Did you know that cell hair is the second fastest growing cell after the intestine. The speed with which it grows is easy to notice.
In a study quoted from Honestdocs.id, there are various tricks to grow hair in a short period of time. The standard hair growth rate is about half an inch or the equivalent of 1.25 centimeters (cm) per month. So, in a year hair grows only six inches.
Counting the long enough duration, then there are various ways to lengthen hair. However, there is no clinically proven method that can grow hair longer than the average growth rate.
Asian hair, for example, is generally thicker and coarser than the hair of Africans or Caucasians. Therefore, the human scalp is covered with 90 thousand hairs to 150 thousand hairs.
However, you should not be discouraged if you want to grow your hair in a short time. Here are tips that can be done at home:
1. Consumption of Healthy Food
Similar to skin, hair also reflects the overall health of the body. If you want healthy hair, then consume nutritious food, it is one way to lengthen hair with balanced nutrition.
Here are some things that need to be met as a way to grow hair:
a. Air
The scalp can also be dry if the body is dehydrated. For that, drink about 1.5-2 liters of water every day, or more, if you regularly exercise or live in a hot area.
b. Protein
Every 90% of hair is composed of protein (keratin), this nutrient is automatically very important, especially since the body cannot produce its own keratin.
Especially for men, consumption of 120 grams of animal protein at breakfast and lunch is highly recommended. While for vegetarians, generally need more than 120 grams of vegetable protein from food sources such as nuts, seeds, and tofu.
As for women, every day the United States Department of Agriculture (US) or USDA recommends women aged 31-50 consume at least 5 ounces (142 grams) of protein and 5.5 ounces (156 grams) for those aged 19-30 years.
For best results, don’t eat just any protein. Prioritize protein from fish or seafood which is not only of high quality, but also low in saturated fat. In addition, seafood is also rich in essential fatty acids which are important for hair coatings.
c) Biotin
Just like other body cells, hair cells are also lined with a kind of membrane consisting of fat. New York nutrition expert Brooke Alpert says “for cells to reproduce, we need to maintain a healthy fat layer by consuming healthy fats or biotin.”
Biotin or vitamin H, is a form of vitamin B complex that can convert food into energy. Not only that, biotin also helps metabolize fats, carbohydrates, and amino acids. Food sources of biotin include salmon, oysters, avocado, cauliflower, sardines, milk, cheese, egg yolks, and nuts such as almonds, peanuts, pecans, and walnuts.
d. Vitamin C
Vitamin C is not only important for the production of collagen which is important for healthy hair and skin, but also a source of antioxidants that fight harmful free radicals. Vitamins can be obtained from citrus fruits, sweet potatoes, and red peppers.
e. Spinach and Broccoli
Vitamin A deficiency is one of the causes of hair breakage or loss. To meet the needs of vitamin A, you need to be diligent in consuming spinach and broccoli to stimulate faster hair growth. In addition to vitamin A, spinach also contains protein, while broccoli is loaded with B vitamins which are also important for strengthening hair.
f. Nutritious Breakfast
Never underestimate the importance of having a healthy breakfast every morning. Not only can recharge scalp and hair follicles. Breakfast with a nutritious menu can provide the energy needed to form hair cells.
2. Reduce Washing Using Too Cold or Hot Water
When you feel hot, you may want to use cold water for a shower. However, do not splash the water directly on the scalp. Kingsley explains that extreme cold temperatures can constrict the capillaries in the scalp which are responsible for distributing nutrients and removing dirt from the skin’s surface, while hot water can erode natural moisture and weaken hair strands.
Therefore, wherever possible, wash your hair using warm water. Later when rinsing it, you can use slightly cooler water because the scalp has adapted to the temperature of the water used earlier.
3. Less Shampoo and More Conditioner
Another way to lengthen hair is to reduce the use of shampoo and is not recommended to be done every day. The reason, shampoo can make hair drier and brittle. Cutler Salons owner Rodney Cutler explains that it’s better to avoid shampoos that are high in detergents and sulfates, as they can strip the hair and scalp of natural oils. In fact, natural hair oils can keep it soft and shiny.
So what if you sweat every day, so your hair needs to be washed? The solution is to replace the shampoo with a quality conditioner. Not only does it protect the ends of your hair from damage, conditioners can also minimize the risk of frizz, split ends, and breakage. Conditioner can also replace lost hair’s natural oils, so that moisture is maintained.
