Last updated: January 2024
Aside from being your body’s first line of defense against the sun’s UV rays, your hair also represents your very own personality.
It plays a vital role in establishing the overall tone and vibe of your entire look.
As hairstyles continue to evolve and constantly change and our pursuit of Rapunzel-like hair strands strengthens, you may be baffled with the question of “How Can I Grow My Hair Faster, Longer, and Healthier?” If so, this article is perfect for you.
8 Natural Ways to Stimulate Faster Hair Growth and Reduce Hair Loss
Haircare can be considered very tedious. However, when dealing with your hair, sometimes less is more. Listed below are the different natural and simple ways to care for your hair.
Take a Step Back and Study All Your Hair-Related Products
The key to optimized hair growth is treating your hair as gently as possible, especially in the shower when it is wet and vulnerable. Taking a step back and redirecting your attention to studying your shampoo and conditioner can provide long-term benefits to your hair and its growth.
Regular Scalp Massages
Indulging in regular scalp massages is one of the best ways to stimulate natural hair growth. You can perform dry scalp massages, but applying nutrient-rich natural oils may be able to increase the benefits. This simple method can help increase blood flow to the scalp, leading to stronger and more nourished follicles and thicker hair.
Avoid Smoking
Excessive smoking may lead to disruption of healthy and natural hair growth. It hinders proper blood flow to the scalp and follicles.
Set Heat-Based Styling to a Minimum
We understand that the complete avoidance of heat-based styling equipment is not an option. However, limiting the use is highly recommended. The use of heat-based equipment, such as curling irons, hair straighteners, and blow dryers, can reduce your hair’s moisture leaving it dry, brittle, and damaged. Air drying your hair is the optimal choice when you are trying to grow your hair.
Avoid the Excessive Use of Shampoo
The excessive use of shampoo can strip your hair of its natural oils, leaving it dry, brittle, and damaged. Minimizing the use of shampoo and washing your hair can lead to less breakage leaving your hair healthier and longer.
Be More Gentle When Handling Your Hair
Sometimes it is also essential to let your hair breathe. Reduce the number of hair products that you apply and avoid harsh scrubbing and brushing/combing.
Invest in Silk Pillowcases
Indeed silk pillowcases may be a little bit more expensive than regular pillowcases found at your local stores, but silk pillowcases are worth the investment for your hair. Unlike cotton-based pillowcases, silk pillowcases do not absorb your hair’s moisture. Cotton-based pillowcases also lead to more tangled and breakage-prone hair. Although it does not stimulate hair growth, switching to silk pillowcases can help sustain your long and healthy hair
Stay Healthy!
Lastly, the best way to stimulate healthier and faster hair growth is to stay healthy. This step includes de-stressing yourself, maintaining a healthy diet consisting of healthy fats (omega-3s), and taking vitamins and nutrients such as biotin, iron, zinc, and Vitamin C and D.
How to Establish and Maintain Stronger and Healthier Hair
Identify and Understand Your Hair Type
Being able to categorize your hair into its corresponding type can significantly influence the way you deal and care for your hair. In doing so, you are able to properly cater to the needs of your specific hair type without compromising the risks of hair loss caused by severe damage and breakage.
Learn the Proper Application of Common Hair Products
In order to maintain stronger or healthier hair, we must be familiar with the proper application of hair products such as shampoo and conditioner.
You must start applying and focusing the use of shampoo on your scalp. On the other hand, apply and focus the use of conditioner on your hair, specifically the tips of your hair.
Causes of Hair Loss
Hair loss may be caused by multitudes of reasons. The list below are some of the most common causes of hair loss:
1. Stress
Hair loss can be naturally associated with high stress levels. If you are losing more than the natural amount (80-100 strands), then you may be experiencing stress-induced hair loss.
2. Hereditary
This type of hair loss is genetically inherited and is the leading cause of hair loss worldwide (American Academy of Dermatology Association).
3. Hair Damage
If you color, dye, bleach, and perm your hair often, you are most likely damaging your hair and are prone to damage-induced hair loss.
4. Age
We are more prone to hair loss due to slower hair growth and regeneration as we grow older.
The best way to deal with hair loss is to seek professional help and consult a dermatologist to reduce the risk of severity.
Recommended: What is the best shampoo for hair loss?
Why Do People Have Oily Hair?
The oil in your hair is generally called sebum which is produced by the sebaceous glands. Despite being natural and basically beneficial, too much sebum (oil) can make your hair look greasy.
An excessively greasy scalp can lead to bothersome itchiness and other scalp-related problems such as dandruff. However, you should not strip off all your natural oils, for it is crucial in keeping your hair and scalp healthy.
