We spoke to one of our scientists Prunelle Garret, who helps to develop some of our best performing haircare products, to find out what really works and give us some tips and tricks on how to make your hair grow faster.
1. STOP CLOGGING YOUR FOLLICLES
You might be surprised to learn that your hair needs exfoliation just like your skin! If dirt, oils and product build-up blocks your follicles, this can result in ingrown hairs, preventing the hair from emerging from your scalp. Just like with facial skin care, new healthy cells can be encouraged to emerge with proper cleansing and exfoliation.
In fact, the anti-dandruff ingredient in our HairX Advanced Care Dandruff Solution Control Shampoo, Love Nature Shampoo for Dandruff Control Tea Tree Oil & Burdock, and North for Men Original Anti-Dandruff Shampoo, is Salicylic Acid - the same ingredient used in our Pure Skin range to unclog facial pores!
Salicylic Acid is a well-known ingredient that deeply cleanses and purifies by removing dead skin cells on the skin surface and by penetrating deeper into pores and hair follicles and clearing it of debris like dead skin cells, excess oil, and dirt.
USE THE RIGHT SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER
Shampoo is great for washing away dirt and product build-up and conditioner can reduce hair breakage and hair falling out. However, using the wrong shampoo or conditioner can strip your strands of the natural, essentials oils that keep them soft and healthy. So what to do? Our best tip is to use a repairing shampoo and conditioner that will both cleanse and be gentle on your hair strands.
At Oriflame we used Plankton Extract in our latest HairX Advanced Care Fall Defence range for its triple action helping to:
1. Reduce hair falling out
2. Stimulate hair growth
3. Increase hair density and volume
YOUR SECRET WEAPON? A SCALP TONIC
Importantly, notes Garret, even with the best shampoo and conditioner you still need a scalp tonic if you want your hair to grow faster. In fact, a scalp tonic treats the problem at its root (pun intended!) and is the main way to target hair growth.
“While any conditioner will help protect the hair you already have, it will not help with growing new hair or increasing growth speed,” points out Garret. “Only with specific ingredients contained in scalp treatments can you target hair growth.”
The HairX Advanced Care Fall Defence range will allow you to have both stimulation of hair growth with the scalp tonic and prevention of hair-fall and breakage with the combination of the shampoo and conditioner. For best results, it is advised to apply the tonic directly to the scalp.
APPLY OIL OR MASK TREATMENTS
Try introducing a mask or hair oil to your weekly hair care regime. “Depending on hair type and hair condition, it could be a good idea to include a mask or specific treatment to your hair care routine,” recommends Garret.
We recommend HairX Advanced Care Ultimate Repair Nourishing Hair Mask, specially formulated to rejuvenate and revitalise damaged and over-processed hair and strengthen the hair fibres from all that blow drying done during the week!
If you want to try an oil, we’d suggest Eleo Instant Nourishing Hair Oil, with the Eleo Golden Elixir and Safflower oil, a blend of powerful oils that nourish and hydrate fine hair without weighing it down.
USE WEATHER-APPROVED PRODUCTS
You might be surprised to know that the seasons can impact hair growth – and it all starts at the scalp! “During winter months the scalp can also be impacted by the change in weather conditions,” says Garret. “Sun damage or increased humidity can impact hair manageability, moisturisation and hair growth. To this end, you can use products such as HairX Advanced Care Weather Resist Protecting Hair Amplifier.”
ADDRESS YOUR DIET AND CONSIDER SUPPLEMENTS
Most importantly, your body requires many vital nutrients to create new hair. Eating healthy is not only good for your body but for your hair as well. A varied and balanced diet is key to optimising your hair condition.
“There are certain nutrients that are especially advantageous for your hair, that will make it grow stronger and healthier over time,” says Garret. “Since your hair is mainly built of protein it’s a good idea to include lean protein like chicken, fish or vegetables in your diet to help strengthen your hair. Your hair also needs specific vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C, selenium and zinc. You can find these nutrients in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, dairy products and nuts.”
Other factors can impact hair growth such as genetics, emotional stressors or external factors. Caring for your hair therefore requires a holistic approach where consuming a balanced and varied diet, limiting stress, sleeping well and, of course, taking care of your hair are all important parts!
*All Oriflame Hair Care products are developed with a clinical trichologist.
