Rapunzel Envy: Help and Hints for Truly Gorgeous Hair

Whether you're growing out a bad hair cut or have dreams of emulating Rapunzel, rest assured that you aren't alone! Your hair is your crowning glory (literally!) and there are many things you can do to encourage it to grow out long and strong.

1. Avoid using blow-dryers.

Any heat applied to your hair can damage it, and blow-dryers hit when your hair is wet and at its most fragile. The best option is to let your hair air-dry, but with a busy schedule that often isn't possible. A gentle towel drying is probably your best bet. Just remember to take it slow and try to pat instead of rub.

2. Comb, don't brush!

When it comes to brushing, many people think they're making their hair healthy when in fact they're doing the very opposite. Plastic brushes with bristles that end in plastic balls are notoriously bad for hair, especially when plied over wet strands. If you use these brushes, listen the next time you drag it through your hair and you will probably hear small ripping sounds that indicate that your hair is being torn. While a certain small amount of hair is shed every day, the damage that is done by these brushes results in split ends. A better option is a wide-toothed comb. While plastic is certainly serviceable, consider a wooden comb that can help redistribute oils from the top of your head to the ends of your hair.

3. Shampoo wisely.

While it might feel good to pile on gobs of shampoo, it actually does very little to help your hair. Your scalp and hair will adjust itself to the amount of cleanser you use and after that, you will need to use similar amounts to maintain your hair. This means that your hair can still feel smooth and clean using a small dollop of shampoo. If your shampoo contains silicones, which are used aid with detangling and to make hair smooth and shiny, it is possible that, with the silicone buildup, that damage is being masked and moisture is being locked out. This can make your hair much more prone to breakage.

4. Deal with split ends.

Split ends occur when the ends of your hair is damaged the shaft splits. While one split end on its own doesn't do much, many split ends can result in your hair looking shabby and dirty even when it is perfectly clean. To identify split ends, examine your hair in good light over a contrasting background. If you see many forks, it's time to take action. The easiest thing to do is get a trim, but you may be reluctant to lose the length. If you have the time and the patience, you can try dusting, where you use small sharp scissors to trim off the individual split ends strand by strand. While time consuming, this does lead to you keeping the length.

5. Protect your hair!

Hair is pretty vulnerable when it's just hanging loose. While this is less of a problem if your hair just touches your shoulder, it can become an issue if your hair is below your elbows and still growing. When you sleep, braid your hair or sleep with a satin pillowcase to avoid snarls. There are several things you can do to avoid damaging your hair in your day to day life. Wearing your hair up in buns and braids can keep your hair out of harm's way, and can be attractive and professional to boot!

6. Use good hair accessories.

If it has snapping metal bits, don't let it anywhere near your hair! Metal snap barrettes can tear your hair quite badly, resulting in hair that is rough and damaged. Consider instead using soft cloth scrunchies and hair ties, avoiding the ones with metal closures. If your hair is long enough, look into getting hair sticks and open yourself up to a world of new styles!