When you're growing out your hair and transitioning from short to longer strands, the wait can test your patience. Hair grows at a rate of one centimeter per month, according to hairstylist Anthony Nader via Vogue, and it can be even slower for unhealthy hair.
If you need to grow your hair out faster, the main thing you should be concerned about isn't the rate or the length of growth, but its general health. Just like the rest of the body, hair also needs nutrition. "Hair is a nonessential tissue that isn't prioritized by the body," said Elizabeth Cunnane Phillips from New York's Philip Kingsley Salon, according to Refinery29. "Adding nutrients ensures there's enough to go around."
Here are some expert tips on how to take care of your hair as you're growing it out:
1. Trimming often works best. It doesn't seem right to cut or trim the hair when you're growing it, but the experts all agree that a few inches of snips can do wonders. "If you wait so long that splits are causing your hair to break off high up on the strand, your hair will actually be shorter than if you get consistent trims," said celebrity stylist Mark Townsend via Cosmopolitan. Trimming every 10 to 12 weeks is the recommendation.
2. Resist shampooing daily, so your hair's natural oils are not stripped off. The oil keeps the hair strong and healthy. Townsend recommends shampooing twice a week only and if you're worried about having an oily scalp, investing in a dry shampoo is also practical.
3. Don't forget to condition your hair when it's wet, as this is the state when hair is most vulnerable. Conditioner adds moisture and prevents breakage or hair damage, so if possible, deep condition the hair once a week. Also, resist using warm water to wet your hair. "Cold water lays down the outer layer of hair more smoothly, which helps prevent moisture loss, snags and heat damage - you only need to do it for a few seconds - but this one extra step over time can make a huge difference," said Townsend.
4. Take care when brushing or combing the hair, especially when it's wet. As the hair gets longer, the more it tends to tangle up, so invest in a detangling brush that carefully does the job of removing snares.
5. If you like styling your hair with a blow drier or hair products, at least give it a rest on some days to minimize damage and weakening of the strands. Boost your hair with supplements like biotin if you're in the habit of styling often.
