Have you ever wanted long, strong, mermaid-status hair? I’ve been there! For years I tried to reach the perfect length, only to be set back inches short by damage. My hair might be long and healthy now, but it took a lot of trial and error to get to this point. Luckily, through all the ups and downs over the years, I’ve learned a few things about keeping it healthy. Here are my hacks for growing healthy, longer hair!
8 Hacks for Healthy, Longer Hair
Choose Your Brush & Use It Wisely
Our hair brushes are the most common hair-care item we encounter daily, yet they’re also the most overlooked. I didn’t give much thought to the brush I used when I first started to grow out my hair. Like most people, I was not given formal instructions for something that seemed so straightforward. By neglecting to use the correct brush, combined with poor technique, I was ripping through my ends both splitting and thinning them out! At one point, I had accumulated around 5 inches of damage I had to cut off which set me back months in growth.
Having said that, the brush you use and the way you use it are truly what make or break your hair! Getting to know your hair type and choosing a brush designed to accommodate your individual needs can make all the difference.
How to Brush Your Hair the Right Way
When it comes to brushing your hair properly, you want to start at the ends and work your way upward. Try to be mindful and take your time as you go. Brushing too quickly and working downward from the scalp can cause serious damage, tearing through all of your tangles along the way.
Tip: Try detangling your hair with your fingers first and only bring in your brush if necessary.
I have thick, curly hair, so I only brush it when I wash it and I minimize that to one to two times per week. I’ve found that brushing my hair while wet results in less damage overall and more refined curls.
My Tips for Brushing Thick, Curly Hair
1. After showering, toss a towel through your hair to soak up water. Let your hair air-dry for a few minutes, and then toss a towel through it again to soak up any excess moisture.
2. Add a detangling solution or oil to the ends of your hair to help soothe and moisturize before brushing.
3. Use the right brush! If you struggle with tangles like I do, one of my best healthy hair hacks is to try using the Wet Brush! It helps cushion the blow of the brush and helps ease the detangling process.
When it comes to hair care, less is always more.
Stop Washing Your Hair (As Often)
Just like our guts need certain food and nutrients to remain balanced, our scalp has similar needs. Believe it or not, the oil your scalp produces plays a big part in that!
If your hair overproduces oil, you’re probably rolling your eyes at me right now, but you’re doing yourself a disservice by washing every day. The oil that your scalp generates creates a protective barrier that aids in preventing breakage and damage. In fact, but washing every day, you are likely causing your hair to overproduce as a result. It’s important to mindfully space your washes out. Once you make it through that initial awkward stage, you will start to notice your hair getting less greasy as often and stronger with time.
I wish one wash schedule could work across the board, but sadly everyone’s microbiome is different! When it comes down to it, it’s all a matter of trial and error, and figuring out what works best for you. I try to limit my washes to every two to three days. I usually wear my hair down one day post-wash, then up for 2 days in a bun, ponytail, or braid. That equates to about two washes per week, depending.
The idea of going through the motions to figure it out seems frustrating, but that doesn’t mean you can’t implement some strategy right now! A good place to start is to stop washing the ends of your hair. Hello, split ends! By washing the ends of your hair, it causes them to become dehydrated and brittle!
Use Dry Shampoo Between Washes
Dry shampoo is a great way to break your washes up, especially if you’re prone to excessive oil! Not only does it help absorb oil, but it can lift your roots and neutralize odor.
Use Scrunchies VS Elastic Bands
Using elastic bands is one of the worst things you can do to your hair. Growing up with ultra-thick, heavy hair, I know how hard it can be to use anything but elastic when you’re looking to hold your hair up. However, you wouldn’t believe the amount of breakage and shedding this causes!
Instead of elastic bands, opt for cloth or silk scrunchies. They reduce friction upon removal due to their soft material, so they don’t pull out as much hair or cause breakage. Plus, they come in the cutest colors and prints!
Let Your Hair Air Dry
Unfortunately, any heat exposure cause damage to your hair. Heat causes dehydration, which leads to cuticle damage, breakage, and even frizz… Yikes! By letting your hair air-dry, it allows your hair time to restore itself to its natural state.
However, letting your hair air-dry can also allow frizz to run free, so you need to ensure you’re properly conditioning immediately before the drying begins. Like I said earlier, I like to add a leave-in conditioner, hair oil, or even a mask to my ends before brushing. As a result, my ends are not only moisturized and protected while brushing but they also remain that way as they dry. Hello, healthy hair hacks!
Get Regular, Consistent Trims
Getting regular trims promotes hair growth! Those who are growing their hair out tend to focus too much on length, sacrificing quality for quantity. It’s completely pointless to have long hair if it doesn’t look strong and healthy, especially for those of us with curls!
Indulge in a Hair Mask or Scalp Treatment
A hair mask or a scalp treatment is a great way to treat yourself! I like to do mine once a week. Salon quality scalp treatments can be highly beneficial, but if you’re more low maintenance, or can’t justify the price tag, I recommend opting for one at home. Your hair will thank you later.
Take a Hair Growth Vitamin
Being prone to anemia and dietary gaps myself, investing in a hair, skin, and nail vitamin has helped me tremendously over the years! Focusing on finding a supplement that contains biotin, fish oil or vitamins A, C, and E will help cut back on shedding, stimulate growth, and strengthen your nails.
How do you care for your hair?
