How to Grow Natural Hair

Using Natural Products

Try an egg yolk mask. An egg yolk mask is great for people who experience a lot of hair breakage. The lecithin and protein in eggs will help strengthen, nourish, and heal damaged hair. To make an egg yolk mask, combine 2 eggs and 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of olive oil. You can add 0.5 cups (120 mL) of water if the combination is too sticky for your taste. Apply the mask to dry hair, and leave it on for 30 minutes. Shampoo and condition your hair in cool water to fully remove the mask. Repeat this mask once a week. If your hair is chin length or shorter, you can cut the ingredients in half to reduce wasted product. Make sure you rinse with cool water. Warm or hot water can cause the egg to start cooking, making it harder to remove.

Use a hot castor oil treatment. Castor oil is surprisingly great for hair growth. It contains fatty acids and proteins that can seal hair so that it maintains moisture better. Plus, it has antifungal and antibacterial properties to stop scalp infections that prevent growth. To give yourself a treatment, massage a few drops of castor oil into your scalp. Cover your hair with a shower cap and blow dry it on high for 15 minutes. Then, rinse the castor oil out, and use your regular shampoo and conditioner to finish the treatment. Repeat this treatment up to twice a week. If you can, sit under a hooded dryer, which will evenly distribute the heat. You can find castor oil on Amazon, at most grocery stores, and at some beauty supply stores—like Sally’s Beauty Supply. For best results, purchase an oil that is organic.

Give yourself a scalp massage with rosemary oil. Combine a few drops of rosemary oil with a few drops of another oil—like olive or coconut oil. Then, massage the oil into your scalp for 2 to 5 minutes. The massage will increase blood flow to the scalp, strengthen your roots, and get nutrients to your follicles faster. The rosemary oil will dilate the blood vessels to help the follicles stimulate growth. You can massage your scalp every evening. If you want to give yourself a scalp massage in the shower, it’s also an option to combine a few drops of rosemary oil with your regular shampoo. You should only give yourself a scalp massage with rosemary oil once a week if you have oily hair.

Washing and Moisturizing to Promote Growth

Try co-washing with conditioner. Shampoo can strip your hair of its natural oils, so if you have dry hair, skip the shampoo. Simply condition your hair in the bath or shower, instead of using shampoo on your hair. If you need to shampoo your hair, try to cut down the use of it to once a week. Co-washing may not be the best option for people with naturally oily hair. This method of washing is ideal for curly hair.

Use a deep conditioner at least once a week. Conditioning daily or every few days is great, but deep conditioning is helpful for adding even more moisture to your hair. A deep conditioner can be bought at any beauty supply store and at some supermarkets with a beauty section. Leave the deep conditioner on for anywhere between 5 and 30 minutes. Then, rinse it out with water. Rinse the conditioner out with cool water to lock in the moisture and seal the hair's cuticle. If possible, sit under a hooded dryer while you deep condition for 30 to 45 minutes. The dryer will help condition your hair even more.

Apply conditioner to small sections of hair. This is especially important if your hair is very thick. When applying conditioner, deep conditioner, or even shampoo, apply it to small sections of hair. Dividing your hair into at least 6 sections is recommended. This will ensure that every hair gets covered and moisturized.

Ask a stylist to recommend a product for your hair type. If your hair is thin and straight, a conditioner meant for thick, curly hair would not be ideal for you. It is best to consult a stylist or employee at a beauty supply store if you aren’t sure what conditioner or other moisturizing product would be best for your hair type.

Avoiding Breakage and Damage

Choose a low-manipulation style. A complicated hairstyle that requires a lot of pulling, combing, or the use of heat styling tools on your hair can cause damage. Instead, choose a style that doesn’t involve a lot of manipulation. Braids, and 2-strand twists are protective styles that keep allow your hair to breathe and don’t require combing or running your hands through your hair.

Use a silk pillowcase. A cotton pillowcase can lead to hair breakage, especially if you toss and turn a lot at night. To prevent breakage, use a silk or satin pillowcase. It’s also an option to use a silk hair covering at night.

Avoid brushing wet hair. Brushing and combing your hair too much can lead to breakage. This breakage can increase even more when your hair is wet. Wait until your hair is completely dry to brush or comb it. If you can’t wait for your hair to dry, apply a detangling product and run a wide-tooth comb through small sections, starting at the ends of the hair and working toward the scalp.

Minimize the use of heat-styling products. Even if you’re not trying to grow your hair out, the use of heat-styling can be very damaging to hair. Limit or completely avoid the use of heat-styling products. If you need to use them, apply a heat-protectant product to your hair beforehand.

Staying Healthy

Eat a well-balanced diet. Your hair will look as healthy as your body is, so it is important to maintain a balanced diet. Proteins such as steak, fish, tofu, and beans are good to eat, along with fruits and vegetables. Calcium, found in products like yogurt and milk, is important to eat as well. Consult a nutritionist if you would like help planning a balanced diet that is right for you.

Drink more water to hydrate your hair. Drinking water is not only important for your internal health. Consuming at least 8 glasses of water per day will give both your hair and skin a healthier appearance. Carry a water bottle with you throughout your day to make it easier to remember to drink water. You can add a few drops of lemon juice, strawberry juice, or any other fruit to add flavor to your water.

Take a multivitamin. A well-balanced meal is necessary, but taking a multivitamin can also promote hair growth. Speak to your doctor to find the right multivitamin for you. Combining a basic multivitamin with a well-balanced diet can help you get long, beautiful hair. Many people take Biotin for hair growth. You can easily take it in pill form. Levels of effectiveness, however, vary from person to person.