When we're little, we love fairy tales. It never occurs to us that Cinderella probably had terrible acne due to lack of soap or that Rapunzel probably spent all of her time trimming split ends. But as we grow we suddenly realize that it takes more than being locked in a tower to grow luscious, ladder-length locks. It takes knowing the tips for growing hair long.
You must trim your hair to keep your growth from just breaking away. You must keep your scalp healthy to encourage growth. You must clean your tresses to keep them pretty. You must moisturize your hair to keep it strong and flexible. To help achieve these goals, use the following five tips.
1. Trim your hair.
Keeping your hair free of split ends is vital for growing long hair. It doesn't matter if you get ten inches of new growth when ten inches of split ends break off. Visit your stylist about every two months and you'll soon notice thick, strong hair from tip to end.
2. Condition your hair.
As your hair grows longer, it moves farther away from the moisturizing oils produced by your scalp. As your hair looses moisture it becomes brittle, dull and easy to break. Keeping those growing tresses conditioned can make all the difference between a beautiful head of hair and a nasty knot of straw.
3. Rinse hair with cool water.
For the best shampoo and conditioning results, always rinse your hair with cool water before leaving the bath or shower. The cold helps close hair cuticles which in turn retains moisture, makes locks shiny and helps strengthen each strand.
4. Don't damage your hair.
Every time you blow dry, curl or straighten your hair, you're causing damage. The heat dries your strands out, making them weak. If you're trying to grow long, healthy locks, these styling practices can work directly against you. For the best results, gently pat the extra water from your hair with a towel, and then let it air dry.
5. Brush your hair correctly.
As your hair grows, you need to change your brushing technique. Long hair should never be brushed from root to tip. Starting at the top just pushes all those tangles together at the tip of your hair, causing major split ends. Instead, start brushing two inches above your hair tips. Work out all the knots, and then move another two inches up. Repeat this process until you reach your roots.
 | There's no short cut to long hair. Long hair care takes work. The key to a healthy head of hair begins with the perfect cut. Since hair grows approximately six inches a year, you'll need to practice patience and keep your hair healthy while it grows. |
 | Easy hairstyles for long hair will let your simple, elegant beauty shine through. |
 | Haircut ideas for long hair will allow you to show off your tresses to best advantage. |
 | Many women give up their longer locks when they age. Is it a general preference or an unspoken rule? |
Whether you hate your new short cut, or just like the look of a luxurious mane, there are various reasons to want longer hair. Unfortunately, hair grows at a pretty solid rate of about a half an inch per month, and there isn't much that can be done to speed its growth. |
