Spring is in the air and in your hair! Have you noticed your curls are bouncing back from their winter dryness? Are your natural highlights returning with the sunny days ahead? Does hair grow faster in the summer or are we simply smitten with a sunshine state of mind? Discover the answer to your pressing curly hair growth questions and more as we explore the best ways to boost length and volume.
The team at RevAir wants to help you welcome spring by focusing on natural hair growth this season. Give your curls the care to bloom with these simple tips and tricks to level up your hair care routine. Our goal is length, volume, and, of course, healthier hair. We'll empower you in your natural hair care journey to understand the basics of hair growth. Next, we'll explore the best products for adding inches to healthy curls. Whether you're experiencing a plateau in hair growth or you're at that awkward in-between stage and want to grow out your hair quickly, these expert learnings from the RevAir team will get you started on the right path.
Let's spring clean your hair routine as we focus on adding length to your curls.
What Causes Slow Hair Growth? Has My Hair Growth Stalled?
Average hair growth occurs at a rate of a half-inch per month. Of course, we know our curls are anything but average. Each hair texture is unique and dynamic. That means hair growth can vary widely between Type 1 and Type 2 hair as well as Type 3 and Type 4 curls. Learning the basics of what causes slow hair growth can illuminate your length journey.
Slow hair growth can be caused by a variety of factors. Dryness is among the top concerns when growing curly hair. Low humidity during the harsh winter months contributes to a loss of moisture in your curls. Type 3 and Type 4 hair are especially vulnerable as these hair types tend to be high porosity and extra sensitive to dryness. We often notice this as frizz and shedding. However, when frizzy hair become a regular guest in our curl care routine, the ends of the curl are splitting which stalls hair growth. This is why it's essential to replace moisture lost to Type 3 and Type 4 curls. Otherwise, you may find yourself coming out of the winter months wondering why your hair hasn't grown quite as long as you expected.
Other Factors That Contribute to Slow Hair Growth
These factors include frequent heat styling, poor diet, harsh hair products that leave residue and additives behind, and external environmental factors. You may also have noticed that your hair was flourishing when suddenly you are no longer seeing the same growth you were a month ago. This is often referred to as a plateau or stalled hair growth. When it comes to growing out curly hair, shrinkage may be to blame for what appears to be slowed hair growth. Shrinkage refers to the length of your natural hair from wet to dry. High porosity hair often shrinks up to 90% when dry! To get the most volume and length out of your hair, it's important to stretch your curls rather than simply "tame" them with heat-styling tools.
Learn how to stretch, style, and dry your curls in one smooth step with RevAir's amazing reverse air hairdryer.
How Can I Encourage Healthy Natural Hair Growth?
Let's answer the ever-popular question -- how to make curly hair grow faster? Does braiding hair make it grow faster? What about hair growth stimulants? Does dirty hair grow faster?
At RevAir, we've heard it all -- the good, the bad, and the dirty details of hair growth secrets. With so many different techniques for growing out natural hair, it can be tricky to discern which strategies work for encouraging healthy length and volume. We've kept it simple by putting together the best ways to grow out natural hair with tried and true techniques for all curl types.
1.) Stress Less
Did you know that stress is a primary cause of hair loss? Stress can push your hair follicles into the "resting phase," slowing hair growth. So take a moment for self-care. Practice deep breathing, guided meditation, and restorative exercises such as yoga. Most importantly, don't worry about your hair growth. The best things -- like long, luxurious curls -- take time.
2.) Stay Hydrated
Hydration is key to encouraging your hair to bloom! Make sure you're drinking plenty of water to nourish your hair follicles. Set an alarm throughout the day to remind yourself to stay hydrated.
3.) Eat a Hair Healthy Diet
Just as food fuels every other part of our body, nutrition is important for natural hair growth.
