Myth #2: I found this new shampoo that will make hair grow longer and faster!
No, you did not.
Have you ever seen an advertisement for a shampoo that will make your
hair grow longer or faster? Well, it's impossible for any topical
product to have an effect on how your hair grows! Hair growth is all
about what's happening
inside your body. I've got 4 tips on what will
actually make your hair grow longer
and faster:
1. Eat Right
Healthy food promotes healthy hair. Your diet is
so
related to having long, healthy hair. Our hair is made of protein, so
getting enough protein in your diet is essential for hair growth.
Proteins such as chicken and turkey, fish, eggs, soy products, beans,
and nuts are good choices if you're wanting your hair to grow. Fats
(yes, I said the "F-word") are really good for your hair. But make sure
you are eating the right type of fats: Omega 3. Marine and plant oils
like salmon, flaxseed oil, sardines, walnuts, and spinach are all very
rich in omega 3 fats.
2. Relax
Stress
can actually cause your hair to stop growing. When you are under
extreme stress, your body can go into something called "survival mode,"
in which it will only produce things to help you stay alive. You don't
need hair to live, so your body may stop producing the proteins needed
to grow hair. Exercise is a fantastic stress relief! When you exercise,
your body produces endorphins, which is your own natural
"happy-chemical." Yoga is the perfect choice for a stress relieving
exercise.
3. See a Doctor
There
are a host of medical conditions that can stunt hair growth and they're
not all that rare. For example, blood count, thyroid conditions and
hormonal imbalances can all contribute to stunted hair growth. Normal
hair grows 1/2 inch - 5/8 inch per month. If you really feel like your
hair isn't growing like it should be, speak with your doctor about what
could be causing the problem.
4.Take Your Vitamins
This,
in my opinion, is the best and fastest way to get your hair to grow
faster. You should be making sure that you are getting Vitamins A, D, E,
and K in your normal diet. Those are all vitamins that are necessary
for hair growth. On top of those vitamins, I recommend taking a couple
supplements that you can find in the vitamin isle of any grocery store.
The first one is
Biotin. I recommend this to all my
clients (especially brides) that are trying to grow their hair long by a
certain date. It will dramatically increase your hair growth, and also
your nail growth. The second is
fish oil pills (beware,
they smell terrible). Fish oil pills containing B-complex will speed up
the growth of hair follicles. Be careful about taking both supplements
at the same time because they both contain vitamin B. As always, consult
your doctor before adding any supplements to your diet.
Check back next week for
Hair Myths Exposed: Part III, in which I reveal the truth about "Wash, Rinse, Repeat" and how you should
actually be washing your hair!
