From Selenium to Scalp Massages: My Long Voyage to Healthier Hair 2021

+5From Selenium to Scalp Massages: My Long Voyage to Healthier Hair 2021

Ever since I can remember, I’ve had dreams of getting long, flowing Rapunzel hair. But unfortunately on behalf of me , it’s never quite happened.

Whether it’s my genes or my highlighting habit, my hair has never quite reached the length I’ve envisioned. And so, for the past 10 years, I’ve been on a mission to realize longer, stronger, and healthier hair.

I’ve tried a mess of old wives’ tales and products that promise hair growth miracles. I’ve dabbled with horse hair shampoo (yes, really — apparently it's magical properties). I’ve tried in-salon treatments that have taken hours at a time to finish , and regular professional scalp massages to stimulate my hair follicles. For four years, I even kept the scissors completely cornered . (Can you imagine the split ends?)

But in recent years, the sweetness market has introduced an entire host of incredible products for those folks who dream of long, tumbling locks. Here are the products and practices I’ve tried and tested personally for growing and improving my hair — and whether or not they worked:

1. Hair restructuring

Conclusion: It works!

I was cynical once I first tried it, but I’ve been adding a mixture of Olaplex treatments and L’Oréal’s new Smartbond in with my highlights for about two years now. I’ve noticed a substantial difference. Not only is that the breakage far less, but the shine, thickness, and general health of my hair has appeared to improve, too.

Admittedly, unlike most hair treatments, these aren’t differences you’ll notice immediately . These products don’t work on the aesthetic exterior of your hair follicles, but rather the within bonds and structure. My hair is pretty thin and susceptible to breakage anyway, but the restructuring treatments provides it a lift within the right direction, prevent breakage, and minimize the damage wiped out the coloring process.

Restructuring treatments are often mixed in together with your usual color, otherwise you can have it wiped out between color treatments. The treatment is typically completed in several parts — two in-salon visits and therefore the final step reception . It’s not cheap, and that i know some people are tempted to offer up since they can’t physically “see” the difference. But I cite this as a serious think about the journey between my before and after pictures.

2. Scalp massages

Conclusion: It worked!

When properly done, scalp massages can increase blood circulation to the hair follicles. They not only lower stress, but also condition the scalp and boost the strength and thicknessTrusted Source of your hair. In other words, it’s great for your hair!

I was instantly hooked. And while I did plan to massage my very own hair for a short time (which may be a great treat within the shower, because you get to enjoy the act of washing your hair, instead of feeling like it’s a chore), i made a decision the sole authentic thanks to roll in the hay was to hunt out knowledgeable .

This is once I discovered Aveda’s unique Scalp Detox service. It’s an entire revamp and balancing treatment that gives some TLC to your scalp. Because let’s face it, can we ever actually take care of our scalp properly? It’s a haven for dead skin and merchandise buildup.

Aveda’s in-salon treatment was extremely relaxing: a scalp massage with variety of various stages, including exfoliation, cleansing, and moisturizing. There was even a special looped hairbrush designed to assist remove dead skin and other buildup.

The treatment was then finished off with a blow-dry. My hair felt lighter and cleaner than it had in years. My scalp was hydrated, healthy, and over subsequent few months, I noticed an enormous difference in my regrowth. My hair usually grows half an in. a month (if I’m lucky), but the regrowth at my next color appointment far surpassed previous experiences.

3. Horse hair shampoo

Conclusion: It didn’t work.

So why on earth did I start shampooing with a product formulated for horses? Well, your guess is nearly as good as mine.

I think I’d read somewhere that horses have special shampoo formulated for them to extend the thickness of their mane, tail, and coat. Plus, a fast Google search revealed that Demi Moore, Kim Kardashian, and Jennifer Aniston — three ladies known for his or her luscious locks — were all fans, so I wasn’t completely misinformed! And it’s clearly caught on. the favored brand Mane`n Tail has now brought out a replacement collection of their best-selling formula tweaked for human use.

Enriched with vegetable oil , this protein-rich shampoo promotes gentle cleansing without stripping the natural oils of your hair, encouraging fuller, longer, stronger, and thicker hair. i attempted this product a couple of years ago (when it had been still for horses). After ordering from the web , I gave it a go for a month approximately . Admittedly, my hair felt clean and glossy, but I didn’t feel that the hydrating qualities were strong enough for my often coarse and frizzy hair.

