How to Grow Strong and Thick Hair - If This Doesn't Work... You're Hair Loss May Just Be Genetics

The older I get, the more I realize the importance of taking care of what I already have and not permanently damaging it because of a fad. Most people have gorgeous eyebrows, but went through a phase in high school where they over plucked them. Now they will never grow back to how beautiful and full they once were. Some people have healthy skin, but decide to sit outside in the sun at peak UV hours to be tanned for the next few weeks. They do this at the cost of having skin that ages faster through wrinkles and dark spots. Some people, like myself, had their grandmother praise their thick and shiny golden locks of hair. But, one day those people decided to wake up every morning in high school and fry their hair with a flat iron (without heat protectant). THAT IS ALMOST 1,500 DAYS  OF SUFFOCATING THOSE GOLDEN LOCKS TO A CRISP. Now these people (me) have areas in my hair that refuse to grow past a certain length or simply won’t produce the thick and luscious hair I once had, just because my pretty friends had straight hair. Ugh. My point is, most of us were born with natural beauty but at one point or another tried to change it because of trends going around that just won't last. 

Since high school, I went down rabbit holes of “How to grow thick hair overnight” or “How to get my hair to grow down to my waist in a week!” Now of course those “How to’s” are impossible to do; however, the searches brought me down paths of articles on how to begin growing long and thick and HEALTHY hair again. Now fast forward half a decade, and my hair is at a place where it is thick and long again and I actually get complimented on it quite often. Here’s what I’ve learned. 

1. No Heat

Hot tools are not good for your hair. This one is pretty self explanatory and you all already know this so I will be quick. Try to use hot tools as minimally as possible. Sure use a curling iron for your graduation or wedding or night out on the town with the gals if it boosts your confidence. However, make sure you use a good heat protectant beforehand, and don’t go over the same strand ONE MILLION TIMES. Basically, try not to make using a hot tool part of your daily routine. I know you’re thinking “that is easier said than done,” but learn how to do heatless hairstyles. Learn to do overnight heatless curls, or put your hair in a broad or a slick back bun. Try to start by doing this hairstyle even once a week. Then work up to three times a week. The more you see yourself in these hairstyles, the more you will be comfortable not putting heat on your hair. 

2. Be Gentil

Some people are wayyyy too rough with their hair. They brush it too aggressively and say “but my hair is so tangly!” Then invest in a hair detangler spray. Or they will pull their hair in a tight ponytail everyday… Why do you think JoJo Siwa’s hair is receding already?! The more you tug and pull on your hair, the more it will recede or fall out over time. Be gentle with it. A significant way hair becomes unhealthy is overnight when they toss and turn on their cotton pillow. Invest in a silk pillow that is more gentle on your hair throughout the night. 

3. Products

Use a shampoo and conditioner that is paraben and sulfate free so you aren’t putting damaging chemicals in your hair throughout the week. 

Put 5 drops of rosemary oil on your scalp an hour before you hop in the shower (don’t leave your house in that hour though because the smell is STRONG) with other oil as carrier (could be argan oil or coconut oil) to help it distribute evenly across your scalp. Do this twice a week consistently fore months and it will promote hair growth. Rosemary oil is one of the only scientifically proven methods of thickening hair.

Get a hair TRIM twice a year. You must get rid of split ends before they split too much or you will eventually have to chop a significant amount of hair off. Don’t do it yourself… trust me I've done this too many times and it never ends well. This one isn’t a product but whatever I guess it’s a service which is close enough.

Buy a good heat protectant spray and post shower detangling spray. 

Anything more than these products is a scam. 

4. The Importance of Consumption

Here’s a list of things that can make your hair grow slowly, thin, or god forbid fall out

• Bad diet

• Bad workout routine

• Not enough water

• Not enough protein

• Not enough vitamins

• High stress

• Certain prescription drugs 

Basically, try to live a healthy life and your hair will follow. 

These are the best tips I can think of right now. I’ve implemented all of this in my routine over the last 5 years and I wouldn’t waste my time doing them if they didn’t work. Trust me, I’ve tried all the trends and tricks. I’ve cracked eggs into my hair, not washed my hair for a week, washed my hair every day for a week, used expensive products, done expensive treatments, consumed all the hair growing gummies, brushed my hair while upside down with a bamboo brush for 5 minutes every night… NONE OF THESE WORKED SO DON’T WASTE YOUR TIME. The key to your hair growth is consistency among my tips. Your hair will never grow 5 inches overnight. But if you create a habit out of these tips and begin doing them all subconsciously like second nature, you will have thick, long and healthy hair before you know it!

good luck!

cya,