Best Hairstyles and Tips for Promoting Healthy Hair Growth

Choosing the Best Hairstyles to Promote Healthy Hair Growth

Having thick, shiny, flowing locks is a goal for many people seeking their best look. While supplements, scalp treatments, and products can boost hair growth, your hairstyle also plays an important role.

Certain styles put excess strain on strands and follicle roots, while others allow for maximum circulation and nourishment. Considering factors such as damage prevention and distribution of natural oils, here are the top hairstyles for encouraging healthy hair growth.

Get a Trim Regularly

While it may seem counterintuitive, getting a small amount trimmed off about every 8-12 weeks helps promote growth and thickness. Split ends spread up the hair shaft over time, so trimming prevents breakage and shedding.

Ask your stylist to cut only 14 to 12 an inch total. Removing just the most damaged portion keeps strands strong without sacrificing length.

Allow Your Natural Texture to Shine

Work with your hairs innate texture rather than fighting against it. The straighter and flatter the style, the more heat tools and manipulation required. This stresses follicles and strands, slowing growth.

Embrace natural waves, curls, or kinks instead. Less processing prevents damage. Learn proper techniques for your hair type, such as squish-to-condish, plopping, diffuse drying, etc. This maintains the healthiest growth environment.

Try out Protective Styling

Protective hairstyles secure strands away from heat, friction, weather, and other sources of damage. Popular options include buns, braids, twists, weaves, and wigs.

The gentler styling puts less tension on the scalp. Meanwhile, the ends stay safely tucked in to prevent split ends and breakage so hair can grow longer. Alternate styles every few weeks when done professionally.

Use Loose Hairstyles Whenever Possible

Tight ponytails, buns, cornrows, pigtails, and other pulled-back looks constantly tug at hair follicles all day. This stresses the delicate root area.

Wearing hair loosely flowing with minimal tension encourages blood flow for nourished growth. Save tighter styles only for working out or occasional wear.

How Diet and Scalp Environment Boost Hair Growth

While a strategic cut and careful styling help, optimal hair growth relies heavily on internal scalp health and nutrition.

Scalp Massages

Massaging the scalp has multiple benefits for the best growth environment:

• Increases blood circulation so roots and follicles receive more nutrients
• Reduces stress hormone levels that can slow growth
• Distributes natural oils along the hair shaft to protect strands

Aim for light, fingertips massages several times a week. Just 5-10 minutes can aid growth.

Scalp Scrubs

Exfoliating buildup through occasional scalp scrubs helps create a clean environment for growth. Use a store-bought scrub 2-4 times per month or create your own using:

• 1 tsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp olive, coconut or almond oil
• 1 tsp lemon juice or apple cider vinegar

Gently scrub skin for 2-3 minutes then rinse. Never scrub hardened/scabbed psoriasis plaques.

Stay Consistently Hydrated

Drinking ample water keeps scalp tissue supple and functioning well. Deficient hydration causes a dry scalp and can retard hair follicle growth. Consume around 2 liters of fluid daily.

Prioritize Iron, Zinc and Protein

Hair is almost entirely composed of a protein called keratin. Ensure adequate intake from foods like:

• Meat and poultry
• Eggs
• Beans and lentils
• Nuts and seeds
• Fish
• Whole grains
• Leafy greens

These foods also provide iron and zinc, which carry oxygen and nutrients to follicles for growth. Those with higher needs may supplement, but ask a doctor first.

Medical Causes of Hair Loss to Consider

While nutrition, scalp circulation, and strategic trims all encourage strong growth, losing excessive hair or noticing thinning warrants an appointment with your doctor or dermatologist. Sometimes a medical condition causes shedding.

Alopecia Areata

This autoimmune disorder causes patchy bald spots. It can lead to complete hair loss on the head or body. Steroid injections, special light treatments, and medications can often reverse cases caught early.

Thyroid Disease

Both overactive and underactive thyroid function alter hormone levels, negatively impacting hair follicles. Treatment involving thyroid medication helps reverse hair effects.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

A hormonal imbalance where elevated androgens cause ovarian cysts can trigger hair thinning for those with ovaries/a uterus. Anti-androgen medicines prescribed by a gynecologist can regulate follicles.

Ringworm or Folliculitis Infections

Fungal and bacterial scalp infections both cause inflamed follicles and temporary bald patches that can scar. Antibiotic or antifungal prescriptions clear infection so hair regrows.

Pay attention to any unusual hair loss. Early intervention for medical reasons can help prevent permanent damage.

Be Patient with the Hair Growth Process

With a tailored cut, protective schedule, healthy diet, scalp care, and necessary treatments, consistently nurturing your strands stimulates the best possible growth environment.

However, temper expectations understanding the pace of the hair cycle. On average, hair only grows around 12 inch per month. Have patience allowing your tresses to reach their full thriving potential.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.