How to Grow Your Hair Long and healthy
15 Years Behind the Chair: What I’ve Learned About Healthy Hair Growth
I’ve spent the past 15 years as a hairstylist. It's a career that led to so many wonderful connections, I often miss that field of work. But I knew that the toxin over load I was obtaining daily from that career wasn't worth my health. During that time, however, I’ve seen firsthand how much hair health is influenced by what we put in our bodies and how we treat our strands. Over the years, I’ve helped countless clients tackle thinning, breakage, and slow-growing hair. While there’s no single “miracle” solution, there are patterns I’ve consistently seen lead to stronger, longer, and healthier hair. Today, I'll break down what I know, combining both the hair world and my herbal world together.
As many of us know, your hair and nails are the first to show signs of illness, some of us have seen this first hand, and if you are losing a lot of hair, your hair texture has thinned and changed dirastically, or simply wont grow- there COULD be an underlying issue. The reason your hair is often the first to show a symptom of stress or illness is because they are non-essential tissues.
Your body is incredibly intelligent. When something is off such as stress, illness, nutrient deficiency, trauma, hormonal shifts, it will immediately prioritizes survival over appearance and redirect the blood flow and nutrients to go to the brain, heart, liver kidney, lungs instead. The hair follicles fall to the back of the line, they aren't as urgent of a matter so they get less oxygen, zinc, iron, ect. Which, is pretty incredible when you think about it. Your body understress sends singals saying "Not safe, we need to conserve energy" so the body will push hair follicles into a resting phase, where they wont grow, this phase is called telogen phase. Then often 2-3 months later you'll find that the body will push the hair into a shedding phase, (exogen phase) and release old hair so that new hair can grow, (anlagen phase) Which is why its common for people to say: “I was sick months ago and now my hair is falling out.” I saw this so often right after covid, most hairstylist would agree they saw a massive shift in their clients hair after hearing they came down with covid too.
Another key factor I’ve observed is the impact of chemical processes. Low to no bleaching and avoiding harsh chemical treatments preserves the natural structure of the hair shaft. Not to mention Our scalp is like a sponge, it absorbs everything we put on it. That means harsh chemicals, sulfates, parabens, and even certain alcohols in shampoos can penetrate the scalp, weaken hair follicles, and slow growth. On the flip side, nutrient-rich oils, herbs, and gentle cleansers can feed the scalp and follicles directly, supporting stronger, healthier hair from the root up.
Treat your scalp as you would the rest of your body.
It’s not just chemicals in the salon that can hurt hair, some everyday shampoo ingredients can inhibit growth and cause breakage too. Ingredients like sulfates, parabens, and certain alcohols strip natural oils from the scalp and hair, leaving it dry, brittle, and prone to snapping. Switching to gentle, nourishing cleansers that maintain your scalp’s balance makes a noticeable difference in hair strength and overall growth.
This is why when I found a line that was truly clean, and organic I switched my entire line to it when I did hair. Innersense has truly transformed mine, and so many other peoples hair. You can find their products here. If you are wondering which shampoo is best for you let me break it down on what I tell most people:
Thick, course, curly hair- hydration hair bath and conditioner
Normal to fine - Pure harmony hair bath and conditioner
Sensitive itchy scalp- Scalp renew hairbath and conditioner
No fragrance- Clarity hairbath and conditioner
Colored hair (NOT HIGHLIGHTS)- Color awakening
But let's talk about what we can do for nutrients.
One of the first things I noticed is how much diet impacts hair growth. Cutting out seed oils and focusing on nutrient-dense foods makes a real difference. You wouldn't believe how often I saw truly healthy eaters in my chair getting haircuts every 5 weeks. I was so blown away at how quickly their hair grew. See, Omega-6 heavy seed oils can create inflammation in the body, which affects the hair follicles, while foods rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals feed the hair from the inside out. Hair truly is a reflection of overall wellness, and nourishing your body is the first step in growing strong strands.
To make this even easier for those who want a simple daily routine, we created our Vital-Mane gummies. Each gummy is packed with
Vitamin C- a powerful antioxidant that helps protect hair follicles from oxidative stress caused by free radicals. It’s also essential for collagen production, which strengthens the structure of hair and promotes growth from the root. Plus, it aids in iron absorption, which is critical for preventing hair thinning.
Biotin (Vitamin b7)- one of the most well-known vitamins for hair, skin, and nails. It supports keratin production (the protein that makes up your hair shaft) helping hair grow thicker and stronger while reducing breakage and shedding.
Methyl folate (the active form of folate vitamin B9)- which supports healthy cell division and DNA synthesis. This is important for hair follicle growth and regeneration. It can also help reduce hair loss associated with nutritional deficiencies.
Hibiscus- rich in vitamin C and amino acids, which help strengthen hair and prevent premature graying. It also improves scalp circulation, which encourages healthy hair growth and adds shine to hair strands.
Nettle- packed with silica, iron, and other minerals that nourish the scalp and hair follicles. It helps strengthen hair, reduce shedding, and can slow down hair thinning caused by nutrient deficiencies.
Alma Fruit- Also known as Indian gooseberry, amla is high in antioxidants and vitamin C. It promotes hair growth, helps maintain natural color, and strengthens hair from root to tip. Amla is also known to improve scalp health and prevent dandruff.
Horsetail- contains silica and antioxidants that support hair structure and elasticity. It strengthens the hair shaft, reduces breakage, and contributes to thicker, more resilient hair.
They’re designed to give your hair the nourishment it needs from the inside, complementing good habits like minimizing bleaching, avoiding harsh shampoo ingredients, and supporting overall wellness. This gummy has been the game changer for growth.
Last but not least, a product coming out soon for us..... scalp oil! Scalp oils can be incredibly supportive for hair growth, but quality matters. Because your scalp absorbs what you put on it, it’s best to choose clean, nutrient-rich oils like jojoba oil (which closely mimics your natural sebum and is a huge reason why its our main carrier oil for all our products), rosemary-infused oil to support circulation, castor oil for thickness and moisture retention, and argan oil for lightweight nourishment. Avoid synthetic fragrances and heavily processed oils, and instead opt for cold-pressed, unrefined options that feed the scalp rather than clogging it. When used consistently and massaged into the scalp to stimulate blood flow, the right oils can create a healthy foundation for stronger, longer hair.
After 15 years, the biggest lesson I’ve learned is that healthy hair isn’t just about what you put on it, although that can be a huge part of it. it’s about how you treat your body, your scalp, and your follicles. Combine good nutrition, careful hair care, and the right supplements, and you’re giving your hair the foundation it needs to truly thrive.