Long hair doesn’t discriminate. Man or woman, it acts as a great asset for anyone to flaunt. For some, envious locks come naturally thanks to good genes, while others must be patient before growing those dream inches. However, the common denominator between both is regular maintenance. Having long hair isn’t a one-off thing if you want to continue looking like a modern-day Tarzan. It requires regular hair maintenance. Both internal and external factors should be accounted for if you want to know how to maintain long hair naturally.
Let’s go the extra ‘length’ and to ensure that your long mane stays as lustrous as ever!
The Hair Growth Cycle
On average, hair grows longer by half an inch or three-fourths of an inch each month. In some cases, if people experience faster hair growth, hair can grow by an inch each month. Furthermore, we lose between 50–100 strands a day. However, some people may notice more shedding than that. The overall hair growth cycle is influenced by lifestyle and underlying health issues. Before elaborating further on this, we’ll explore what exactly is the hair growth cycle. There are three stages to hair growth which are anagen, catagen and telogen.
Anagen: This is the start of the hair growth phase where the follicles start to form hair fibres. This active stage of growth can last up to several years (5 years or more). The hair fibres can also vary in speed and length. Anagen phase is where you can determine how long and fast the hair can grow during the growth cycle.
Catagen: Between the active and rest phase is when hair strands are fully formed. This phase can last up to weeks. When they reach complete growth, the strands get detached from the blood supply and rest on the topmost part of the scalp. They’re also referred to as ‘club hair’ due to the bulbous structure of the root due to the build-up of keratin.
Telogenstrong>: Also known as the ‘exogen’ phase, hair growth comes to a complete halt. At this point, the fully formed hair enters a resting period that can last up to three months. Post this, the hair starts to shed. On average, we lose about 50-100 strands per day. Once the telogen phase ends, the anagen phase starts all over again and replaces the old hair.
A healthy hair cycle is highly influenced by how to take care of your hair externally and internally. Here are some of the best tips on how to maintain long hair.
External Care
Deep Oil Massages
Oil massages have played a crucial role in traditional hair care solutions. They nourish the scalp, stimulate the hair follicles and improve the hair’s quality. Coconut oil, castor oil and sesame oil are the most commonly used carrier oils. Adding essential oils like rosemary can show significant improvement in hair growth.
Nykaa recommends:
Proper Shampoo
Following a proper scalp cleansing regimen prevents clogged roots, greasiness and itchiness. Breakage-preventing shampoos and hair-growth shampoos are great options if you want to maintain healthy lengths. Go for sulphate-free shampoo if your scalp is prone to dryness and irritation. A sulphate shampoo is a better option if you have a naturally oily scalp.
Nykaa recommends:
Conditioner/Hair Mask
Conditioner may not have a direct impact on your scalp health but it’s greatly beneficial to help repair the damage your hair strands endure due to heat damage, environmental stress, and stubborn frizz. Using a conditioner and hair once a week (on separate hair wash days) deeply nourishes the cuticles to prevent breakage, and split ends and gives it a healthy shine.
Nykaa recommends:
Hair Growth Serum
If you want to continue down the scalp care, a hair growth serum is another great addition to your hair care routine if you want to maintain long hair. These are lightweight serums with potent follicle-stimulating ingredients like anagain, redensyl, caffeine, rosemary oil and more to accelerate hair growth. These serums take somewhere between three to six months to take effect so patience is key.
Nykaa recommends:
Less Heat Styling
Though using a heat protectant can help, constant heat styling can catch up to your hair and cause extreme damage. Frayed cuticles and weaker bonds can weaken the hair strands, ultimately leading to hair breakage. So, when you can, let your hair be in its natural state. This maintains not just the health but the natural shape of the hair strands.
Internal Care
Nutrition
We may sulk at the idea of a balanced diet. But our hair follicles love all the nutrition we get from food that’s wholesome. When there’s proportionate intake of all the essential vitamins, minerals and protein, the hair follicles grow strong, enabling a longer anagen phase which in turn will help the hair grow longer.
Gut Health
“Gut” is another term for the gastrointestinal system. Its vital role is to break down food to absorb all the nutrients and send it to the bloodstream. This all happens with a combination of nerves, good bacteria and hormones. When the gut is well-regulated, it maintains the overall health of the body, skin and hair.
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Supplement Intake
Adding hair supplements to healthy food can also help keep your hair healthy from within. Omega 3 and biotin are two of the most common supplements taken to prevent hair woes like hair fall, breakage and stunted growth. Omega 3 are healthy fats that have been proven to reduce hair loss and improve the anagen phase of the hair growth cycle. Biotin is a type of vitamin that is known to improve overall hair health
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Regular Health Checkups
Stunted hair growth and constant hair fall can be symptoms of underlying health issues. So, taking supplements or using topical hair solutions will not be entirely effective if you don’t identify the root cause of it. Going for regular health checkups and blood tests will help a medical expert discover the reasons for incessant hair breakage or hair loss.
If you’re on a hair growth journey, keep these factors in mind and in no time, you’re sure to become a pro on how to maintain healthy long hair.
