Growing out your hair sounds simple — stop cutting it and wait. But in my 20+ years behind the salon chair, I’ve seen the same five mistakes over and over again. Here’s what to stop doing right now.
Mistake #1: Avoiding Trims Entirely
Ironically, avoiding trims is one of the biggest reasons hair stops growing. Split ends travel up the hair shaft and cause breakage, making your hair appear to stay the same length no matter how long you grow it. A strategic trim every 10-12 weeks removes damage without sacrificing length.
Mistake #2: Using the Wrong Shampoo
Harsh, sulfate-heavy shampoos strip the scalp of natural oils needed for healthy hair growth. If you’re using a drugstore shampoo with sodium lauryl sulfate as the first ingredient, your scalp health is being compromised. Switch to a sulfate-free, scalp-nourishing formula.
Mistake #3: Heat Without Protection
Daily heat styling without a high-quality heat protectant is a recipe for breakage. Breakage is the enemy of length retention. If you’re going to use heat — and there’s nothing wrong with that — protect your hair first, every time.
Mistake #4: Tight Ponytails and Updos
Tension is silently destroying your edges and your overall hair length. Tight ponytails, slicked-back buns, and any style that pulls on your hairline causes traction alopecia over time. Protective styles should actually protect — not stress — your hair.
Mistake #5: Ignoring Your Scalp
Hair grows from the scalp, not the ends. If you’re only focusing on moisturizing your lengths and ends while ignoring your scalp health, you’re missing the foundation. Scalp massage, circulation, and proper cleansing matter enormously.
Hair Extensions as a Growth Aid
Here’s a secret: well-applied hair extensions can actually protect your natural hair and allow it to grow without the daily manipulation that causes breakage. Many of my extension clients report dramatically more length retention while wearing extensions.
— Janelle Alexis
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