When is hair stronger

All products featured on British Vogue are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission. An abundance of thick, long hair. The good news is that where there is a will, there is always a way to encourage hair to grow faster, longer and stronger. All it takes is some patience and know-how. The American Academy of Dermatology reports that hair grows an average of around half an inch each month, which amounts to six inches over the year.

It is, however, governed by our genetics so some will grow more and others less. Here Vogue brings you a step-by-step guide to growing your locks long — as quickly as possible. Kingsley recommends shampooing regularly — you should be aiming for most days — to effectively remove dead skin cells, sweat, environmental pollution and oils that accumulate on its surface. In fact, a flaky scalp can actually cause hair loss. The past couple of years have seen a huge surge in scalp care, with brands understanding that the scalp is an area that needs to be looked after to nurture healthy hair.

Employing ingredients like vitamin C and other antioxidants from the skincare world, the aim is to create a happy scalp for stronger, more resilient hair. I recommend a palm-sized portion of protein — think fish, eggs, lean meat, pulses and quinoa — at breakfast and lunch.

These are the most important meals of the day for your hair as that is when energy expenditure is greatest. Instead, let it grow out until you can or feel safe enough to book a salon appointment again. Regularly bleaching and highlighting your hair can easily lead to overprocessing, which causes breakage and makes it much harder for hair to grow out.

Your scalp condition is crucial to growing your hair—not just faster, but also healthier and stronger. According to dermatologist Ava Shamban, M. Shamban recommends any scalp scrub formulas with salicylic acid which strips away the outer layer of cells and sebum buildup and glycolic acid which penetrates even more deeply. You can also try making your own using sugar, olive oil, honey, and apple cider vinegar.

Shamban prefers the Philip B. Peppermint Avocado Shampoo , which gets rid of buildup without stripping your scalp of its natural oils. Kerry Yates , scalp health expert and founder of beauty consultancy Colour Collective , always recommends a select group of anti-inflammatory botanicals.

Chamomile is a natural calming agent for scalp sensitivities, and honey helps ward off bacterial growth on your scalp. Deciding how often you should wash your hair ultimately depends on your individual hair type. But whether you have curls or straight hair, Yates does not recommend shampooing on a daily basis. Use a dry shampoo like this refreshing foam formula from Paul Mitchell when needed, and follow with a clarifying rinse the day after. Cut down on split ends and damage by doing a once-weekly deep-conditioning treatment.

These targeted formulas help to keep the hair shaft sealed and smooth. Her Pure BioGen Complex Deep Conditioner can be used as a regular conditioner or a minute mask, infusing hair with vitamins, collagen, and biotin. Another option is the Aquis Lisse Luxe Hair Turban , which features moisture-absorbing channels in the place of loops, encouraging the hair cuticle to lay flat and dry faster.

Rivera also recommends lines like By Gina with infrared smart technology, which locks moisture into the hair shaft. In general, keep your blow-dryers, flat irons, and curling wands on lower heat settings when possible to prevent scorching the hair. And always pair them with a heat protectant. Brushing your hair does more than detangle it; it also releases dead cells, improves scalp circulation, and distributes oil throughout your hair shaft.

Maybe you're all about volume. Shininess holds a lot of weight for some people, too. All of these factors matter when you're looking for ways to know your hair is healthy. Then again, being able to spot signs of damaged hair is super important. Split ends, breakage, and brittle strands are sworn enemies that have no business plaguing our luscious locks. And it's no surprise that frequently swimming in chlorine pools, using heat styling tools, and getting back-to-back dye jobs also take a toll on our tresses.

Given all of the obvious things that hurt our hair health , it's important to get familiar with the characteristics that can help you determine what, exactly, is going on with that mane of yours. Focusing on length and thickness are steps in the right direction, but our hair can let us know that it's thriving in subtler ways as well. Instead of beating ourselves up over ways we damage our hair , I think it's high time we celebrate the route to healthy hair for a change.

If any of these nine signs of strong and healthy locks describe your mane, a slow-motion hair flip is in order. Pay attention to the amount of excess hair that falls out in the shower, onto your bedding while you're asleep, or into your comb or brush when styling. It's natural that you'll lose some of your hair daily, but it's important to recognize how much is too much. So give yourself a pat on the back if you've noticed you only lost a small handful of hair by the end of the day.

Chances are your locks are actually pretty healthy if this is the case. You probably wouldn't want your fingers getting caught in a tangled web of stiff hair as you run them through your mane. Healthy hair "never feels brittle and dry," according to Maciques. Humid weather can tell us a lot about the condition of our locks.