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Every curl on your head is a work of art. It’s unique, expressive, and full of life. For many people, to make curly hair grow faster is hard. Curly hair grows at a snail’s pace compared to straight hair. The question is, how to make curly hair grow faster and thicker?
The short answer is no. Curly and straight hair grows at approximately the same rate, around half an inch per month. This rate can vary slightly from person to person based on genetics, health, and nutrition, but hair texture does not affect the growth rate. Whether growing out curly hair male or female, there is a major question that goes along with it:
So why does curly hair seem to grow slower?
The answer lies in the hair’s structure. Unlike straight hair that grows directly down, curly hair grows in spirals, and zigzags cause curly hair to spring up, disguising the actual length.
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Curly hair is more prone to dryness and breakage due to its structure.
Natural oils from the scalp find it harder to travel down the length of curly hair, leading to a lack of moisture and ultimately causing breakage. This breakage might give the impression that curly hair isn’t growing as fast because it’s harder to retain length.
The Essential Nutrients for Curly Hair Growth
Just as your body requires certain nutrients to function optimally, your hair needs specific nutrients to grow curly hair to waist. Let’s look into some of these essential nutrients for hair growth.
Proteins: The Building Blocks of Hair
Proteins are fundamental to your hair’s structure. Your hair is made of a protein called keratin, which provides strength and elasticity. Without enough protein, your hair can become weak, brittle, and slow growing.
Including high-quality proteins in your diet, such as lean meat, fish, eggs, and beans, can support your hair’s structural integrity and overall health.
Vitamins and Minerals: Fuel for Your Hair
Certain vitamins and minerals play a crucial role in hair health and growth.
- Vitamin A is necessary for cell growth, including hair cells. It also helps the skin glands produce sebum, moisturizing the scalp and keeping hair healthy.
- B-Vitamins: Among them, Biotin is associated with hair growth. Deficiencies in Biotin can lead to hair thinning. Other B-Vitamins help create red blood cells, which carry oxygen and nutrients to the scalp and hair follicles.
- Vitamin D: Low Vitamin D levels have been linked to hair loss. This vitamin also helps create new hair follicles, where new hair can grow.
- Vitamin E: Like vitamin C, vitamin E helps prevent oxidative stress and boost hair growth.
- Iron: Iron helps red blood cells carry oxygen to their cells. This makes it an important mineral for many bodily functions, including hair growth.
- Zinc: Zinc plays a crucial role in hair tissue growth and repair. It also helps keep the oil glands around the hair follicles working properly.
Water: The Silent Nurturer of Hair
Water might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of hair growth, but it plays an indispensable role. Water makes up almost 25% of a single hair strand’s weight.
Dehydration can impact hair growth, making dry, brittle hair more prone to breakage. Drinking adequate water throughout the day ensures that your body and hair follicles are well-nourished and functioning optimally.
Best Foods For How To Make Curly Hair Grow Faster
Your diet can have a direct impact on your hair health. Nutrient foods can fortify hair follicles and promote healthier, faster hair growth. Let’s explore some of the best foods that can contribute to curly hair growth:
Lean Proteins: Feeding Your Hair Right
Protein is the building block of hair, which can result in weak and brittle strands. Lean proteins such as chicken, turkey, fish, and eggs are excellent sources of high-quality protein. These food items also provide other essential nutrients like iron, which is vital for adequate oxygen supply to your hair follicles.
Fruits and Vegetables: The Natural Vitamin Storehouse
Fruits and vegetables are packed with a variety of vitamins and minerals that are essential for hair health. For example:
- Citrus fruits like oranges and strawberries are rich in vitamin C, which aids in collagen production, a protein that strengthens hair.
- Leafy greens like spinach and kale are loaded with iron, folate, and vitamins A and C. Vitamin A aids in sebum production, keeping your hair moisturized and preventing breakage.
- Sweet potatoes, carrots, and pumpkins are abundant in beta-carotene, which the body converts into vitamin A.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids: The Secret Ingredient for Shine and Strength
Omega-3 fatty acids are essential fats your body can’t produce, so they must come from your diet. These fats are present in every body cell, including your hair follicles, contributing to healthy hair growth.
Omega-3s can also help keep your scalp hydrated, preventing issues like dry scalp and dandruff. Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids include fish like salmon, mackerel, and sardines and plant-based sources like flaxseeds, chia seeds, walnuts, and avocados.
Whole Grains: Slow-Release Energy
Whole grains are excellent sources of nutrients like Biotin, zinc, and B vitamins, all of which contribute to healthy hair growth. Biotin, in particular, is used in the production of keratin and can help improve the thickness of the hair. Foods like brown rice, oatmeal, and whole wheat bread are great choices.
Legumes: Protein-Packed Powerhouses
Beans, lentils, and chickpeas are high in protein and rich in iron, zinc, and Biotin. Biotin deficiencies can lead to brittle hair, so adding these to your diet can help ensure you get enough.
How to Properly Hydrate Curly Hair
Hydrating your curls is crucial to maintaining their health and promoting growth. Here’s how you can properly hydrate your curly hair:
Drink Plenty of Water:
The hydration of your hair begins from within. Drinking adequate water ensures that your body, including your hair follicles, is well-nourished.
