly, we’re searching for hair growth hacks that will help us reclaim our thick, luscious locks. While there’s no magic cure for baldness, there are a few things you can do to promote healthy hair growth.
These simple steps won’t bring back all the hair you’ve lost, but they can help prevent further hair loss and promote healthy new growth. It won’t just help you grow long hair quickly but will help you maintain healthy locks forever.
Fast Hair Growth Secrets
You may have seen a lot of information on hair growth hacks. Maybe you’ve even tried a few of them, with mixed results. But what you may not know is that there are a few simple hacks that can make a big difference in the health and appearance of your hair. By incorporating these hacks into your hair care routine, you can achieve the lustrous, healthy locks you’ve always wanted.
How to keep your hair healthy
Protein-rich products help to keep your hair in shape. Look for those containing keratin or amino acids as they help nourish, repair and replace any protein that’s been lost through damage. To protect your strands, avoid silicones and heavy oils, says Van Clarke: “Despite making the hair look lovely today, they dehydrate the hair and ruin it for tomorrow.” And try to steer clear of sodium laurel sulphates (SLS) and DEA, says Williams, which act like detergents, irritating your hair follicles. As for heat, avoid regular heat styling, but if you must iron or blow out your hair, set your tool to a lower temperature and always apply a heat-protection spray first to minimize the damage. Never, ever iron wet, damp or even dirty hair, because adding intense heat to hair with a build-up of dirt and product will compact the damage and lead to breakage. Getting regular trims may seem counterintuitive if you’re trying to grow your length, but banishing split ends is a must if you want long-term health, says Williams. “I recommend a trim every eight weeks; a split end can catch in your comb or brush, and it doesn’t always break on the ends – it can break off three or four inches up the hair shaft.”