Hair Growth Techniques

For years I have been on my hair growth journey and have grown out my hair by over 8 inches! There’s no gatekeeping here, I’ll share all my tips and things to avoid so you can get mermaid hair too. Check out my before & after photos and keep reading for all the secrets!

2019

2022

Things to Promote Hair Growth:

Use a Scalp Brush
Shampoo with a scalp brush to help unclog hair follicles from build-up and stimulate the scalp to promote growth. It should be used in a circular motion on the scalp.

Dry Shampoo
Go longer between washes since the scalp’s natural oils actually speed up growth! Shampooing the hair is stripping it of its natural oils which is necessary to do occasionally but certainly not daily. I swear by these two dry shampoo options that should be applied by sectioning out the hair and applying to the scalp before bed. This allows the oils to be absorbed overnight so you wake up with revived hair ready to be styled!

The Right Brushes
I use this Boar Bristle Brush to take the natural oils from the scalp and distribute them along the shaft and ends. This helps stimulate the scalp, allows you to go longer between washes, and helps to keep your ends hydrated. When I have wet hair, I use this Flexi Brush to avoid breakage when the hair is at its most vulnerable state.

Biotin Supplements
Not all supplements are made equally. I usually take a pill form of Biotin like these since the measurement is the most accurate in this form. When you take gummy supplements, you don’t know the exact measurement you’re taking because gummies are cooked which bakes off some of the potency, meaning the measurement advertised is an estimate.

Bone Broth
This is an amazing source of natural collagen. My favorite is this concentrate that is easy to put in your purse so you never miss a cup. I drink it up to three times a day and have seen these results! It is also great for digestion and comes in different seasoning flavors. I just heat it up in a mug and drink it like tea. You can also usually find bone broth at the grocery store but look at the sodium before purchasing any since some are intended for cooking and are not ideal for drinking this way.


Collagen Supplements
If Bone Broth doesn’t appeal to you, there are also other collagen supplement alternatives like the Yū Beauty Collagen. Use code ALICE to get 15% off your order or subscription! It contains both Type I and Type III (bovine source) collagen peptides along with some amazing ingredients that will help healthy hair growth as well as give you other benefits like strong nails and clear skin. In addition, it’s gluten-free, hormone-free, and cruelty-free, with no GMOs, artificial colors, or flavors. I have tried so many collagen supplements on the market (so you don’t have to) and nothing compares to this one!!

Drink water
Drinking enough water is so important to help aid the growth and health of your hair among other things in the body. I aim for at least 96 ounces of water a day (which is 4 of my favorite tumblers from Starbucks). A general guide to help you understand how much water you should be drinking is taking your body weight number, and dividing it by 2. That number is approximately how many ounces of water you should be drinking in one day.

Hair Appointments
Be consistent. I have standing 8-week appointments booked 8 months out. It sounds crazy but if you find the right stylist, it’s such a pleasure. It ensures self-care and I get to visit a friend. Her guidance has been a huge part of my hair growth success. If you’re in SoCal, I highly recommend trying to get an appointment with Brisa!

2021

Things to Avoid:

Bleach
Avoid bleach at all costs. Once I went back to my natural color I was able to start making real progress in my hair growth journey. In 2019 I was using bleach to be blonde and it was preventing my progress because of all the breakage.

Applying Heat
If you can avoid applying heat to your hair altogether, that is ideal. If you can’t avoid it, try to only apply heat to your hair once a week maximum. (This is another reason why you’ll want to go longer between washes!) If you do need to apply heat more frequently, I recommend using an indirect ceramic hot tool for touch-ups. This hot brush is my absolute favorite for touching up my hair after the gym.


Tight Buns or Ponytails
Creating tension with hairstyles like this can pull on your hair strands and damage them. These tight hairstyles can stress your hair strands and may even lead to traction alopecia over time. If you do put your hair up, make sure you are using the right hair supplies! I swear by these silk scrunchies which prevent breakage and are soft on the strands.


Abrasive Pillowcases
Using Silk or Satin pillowcases will help prevent friction and breakage during sleep. I recommend Silk since it’s the highest quality. This is my favorite and it comes in all sizes and a bunch of colors.

It’s difficult being patient as you are navigating through your hair growth journey but following these guides and being consistent will get you there! I also recommend documenting your hair journey so you have references photos which will help keep you motivated when you may not feel like you’re seeing progress. Consistency is key!