You were quick to jump into that short hair trend, but now summer is here and all you can think about are long beachy locks. On average, our hair grows half an inch every month, but with the proper techniques and products, you can speed that number up.

The rate at which your hair grows depends on two main things: the shape of your hair follicles and genetics. Asian hair is generally the most coarse and thickest when compared with African and Caucasian hair. Even though a 0.5-inch hair growth per month can sound like a lot, in reality, we don’t really feel it. That’s because factors such as a bad diet, over-styling, and improper hair care routines can lead to breakages and split ends, which end up shrinking your hair length.

How Exactly Does Our Hair Grow?

Each hair sprouts from one follicle and, depending on your hereditary makeup, your scalp can have between 90,000 and 150,000 follicles. Follicles are basically a mammalian skin organ and along with stem cells, they assist in producing and growing hair. Your hair starts growing from the root in the base of the follicle, which is comprised up of protein cells. Blood from your vessels present in the scalp nourishes the roots, which create more cells and multiplies the hair growth. If you are looking to speed up this entire process, here are 6 things you can do to achieve that.

1. Trim It Frequently

Yup, there it is again. It is a tip that you’ve most probably heard before, but dismissed without a second thought. Even though it may sound odd, if you are looking to grow your hair then you must get rid of all the damage and breakage that may be hindering the growth process. Damaged ends will break off and make your hair shorter anyway, so trimming them isn’t the worst idea. However, if your hair is not damaged and perfectly healthy from roots to ends then there are really no point for you to get those regular trims.

2. Don’t Change Shades

Bleaching and dying your hair often means they have to come in contact with harsh chemicals often, and this only means one thing: breakage. If you must dye then it is recommended to stick to a darker hue. If you are already blonde, embrace the outgrowth while you are trying to grow out your tresses.

3. Brush Daily, Especially Before Going To Bed

Gently brushing your scalp and hair prior to hopping in the shower helps get rid of dead skin cells that can block hair follicles and hinder new hair growth. Moreover, it stimulates blood flow to the scalp and brings along surplus oil down the hair shaft to condition the ends.

If you don’t have a high-quality brush already, you will need to invest in one with natural bristles (boar or vegetable), even though; plastic bristle brushes cannot grip the oil and redistribute it throughout the hair.

However, it is important to remember that brushing your hair too often can actually end up putting a lot of stress on your roots, which can ultimately lead to shedding. Before going to bed, gently stroke your hair with a high-quality bristled brush, which will help distribute your scalp’s natural oils evenly throughout your hair.

4. Eat Foods That Nourish Your Hair

Your hair health is directly related to your nutritional intake. Although a good shampoo and conditioner are important for hair care, it isn’t the only requirement.  Hair is mainly made up of proteins and therefore your body needs to retain a certain amount of protein to give you healthy and shiny hair. A diet that is well-balanced and rich in protein, minerals, and vitamins is extremely crucial.

Eating a diet comprising of biotin (also known as vitamin H) can help stimulate hair growth. This is because biotin helps in the metabolism of amino acids and carbs, which are the building grounds for protein.  Listed below are some of the foods that can make your hair grow faster:

• Eggs
• Peanuts, almonds, walnuts, and pecans
• Cheese and milk
• Cooked liver and pork
• Avocado
• Sardines and salmon
• Leafy greens such as spinach, kale, etc.
• Cauliflower

At present day, however, acquiring the much-needed vitamins and minerals from our diets can be difficult, making it rather necessary for us to switch to multivitamin supplements. For quick hair growth, go for vitamins that are specifically designed for “hair, nails, and skin”. This is because such supplements pack crucial vitamins like vitamins B and C, folic acid and biotin, which are essential for hair health.

Another great option worth considering is the Kerotin Hair Growth Vitamin supplements by Kerotin Hair Care. This product includes biotin, vitamins A, B, D-3, as well as folic acid, all of which are tremendously crucial for healthy hair. All hair care products supplied by the company are made in the US with natural, non-GMO and FDA-approved ingredients, and the products have never been tested out on animals.

5. Don’t Use Heat Tools

This point is talked about often, but that’s only because it is one of the most important ones. Hair, especially the curly and fine type, is very vulnerable to damage, and frying them in heat tools only doubles the harm. And as we learned before, damaged hair is prone to breakage, which leaves your hair length shorter than before.

Avoiding heat tools altogether may be outright impossible for some. If that’s the case with you, then you should consider investing in the highest quality tools you can afford. Go for tools that contain ionic properties, made with ceramic or tourmaline.

6. Hydrate Your Body

Drinking water is beneficial for since it helps get rid of toxins, thus allowing for an optimum functioning of the whole body. Because your hair is dependent on the rest of your body to keep it hydrated, it is very important to ensure you are always hydrated.

Incorporating these tips into your daily hair care routine will help you achieve healthier, stronger and longer locks in no time.