Regarding the product, avoid the conditioner that comes with it wax/ wax because it can make hair thin and dull. Instead, adjust the conditioner to the following hair types:
- Lightly straight – choose a conditioner that thickens or adds texture (volumizing)
- Wavy – buy something light so your hair doesn’t get tangled and dry
- Curly – look for hydrating or super moisturizing
4. Don’t comb your hair while it’s still wet
Combing when wet pulls the hair out, increasing the risk of split ends or breakage. It’s better to dry it with a towel before tidying it up using a wide-toothed brush or comb. Even when drying hair, it must be done slowly, not by rubbing it hard.
It is also not advisable to wrap your hair and twist it in a towel as this can stress each strand. If you do this often, it’s best to use a thin towel or one made of microfiber only.
5. Exercise regularly
The body’s cells depend on oxygen to stay healthy and thrive. While oxygen can reach every cell of the body optimally if blood circulation is smooth. To improve blood circulation, you can do cardio exercise three times a week for 30 minutes.
6. Scalp Massage
The next way to lengthen hair is to massage the scalp. The goal, for smooth blood circulation. Moreover, hair follicles are located 1-2 millimeters (mm) below the surface of the skin. You can use essential oils to nourish your hair, then massage it into your scalp for 30 seconds before shampooing.
The types of essential oils recommended for hair are peppermint and eucalyptus. Both are antibacterial, so they can cleanse the scalp and their antifungal properties can also ward off infection. In addition, hypoallergenic essential oils are also suitable for use by everyone.
Other types of oils that can be used are coconut, olive, jojoba, castor, and argan. For maximum results, you can warm up the oil first, then massage it into your scalp in circular motions for 3 minutes. After that, wet your hair with the oil, and let it sit for 30 minutes before shampooing.
Coconut oil is loaded with various vitamins and fatty acids which are very beneficial for nourishing hair. Besides being able to absorb deeper and faster than other hair conditioners, there are various benefits of head oil that can be an option, such as:
- Stimulates hair growth because it can seep in the follicles
- Moisturizing dry hair
- Add shine to hair
- Prevent protein deficiency in hair
- Antibacterial to relieve itchy and scaly scalp
7. Avoid Stress
Stressful thoughts are one of the factors causing decreased physical health. The higher the stress, the brain will work harder, so the risk of not functioning optimally.
Although hair can still grow after stress subsides, for some people it takes longer, even months. Stress can weaken the body, including hair cells, so avoid it.
8. Shave the ends of the hair regularly
One way to grow hair faster is to regularly cut the ends of the hair, especially the split ends, so that the hair is not damaged. If split ends are left, then it can hinder the growth of healthy hair.
9. Taking Supplements
If you feel that your daily diet lacks nutrition, then don’t hesitate to take additional supplements that contain biotin, vitamins B, C, and marine extracts.
10. Inversion method
This method may not work for everyone, but it never hurts to try. Be sure to measure the length of your hair before and after you do this to see if this method is right for you.
The way to apply the inversion method is every day for a week, massage the scalp with fingertips for five minutes. Use help timer if necessary. Inversion means that the heart is higher than the head, so do this method while sitting (bend down and letting your head hang down) or while practicing yoga. Thus, blood flow to the head is smoother, thereby stimulating the hair follicles. Stop immediately if you feel dizzy.
You can also use certain natural oils like coconut, olive, or argan for massage. After the massage, leave the oil overnight while wrapping the head using shower cap.
11. Treat Hair Carefully
In everyday life, there are many habits that can damage hair, examples of use hair dryer or vise. You should avoid that, especially when doing the inversion method. Also, don’t tie your hair too tightly to prevent the strands from breaking and splitting.
You are also not advised to brush your hair too often. Instead, just comb it a few times before going to bed to spread the oil on your scalp and keep your hair moisturized. This habit can also increase blood circulation in the scalp.
12. Get Enough Rest
Another way to lengthen hair is to maintain health by getting enough rest. Sleep habits also affect hair growth. When you sleep 7-8 hours every night, the body enters the recovery phase, and that’s when growth hormone begins to be produced, so that hair cell growth can be faster.
The key, you only need to meet the needs of adequate sleep, so that the scalp cells are active and trigger hair to grow more and faster. More than that, sleep also improves blood circulation around the hair follicles.
13. Rinse Your Hair With Apple Cider Vinegar Occasionally
Apple cider vinegar is one of the natural ingredients with 1001 benefits. Besides being able to balance the pH of the scalp, apple cider vinegar can also remove dirt and residue from styling products. You just need to use a mixture of two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and two cups of water to rinse your hair. Although it may smell bad, it will fade on its own.
That’s how to lengthen hair easily and can be practiced at home.
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