Long hair is a classic, and for good reason. Whether tied up in a sleek ponytail or messy bun, in boho braids, or even left natural, the versatility that comes with long locks lets you change your look with ease. Unfortunately, as hair grows about half an inch per month on average, getting the length you crave also requires a bit of maintenance and a lot of patience.
Whether you're struggling with brittle ends, thinning all over, or had a hairstylist that was a little too happy with the scissors, here are 5 natural ways to speed up hair growth for long, healthy hair.
Have Regular Trims
It's no secret that order for hair to grow faster, it must first be cut. This may seem paradoxical, but delaying a trip to the hairstylist will result in brittle split ends that grow less quickly. Shedding the dead weight allows hair to regain its health and strength, allowing it to grow faster. Get into the habit of getting a trim every 8-12 weeks. The more regularly you trim split ends, the less will need to be cut each time, as hair will be less damaged. 
Fuel Growth from Within
We've said it before and we'll say it again: a healthy and balanced diet is necessary for beautiful skin and healthy hair. To promote their regrowth, we mainly turn to foods rich in iron, zinc, proteins, vitamins, and essential fatty acids such as legumes, green vegetables, eggs, seeds, nuts, and oily fish. A good tip to borrow from your grandmother is to supplement your meals with brewer's yeast or nutritional yeast, which are rich in vitamins B1, B5, B8 and B9, trace elements and minerals. 
Scrub the Scalp
Like the skin on the face, the scalp needs to be rid of particles of pollution, excess sebum, dead cells, dandruff, and product buldup in order to regenerate. Once per week, add a scalp scrub into your shower routine to remove impurities and get rid of excess hair product. You can make your own using coarse salt or raw sugar mixed with olive or coconut oil. Apply to the roots and massage with fingertips in circular movements for a few minutes before shampooing. At the end of a shower, finish by rinsing the hair with a shot of cold water, which helps close the cuticles and results in shinier, more moisturized locks.
Massage Your Scalp
A scalp massage stimulates the hair follicles, producing thicker hair and encouraging hair regrowth. At least twice a week, for 5 to 10 minutes, allow yourself a little moment of softness by massaging the entire skull with your fingertips, using circular movements. We start at the nape of the neck before moving up to the top of the skull and ending at the temples. The massage can be done without product or using a mixture of invigorating essential oils such as pine, lemon, ylang-ylang or thyme. In addition to being good for your hair, this practice also help you relax and re-center.
Mask Regularly
Nourishing air masks are an incredible asset for accelerating hair growth. Try one of these natural recipes once per week.
Oil Bath
Castor oil is known to promote hair growth. Rich in vitamin E, it helps to strengthen our lengths by hydrating and nourishing them. Just be sure to mix it with another, lighter oil such as olive oil or argan oil. Combine a tablespoon of castor oil with 3 tablespoons of olive oil. Apply the mixture to the entire scalp and lengths, gently massage for a few minutes, and leave for 30 minutes minimum before washing with a mild shampoo.
Onion Mask
Many beauty enthusiasts praise the merits of the onion on the hair, and for good reason. Onion promotes blood circulation and allows the hair follicles to be better nourished, better oxygenated and therefore better regenerate. Rich in sulfur, this ingredient also allows the hair to produce more collagen and thus to be in better shape. First, blend an onion to extract its juice, then mix 3 tablespoons of onion juice with 1 tablespoon of coconut oil and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Apply all over the hair, concentrating on the roots, and leave on for 1 hour before shampooing. This recipe can be miraculous — so long as you can stand the smell of it!
Coconut Milk Mask
Known for its protective properties, coconut milk helps repair damaged hair, rehydrate dry locks, and promote regrowth. Simply mix 6 tablespoons of more than 90% condensed coconut milk (remember to mix the coconut milk well with a spoon before pouring it into a bowl) with 3 tablespoons of castor oil. Apply the mask to all of the hair and leave on for at least 30 minutes before shampooing. You can also add a few drops of basil essential oil to the mixture, which will improve scalp circulation.
Ginger Mask
In addition its energizing and anti-inflammatory powers, ginger is also very good for the hair. By increasing blood circulation to the scalp, it can accelerate hair growth. The best option is to use fresh ginger juice, but you can just as easily use powdered ginger. Mix 2 tablespoons of ginger with 1 tablespoon of olive oil or castor oil. As ginger can be irritating to the scalp, it is advisable to mix it with a neutral oil. Mix everything well, then apply to the scalp, massaging for a few minutes. Leave on for at least 30 minutes before shampooing.
Egg Mask
Rich in proteins, egg nourishes the hair and accelerates its growth by boosting its cellular metabolism. To take advantage of its benefits, mix an egg with 1 tablespoon of castor oil and 1 tablespoon of honey. Apply the mixture all over the hair, from roots to ends. Leave on for a good 30 minutes and then shampoo.
Last minute advice: avoid washing your hair too often by spacing out shampoos as much as possible. Brush your hair delicately, always starting by untangling the ends then moving up to the roots. Opt for sulfate-free shampoo and minimize the use of hot tools, which seriously damage the hair fiber.
By heeding these tips, you'll be on your way to long, healthy hair in no time.
