20 Steps To Achieve Long Hair

 

For those of you who have always wanted to have long, shiny, strong hair, here are some important steps you must take. If you follow these steps you will achieve longer hair in the shortest amount of time. The average persons hair grows 1/4 inch to a 1/2 inch every month.  Taking care of the new growth will benefit you when a few years from now it is still healthy but grown out to the middle of your back. 

1. Start with healthy hair. You must cut off any hair that is considerably damaged. 

2. Trim your hair often. 6-8 weeks get a micro trim to prevent the damaged ends from splitting higher.

3. Trust a stylists to trim your hair accordingly.

4. Avoid using heated appliances everyday. When you do, use a heat-protectant product to prevent further damaging and drying of the hair shaft. 

5. No Perms or Chemical Straightening.

6. Avoid Chlorine & Salt Water. Use a deep conditioner in your hair before swimming and a cap if you have one. After swimming immediately use a swimmers shampoo & conditioner to remove minerals and built up. For Ultra Violet Rays, spritz a protectant into the hair. Redken 

7. Do not use hair accessories that pull or break the hair. Hair ties without metal are best. No metal clips.

8. Avoid putting your hair in any kind of style that will put undue stress on the individual hairs such as: tight small braids. 

9. Avoid extreme diets. Make sure you get enough healthy fat in your diet: Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, Fish Oil, Avocado, etc. Take a multi-vitamin with Biotin. Get plenty of protein and water. 

10. Be extremely gentle with your hair when it is wet. It is in its most fragile stage. Always use a wide-tooth comb.

11. Comb your hair starting at the ends and work your way up. Be extra gentle. 

12. Comb your hair to ensure there will be no knots before shampooing.

13. Do not wash your hair everyday. This allows natural oils to moisturize the hair and protect it. 

14. Do not pile your hair on top of your head while washing it. This will give you knots and breakage. 

15. If you wash your hair often or have very dry hair, you may want to consider using only conditioner to wash it on occasion. If your hair isn’t very dirty the conditioner will easily rinse away surface contaminants while allowing you to avoid daily use of the harsher solvents found in shampoo. If your hair is dry but you prefer to wash your hair less often, you might want to try using a cleansing conditioner in place of shampoo.

16. Rinse your hair in as cold water as you can stand. Not only will this make the cuticle lay flat and less likely to snag and break, but by the same token you’ll get the added benefit of very shiny hair that’s easier to comb wet.

17. For course and curly hair types use a leave-in conditioner as well.

18. Be familiar with your hair products. Use professional products suitable to your needs. Clarify your hair once a week if you use a lot of products daily or twice a month if you do not. 

19. Deep condition at least monthly. Once a week if you have dry or damaged hair. MoroccanOil Restorative Hair Mask

20. Lessen the friction on your hair whenever possible. Don’t sleep with your hair down unless you have a satin pillow case.  

*Heidi Mitchell is a hair stylist that works out of a salon in Colorado Springs called Mateos Salon and Day Spa. Heidi specializes in mens and womens haircuts, color, highlights, and styling. Heidi is a graduate of Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy and has been making people look amazing for the last 7 years.