Use a Moisturizing Shampoo:
When it comes to curly hair, not all shampoos are created equal. Look for hydrating shampoos free from sulfates, as these can strip the natural oils from your hair, leaving it dry and prone to damage.
Incorporate a Deep Conditioner into Your Routine:
Deep conditioning treatments can penetrate the hair shaft and provide intense hydration. Depending on your hair’s condition, you may want to condition once deep a week or every two weeks. Focus the product on your hair’s ends, which are the driest part, and let it sit for the recommended time before rinsing out.
Use a Leave-In Conditioner:
Leave-in conditioners provide long-lasting hydration and can protect your curls from environmental damage. They’re applied to damp hair after washing and left in, coating your strands and locking in moisture throughout the day.
Seal with Oils:
Natural oils like coconut, jojoba, and argan oil provide moisture and help seal it in. They form a protective layer around the hair strand, trapping the moisture and preventing it from escaping.
Try the LOC Method:
The LOC (Liquid, Oil, Cream) method is a technique for moisturizing hair. It involves hydrating with water or a water-based product (liquid), sealing in the moisture with oil, and then applying a cream product to close the hair cuticle and prevent moisture loss. This method can help your hair stay moisturized for longer periods.
Avoid Heat Styling Tools:
High-heat tools can strip your hair of its natural moisture, leaving it dry and prone to breakage. Try to limit your use of these tools, and always apply a heat protectant when you do use them.
Protect Your Hair at Night:
Sleeping on cotton pillowcases can absorb the moisture from your hair, leaving it dry by morning. Consider switching to a satin or silk pillowcase, or wrap your hair in a satin or silk scarf, to keep your hair hydrated overnight.
Hair Care Routines for Boost Curly Hair Growth
Hair care routines can greatly influence your curls’ health and growth rate. Here are some steps you can incorporate into your hair care routine to encourage faster growth:
Regular Scalp Massages:
Scalp massages can stimulate blood circulation, which brings more oxygen and nutrients to your hair follicles and can promote faster hair growth. Use your fingertips to gently massage your scalp in a circular motion for about 5 minutes daily. You can also use a scalp massage tool when applying shampoo or oil.
Proper Washing Routine:
Overwashing your hair can strip it of natural oils, leading to dry, brittle hair. On the other hand, not washing it enough can lead to product build-up and an unhealthy scalp. Try to find a balance that works for your hair. For most people with curly hair, washing 1-2 times weekly is sufficient.
Use Growth-Stimulating Products:
Certain hair care products are designed to stimulate hair growth. Look for products that contain ingredients like peppermint oil, rosemary oil, or Biotin, which have been shown to support hair growth.
Regular Trimming:
While it may seem counterintuitive, regular trims can help your hair grow faster in the long run. Damaged ends can cause split ends and breakage, which can work their way up the hair shaft and result in having to cut off more hair later. Regular trims can prevent this and keep your hair healthy and strong.
Protective Styles:
Protective hairstyles for growing out curly hair help keep your ends tucked away, protecting them from damage and dryness. Styles like braids, twists, and buns can also stretch out your curls, making them appear longer.
Minimize Heat and Chemical Damage:
Excessive heat styling or chemical treatments can damage your hair and slow growth. Try to limit your use of heat tools and consider natural styling methods instead. If you do use heat, always apply a heat protectant first.
Stay Consistent:
Hair growth doesn’t happen overnight. Consistency in your hair care routine is key to seeing results. It might take a few months to start noticing a difference, so stick with it, and don’t get discouraged if you don’t see immediate results.
While there are many ways to encourage hair growth, it’s important to remember that this journey is unique for everyone.
Enjoyed learning about how to make curly hair grow longer?
Continue your hair care journey with us! We have plenty more hair care insights and expert advice waiting for you.
Check out our other articles on natural hair care tips, styling ideas, and the best products for maintaining beautiful, healthy curls. Keep exploring and transform your hair care routine today!
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take curly hair to grow?
Human hair grows about half an inch per month or six inches per year. However, this rate can vary depending on your overall health, genetics, and hair care routine. Curly hair might appear to grow more slowly because the curls can make it seem shorter, even though it’s growing at the same rate as straight hair.
What stimulates hair growth for curly hair?
There are several ways to stimulate hair growth for curly hair. A healthy diet rich in essential nutrients like protein, vitamins, and minerals can promote hair growth. Scalp massages can increase blood flow to the hair follicles, stimulating growth. Regularly trimming your ends can prevent split ends and breakage, promoting healthier and faster growth. Using hair products with growth-stimulating ingredients like rosemary oil, peppermint oil, or Biotin can also help.
Why won’t my curly hair grow longer?
If your curly hair seems like it won’t grow longer, it might be due to breakage, lack of moisture, heat or chemical damage, or inadequate nutrition. Your hair is always growing, but these factors can cause it to break off at the ends faster than it grows, making it seem like it isn’t getting longer. Adopting a healthy hair care routine that includes regular moisturizing, protective styling, and a nutrient-rich diet can help overcome these issues.