Growing out of wavy hair can be a journey filled with patience and the right hair care strategies. Do you find yourself looking at people with really long, wavy, curly hair and thinking, “How can I make my hair grow longer?” Well, the bad news is that there is no magic spell that can give you longer hair overnight. But there are a few things that you can do to increase your hair length.
Key Factors for Hair Growth
Hair growth rate, the length of the anagen growth phase (which lasts between 2-7 years) of hair growth cycle, and hair retention are crucial for achieving long wavy hair. How healthy your hair is and how well you care for your wavy hair is the key to length retention.
To make the most out of your hair’s growth potential, focus on keeping the ends healthy. The ends of your wavy hair are the oldest, thinnest, and weakest part of your hair – the unhealthiest.
If you don’t look after these, they will split, thinning your hair out. Keep them as healthy as possible to keep split ends at bay and slow down the rate of damage.
Practical Tips for Healthier Hair
Whether you’ve always had short wavy hair or bounced back and forth between longer and shorter lengths, you may be looking to grow out your twisty treasure. While just avoiding any major haircuts and letting your hair grow on its own is a simple way to get longer lengths, there are some things you can do to promote faster hair growth.
Leave Your Cut to the Professionals
While it can be tempting to cut your hair at home, it’s essential to collaborate with your stylist. They will ensure your cut and shape suit your face as you grow out your hair. Regular trims and hair dusting are crucial to maintain your haircut and assess the health of your hair.
Your split ends won’t disappear and will continue to split up the shaft. No wavy hair products can heal a split end. So it is essential to cut off all these split ends efficiently.
Avoid Heat-Styling Tools
Using hot tools for bouncy ringlets or sleek strands can make your hair more fragile and slower to grow. Instead, try heatless curls and let your hair air dry rather than using a blow dryer or curling wand. If you must use a heat tool, always protect your hair with a heat protectant like the L’Oreal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Weightless Blow Dry Primer, Heat Protectant.
Detangle Your Hair
The best time to detangle your hair is in the shower when it is fully saturated and you have applied conditioner to make it feel as slippery as seaweed. Use a gentle brush like a Tangle Teezer or a wide-tooth comb can promote hair growth. Start from the ends and work your way up to the roots. Make sure to use the right hair products for wavy hair, especially a quality conditioner that is silicone and sulphate-free to help repair your hair.
Limit the Hair Coloring
Dyeing your hair can lead to weakened strands, especially when you’re growing out hair. It’s best to ease up on dyeing and avoid bleaching. When you do use hair dye, ensure you use hair care products that nourish and protect your colored strands.
Don’t Towel Dry
Using a normal bath towel to dry your hair can cause friction and increase split ends. Instead, try using a cotton t-shirt or a microfiber towel to PLOP your hair. This technique, as explained in this article, can help you plop properly and protect your hair.
Scalp Massage
A study by the National Center for Biotechnological Information showed that regular scalp massage leads to increased hair thickness due to increased blood flow to the scalp. Using scalp brushes and scalp massagers can also remove dead skin cells from the surface of the scalp, making it easier for hair to grow.
Avoid Stressy Hair Styles
Tying your hair in a tight bun or ponytail every day can cause excess tension in your hair, leading to hair damage or hair loss. Instead, try braiding your hair or leaving it down. This can reduce tension and help prevent headaches.
Use Stress-less Hair Accessories
When tying your hair, opt for silk or satin scrunchies instead of traditional elastic bands. They’re gentler and help prevent damage to your scalp and follicles. Headbands and scarves made of soft materials are excellent choices to avoid scratch marks or tight pulling. Avoid clips that are broken or rough as they can lead to more harm than good.
Enhance a Boost of Hydration
Moisture is crucial for your hair’s health to ensure your strands stay stronger and longer. Start by conditioning your hair every time you use shampoo. Incorporate a deep conditioning hair mask like the L’Oreal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Simply Clean Elastic Fiber Masque into your routine to hydrate and wrap your hair in essential moisture. This product helps your hair grow by keeping it well-nourished. Finish with a hair oil to further moisturize and control frizz.
Protect Your Strands Every Night
Your nighttime routine is key. To avoid breakage from tossing and turning during sleep, ensure your hair is pinned or tucked. Using a satin bonnet or a silk pillowcase adds extra protection. These frictionless surfaces help mitigate damage and keep your hair’s moisture retained. This will support your hair’s length progress and prevent it from becoming fragile.
How Long Does It Take for Wavy Hair to Grow Long?
Growing out wavy hair requires patience and the right care to keep your strands healthy. Hair usually grows at an average rate of half an inch each month. In theory, your hair should grow about 6 inches in a year. However, various factors can interrupt this hair growth, making it essential to address any issues promptly.
Hormones
Sometimes, it’s what’s happening inside that affects your hair. Physical or psychological stress can harm your hair health, causing premature greying and reducing the strength of each strand. Any disturbance in your endocrine system can hugely impact your hair growth, making it essential to care for your whole body.
Gestation and Post-Partum
During pregnancy, increases in hormones can make your hair grow more than normal. It may appear thicker and add to your beautiful pregnancy glow. However, after birth, more hormonal changes can cause your hair to shed.
Genetics
Everyone has a unique hair growth cycle. Each hair strand grows at its own pace, leading to different lengths across your head. These cycles can last anywhere from two to six years and are determined by your DNA. Unfortunately, you can’t change this natural process.
Ageing Process
Growing out of wavy hair involves managing changes that come with age. As you get older, you may experience changes in your hair, especially during menopause. Your scalp produces less oil, making your hair coarse and dry, leading to split ends and breakages. To keep your hair healthy, use regular deep conditioning treatments.
Conclusion
Growing out wavy hair can be challenging, but with proper knowledge and dedication, you can achieve healthy and beautiful strands. The tips shared in this article offer useful care strategies to keep your waves looking their best. Find what suits your specific hair type and stick to it with patience and commitment. Soon, you’ll enjoy longer and healthier waves that make you feel like a million bucks.
FAQs
How long does wavy hair take to grow?
It depends upon the anagen phase of the hair growth cycle. Healthy hair typically grows about half an inch each month. If you aim for six more inches of growth, expect it to take about a year to reach your goal.
How to properly grow out wavy hair?
To grow out wavy hair successfully, always leave cuts to professionals to avoid damage. Stay away from heat-styling tools and keep coloring to a minimum to prevent weakening your strands. Instead, try a scalp massage to boost circulation and boost hydration with proper products. Finally, protect your strands every night to maintain their health and beauty.
What is the awkward stage of growing out hair?
The awkward stage of growing out hair happens when you’ve decided to grow it out from short hair. During this process, your hair might look shaggy, uneven, or messy, which is inevitable as you transition through different styles. Everyone experiences this stage differently, but it’s a common part of the journey.
What Hair Type Grows the Slowest?
Thinner hair, around 20–30 μm, tends to grow slower than thicker hair. While thicker hair grows about 11.4 mm per month, thinner hair grows at 7.6 mm per month. This difference means that if you have thinner hair, you might notice it taking a bit longer to grow out.
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