The excessive production of sebum which leads to oily hair, can be caused by any of the following reasons listed below:
Stress
Are you often worrisome, anxious, or stressed? Well, that might just be the cause of your oily hair.
Cortisol, your body’s primary stress hormone, can prompt the excessive production and release of sebum, which results in oil accumulation in your scalp.
Diet
Your food choice also plays a big role in oil production. If your diet mainly consists of sweets and dairy products, then your diet may be at fault for your oily hair and scalp.
These types of foods can insinuate your scalp to excessively produce oil, making your hair look greasy.
Hormonal Imbalance
Hormonal Imbalance, such as puberty, pregnancy, and menstruation, is often linked to your body’s stress levels. This reason generally and often makes your scalp produce more oil resulting in oily hair.
Sudden Changes in the Weather
It is also possible that mother nature is at fault for your oily and greasy hair. The sudden change in weather, climate, or season can cause your scalp to produce more oil.
The sudden increase in oil production and release is a defense mechanism driven by the scalp’s attempt to adapt and protect the scalp from environmental changes.
Now, you may be asking yourselves, “how can I prevent excessive oil production?”
Well, here are some easy and simple ways that can help reduce the risk of having an oily and greasy scalp: maintaining a healthy diet, staying hydrated, and de-stressing yourselves. You can also wash your hair using products fitted and compatible with your hair type.
Recommended read: What shampoo should I use for oily scalp?
What Causes Dandruff and How to Prevent It?
Let’s be real here. Dandruff is annoying, distracting, and embarrassing. It is commonly referred to as the condition that causes the scalp to flake. The following reasons often cause it:
Improper Hygiene
Not shampooing enough, improper rinsing of hair, and a dirty environment can be the leading cause of your dandruff. As unhygienic as it sounds, not taking proper care of your hair can inevitably cause dandruff.
When you don’t take proper care of your hair and scalp, dirt, oil, and hair products can build up on your scalp and cause dandruff. One way to prevent this is to wash your hair and scalp thoroughly with mild hair products (shampoo) that cater to your hair type’s needs.
Oily Scalp
An overly oily and greasy scalp can lead to dandruff. It can also serve as a breeding ground for dandruff-causing yeast and fungus.
The development of this yeast and fungus that feed on oils on the scalp can and will lead to dandruff. There are multiple ways to avoid and prevent an oily scalp. However, if there is already yeast and fungus formation, it is best for you to consult your doctor.
Medical Conditions
There are multiple conditions and diseases that cause dandruff. Such diseases include seborrheic dermatitis. It is best to consult a professional when dealing with such causes.
What is the main cause of dandruff?
An underlying skin condition such as eczema or psoriasis can be a contributing factor to dandruff.
Stress, certain medications, and certain illnesses can also worsen dandruff, although increasing the intensity of dandruff is rarely caused by any of the same.
Recommended read: Which is the best shampoo for dandruff?
Are Hair Treatments Safe?
Hair treatments may sound like an easy way out of any hair-related situation, but there are concerns over the long-term damage and harm it may cause to the user.
Different hair treatments, such as keratin treatments, may contain unsafe and harmful ingredients that pose a risk.
One common ingredient found in hair treatment products is Formaldehyde. This component is considered to be a well-known cancer-causing chemical.
Not to mention that it also presents multitudes of health and skin-related risks. Pregnant women, children, and people with asthma and other respiratory conditions are discouraged from utilizing such chemicals as they are placed at a higher risk of developing the chemical’s side effects.
Does hair treatment damage hair?
When hair treatments are performed or applied incorrectly, or used too frequently, the hair cuticle can be stripped away, leaving it dry and brittle.
Furthermore, some hair treatments contain harsh chemicals that can damage the hair further, leading to split ends and breakage.
When considering a hair treatment, it's important to understand the risks and make sure to seek professional advice to ensure the health of your hair.
How can I grow my hair overnight?
It's not possible to grow your hair overnight unfortunately. Hair typically grows about half an inch per month, so it takes time and patience to achieve longer locks.
However, there are steps you can take to promote healthy hair growth. Maintaining a healthy diet, staying hydrated, getting regular trims to prevent split ends, and avoiding harsh styling techniques and chemicals can all help your hair grow longer and stronger over time.
You can also try incorporating hair growth-promoting ingredients like biotin, protein, and essential oils into your hair care routine. Although overnight results aren't possible, consistent TLC can lead to healthier, happier hair in the long run.
How to Make Your Hair Grow Faster and Stronger
Every hair, just like our fingerprints, is unique in its own special ways. It can be something that ties our whole look together, a direct representation of our personalities, or even a symbol of how we present ourselves to others. Therefore, it is important that we have the proper knowledge and skills necessary to take care of it.
Here are the Best Products for Your Hair: