How to Achieve Shiny, Healthy Waist-Length Hair

This article comes from Byrdie.

How to Achieve Shiny, Healthy Waist-Length Hair

Waist-length hair makes a beautiful statement and can be achieved a few different ways. Besides adding foods like avocado, chia seed, and eggs to your diet, you need to follow some pretty general maintenance steps to grow and maintain waist-length hair.

Trims Are Essential

Hair grows about an average of 1/2 inch per month. If you’re trying to grow your hair long, trimming it every 6-8 weeks is enough to keep your ends healthy yet still let it grow. For those with natural hair, get a trim every three and a half to four months to avoid single-strand knots and split ends.

Find a Shampoo That Can Help Promote Hair Growth

We’ve all likely been tempted by a haircare commercial or advertisement that claims to give you longer, stronger hair. However, it can be difficult to confirm whether these claims measure up, but some shampoos are specially formulated to support healthy hair growth, which is especially helpful for those experiencing hair loss. You’ll want to look for a cleanser that provides nourishment to the scalp with the ability to remove build-up. I know that sounds like an oxymoron, but it is possible. To find the right shampoo, look for a sulfate-free product with scalp stimulating and hair strengthening ingredients like peppermint oil and antioxidants.

Keep the Use of Hot Tools and Styling to a Minimum

Like any other hair length, waist-length hair requires TLC, which means deep conditioning and minimal hot tool use are necessary to prevent breakage and promote healthy hair growth. Breakage often is a result of dryness and over-processed hair, whether from heat, chemicals, or styling. If you’re suffering from breakage, I recommend using a deep conditioner to strengthen and moisturize the hair shaft.

Try keeping your hair in protective styles to reduce breakage from everyday styling. If you can’t put down the hot tools, try using a light styling serum while straightening [with a] flat iron or a conditioning curl cream before diffusing.

Say Goodbye to Hot Showers

Hot showers not only dry out and irritate your skin, but they can do the same to your hair. It’s definitely very important to keep the water at a lukewarm temperature. Avoid hot temperatures as they will quickly dry out your scalp. If you want to ensure you seal in the benefits of your hair washing routine, rinse your conditioner out with cool water. This method will help rinse your hair clean of the conditioner without stripping away the good stuff you just put in.

Use a Hair Mask

Conditioning is a crucial step to any hair care regimen, especially when trying to retain length. Since shampoo opens the hair cuticle during the cleansing process, you need a conditioner to seal the hair shaft while locking nutrients as a preventive measure to combat breaking and split ends. You’ll want to select a conditioner based on your hair type, so you don’t run the risk of using a product that is too heavy or a conditioner that doesn’t provide enough moisture.

Invest in a Silk Scarf and Pillowcase

Experts agree that silk and satin are the best nighttime fabrics to use on the hair. For some, that might mean sleeping on a silk pillowcase for others that may mean a combination of both — either way, don’t let your hair hit the pillow without it.

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