If you've been growing hair out but aren't making much progress, you may be looking for new advice on how to grow long hair. For many, the wish for long tresses is a dream achievable only with hair extensions. A few tried-and-true hair growth secrets really do work. Read on to learn what they are.



Nourish From the Inside
How to grow hair longer, like the basis for all beauty, starts on the inside. If you want to know how to grow long hair, start with adding more foods to your diet that contain nutrients to encourage hair growth, like leafy greens, nuts, seeds and lean protein from chicken and fish. Supplements like Biotin and folic acid supply specific nutrients that are known to add strength, shine and vitality.

Nourish From the Outside
If you've ever seen women from the South Pacific islands, you'll notice that they really know how to grow long hair. The secret may be in their conditioner, which is pure coconut oil. There are also commercial products that will nourish your hair from the outside; one of the best is Mira Hair Oil, $69.99.

Change Your Habits
Maybe you remember your mother or grandmother telling you to brush your hair 100 times every night. While this will certainly stimulate your scalp, excessive brushing can also cause hair to break. Ditch your brush for a wide-tooth comb, and start at the ends while working your way up gently to untangle it without pulling or breaking.

Handle With Care
You won't know how to grow long hair until you ditch the towel turban after your wash it and get rid of your old pillowcases. Instead of wrapping your hair, comb it out gently after blotting it to a damp state. Change your old cotton or flannel pillowcases for satin, which causes less breakage as you sleep.

Keep It Trimmed
Cutting your hair may seem counterintuitive for how to get longer hair, but girls with long hair know that regular trimmings eliminate split ends and keep them from moving up the hair follicles, which is the main cause of frizz. Experts recommend a 1/8-inch trim every 10 weeks or so.

Use the Right Hair Products
Knowing how to grow out your hair includes avoiding certain products. Major causes of damage are harsh shampoos, heavy hair products and heat from moisture loss. First, make sure your hair products are free of PABA and parabens. Next, switch to a nourishing treatment, like Moroccanoil Intense Hydrating Mask, $49, or Nexxus Oil Infinite Nourishing Hair Oil Treatment, $9.72.

Stop Washing It Every Day
If you really want to know the simplest change for how to grow long hair, stop washing it daily. Washing longer hair every day removes the natural oils from your scalp that nourish your hair at the root level. Unless you have a buildup of products or oil, daily shampoo is the wrong path for how to grow your hair out. Instead, wash every two or three days. Shampoo only from the scalp and let the suds wash the rest as you rinse.