How To: Grow Long, Healthy Hair

Dreaming of that long beach hair this summer? We sat down with Medulla & Co hair professionals to give you 6 tips if you’re looking to grow long, luscious hair and fast!

1. Diet

Your hair needs nutrients to grow in its healthiest form. Healthy body? Healthy hair. It’s as simple as that. So, what types of food should you be incorporating into your daily diet to help your mane grow?

Eggs are a great source of protein and full of a B-vitamin called biotin.

Almonds are full of healthy fats, magnesium and vitamin D that help guard against hair loss and promote healthy hair growth.

Cinnamon! I know what you’re thinking, how can cinnamon help my hair grow?! Cinnamon helps to stimulate blood flow in the body - better blood flow, better hair!

Salmon is full of protein and omegas - this combination strengthens hair from the root while giving you that extra shine and bounce.

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Image: @bewellbykelly)

For our veggie friends, lentils are an amazing source of protein, iron, B vitamins, potassium and magnesium, which are all essential for healthy hair growth.

Dark Chocolate. Yup, sometimes we need to give in to that craving, why not make your hair healthier while you indulge? Raw dark chocolate is full of copper, zinc and iron. These minerals harness the power of happy, healthy hair. Chocolate is a known stimulant, increasing blood flow throughout the body and promoting hair growth!

If you lead a busy life and feel like you don’t have the time to prep high protein, vitamin packed meals Medulla & Co Yorkville Colour Tech, Jade, swears by a biotin supplement. Biotin, or vitamin B7, contains key nutrients that your hair, nails and skin crave.

Another supplement option is Viviscal. Viviscal is a drug-free hair supplement that promotes hair growth from the inside out. Our Master Colourist, Nikki, raves,

“It’s still one of the best on the market and it’s all natural!”

2. Shampooing & Scalp Treatments

First things first, stop using drugstore shampoos! It makes a difference! Drugstore hair care products tend to be packed with parabens, sulfates and much more, these chemicals can strip your hair! Instead, check out our line of Toxin Free hair happy products. Once you’ve found your ideal shampoo, Medulla & Co. Queen West Sr. Stylist, Alex, suggests washing your hair twice. Use the same amount of shampoo but split it up between two washes.

“It’s like taking your makeup off and then washing your face.”

Providing a deep cleanse is vital so your scalp can breathe and new hair can flourish.

The way you shampoo can also help your hair grow. Medulla & Co Yorkville Sr. Stylist, Chris, suggests giving yourself a head massage every so often to promote blood flow around the scalp. He says,

“Starting from the bottom of your scalp and working your way towards the hairline will help move the blood flow to areas that need it the most, thus delivering precious oxygen to the follicles on the top of your head.”

Many of our hair professionals recommend a caster oil scalp treatment once a month.

Jade says, mix castor oil and vitamin E oil together and apply to dry hair - leave the mixture in your hair for 10-20 mins. Then, shampoo twice and condition the ends as normal.

“Castor oil has been used for thousands of years by various cultures to promote fast and stronger hair growth” - Chris

3. Conditioning

Conditioning your hair is a key step in caring for your locks. Conditioner seals your hair’s cuticles, locking in nutrients and moisture while keepING pollutants out. In doing so, conditioner strengthens the hair shaft preventing breakage. Be sure to avoid the scalp when conditioning, apply from mid-length to ends only. Shampoo is for your scalp and conditioner is for your hair.

4. Styling

Heated styling tools are a major cause of breakage and damage. If you love the flat iron make sure you’re protecting your hair before use and caring for your locks in between treatments. Yorkville Sr. Stylist, Sandra, recommends that her clients use a leave-in-conditioner, like TO112’s hair cream, and two drops of hair serum before blow drying to prevent heat damage and supply moisture until your next wash.

5. Your Pillowcase Makes a Difference

We spend nearly half of our lives sleeping, but have you ever asked how your current pillowcase is affecting your hair? Cotton pillowcases absorb moisture leaving your hair feeling dry and brittle. They also cause friction ultimately leading to breakage.

A silk pillowcase while help to reduce friction on your hair while you sleep and allows your hair to retain its natural moisture. The delicate surface hinders breakage, frizz & tangles in hair, and as an additional bonus, a silk pillowcase prevents creasing & wrinkles in skin! Get one HERE.

6. Get a Trim Often

Last but not least, your stylist has been telling you for years that frequent trims will do your hair wonders! Queen West Stylist, Jacinta, recommends her clients re-book every 3 months so she can “dust the ends” and clean up any split ends before the completely split and break off.

Growing long hair is not an easy task, a lot goes into getting crazy long, healthy tresses. Treat these 6 tips as a ritual and, with a little patience, you’ll see some major growth by summer time!

Do you have another tip that you swear by? LET US KNOW! Tag us in your hair transformation on Instagram with the hashtag #HairYouLoveToLiveIn!