Hi,
I have to tell you that this is probably the most common email question that I get on a weekly basis at HairBoutique.com. I understand impatience, that is my middle name sometimes, but I also understand that good things come to those who wait, plan and take the next best step.
The most important thing to note is that everyone`s hair is different. Also, all hair growth is genetically pre-determined. Crystal Gayle has very fast growing hair and also very long hair. That is due to a combination of factors that are directly attributed to her genes. Yes you can maximize or minimize your natural hair gene pool, but only if you are focused on doing so. OK, sometimes things can change by accident but most of the time it takes specific focus and attention.
Max hair growth rate is genetically predetermined and therefore it varies from person to person. The average growth rate, in general, is 1/2 inch per month, or approximately 6 inches per year. Some people like Ms. Gayle have been known to grow hair as fast as 1 inch per month. Ms. Gayle is not the norm.
Others grow hair at 1/4 to 1/16th of an inch and others may experience no growth whatsoever. Over time as you understand your hair`s moods, cycles and needs, you can predict to some extent how your hair will growh. Hair as a general rule grows faster in the summer. It also tends to grow slower in the winter.
Faster hair growth can be encouraged basically by figuring out if your hair is at its maximum health and max growth rate.
Many people today are not at their max growth rate because of a variety of factors. Many things can impact hair negatively to slow down its natural growth cycles. Stress has been proven to really retard healthy hair growth. Lack of proper nutrients and vitamins are also a big culprit. One of the big reasons we started selling H37 vitamins here at HB.com is that I personally discovered that it helped my hair get stronger and healthier. Healthy hair is essential to achieving your max growth rate. Its a chicken/egg thing. If you don`t have healthy hair you can`t achieve max growth and so to get the length you have to first make sure your hair is at optimal strength. Once you have all the ingredients going for strong and healthy hair, the growth takes care of itself.
Once you do achieve max growth rate it is considered rare to change it. Bottom line if your hair is programmed to grow at a rate of 1/2 inch permonth and you get it to the healthiest it can be and it starts to consistently grow 1/2 inch per month, you probably will not see it grow much faster than that.
I never say never about anything because the minute that I do, someone will step up and prove me wrong about my comment. :-) In general, once you get to your max hair growth cycle, it generally does not go overit.
I think the very first and most important step to achieving max hair growth is to stop and do a hair inventory. This is probably my business brain talking but how can you figure out how to get where you are going with a goal if you don`t first stop and figure out where you are at.
For me I have to stop and ask myself some serious questions. I do this with everything in my life, including my hair. So you can ask yourself a series of questions and based on those answers, formulate a plan of action and remedies.
As a minimum ask yourself the following:
1. How is your diet? Do you eat healthy or do you eat zero nutrition foods that are high in sugar, complex carbs and other "not so good for your body" foods. If you are looking for a good food plan that is great for hair you can check out the Zone Diet. I personally like the Caveman Diet because I feel better on it. However, it is not always easy to follow either plan.
It is also important to note that nutritionists have discovered that the healthiest eaters STILL need vitamin and mineral supplementation because the food we eat in the 2000s is normally lacking in the nutrients that we as humans need. Whether you do hair vitamins or find a good multi purpose vitamin, to have healthy hair you have to start with a healthy body and I am convinced that everyone today needs vitamins.
2. Once you have a plan to deal with nutritional challenges for your physical body, look at your mental and emotional body. Stress has been proven to cause all sorts of ailments from hair loss to brittle nails and bad skin. Yes it is virtually impossible to live stress free in today`s world. But there are ways to contain it. Even I take power naps and stop to watch XFiles or That 70s Show on TV. Taking time to relax helps.
3. Body work is also very beneficial. I have found that for me, exercise and regular body massage help. Scalp massage helps as well. I often ask my massage therapist to apply some aromatherapy oil to my scalp and massage that as part of the overall treatment. It helps a lot. Not only does it help my hair, it relaxes me. Massage also helps the overall circulation which is essential to healthy hair and a healthy body.
4. Find your own personal "hair click". I call it the "hairclick" because when I am doing everything right my hair just clicks. It feels great, looks great and just is easy to deal with. If anything is "off" then my hair acts up. It rebels. The key is finding your own individual formula for great hair & your own "click". This includes figuring out what products work best for you and your individual hair type. A lot of people here at HB.com are great about sharing their own long hair growing tips but bottom line, you have to find your own personal formula.
5. Avoid obsessing and do reasonal measurements. Sometimes things are changing for us but we can`t see the differences because we are too close to the situation. I have learned to use different measures of my hair condition and growth and not obsess about it on a daily or even weekly basis. I have my hair measured every 6 months and I also keep a journal about how often my hair needs highlighting (because of roots).
Another indicator of how my hair is doing is how dry it is or how the ends are doing. If my ends are doing well and not splitting, I know I am on the right tractk.
6. Be realistic and don`t beat yourself up. Understand that growing long hair is a commitment and a long term "process". You will have victories and challenges. That is life. Roll with the punches and be prepared to just keep on going. That helps in the long run.
There are lots of other things you can do which include finding a long hair "trainer" who is a styist devoted to helping people grow their hair long and healthy. Find a long hair buddy to help you stay focused. Hang out at the various messageboards that have long haired people to talk to. Keep your sense of humor about your hair.
One of my best bloopers was when I was at Borders Books in North Dallas and my hair got caught on a ficus tree. I had to literally drag the tree until I found a person to untangle me. I found the whole thing to be really bizarre but I was able to laugh about it.
Keep us posted on any questions or concerns. Also, hopefully lots of people will share their thoughts and ideas.
Best wishes,
Karen
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