People who know me would tell you that I have extremely long hair. It’s been that way for many years—it’s just my thing. I find that maintaining long hair isn’t particularly difficult, but you have to keep it healthy. Otherwise, it will split, and you’ll never achieve that desired length. One of the first things when it comes to growing long hair is to start with the basics, ensuring you use good shampoo and conditioner to give your hair a good start.
How to Grow Long Hair
I’ve been growing my hair out for many years now, and here are some tips that have helped me:
1. Don’t wash your hair every day—washing it daily can be tough on your hair. I typically wash mine every 2-4 days, depending on how oily it gets. As I’ve gotten older, it’s become less prone to getting greasy.
2. Take vitamins—I take a variety of vitamins every day. While I don’t always stick to this routine, I’ve found that when I do, my hair and nails are healthier.
3. Be careful with styling products—many products contain chemicals that can be harmful to your hair. Because of this, I’m very selective about what I use on my hair.
4. Consider using cholesterol—no, not the kind you eat, which is bad for your heart. I use it about once a month to help keep my hair soft.
5. Use a wide-tooth comb—I often use a brush on my hair, especially a specific one I like, but I’ve found that a wide-tooth comb is easier to use for detangling.
6. Put your hair in a bun before bed—putting your hair up in a bun at night helps prevent it from getting tangled while you sleep. It makes it much easier to deal with in the morning.
7. Avoid brushing when wet—it’s a rule I often break, but I have to admit, it’s true. Wet hair is more prone to damage. However, that doesn’t mean brushing it will necessarily cause damage.
8. Minimize heat styling—blow dryers, straighteners, curling irons—they can all damage your hair. If you must use these tools, apply a heat protectant cream or serum beforehand and regularly deep condition to repair any damage.
9. Limit chemical treatments—I used to frequently perm and dye my hair. But over time, I found that it damaged my hair, making it dry and prone to breakage. Ah, the ’90s were a time of unhealthy hair. Since then, I haven’t permed my hair in years, and the last time I dyed it was probably a year or two ago. My hair has become much healthier as a result.
10. Get back to basics—ensure you choose high-quality shampoo and conditioner for your hair to provide it with good care. It’s the foundation for healthy hair growth.