By Summaiya Naseem
If there’s one thing that’s better than short hair, it’s long hair. Who doesn’t love the zillion different ways you get to style your hair in when it’s long?
But long hair takes a lot more than just wishing for it. These are some things you should do to grow stronger, longer hair:
1. Be Gentle With Your Hair.
Especially when your hair is wet. Never dry your hair by rubbing it with a towel. Squeeze the water out of your hair, and avoid brushing your hair right after the shower. Be gentle while applying shampoo to your hair. The reason is that our hair gets brittle and breaks easily when it’s wet. By avoiding damage, you will maintain strong hair.
2. Get regular trims.
This will help get rid of dullness and split ends, which can easily cause further damage and result in greater hair loss. Avoid this problem by trimming off an inch every 4-6 weeks.
3. Get a hot oil scalp massage.
These massages are amazing for stimulating your scalp. The ones we recommend are jojoba oil, castor oil, olive oil or coconut oil – or take equal parts of the four oils. You can add a few drops of Lavender or Rosemary essential oils for better stimulation. Another great option is a few drops of tea tree oil. Get this massage at least one or twice a week.
4. Flip Your hair Upside Down
This method seems really silly and too cliché, but it works. Sit on a chair or stand and bend over so your hair is hanging towards the ground. Gently massage the scalp with your fingertips in a slow, soothing motion. Do this for three to four minutes daily.
5. Take vitamins.
Consult your physician before you get vitamins. Folic acid, biotin, vitamins E, A, C and D are all super good for the hair. They result in stronger and healthier hair, and they promote hair growth.
6. Apply a Weekly Egg and Yogurt Hair Mask.
Women swear by this hair mask. Mix two egg yolks with two to three tablespoons of yogurt. You can add a few drops of your favourite essential oil(s) if you’d like. Apply this mix to your scalp and then massage the rest to the length of your hair. Keep it on for at least 30 minutes. Rinse off with cold water. Note: Always use cold water because the hot water is harsh to the hair, and it will cook the egg in your hair!
7. Avoid using too much heat.
Heat makes the hair brittle. Using a hot iron straightener or a hair dryer on a regular or daily basis can do a lot more damage than you think.
8. Use Potatoes and Onions.
They’re both amazing for hair growth and thickening. Mix the juice of one large potato with a tablespoon of honey and one egg white. Apply it to the hair, massaging the scalp very gently. Rinse off with cold water after half an hour. Do this once a week, and you’ll notice the results after just a month or so. Squeeze a large onion and apply the raw juice to the scalp, massaging very gently. Do this twice a week, and you should expect results after a few weeks of use.
9. Water, Water, Water!
Drink a lot of water every day. 8 glasses are actually not enough, since we live in a desert. Water will wash away the toxins from your body and make your body healthier. Hydration will also make your hair stronger. Add honey and lemon to your water to make it more effective in hydration and detoxification.
10. Brush the right way.
Always start at the bottom if your hair is tangled. De-tangle your hair inch by inch. Never use plastic combs and brushes because they cause breakage, especially if their ends are pointy. Invest in a wooden brush, with wooden comb ends. The brush will spread the natural oils to your entire hair. It is also great for stimulating blood flow!