Changing hairstyles is often associated with growing your hair out. To help with this process, Horace has gathered some tips on how to boost hair growth.
Hair generally grows a centimetre each month. While letting your hair grow will always require patience, adopting a few good habits can slightly increase growth rate. Read on for tips to achieve the Jason Momoa mane you've been dreaming of since season 1 of Game of Thrones.
Vitamins and trace elements
Let's start with some basic scientific knowledge: hair takes root in the hair follicle, more precisely in the dermal papillae, which hosts cells called fibroblasts. These cells provide the follicles with nutrients and oxygen and control the hair growth cycle (which has a lifespan of approximately three years).
Hair growth speed varies from one person to another and depends on several factors, such as genetics and the seasons. That means hair does indeed grow faster in summer; it's not just an impression. With longer days and increased exposure to the sun, blood circulation is stimulated by the heat. The production of keratin (a natural protein that makes up 97% of the hair's raw material) then increases tenfold. Hair growth depends on what the blood contains – nutrients, vitamins, and hormones – as it nourishes the follicle's base.
This also explains why your diet affects hair growth. You'll never get long and silky hair if you don't eat enough vitamins, trace elements (such as zinc), iron, and sulphur-containing proteins.
You'll find all of these in foods such as eggs, oily fish, green vegetables, wholemeal bread, and lean red meat, all of which contribute to healthy hair. Some dietary supplements, such as brewer's yeast, a source of B vitamins, are known to boost hair growth. You can buy brewer's yeast in pharmacies in the form of capsules or flakes. Other ingredients that stimulate hair growth include royal jelly, spirulina, soy lecithin, and organic silicon.
Cutting and regular care
Unfortunately, a proper diet alone won't be enough to achieve the extra length you want. Taking care of your hair and scalp is also essential. Understanding your hair and scalp type and issues will allow you to adapt your care routine to your needs and choose the right products according to your hair's nature and condition. Dry, long, oily, curly hair... each hair type has its own ritual. As for frequency, the ideal average is between one to three shampoos per week.
Regarding care, why not try home-made masks with argan oil, which is vitamin E-rich and known for its nourishing properties? Coconut milk is also a great ingredient as it has numerous benefits for hair and accelerates its growth. Apply your mask from hair roots to ends, and let it rest for 30 minutes.
Remember to go to your hairdresser to have split ends removed regularly. This may seem counter-intuitive, as you'll leave your appointment with slightly shorter hair, but making sure your hair isn't damaged and has no split ends will help it grow faster. An appointment every three months helps keep your hair healthy, allowing it to grow at a faster rate.
However, if you're currently sporting a crew cut and aiming for a slick back within a month, your best bet remains a wig.
