Everyone appreciates a beautiful haircut, and often we switch things up to get the perfect new look. While we intend to look great, what you thought might seem perfect for you may end up becoming a regrettable fashion choice. However, you might console yourself with a wig as you wait for your hair to grow back.
So, when you cut your hair too short, how long does it take for it to grow back?
On average, the hair on your head grows about half an inch every month or six inches every year. It may seem like a long time to wait for a new haircut, but there are numerous ways through which you can enhance natural hair growth to get beautiful locks that you can show off again.
It’s important to remember that there are numerous factors that affect hair growth, i.e.
- Genetics
- Hormonal changes
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Stress or anxiety
- medication
- Other diseases or conditions
While some of these factors can’t always be controlled, you can stay on the safer side by using the following tips to keep your hair healthy and flourishing:
1. Eat a balanced diet:
Foods that are high in protein, iron, and vitamin c are especially useful for hair growth. The following foods can promote hair growth:
- Eggs are high protein foods that contain biotin. Hair is essentially almost made up of protein and biotin is an essential element in the production of keratin in the human body. Eggs also contain zinc, selenium, and other nutrients that are essential for the growth of healthy hair.
- Berries contain vitamin c, which has incredible antioxidant properties that are essential for healthy hair. Vitamin c is also responsible for the production of collagen, a compound that strengthens your hair and will prevent it from becoming brittle and breaking. Vitamin c also promotes the absorption of iron in the human body, thus preventing hair loss that may be caused by anaemia.
- Spinach contains folate, iron, vitamin c, and vitamin A. All these nutrients are essential for the growth of healthy hair. Vitamin A promotes the production of sebum, the oily substance that keeps the scalp moisturised and keeps the hair healthy. Iron is proven to help the red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body, and this stimulates hair growth and repair and makes reduces the risk of hair loss from deficiencies such as anaemia.
- Oily fish, for example, salmon, herring, and mackerel, contain omega-3 fatty acids, omega-6 fatty acids, and antioxidants that promote hair growth. Taking fish oil supplements prevents hair loss. It is also known to be attributed to the fact the oily fish contains proteins, vitamin D3, selenium, and B vitamins that promote hair growth.
- Sweet potatoes are such a rich source of beta-carotene, which is converted to vitamin A, a great nutrient attributed to hair growth. Other than the production of sebum for a healthy scalp, Vitamin A is also responsible for stronger, healthier hair,
- Avocados have become a favorite for many people due to their numerous applications in different recipes. They are an incredible source of healthy fats that are essential for hair growth, and vitamin E (an antioxidant that prevents oxidative stress by neutralising free radicals).
- Nuts provide a wide selection of B vitamins, zinc, and essential fatty acids. Other than preventing heart disease and inflammation, you can add nuts to your diet to promote hair growth.
- Sweet peppers provide vitamin c, a nutrient that promotes hair growth by promoting the production of collagen and therefore strengthening your hair. Vitamin C is a known antioxidant that prevents oxidative stress by combating free radicals. Sweet peppers also contain vitamin A which is essential for the production of sebum.
- Meat is an excellent source of proteins, a significant element in hair growth. Red meat also contains iron, which plays a massive role in promoting hair growth. You can add red meat to your diet, but if you are on a plant-based diet, beans can be an excellent alternative for you.
2. Taking supplements:
Before using any supplements, always ask for your doctor’s advice on the kind of supplements you should take. Always remember that you do not need supplements if you are already getting those nutrients from your food. However, the following supplements promote hair growth:
- Vitamin A promotes the production of sebum, an oily substance that keeps your scalp moisturised and your hair healthy. It is also essential for the growth of cells in the human body, including hair.
- Vitamin C is an excellent antioxidant that prevents hair damage by protecting your hair from free radicals and fighting oxidative stress. Your body also requires vitamin C to create collagen, a substance that is a crucial part of the hair structure. It also helps your body absorb iron, as this is necessary for hair growth.
- Vitamin D helps create new follicles. It prevents hair loss from conditions such as alopecia.
- Vitamin E is an excellent antioxidant. It prevents oxidative stress, thus preventing hair loss.
- Iron assists red blood cells in moving oxygen throughout the body, thus stimulating hair growth and preventing hair loss from deficiencies such as anaemia.
3. Avoid excessive chemical and excessive heat on hair:
The hair strand takes different curl patterns on different people. However, in an attempt to achieve the perfect hairstyle, people try to manipulate the hair to achieve the desired outcome. Heat and chemicals are the most common ways that we use to manipulate the hair. However, excessive heat or chemicals can cause damage to your hair, leading to extreme hair loss or breakage. To ensure that your hair remains healthy, avoid using chemicals, and use a heat-protecting serum when using heat to style your hair.
4. Avoid using tight ponytails or braids:
Tagging or pulling your hair too much can lead to hair breakage or hair loss. When styling your hair, always avoid tight ponytails to ensure that you do not pull your hair from the follicle or cause damage to it. Also, ensure that your braids are not too tight.
5. Give your scalp a massage when you are washing your hair:
Massages promote blood circulation. When you massage your scalp on wash days, you stimulate blood circulation on your scalp, therefore promoting hair growth. You will notice a significant change if you do this regularly.
6. Use a good shampoo and conditioner:
By using a sulfate-free shampoo and products that contain vitamin E and keratin, you are providing your hair with all these nutrients that it requires to remain strong and healthy. Sulfate-free shampoos are especially useful for your hair because they maintain the natural oils present on your hair and scalp, thus preventing frizz.
7. Moisturise:
Dry hair is prone to breakage. Find out whether your hair has low porosity, medium porosity, or high porosity, and then find a method to moisturise your hair and keep it hydrated. There are two methods, the Liquid, cream, oil (LCO) method, and the Liquid, oil, cream (LOC) method. Water is the ultimate moisturiser, the oil creates a layer over your hair strand that locks in the moisture, and a hair cream adds an extra layer for hydration and softness, ensuring that no moisture is lost.
8. Avoid exposing your hair to harsh weather conditions:
Harsh weather significantly affects your hair. During the winter, your hair becomes brittle, dry, frizzy, and full of static. You can protect it by wearing a cap, using the right oils for moisture, or wearing a protective style. The summer sun can also affect your hair. You can protect it from sun heat and humidity by wearing a cap and using the right products to avoid dandruff, split ends, and hair loss.
9. Trim your hair regularly:
Trimming your hair frequently makes your hair grow faster. While you might want the length, it is essential to remember that length is not all that matters, healthy hair matters too. Trim your hair every three to seven weeks to see the difference it might make on the growth rate. By holding on to split ends, you will find that your hair does not break as much as it used to, especially if these ends were chemically treated.
10. Deep condition:
Deep conditioners are thicker, and they contain ingredients that will penetrate the hair strand. You should deep condition after every wash and allow the ingredients to seep into the hair strand to repair and nourish it. You can make your deep conditioner using natural oils or buy one. It is important to note that heat makes it easier for the ingredients to penetrate the hair strand.
As you begin your journey to getting a healthy head of hair, you might need to invest in a wig, head wraps, or protective styling. Although it might seem like the regrowth of your hair might take forever, do not despair. You will have your hair back in no time and even gain more confidence in yourself as time goes by. Enjoy every step of this journey, and before you know it, you will have your length back. So the next biggest question is what hair cut to have to you shape of you face or when you want to find a hairdresser near you, so check out the rest of our site to find the perfect stylist you need in your town.
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