And, as for hair growth, I didn’t notice much difference. So, i ended horsing around and went for a special shampoo. I now use Aussie, which is super hydrating, and their 3 Minute Miracle masks are incredible for hair recovery. I also use Kérastase. Their products are fabulous at protecting color while also hydrating, softening, and balancing out the oils.

4. Banning the scissors

Conclusion: It didn’t work.

At age 16, i used to be convinced that my hairdressers were lying to me. I had visions of all of them plotting against me, advising regular trims as a way of keeping them in business instead of fulfilling my goal of miracle hair growth. whenever i assumed my hair had grown, they’d snip it off, and we’d be back to face one.

I couldn’t fathom why on earth they were putting me through such turmoil time and time again. So, to prove that i used to be “right,” I banned the scissors from approaching my hair for four whole years. In fact, it wasn’t until I turned 21 that I finally let my hairdresser trim my ends.

I’d let four years of split ends plague my hair health. i used to be convinced the sacrifice would start to pay off. Unfortunately, it never did.

While I’m sure a trim every six weeks is merely necessary if you’re maintaining a selected look, I now have an honest cut twice a year, and that i don’t reminisce . Trims don’t make your hair grow faster (despite my dad’s analogy that hair is simply like grass), but regular trims do improve the design , condition, and feel of your hair.

By trimming away the unhealthy split ends, hair will have less breakage and flyaways. This makes it look much thicker and shinier — and even longer! And it’s super important for maintaining your hair health, which is paramount if you would like to grow it long. Because, while you would like Rapunzel’s hair length, you furthermore may want it to seem and desire her hair.

Find an honest hairdresser you trust, who also features a mutual interest in improving your hair. i'm going to Neville Salon in London every few months. Not only do they need a wonderfully friendly team of hairdressers available to assist you fulfill your hair dreams, they’re also pioneers in hair coloring processes and techniques.

Your hair is such an enormous a part of you. You don’t want to scrimp on ensuring it’s within the best hands.

5. Selenium supplements

Conclusion: They work!

Again, i used to be very cynical when it came to taking supplements. My IBS journey didn’t give me an awful lot of religion in medication, which was probably my reasoning for not trusting oral capsules considerably . But still, I figured it had been worth a try.

I set to figure researching which might be best. Along the way, I found a supplement called selenium, which may be a component of proteinsTrusted Source that are linked to hair growth. Selenium is found naturally in foods like Brazil nuts, oats, tuna, spinach, eggs, beans, and garlic.

If you’re on contraception pills (as I am), they will cause a minor selenium deficiencyTrusted Source. After reading this, I found a comparatively natural and basic supplement (not bulked out with many other things I hadn’t heard of) in my local pharmacy and stocked abreast of 60 days’ worth. Sixty days turned to 90, and 90 turned to 365.

I was hooked on how shiny, thick, and luscious my hair felt. And while I do appreciate that hair health is relative (and therefore, the selenium supplements could also be a placebo), a couple of months after i ended taking them, I noticed a drastic decline in hair health, a rise in breakage, and a stagnation on hair growth. So, it’s now something I combat a day to day and swear by!

6. Homemade hair masks

Conclusion: They work!

During my student years, I couldn’t afford the excessively expensive hair masks that promised miracle growth, no matter how badly I wanted to undertake them. So, I put Google to good use (again) and need to work making my very own hair masks and putting them to the test.

I mashed up vegetable oil , avocado, mayonnaise, eggs, vinegar, and even beer. (For weeks after, I smelled sort of a hangover.) purgative , olive oil, and avocado ultimately came out on top as my favorite and most successful combination. I noticed an enormous difference within the glossiness, texture, and strength of my hair after just a couple of uses.

They’re easy to form , too: Mix it up, apply to wet hair, leave for 20 minutes, and rinse. If you’re out of your favorite hair mask, I’d definitely recommend giving this a go. you would possibly never look back!

Takeaway

So there we've it. Six slightly wild and wacky things i attempted during a bid to urge my hair to grow. Now, 10 years on, I even have for much longer , healthier, and shinier hair, and that i haven’t had to sacrifice getting my hair highlighted every few months, either.

Keep in mind: There’s also no substitution for an honest diet and minimizing heat treatments, both of which substantially affect how your hair looks and feels. In fact, I banned all heat treatment on my hair for a year, and it made a huge difference.

Regardless of what you are trying , it’s worth remembering that genes do play an enormous part in how your hair looks. When it involves loving your hair, tons of that comes with accepting the hair you've got and dealing with it. Try letting go of what you are doing n’t have and dealing out ways to make sure that what you do have complements you!