When I was a kid my Uncle Garth would ask me— with a big fat cigar in his mouth, “hey Sister, how long do you want your hair to grow?” I would turn around, hand above my tush and tell him, “this long U.G.!” He must have got a tickle from asking me over and over.
I dreamt of a Crystal Gale mane, shining and swaying. Six-year old Kristy would be proud. My childhood dreams have become a reality.
In five years I have grown my hair from shoulder length down to my waist. It is shiny, healthy, and unlike my braid-in weave from a few years ago (that’s a story for another day), it’s all mine.
If you are trying to grow long hair, here’s how I’ve achieved it.
Four Tips To Grow Long Hair
Take Your Supplements
Nourish your hair by nourishing your body. I’ve noticed major improvements; stronger nails, faster hair growth and less hair fall with Hair, Skin, Nails focused supplements. Choose a formula with clinically studied nutrients.
Even though my diet includes fish, I still supplement with an omega-3. Omega-3s nourish the hair and support its growth. Plus, omega-3 acids can give your skin a more hydrated and youthful appearance. Any omega-3 formula will suffice. But, because krill are at the bottom end of the ocean’s food chain, they don’t have time to accumulate high levels of mercury or other contaminants. For this reason I choose krill oil.
Hormone health can affect hair growth and I keep my hormones in balance with DIM and Calcium D-Glucarate. You can read about my painful fibrocystic breasts and how these two supplements helped. I swear this grow long hair journey began when I addressed my estrogen dominance (a very common scenario amongst women).
Extend Your Washing Schedule
I wrote a long post dedicated to my 14-day wash cycle. You read that right, I wash my hair every two weeks. You certainly do not have to go that long (it took me a few years to get there), but it would behoove the health of your hair— and scalp to give it a break from daily sudsing. Plus, think of the time savings.
Ever wash your hair at night to have it oily the next day? Hair training can aid in breaking the daily shampoo cycle and reduce oil production. Again, here’s the link: peacelovekristy.com/i-stopped-washing-my-hair/
Brush Your Scalp
Easiest trick to making your hair grow? Scalp brushing. Stimulating hair follicles while distributing hair oils is a double-win when it comes to hair health.
But, not any hair brush will do. Reach for a natural boar-bristle brush to stimulate your scalp but not agitate it.
Devote up to 5 minutes every day to a meditative scalp brushing session. Work in four sections: front, back, right and left. Using moderate pressure brush in multiple directions in each section. Then, brush through the hair to distribute the oils to your length.
And, please, please be nice to the length of your hair. Treat the longest parts with care and ease. Think of the longest parts as if they were grandparents. Be patient and kind while brushing knots. When you hear snaps and pops that is your hair breaking off! Gently get through the long parts then work your way up.
Mind Your Split Ends
Aim for a hair trim at least every 12 weeks. Commiting this schedule will keep split-ends at bay and you’ll be well on your grow long hair journey.
This all leads me to one question, “hey Sister, how long do you want your hair to grow?”
