Growing Your Hair Out? 5 Things to Know

It’s okay to get tired of the same old thing.

Hairstyles, however, do not come in the snap-on, snap-off variety - unless you’re William Shatner.

So, if you’ve had your short hairdo since the days before anyone cared about American Idol, you may be thinking of growing your hair out. If that’s the case, there are some things you should know and some tips you might find useful I’d like to share with you:

• Consult a Pro - Not everyone with short hair has the same short hair. Some is layered, some is thinned out and some is - the ‘80s are calling - feathered. You should talk to a stylist about how to care for your specific type of hair as it grows out so you can weather the process without having to make excuses for your hair not looking its best.

• Don’t Ignore Your Hair - Just because you are growing out your hair does not mean you should just ignore it and let it grow all willy-nilly. You can and should see your stylist and get trims during the process. Now, it is an old wive’s tale and persistent myth that cutting hair more frequently will result in more rapid hair growth. The hair follicle is a very simple gland, and it operates on basic rules based on genetic markers and how the hair is treated. Frequent coloring, bleaching or sun damage will influence the rate of hair growth, along with heredity and other inherited traits. Cutting the hair has nothing to do with the follicle. It’s not like the tip of the hair that is being cut sends a message to the follicle that it’s time to grow. That being said, the longer your hair gets, the more damaged the ends of your hair get, because the hair’s nourishment comes from the follicle, and it has a longer road to travel. Don’t ignore that fact, and keep your regular appointments.

• Accessorize - As your hair grows out, don’t be afraid to use headbands and hats and, yes, even barrettes to manage your style as it lengthens. Growing out your hair is a long but manageable process, so you should be ready to pull out a few stops. Hey, you may even make a fashion statement!

• Stay Healthy - Now is a good time, when you are growing out your hair, to look at your lifestyle and see what you can do to improve your wellness. Hair is not a lifeless appendage. It is a part of the body, and as such, it takes its cues from your overall state of health. Eating right, exercising and tending to your stress levels all have an impact on your hair. As it grows, a healthier you will be reflected in how healthy your hair looks as it does.

• Tend to the Ends - Longer hair gets drier at the ends as it grows, so do what you can to keep your hair well-nourished during this period. Use conditioner, and leave it in longer at the ends, or use one of Pureology’s leave-in conditioners. Also, come into the salon for a deep conditioning or keratin treatment every couple of months. It will go a long way toward making your longer hair look good during the process.

Longer hair can be a greater responsibility than shorter hair, and it will take time and effort to ensure that it grows out the right way. Accept the process for what it is, try to have fun with it, and follow these tips so you can look good all the way through the process. When you’re ready to have your longer hair styled, you’ll have a lot more ideas of what you may want to do with it, as well.

Yours in Style,

Darren