Many women and men in Australia have thinning, slow-growing hair and want to know if it is possible to accelerate the process naturally. There is no magic one-night fix, but through an understanding of the hair growth biology and by using some techniques, you can have a much thicker head of hair a lot faster than you imagined.
This guide is filled with tried and true methods to achieve your hair growth potential using diet, good hair care, and lifestyle change in addition to your own body’s internal mechanisms.
Understanding Your Hair Growth Cycle
Hair grows in three cycles that determine how well and how quickly your hair grows. The growth phase is called the anagen phase, and it lasts two to seven years, depending on your heredity. During this phase, hair follicles produce new cells that build the hair shaft.
Catagen is the phase when the hair growth slows down, and telogen is the resting phase before the hair falls out naturally. These are the reasons why some people will grow hair faster than others naturally, and why consistency is such a big factor when you’re attempting to grow hair longer and thicker.
Genetics, hormones, and age are a few of the dominant factors that determine your hair growth speed. However, external factors like hair care, stress levels, and diet are also vital in determining how well your hair can grow when it is in the growing phase.
Nourish Your Hair From The Inside
Your diet is the basis of the health of your hair. Hair is composed of protein, and lean proteins, fish, eggs, and legumes offer protein for healthy, growing hair. Hair thins, becomes brittle and breaks before it reaches its point of maximum growth when there is a lack of protein.
Iron deficiency is most common in females in Australia and actually delays hair growth. Eating foods rich in iron like spinach, lean red meat, and lentils will give your hair follicles the oxygen they need for healthy hair growth.
Biotin, the “hair vitamin,” helps to produce keratin and will thicken hair over time. Eggs, nuts, and sweet potatoes are natural sources. Omega-3 fatty acids in fish, walnuts, and flaxseeds give the hair its shine and discourage inflammation that slows growth.
Smart Hair Care Practices
How you care for your hair daily determines whether your hair will be long and thick or not. Over-washing hair removes oils from hair that moisturise and protect hair, so wash two or three times a week unless hair is extremely oily. And stick to high-quality products such as Muvo creamy blonde shampoo.
Wash as little as possible. Or at least wash in warm water rather than hot water, which removes moisture from hair cuticles and leads to breakage. Condition mid-length to the ends, where the longest parts of your hair need the most moisture.
Gentle handling does preserve length. Detangle your hair in the wet state with a wide-tooth comb from the bottom to the roots to avoid excessive stress and breakage. Refrain from tight hairstyles that tug at the scalp, as they tend to harm the follicles and impede growth.
Lifestyle Changes that Foster Growth
The key to healthy hair is stress management. Stress, when it is excessive, will cause early entry into the resting phase of the hair and thus result in thinning and slowing of the growth of hair. Exercise, meditation, or any other activity which reduces day-to-day stress ensures healthy hair growth cycles.
Good sleep gives your hair follicles and body time to grow and regenerate. Give yourself seven to nine continuous hours of sleep each night to promote optimal growth conditions.
Scalp massage enhances blood circulation to the scalp and the hair follicles, which will enhance growth at a more rapid rate. Massage your scalp every day for five minutes using your fingertips in soft, circular motions that stimulate but not irritate.
Your Path to Thicker, Longer Hair
It requires dedication and patience with proper technique to obtain longer, thicker hair. Attempt to promote healthier hair from the inside out with proper nutrition, handle your hair gently so you do not damage it, and keep your overall health in check with stress relief and adequate sleep.
Remember that visible growth will typically happen in two or three months as new, healthier hair grows out of your scalp. Just maintain these habits, and you will start noticing thicker, healthier hair, which will hold length better than ever.
