“Your hair has especially high nutritional requirements which can be difficult to meet through diet alone,” says Kingsley. “Supplements can be very handy in that they provide your hair with easily accessible nutrients.”
Look for protein, iron, zinc, vitamin B12, vitamin D, Omega 3 and Biotin. “Biotin is especially important to keep the hair healthy because it functions in the synthesis of hair proteins like keratin. Lack of biotin has also been associated with hair breakage and hair loss,” says Clarke. Meanwhile, “B12 is especially important for vegans, as B12 is only found naturally in animal products,” says Kingsley. Philip Kingsley's Tricho Complex Nutritional Supplement (£46) contains a blend of essential vitamins and minerals including biotin.
Before taking supplements, it’s best to consult with a doctor and take a blood test first, advises Carson.
Regular trims
A trim won't make your hair grow faster, but it can make it look better. "A trim can help to improve and maintain the quality and density of your ends,” explains Kingsley. “Regular trims will help get rid of the old weathered ends of the hair,” agrees Sey. “The ends of the hair are the oldest having gone through repeated washing, combing and styling. If you want to retain the length you are growing then it is essential to trim.”
“As hair grows it changes shape. So regular reshaping as it gets longer is important to keep you happy with your hair all the way through,” says Clarke. As for how often we should trim, Carson recommends every six to eight weeks.
Scalp scrubs and regular shampooing
“Hair grows best from a healthy scalp,” says Kingsley. So it’s important to cleanse it regularly, since “shampooing gets rid of the dirt and debris on the scalp, which includes pollution, sweat and old skin cells,” says Sey.
And to make the most of it, really massage your shampoo in. “Scalp massage is good for blood circulation which brings oxygen and nutrients to the hair follicle and takes toxins away,” says Clarke.
Finally, it’s a good idea to use an exfoliating scalp mask once a week “to keep your scalp supple and to remove dead skin cells,” says Kingsley. Both exfoliating and cleansing will also help to remove any blockages (like dead skin cells or product build-up) from impeding your hair from growing. You can use a scrub, just be careful to scrub gently so as not to cause breakages.
Natural scalp-friendly ingredients
It's worth noting that natural doesn't necessarily mean better, but there are some natural ingredients that are really worth the hype. Camelia oil has been used as a hair and scalp treatment in Asia for generations and has years of proof to back its effectiveness. "It has antioxidant properties, which neutralise free radicals to help keep the skin on your scalp healthy and strong," explains Peter Bailey, who heads up Unilever’s Research and Development team. Aloe vera can soothe scalps and moisturise strands while balancing sebum, charcoal can absorb excess oils, kelp and olive oil are gentle and nourishing and honey is antibacterial. Chemicals like SLS do an impressive job of deep-cleaning our hair but can create problems elsewhere such as dryness and itchiness on sensitive scalps, so maybe one to red-flag if you're prone to irritation as a sore scalp isn't the best starting place for healthy hair growth.
Conditioners and masks
“Shampooing lifts the surface cuticle of the hair shaft so conditioner is essential for smoothing this down and protecting the hair shaft,” says Clarke. Using a good conditioner will help you restore moisture and also help give the hair a lovely look and feel – in some cases, it may make it more manageable,” adds Sey.
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