It is the dream of most people to have long hair. With a little effort and a few tricks, it is possible to make your hair grow a little longer, faster. There are a lot of myths and beliefs related to hair growth. It had long been believed that brushing your hair can make it grow. Some people go further and say that brushing it 100 times before bedtime helps hair to grow. While brushing your hair is important, there are other ways to make your hair grow faster.

Does Brushing Your Hair Make It Grow?

You have probably heard the theory that brushing your hair will make it grow longer. The explanation given for this is that brushing your hair helps distribute natural oils on your scalp and stimulates blood flow in the scalp. This helps add shine to your hair and boosts hair growth.

Is this true? Unfortunately, it’s not. Brushing your hair vigorously can in fact have the opposite effect. It increases friction and leads to breakage and cuticle damage. This makes the hair frizzy and lusterless.

You should only brush your hair when you want to style or detangle it. Even then, you should use the right tools. Use a paddle brush or a wide-toothed comb with plastic, ball-tipped bristles. You should steer clear of boar-bristle combs and brushes. The bristles will be too harsh on your hair and scalp.

How to Make Your Hair Grow Stronger and Longer

1. Avoid Combing It Too Much!

One way of making your hair grow longer and stronger is avoiding excess combing and brushing. The excess friction rom frequent combing damages the strength of the hair. This leads to thinning and eventual hair loss. Only comb your hair when it is really necessary. Make sure to use a clean comb.

2. Don’t Style It Excessively

Excess styling causes hair breakage. Styles like fish braids, tight ponytails and cornrows are not recommended for your hair. This is because these styles require pulling and tight ties to get done.  Doing this causes damage to the roots of your hair and makes the tresses to fall. If you are looking to grow your hair, ensure you stop styling in any way that stresses the hair roots.

3. Trimming Your Hair

Does brushing your hair make it grow? Probably not, but it is advisable for you to trim the split ends of your hair every 6 to 8 weeks. It is important to trim these edges because with time they tend to dry off and prevent further growth of your hair. Trimming them ensures you are only left with shiny good looking hair and also promote better hair growth.

4. Be Careful When Cleaning Your Hair

It is important for you to regularly clean your hair. This is because dirt gets trapped in the scalp and prevents faster growth of hair. Also, dirt causes hair fall. To prevent this, ensure you clean your hair at least once a week. You should also make a point of using shampoos that are not too harsh on your hair. Choose shampoos and conditioners that do not have too many chemicals.

5. Oil Massaging Your Scalp 

Your scalp plays a very vital role in hair growth. Therefore, it is important for you to take good care of it. Massaging the scalp with oil often helps to promote blood circulation around the scalp. This promotes rapid hair growth. You can use hot oil treatment for your scalp. Massage the oil in your scalp for a few minutes and allow it to sit for a while. You can shampoo it after at least 30 minutes. Use this trick a few times and you will be able to see a difference in your hair growth.         

6. Take Plenty of Water

Staying hydrated is a sure way of promoting the growth of strong and long hair. Dehydration causes hair to fall since it causes the drying of the scalp. Also, drinking water flushes out toxins which can sometimes hinder healthy hair growth.

7. Avoid Blow-Drying

Never blow-dry your air unless it is completely necessary. A blow dryer is a form of direct heat on your hair and scalp. This is very damaging to the hair. Therefore, only blow-dry your hair if it is completely necessary. You can use alternatives like the hair dryer or staying in direct sunlight for the hair to dry.

8. Eat Proteins

Aside from caring for your hair externally, you should also make sure what you eat is helpful to hair growth. Proteins are very important for hair growth. Consumption of protein-rich food promotes faster growth of hair and also gives your hair a natural health shine.

Does brushing your hair make it grow? Now you have the answer and know better ways to help with healthy growth.