Tips To Grow Hair Fast Without The Help Of Hair Products

Illustration (Deepak Sethi/iStockphoto)

JAKARTA - It takes a long time to grow hair. On average, hair grows about six inches each year, according to The American Academy of Dermatology Association. But, often this growth is not optimal, especially if you lose 50-100 strands of hair every day.

However, you can change certain aspects of your daily hair care routine to make your hair grow faster. Whether it's using a different comb, adjusting how often you use the hairdryer, adding foods to make hair grow faster, or using certain hair vitamins, there's always a secret to growing hair faster at home.

Launching Good Housekeeping, Tuesday, March 15, here are a series of tips.

Diligently cut

This may seem counterintuitive, but if you want really healthy long hair, you need to trim it regularly. "While cutting hair doesn't make hair grow faster, it can get rid of the split ends that damage your hair," explains Michael Dueñas, celebrity hairstylist for Aloxxi in Los Angeles. "Removing the damage can make your hair grow faster."

Eat the right food

Having long and strong hair depends not only on the products you use for your hair, but also on what you put in your body. "To promote hair growth, you need to 'feed' the hair from within," explains Francesca Fusco, MD, a dermatologist in NYC. So what foods make hair grow faster? Which is high in protein, including meat and other sources. "Try increasing your protein intake with foods like fish, beans, nuts and seeds," advises Dr. Fusco.

Even if you are not a meat lover, you should still maintain a high protein diet for hair growth. Women who don't get enough protein often experience "more hair loss," says Dr. Fusco. In addition to foods high in protein, vitamins A, C and E, minerals such as zinc and iron and omega-3 fatty acids also contribute to healthy hair.

Take a multivitamin every morning

If the diet is not providing enough nutrients, supplements can make a big difference. "Look for a multivitamin that's formulated and labeled 'for hair, skin and nails,'" advises Dr. Fusco. "They contain important vitamins like biotin and C and B which can support healthy hair."

(Ali Pazani/Unsplash)

Comb hair regularly

Sleeping with your hair uncombed may seem tempting when you're tired, but giving your hair a few quick strokes is good for the overall health of your hair and scalp. "Starting at the scalp, use a comb with soft bristles to evenly distribute the oil from the scalp across the hair, keeping it naturally moisturized," advises Meri Kate O'Connor, senior colorist at Tabb & Sparks Salon in Santa Monica, CA.

Shower with cold water

Hot showers can dehydrate the skin and also make hair rough. "Cold water problems," suggests Paves and pay a little extra attention to the scalp. Massage with fingers while shampooing to deeply remove impurities and help increase circulation.