Cataanda James, the Senior Technician at the New York Technical Center for L'Oréal USA explains, "the blood vessels nourish the cells in the hair bulb, which is the base of the hair follicle, so what you consume is vital." James recommends a diet high in antioxidants, protein, and fiber. Some of the best foods for hair growth include cauliflower, kiwi, papaya, and green vegetables rich in vitamins A, C, and K.
4.) Use Natural Hair Products
Harsh additives such as sulfates and parabens can dry out your curls and leave behind heavy residue. For optimal hair growth, stick to all-natural products. Nourishing oils such as coconut and jojoba along with fruit extract, green tea essence, and aloe vera are some of the best ingredients in natural shampoo and conditioner. These act as natural hair growth stimulants to allow your locks to flourish.
5.) Get Your Hair on a Rotation
While we can't fully get behind the idea of a no-hair-wash spring, we do recommend that you rotate your wash days. Dirty hair does not grow any faster. However, over-washing can strip away your hair's natural oils and contribute to dryness. The best solution for hair growth is balance. Try a weekly or twice-weekly wash schedule with a co-wash day in between to keep your curls fresh.
6.) Try Low Tension Protective Hairstyles
Protective hairstyles are a great way to preserve natural growth. However, not all braids are the same. Opt for low-tension protective hairstyles that are easy on your scalp and designed to encourage healthy hair growth. We recommend avoiding heavy styles such as locs when your hair is in a growth phase.
7.) Keep Up on Regular Trims
Trim away dead ends and don't neglect salon visits simply because you're growing your hair out. Regular trims are more important than ever when it comes to fostering healthy hair growth and adding volume to your curls.
8.) Stick to Low Heat Styling
Minimizing heat exposure is one of the best ways to prevent hair damage and accelerate hair growth. Hairdryers are often the worst culprits when it comes to hair damage as high heat levels are concentrated directly on your delicate curls. With our innovative reverse air, low heat device, you can dry your hair in a fraction of the time without breakage and stress! Learn more about how you can smooth, style, and stretch while still being kind to your curls.
What Are the Best Products and Techniques to Boost Hair Growth?
The right products make all the difference for growing out curly hair. With so many options to choose from, selecting the best products -- and understanding how to incorporate them -- isn't always straightforward. Despite the tangle of information when it comes to how to grow out curly hair, you only need to focus on a few key products and techniques.
Start With a High-Quality Shampoo and Conditioner Duo
These should be moisture dense and rich in nourishing ingredients such as shea butter and vitamin B complex. Selecting products with plenty of "slip" (how easily your brush glides through your curls) will help during your detangling routine. Coat your curls liberally and use these products in tandem with your wet brush to detangle your locks with minimal breakage.
Prioritize Scalp Health With an Exfoliating Cleanser
The scalp is the root of hair growth. Use a cleanser to exfoliate the scalp and stimulate blood flow to the follicle. This "wakes up" your hair follicles, promoting new growth while maintaining healthy skin. We recommend investing in a scalp massager as well as a moisturizing scalp oil or serum for the full salon treatment.
Apply a Styling Cream
Styling cream is a fantastic tool for maintaining your curls' shape while growing your hair out. This works well for mid-length hair and often gives the illusion of added length while your curls are still growing. Applying styling cream at the base of the curls can also add volume and depth to your hair.
Use an SPF 30+ Heat Protectant
When it's time to venture out, always use an SPF 30+ heat protectant for your curls. UV rays break apart the chemical bonds that give the shape and volume of your curls so it's important to protect your hair from environmental damage. After prolonged sun exposure, a high-quality hair serum rich in vitamin C and aloe is a great way to revitalize your curls. With warmer weather approaching, we recommend carrying a travel-sized heat protectant for those long summer days.
Before we get too far into curly hair maintenance for summer sunshine, we need to prep our beachy curls with a nourishing spring hair care routine. Are length and volume on your natural hair bucket list this year? With a few simple curl care tips to promote natural hair growth, your curls will begin to bloom.
Reach out to our team at RevAir for more tips and tricks to celebrate your curls.
