With Ke December Boss just around the corner, it’s time to get that holiday hair in check. Whether your hair is natural or straightened; the longer the better.
Undoubtedly, 2016/2017 were years for short cuts. But as we head towards 2018, long hair is making a major comeback. If you previously embraced the short hair trend and are now recovering from the big chop or just want to add some length to your stagnant style, then read up.
Growing out your hair can be a bit frustrating. And while it might take a while, if you start now, you might just be able to add that much wanted length to your hair in just a few months. In this edition, we uncover 10 quick and easy hacks that will add a few inches to your hair, just in time for the festive season.
1. Trims
Although it seems counter intuitive, trimming your hair while growing it out will actually help hair growth. By trimming the ends of your hair, you get rid of any damaged, broken, or split ends.
Hack: We Love the Split-Ender Pro; a machine that snips off just 3mm of split hair from your tips. This allows your hair to grow longer without losing too much length.
2. Your diet
It’s not a myth! Certain foods can help accelerate the hair growth process. Eating healthy fats such as avocados, salmon, tuna, and nuts really helps the hair become stronger and less prone to damage.
Hack: Prepare your healthy meals in advance so you are not tempted to grab greasy, nutrient deficient meals during meal times.
3. Avoid heat damage
This is a major cause for hair damage. Although, styling options can become a little limited without heat styling, finding a way to give your hair a break from heat styling can really be advantageous. Flat irons, blow dryers, and curling irons can really cause damage to your hair, breaking the strands you’re working so hard to grow. As much as possible, find a way to style your hair without heat.
Hack: There are various tools on the market that help you stretch out your hair without heat. Try Roller sets, Perm rods or rubber plates. Check out this link for other ways to stretch out your hair.
4. It’s okay to skip a wash
For ladies who wash their hair on a daily basis, you may be doing harm without being aware of it. Give your shampoo a break and skip an extra day or so in between washes to help nourish your scalp with natural oils.
Hack: On the off days, turn to dry shampoo, or if you really can’t skip a wash, look into cleansing conditioners that work to put moisture into your hair without stripping it first.
5. Treat your scalp with an oil treatment
When you do wash your hair, it’s important to focus on your scalp. Massaging your scalp with your fingertips for about 3 minutes a day helps to stimulate the follicles.
Hack: Check out our previous article, re-growing your edges, on the best oils to help grow your hair.
6. Sleep in a mask / treatment
Wash your hair at night and apply a hydrating mask or intense treatment, but instead of washing it out after about 20-30 minutes, sleep with the mask in, with a towel over your pillow to protect your sheets. Rinse the mask out in the morning and your hair will feel like it got the equivalent of a full night’s rest from damage.
Hack: Add marula oil or any other hydrating oil to your treatment to get a super intense treatment. All the dead hair and dry tips just fall off by themselves.
7. Turn down the water temperature
You may want to rethink the extra hot showers, as hot water can dry out your hair and make it more brittle. In the same way that hot water can dry out your skin, it can also dehydrate your hair, so make the switch to a more mild temperature.
Hack: Schedule your wash times in the middle of the day to avoid the water being too cold.
8. Try co-washing
Co-washing is the process of using only conditioner to wash your hair, alternating between washes. Co-washing works well because conditioner will rinse away surface dirt without stripping away natural oils the way shampoo can.
Hack: Add a vinegar or acidic rinse to remove product build-up.
9. Stay hydrated
Drinking water can help with your overall health, but it’s also a great catalyst for hair growth. So drink up!
Hack: Drink water that has a ph level of 7 or above for maximum hydration. Oasis is a great choice.
10. Don’t be afraid to experiment
Growing out your hair requires some patience and can be pretty frustrating, but it doesn’t need to be miserable. While your hair is in the in between stages of growth, experiment with new hairstyles and products to really make the most of your length.
Hack: Alternate between wigs, braids and natural styles to change up your look.
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To pose hair & beauty questions email twincarenamibia@gmail.com
Main Image: Nekwaya Iileka of lipstickandafros.com
