Everything You Need To Know To Have Long & Healthy Hair

At some point in your life, I’m sure you tried to grow your hair as long as possible. Maybe you were successful and maybe you weren’t. There are a few key things to consider when trying to grow out your hair, or just have the healthiest hair possible for that matter. Here is everything you need to know about growing your hair as long as possible, and how to care for it in the process!

“I’m trying to grow my hair long. How often should I get a haircut?”

Hair grows approximately 1/2 inch per month, which means 6 inches per year. If you feel like your hair grows more or less than that, you may be right. Just as we all come in different shapes and sizes, our hair is different too. One average, most hairstylists would recommend to get a hair cut every 6-8 weeks. If you are trying to grow your hair long, you may be able to wait longer between haircuts, per your hairstylists approval. The goal is to keep the ends of your hair strong, but if you’re constantly cutting off the hair that grew in, you’ll be stuck with the same length hair! So if you are growing your hair out, and your stylist says you have strong, healthy ends, I’d say you can push your hair cuts to every 10-12 weeks.

“I want long hair, but my hair DOESN’T seem to grow! Why is this?”

If this is you then you probably have fragile hair that needs extra lovin. I actually fit in this hair category, so I’ve mastered understanding what’s going on here. First of all, YOUR HAIR IS STILL GROWING, I PROMISE! The problem is in your hair shaft and the ends of your hair. What’s most likely happening is the ends of your hair split as the roots grow, so it’s like you’re running in a circle and you can’t stop. It’s so important to get your hair trimmed every 6-8 weeks if this is your hair type. The goal would be to get those ends nice and strong, so eventually your hair will grow longer. Unfortunately some of us aren’t meant to have long thick hair. Our DNA just doesn’t contain that gene, and you can thank your parents for that. My recommendation is to accept your hair, but keep it healthy, and possibly look into a safe form of hair extensions if you desire thick hair. I also must bring up the flat iron here. If you have this hair type, and you flat iron your hair, you need to stop! The flat iron is one of the most damaging things you can put on this type of hair, and it definitely won’t help strengthen the ends! If this isn’t even an option for you ( I get it, I have frizz) be sure your flat iron is set at a very low temperature and you have a heat protectant product on your hair before applying the heat.

“I shed so much hair in the shower and when I brush my hair! Am I losing my hair?”

Calm down, take a breath, and relax. You most likely are not losing your hair. On average, we all shed up to 100 stands of hair per day. That’s a lot of hair, and it’s completely normal! Remember, as those hairs shed, there lots of other strands growing in all over your head. If you feel you may be losing more hair than this, there could be a problem though. Stress is one of the biggest factors in hair loss. Stress freaks out your entire body, so of course it freaks out your hair. Poor diet and nutrition can be a big culprit too. If your body isn’t getting the proper vitamins and nutrients it needs, it will affect your entire body, including your scalp. Everything going on inside your body is secreted through your scalp. This type of hair loss doesn’t have to be permanent and you can turn your lifestyle around at any time. In any case, if you are concerned, it never hurts to see your doctor.

“Is there anything I can do to make my hair stronger and longer, or am I just stuck?”

Absolutely! It’s all in your hands really. I can preach for days, but until you make the decision to pamper your hair like you pamper your expensive designer purse, your hair won’t change and will possibly get worse. To be honest, it’s not that difficult, it just takes investing in some good products, and being conscious about how you’re treating your hair. Follow these tips and have  long beautiful hair.. or don’t, it’s up to you!

1. Proper Shampoo and Conditioner. Ask your HAIRSTYLIST,  not the girl working behind the desk at a beauty supply store, what shampoo and conditioner are best for you. You pay us to make you look beautiful, we deliver just that, so trust us when we recommend products to you! We want your hair looking good just as much as you do! Throw in a hair mask once a week and you get an A+ in your hairstylists book, and your hair will be happy.

2. Use a Heat Protectant before you cook your hair. Think of it just like that! Hair is dead and weak already, and when you put a 300 plus degree heat tool to it, you are not doing it any justice. A heat protectant product will coat your hair and shield it from all that burning. Flat Irons, curling irons, blow dryers, can all be rough on your hair. Put the product in when you get out of the shower, and you’re good to go. It’s simple. And if you can take some days off from heat styling here and there you will eventually notice a huge difference in your hair. Patience is a virtue!

3. BE GENTLE! This doesn’t cost anything! People are so rough with their hair. Brushing, teasing, pulling it out of a pony tail, OUCH. We break our poor hair before it even had a chance! Take the time to delicately brush your hair. Start at the ends and work your way up to get the tangles out without ripping though it. If you tease your hair, gently brush that tease out before you go to bed. And when you take your hair out of a pony tail DON’T pull it out!! Yes Im talking to YOU! Take the extra 2 seconds to unwrap the hair tie. Some people’s hair line is shorter in the middle than on the sides and they wonder why. This is why! You break it when you pull it out of the pony tail, so stop!

4. Take care of your body, and your hair will notice! Vitamins are great for strong hair. Biotin or a Prenatal Vitamin specifically will help your hair grow quicker and it may become stronger too.

5. And lastly, be sure you have a hairstylist who is on board with your quest for healthy hair. Coloring your hair shouldn’t always mean damage, and if you feel like your stylist is frying your hair, or not teaching you how to care for it, it’s probably time to find someone new. It’s a team effort, and both sides need to be doing their part. You deserve that too, remember that.