After visiting a hair loss specialist and finding out, much to your delight, that a treatment is working really well for you, the next step is to think about what you want to do with your new, longer, fuller hairline.
Some people are happy leaving their hair as is, but others want to start experimenting with their new style, which can mean leaving it to grow out and enjoy a luscious set of long locks.
This is a wonderful display of confidence, and with that in mind, here are some top tips for growing your hair out longer.
Be Patient
Hair tends to take a long time to grow; on average you will gain five inches each year, but there are a lot of factors that can affect this, including your body type, diet, hormones and health.
Because of this, be prepared to wait a while to get the hair growth you want and allow yourself and any treatments you are using time to take full effect.
If you have any concerns, by all means, consult your hair specialist but time is the best adjunct to your treatments and avoid taking drastic action.
Trim To Grow
This can seem quite counterproductive, but you need to trim your hair to help it grow longer.
The reason for this is that over time, hair strands get damaged. This leads to split ends, which can help to stymie hair growth.
You can do it yourself, or ask for a very light trim from a hairstylist; explain that you are growing your hair out and they will understand the assignment.
Avoid High-Tension Styles
Whilst it is better to leave your long hair be, you can still style it, but opt for gentle styles. Avoid the Ariana Grande high ponytail, even if the reason she wore it is itself the result of hair loss and hair damage.
Instead, opt for low ponytails and use soft scrunchies to keep your hair held up without causing tangles and breaks.
Try To Relax
Your hair is the first place that you will lose energy if you are under stress, whether that is extreme exertion, fatigue, burnout or nerves.
Stress can cause hair to stop growing, which can undermine a lot of the hard work you have done.
There are a lot of options, including journalling, aromatherapy, mindfulness meditation, spa days, yoga or anything that you do to soothe your mind.
Eat A Hair-Friendly Diet
Your hair needs biotin, zinc, iron, vitamin E and B vitamins to grow, so make sure your diet is filled with nuts, leafy greens, cauliflower, avocado and beetroot, as well as other foods rich in nutrients.
Vitamin gummies will help out as well, but should not be seen as a replacement for a healthy diet.
If you have a nutrient deficiency, the hair is the first place to lose those vital minerals as the body prioritises the vital organs and every other part of your body first.
Crash dieting should be avoided if at all possible, as that is a cause of hair loss and damage.