Natural hair growth takes time and while most natural hair would grow at a normal pace, some factors might some other natural hair from growing and looking healthy however there are things that can be done to encourage and enhance the growing process, natural hair needs utmost care to grow and over the years lot’s of tricks and tips have been suggested by dermatologist and stylist but finding the one that works for you greatly depends on factors like stress, genetics, low iron count and apparently excessive styling.
Every natural hair has it’s own characteristics and type hence how fast it grows differs, hair growth is a process and for your hair to maintain a great length and look healthy, this process must be carried out in full.
Whether you are transitioning or made the big chop, natural hair can be breathtaking either way but if you are on a mission to have healthy long natural hair, here is just the right article for you.
How long does it take for natural hair to grow?
Hair grows approximately ½ inches per month which is a total of 6 inches per year which is average across all races however the Asian hair grows slightly faster than the average, caucasian hair grows near the average and the black hair tends to grow at or just below the average.
How fast most black natural hair grows depends solely on how you care for your hair. Genetics and proper hair care are both optimal for hair growth.
Growing your hair will require lots of patience and consistent care, frankly, the time estimates for growing each hair are just estimating as no one really knows how long it will take your specific hair to grow. Long hair does not happen overnight and the process of long hair for each person varies.
Does a healthy diet help hair growth?
What you put inside your body affects things on the outside, one of which is your hair, consuming a diet that lacks the proper nutrients will only lead to hair loss, on the other hand eating a balanced diet with the rights nutrient can promote hair growth especially if you are experiencing hair loss.
Hair is heavily dependent on protein hence it is advisable to consume more of it.
Fruits and vegetables also contain the right nutrient for your hair to grow so eat plenty of those, healthy fats are an important part of a healthy diet, it promotes overall wellness and is the key to healthy hair growth.
Does hair grow faster when you sleep?
Keeping a schedule of how your hair grows will only make the process look longer, human hair growth is connected to metabolism, so the rate human hair grows has more to do with the activity rate, there is an increase in the release of growth hormones while you sleep, our skin cells regenerate and hair grows longer, sleep is when the body repairs damages or relieve stress done during the day.
A healthy sleeping habit will make you feel healthier and better however there is no scientific backing that says it makes your hair grow longer.
Does protective styling grow hair?
A protective style is any hair configuration that keeps your ends safely tucked away, these hairdos require very little maintenance and can be done at the comfort of your home, protective styling is designed to retain growth while you grow your hair and it keeps your hair soft during the process. Protective styling won’t necessarily grow your hair and studies show leaving protective styling in for too long can cause breakage.
Protective styling is a low maintenance hairstyle with no manipulative alternative, it offers you the luxury of keeping your hair and curls controlled for a period of 3 to 6 weeks. Protective styling is recommended as a must if you want to retain your natural hair length.
How do I boost my hair’s growth naturally?
Natural hair growth is sometimes hindered as a result of inadequate nourishment and this can be easily rectified with some simple tips, lack of proper maintenance will cause hair breakage faster than any factors, below are simple tips that can speed your hair growth.
1. Essential Oil Supplements
Essential oil like coconut oil, olive oil, avocado oil provides you with a healthier, thicker, and longer hair, this won’t directly grow your hair but keep the natural oil evenly distributed which in turn helps your hair grow and retain its length.
2. Protein Supplements
Protein deficiency can cause hair breakage and just as protein treatment can speed your hair growth by nourishing it and making it stronger. Protein treatments can be in the form of a restoring damaged hair mask or a deep conditioner.
3. Vitamin Supplements
Vitamin treatment is just as important as a protein treatment, it supplies your hair with multiple nutrients that help it grow fast and stay strong.
4. Fish Oil Supplements
Fish oil supplements help stimulate growth and enhance natural hair, fish oil supplements are often in the form of capsules, it contains omega-3 fatty acids, which are highly beneficial to hair growth. These supplements are good at tackling natural hair dryness and brittleness.
