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Want long and luscious locks? Here are 7 sureshot ways to grow your hair naturally

Most women dream of flaunting long and healthy tresses. And with a little effort, it is possible! Read on to know 7 hair growth tips from top dermatologist, Dr Stuti Khare Shukla.
Grow hair naturally (2)
Grow your hair naturally with these amazing tips. Image courtesy: Shutterstock
Updated On: 2 Nov 2020, 01:56 pm IST
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There’s nothing that can enhance your appearance more than a great haircut. But what if your hair is dull and lifeless, and makes you feel under confident? With rising levels of pollution and our increased dependence on chemical-laden products, our hair suffers from damage day in and day out. But fret not, there are some great tips to grow your hair back naturally, and restore its health.

1. A healthy and balanced diet with essential nutrients and proteins

Eggs are a great source of protein and biotin, and are important for hair health and growth. A deficiency in biotin has been linked to hair loss. Berries and fruits that contain vitamin C are also loaded with compounds i.e.; antioxidants that may promote hair growth, collagen production and iron absorption.

Some foods like spinach, avocado, meat and sea foods have a huge effect on the health of your hair. In fact, the deficiency of some nutrients, including vitamins A, C, D and E, zinc, iron, biotin, protein and essential fatty acids may slow down hair growth or even cause hair loss.

hair growth tips
Diet does it all for your manes. Image Courtesy: Shutterstock

Fortunately, correcting a deficiency in any of these nutrients may help treat hair loss and promote the rate of hair growth. If you think your diet is lacking in these nutrients, try adding suggested food for better hair.

2. Control stress and increase physical activity

Yes, excess stress and anxiety can lead to hair loss, especially in women. If you see several strands of hair lying on your bed every other day, then maybe your anxiety is causing this! Yes, stress negatively affects the health, and hair growth cycle in men and women, making them susceptible to hair loss.

Moreover, hair loss can also be triggered during pregnancy, chronic illness, injury, excess usage of medications such as antidepressants.

Besides, you should ensure proper sleep and indulge in activities that relax your mind, including yoga, walking in a park, reading or listening to soothing music. Physical activities help to manage stress and its effects.

3. Maintain and check regular your scalp regularly

Weak or continuous damage to your scalp can promote rapid hair loss. To control damage, try and do a scalp massage on wet hair, which will help loosen those dead skin cells and clean the scalp. Give yourself a scalp massage to stimulate blood circulation, which strengthens the roots of the hair and promotes quick hair growth.

4. Use a balanced pH shampoo

High pH levels damage the hair and increases hair fall. It’s always good to check low foam and pH levels that are between 4.5 and 5.5.. When the hair is at an optimum pH level, the cuticles are closed and healthy.

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hair growth tips
It’s all about using the right shampoo. Image courtesy: Shutterstock.

When you maintain the natural pH level of your hair and scalp, the acidic sebum of your scalp fights against bacteria. If you disrupt this balance with an alkaline product, the cuticles open up, and this leads to hair issues. Using a product that is too acidic can also cause problems if the cuticles contract and are damaged.

5. Trim hair regularly, especially the split ends

Split ends are the result of dry, brittle and frayed hair. Excessive use of hair styling techniques such as straightening, curling, blow drying, or even chemical hair products can be the main culprit of split ends.

However split ends can be prevented by going for deep conditioning treatments, leave in conditioners, oiling. But they can’t be repaired once they occur by any of these means. To get rid of split ends, trimming your hair is the best solution. So, getting a hair trim every 3-4 months will keep your hair strong and healthy, and will result in less breakage.

6. Avoid low quality colour, lotions and cosmetics for your hair

Hair fibre is protected by an outer covering, known as a cuticle. As we continue to use cosmetics or low quality products on our hair, the cuticles keep getting damaged and the products reach the hair fibres. As compared to high quality products, low quality products can have more chemicals. The harsh chemicals in low quality colours affect the inner structure of the hair, and cause damage and ultimately hair fall.

7. Avoid excess hair straightening and styling tools

Everyone wants beautiful looking hair, but the cost we have to pay is very high that includes dryness, split ends, breakage, frizzy hair, and damage etc. Straightening and styling tools change hair’s natural structure for a temporary period of time which may look good for some time, but the damage caused stays on.

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Hair is mainly composed of keratin protein, and proteins have the tendency to denature at high temperature. Use of excessive heat by these tools to change hair structure results in denaturing the protein, burning the cuticles that ends up in damage. Applying protective products before using these tools may delay the damaging process, but won’t stop it. Avoiding excess use of these tools will not only give relief to your hair, but also let them grow healthy.

If you are suffering from hereditary pattern hair loss or a hormonal issue, none of these home remedies will work. And that’s when you must seek a dermatologist for help!

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About the Author

Dr Stuti Khare Shukla is a dermatologist, known for her non-surgical techniques for hair growth. ...Read More

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