3 Hair Care Habits Secretly Slowing Your Hair Growth
When it comes to growing healthy hair, consistency is key. However, some common habits might be sabotaging your progress without you even realizing it! Let’s explore three hair care habits that might be slowing your growth and how to reverse it!
1. Skipping Regular Washing
Why It Slows Growth:
Your scalp is the foundation of healthy hair. Skipping regular washes allows buildup of sebum, product, and dead skin cells, creating a poor environment for hair growth. This buildup can clog follicles, reduce nutrient delivery, and even lead to scalp irritation.
What to Do Instead:
Wash your hair every week or at the least every 2 weeks. Use a hydrating shampoo that cleanses without stripping moisture, focusing on your scalp to remove buildup.
Pro Tip: Incorporate a monthly scalp exfoliation treatment to deeply cleanse and promote better oxygen and nutrient flow to your follicles.
2. Skipping a Good Hair Vitamin
Why It Slows Growth:
Hair follicles need essential nutrients to produce healthy, strong strands. A lack of vitamins like biotin, zinc, iron, and vitamin D can cause thinning, slower growth, and even shedding.
What to Do Instead:
Add a high-quality hair vitamin to your routine to support your hair from the inside out. Look for vitamins with biotin, folic acid, and key minerals, and pair them with a nutrient-dense diet. Foods like leafy greens, eggs, nuts, and fatty fish can give your hair the nutrients it craves.
Pro Tip: If you’re noticing significant hair thinning or slow growth, consult a doctor to check for deficiencies, especially in iron and vitamin D.
3. Neglecting to Protect Your Ends
Why It "Slows Growth":
Your ends are the oldest and most fragile part of your hair. Without proper care, they’re prone to breakage and split ends, making it difficult to retain length even as your hair grows from the roots.
What to Do Instead:
Keep your ends moisturized and sealed with a water based moisturizer and a lightweight oil. Use protective styles like buns, twists, or braids (nothing too tight!) to minimize manipulation, and trim your ends regularly (8-12 weeks, or as needed) to prevent split ends from worsening.
Pro Tip: Switch to a silk or satin pillowcase to protect your ends from friction while you sleep, reducing breakage and dryness overnight.
THE BOTTOM LINE:
Hair growth doesn’t have to feel like a mystery. By washing your hair regularly, nourishing it from within, and protecting your ends, you can create a routine that encourages healthy growth and length retention. Start making these changes today and set your hair up for success!