8 Simple Ways To Make Your Natural Hair Grow Faster
For some women, enviable long hair happens while for some, the right maintenance and care have to be done to make this happen. There is nothing more beautiful than a crown of healthy natural hair and there are several easy steps you can follow to keep your hair long and happy.
1. Use A Pre Shampoo
Pre pooing is done before shampooing or washing your hair, it is a process that involves treating hair with oils or conditioning treatment before using the actual shampoo, it’s thick which allows it to form a coat over the hair strand before washing it.
Pre pooing forms a protective layer against the harsh chemicals found in shampoo, you can make your own pre-poo yourself using a protein-based conditional and organic oil. This is an old method of protecting your hair from breakage and we think it is something that should still be done.
2. Eat The Right Foods
What you eat plays lots of role in how your skin and hair turn out, for fast hair growth you need to include the right food in your diet plan, try increasing your protein intake with foods like fish, nuts, beans, whole grains, and avocados. You should aim to add more vital nutrients to your diet and add foods that are high in Vitamin A, C, and E, minerals like zinc and iron, and omega 3 fatty acids which can all contribute to healthier hair.
3. Use The Right Shampoo
Most shampoo products are formulated with ingredients that are harsh and unfriendly to African American hair type hence it is advisable to watch out for these products and go for a sulfate-free shampoo and be extra careful when selecting a shampoo, follow every shampoo wash with conditioning to lock in moisture.
4. Use A Conditioner Once Every Wash
Washing your hair would strip it os some of its vital nutrients and this can not be prevented but can be controlled with the right conditioner. Conditioner helps restore hair oils and moisture and also nourish it, and also using conditioner after every shampoo wash helps your hair feel softer and get back in shape.
These are the best deep conditioners for natural hair.
5. Moisturize Your Hair
One of the most recommended methods every natural hair needs to be aware of is how much moisture your hair needs, adequate moisture in your hair for fast growth, and this also prevents it from breakage and split ends, additionally adequate moisturizing keeps your hair looking shiny and bright.
6. Distribute Your Hair’s Natural Oil
It is tempting to go to bed leaving your hair all tangled up without combing but that might be doing more harm than good, you should not hesitate to give your hair a few strokes with a boar bristle brush before bedtime, this helps to distribute your scalps oils evenly onto your hair so it stays naturally moisturized. Using other essential oil to massage your scalp also helps distribute your hair’s natural oil and grow your hair.
7. Avoid Heat Styling Tools
Heat styling can cause lots of damages to natural hair if you must use heat then it is advised to use a heat protectant or decrease the temperature. Heat styling on natural hair can strip it of vital nutrients needed for it to grow hence it is best to avoid heat styling and go for less manipulative hairstyles.
8. Get Frequent Trims
A healthy black hair must be backed with a healthy regular trim, scheduling a trim every 3-4 months or 12 to 16 weeks will help to keep your hair healthy and strong, this process will ensure you maintain the shape of your hair and remove naturally splitting ends.
Natural hair needs to stay strong and healthy with having this split ends causing breakages in order to grow, Healthy hair will have no damage or breakage if regular trimming and conditioning is done.
Most natural hair is subjected to harsh chemicals and extreme heat snd this can hinder it’s fast growth hence you should try more organic products on your hair, knowing your hair type is also important if you want to grow your hair with the right product, a big part of growing Natural hair faster is knowing what products to use and secondly is knowing how to care for it. You can also try using essential oils to boost your hair length.
Read more on natural hair care tips:
- What Is 4C Hair? (Natural Hair Types Explained)
- 4 Simple Ways to Straighten Natural Hair
- 5 Reasons Why Natural Hair is Better Than Relaxed Hair
- How Often Should You Wash Natural Hair?
- 7 Challenges That Comes With Keeping Natural Hair
- Natural Hair Types: How Many Are There?
- What Is Protective Styling For Natural Hair?
- 17 Best Deep Conditioners For Natural Hair With Great Reviews
