Maximizing Hair Growth!

[Druid of Alba]

Alright. Here is my plan for maximizing my hair growth. Do you think these are all good ideas?
1. As I'm a vegetarian, I will take a powdered protein supplement daily.
2. I will start taking biotin very soon.
3. I will start taking a multivitamin very soon.
4. I will give myself a scalp massage every night before bed.
5. I will get at least 8 hours of sleep every night.
6. I will exercise more.
7. I will eat more (I don't eat much), and eat all healthy foods.
*8*. I may try Monistat, but for now, those 7 things are what I'll start off with.

Does anybody have any other simple, inexpensive tips I could try, for maximizing hair growth?

[Druid of Alba]

Sorry about the weird "font" messages. I don't know what happened. I just read about silica. Has anybody tried this? I may consider silica too, after a few months!

[my2cats1]

Sleeping on a silk/satin pillowcase has helped me. Some goes for choosing gentle wide tooth combs and brushes, and clarifying once a week.

Like you, I also take protein powder a few times a week, and I've added a B complex to my multivitamin/multimineral supplement. I really like KAL Super Silica Plus with silica, horsetail, and MSM. Still working on exercising more and drinking more water. (sighs)

Happy growing!

[Copasetic]

All good ideas. Another would be to give up heat styling if you haven't already.

[AnitaThorn]

Hey, that's a great list! But what's with the Monistat? I've seen that around here and I've never been able to figure out what that's about.

[dagny]

Well, a few weeks ago I started to take Hairtopia and Viviscal.

I used to use biotin, Ultra Nourish Hair, and MSM years ago (Bargello's routine) along with protein shakes. I think my hair grew well, but I can't remember.

I decided to use the Hairtopia because I am too lazy to mix things up and it seemed to be much easier.

Your plan is twofold: 1/ increase growth rate (supplements, good nutrition, protein, water!, increased circulation to scalp)

and 2/ maintain hair health to length (conditioning oils, gentle shampoo/conditioner, no harsh treatment, safe hair toys, etc)

With this approach, your hair should grow the fastest!

Good luck! ;-)

[LadyVictoria]

Give yourself a 5 minute scalp massage every night. This trick has really worked for me.

[Pumpkin]

I have heard about the wonderful benefits of Omega 3 fish oil. Positive benefits for hair, skin, heart, inflammation, etc. I plan on starting Omega 3 this week in fact.

[GoddesJourney]

I tend to focus less on products and suppliments and more on just not damaging it. Damaged hair breaks off. What worked for me to increase volume at least was to get off sulphates and silicones, trade in my plastic brush for a wide tooth horn comb (Heavenly Harvest), and switch to washing with cooler water. Also, I made some silk miniscrunchies so I don't have to feel bad about braiding. I'm not doing any more work now than I used to, I've just switched how I do everything. You might want to look into that because lower maintenance is easier to keep up.

[Druid of Alba]

AnitaThorn, Monistat is about, well, rubbing Monistat onto your head, as weird as that may sound. Apparently it really speeds up hair growth. There's a thread on it, you should check it out.
And I like the idea of Omega 3. I'm a vegetarian, but I could get it through soy milk enriched with it.

[WaitingSoLong]

I cannot find silica around here so I am eating a silica rich diet which is also good for me (it is not junk food) and have seen decent results for the short time I have been at it. I also take a "hair vitamin" and biotin, when I can remember.

[curlylocks85]

Drink plenty of water and try to stay away from soda and coffee or any carbonated beverage.

Good luck.

[Druid of Alba]

I do drink a lot of water, usually more than 8 glasses a day. When I wake up in the mornnig, I drink about 4 straight away, actually. I heard this is really good for you... And then I have at least 4 throughout the day, usually more. Plus, I have soy milk, juice, etc. on top of that! I don't eat enough though, I never really feel hungry, yet when I eat a lot I don't feel full, so I could eat more if I wanted which I should do. I don't like coffe or black tea (I love herbal teas) but I've started having soda lately, even though I never had them before! My mom keeps buying boxes of them... I need to learn some self control!

I went and bought Centrum Protegra Vitamins, and Natures' Bounty Biotin a few days ago which I take daily. I'm excited to see what happens!

[JenniferNoel]

Yeah, no matter what, I'll never quit the coffee and the energy drinks...
Bottom line: The trick is to simply stay hydrated (at least for me personally), stay nourished in general, and keep stress for a minimum. As I always say, growing out hair and keeping it healthy (yes, I have posted this quote before :p) is not so much about what you should do but what you shouldn't.
There are many different ways that work for many different people, and some funky ways that will only work for one or two people.
The one thing that sped up my general hair growth (inch/month rate) was walking outside in peaceful environments every day for at least an hour, and loads of deep meditation. I started these little routines about a year ago, and boy has it helped over time. And not just for my hair!
I do a simple scalp massage whenever I have nothing else to do, which not only feels great but helps the oils spread through the hair.
Good luck!

[elina333]

All of them are great ideas! Also sleeping on a satin pillowcase, not brushing your hair and just being nice to it will prob help. Good luck and happy growing! :D

[Prettychild]

Hello there. I am also on the hair growth path. I dc once a week with castor oil but only on the scalp, otherwise it is too oily. I then proceed with normal shampoo. Then use a moisturizing conditioner like HH hello hydration as a leave-in (just a tiny bit). I find a good balance between protein and moisture works well to keep hair from breaking off. None of the above are very expensive (I'm on a budget).

Last week I started using Mega Tek (a product for horses and humans) but it is too soon to say if it works. Good luck and keep us posted! :)

[Melisande]

I do scalp massages with essential oils the night before I wash my hair (I'm a morning washer). Look for the thread about essential oil mixtures! I use jojoba oil as carrier and add rosemary, lavender, thyme, basil, cedar, geranium, grapefruit, bay, sandalwood and I don't remember what. The different recipes and application methods are discussed in the thread.

Below a picture of my hair this morning, after nearly three years years of regular treatment with essential oils, and following the golden rules of TLHC: oiling length, treating hair like old lace, sleeping on silk, using a horn comb or tangle teezer only once a day, using only sulfate free diluted shampoo, using catnip and henna-based herbal dye and many other habits I introduced after I got to know the boards (summer 07).

http://i983.photobucket.com/albums/ae311/MataPics_2009/th_201001morgenlichtI.jpg (http://s983.photobucket.com/albums/ae311/MataPics_2009/?action=view&current=201001morgenlichtI.jpg)

personally, I believe that proper habits are much more important than expensive pills although my own experience with MSM, multivitamin, biotin etc have all been positive. But nothing beats regularity and good care, if you ask me....

[LittleOrca]

And I like the idea of Omega 3. I'm a vegetarian, but I could get it through soy milk enriched with it.

You can also get it in Flaxseed Oil.

[Prettychild]

I can't find any satin pillowcases around where I live, but I found a satin head scarf (hair and beauty supply) which I put on before bed. Otherwise I wake up with crazy hair. Satin/silk helps.

[jera]

And I like the idea of Omega 3. I'm a vegetarian, but I could get it through soy milk enriched with it.

You could get your omega 3s from flaxseed oil caps. :D Please drink lots of water too and try to ditch the heat stylers if you can. Otherwise all your ideas sound fine. :)