6 tips from professional hairstylists for growing out your hair

Hair like Rapunzel's is now possible

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We know that having long hair is amazingly versatile. You can change up your look by simply wearing it up or down, and the number of styles you can twist your locks into is endless (thank you, Pinterest). Yet, unless you actually already have long hair, the process of growing it out is an absolute chore.

Hair usually grows 0.6cm to 3cm a month, so it can take awhile to go from a pixie cut or a short bob to a longer style. But don’t despair if your goal is to grow out your hair for a particular event, or maybe you’re just as impatient as we are. These tips will help speed up the process.

Photo: Instagram @/hyunah_aa

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1. Commit to micro trims

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Also known as dusting, which is to trim off 1/8 of an inch of hair each time, you should do this at least 3 times a year. These micro trims allow you to preserve the length while getting rid of split ends caused by hair drying, combing or hot tools. 

Don’t be tempted to extend the interval between micro trims. Split ends can work their way higher up the hair shaft, so the longer you wait in-between trims, the more you’ll have to chop off later on.

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2. Clean up your diet

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You are what you eat, and when it comes to having long, luscious hair, that should translate into a diet rich in iron, zinc, vitamins C and B, and omega-3 fatty acids. After all, why take the trouble to grow out your hair if your poor diet is going to cause it to fall out or break easily?

Start incorporating foods like oysters, clams, beans and eggs for protein; capsicums and dark, leafy green vegetables like kale or spinach for vitamin C, and salmon, avocado and chia seeds for a boost of healthy omega-3 fats. Bonus: your skin and waistline will thank you for it too.

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3. Do a home hair treatment every week

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You don’t have to splurge on a hair spa or trichology treatment every week. If you subject your hair to frequent heat from a hair-dryer or styling tool, we recommend using a hair treatment at least once a week. It could be in the form of a hair oil or a hair mask to deep condition hair from root to tip. It’s useful to do this even if you aren’t trying to grow your hair. 

Pro tip: let the shower steam up and apply the mask after. The heat will open up the cuticles in your hair and allow the treatment to penetrate deeper.

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4. Don’t ignore your scalp

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Your scalp is, after all, where your hair grows from. Use a hair serum or a shampoo that contains nourishing ingredients like avocado or coconut oil, and massage into your roots a few times a week, for two minutes each time. This will nourish your scalp and create the right foundation and increased circulation for healthy, stronger hair with less breakage.

If you have an oily scalp, use a dedicated shampoo to help cleanse it of excess sebum that could be clogging your pores and preventing healthy hair growth.

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5. Lay off the heat

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There’s no point in having a long mane of... frizzy hair. If you want Pinterest-worthy locks, take it easy with damaging heat-styling and blow-drying. Allow your hair to air-dry instead. What to do: soak up as much water from your hair as possible by gently dabbing it with a microfiber towel.

When your hair is three-quarters dry, braid it loose or twist it into bun for beautiful natural-looking waves the next morning. If you absolutely have to style your hair, don’t forget to use a heat protector first.

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6. Upgrade your pillowcase

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Cotton pillowcases draw moisture from your hair while creating friction as you move in your sleep. By swapping out to a silk pillow case, your hair will be able to retain its moisture and will slide instead of rub against the fabric, protecting it from breakage. 

Plus, silk pillowcases offer some notable skin benefits. Silk is antibacterial and has a natural resistance to dust mites, fungus, mould and other allergens that could cause a skin breakout.

Photo: Instagram @/slipsilkpillowcase

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7. Resist the urge to dye your hair

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While getting highlights in your hair or even dyeing it a crazy colour can sound very tempting, it’s better to lay off those harsh chemicals. When you dye your hair, the roots and cuticles of your hair tend to get damaged from the bleach, preventing quick growth of hair.

In fact, with the insane number of chemical treatments that you put your hair through during the hair dyeing process, your hair is bound to have more breakage and split ends which will lead to slower hair growth.

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