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8 secrets to long, thick and shiny hair

Contrary to what some stylists say, haircuts don't stimulate growth. If you're trying to grow your hair, do not cut the length, no matter how fried it is.

Ghanaian actress, Jackie Appiah looking radiant

Every time you twiddle with your hair when you are bored, when you yank out a tangle with a brush, or you zap it with heated tools set at the highest temperature, you can damage your hair, or you can pull some out. Be gentle with your hair and it will naturally grow thicker and longer, all by itself.

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Overwashing can dry out your hair, so the less you shampoo, the more hydrated it will be and the longer it will grow without breaking. When you do shampoo, consider a sulfate-free formula; they often contain less harsh detergents, or none at all, and therefore help preserve your hair's natural oils.

Dry hair means brittle hair, and brittle hair means breakages and hair loss, so keep your hair well-conditioned at all times. Use a conditioner on your hair after every shampoo and use a deep-conditioning product, or mask, at least once a week. If you keep your hair well hydrated, it will look a lot better and grow a lot faster.

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If you're not careful, your hairbrush can actually do more harm than good. Ripping through wet tangles creates split ends, so try gently running a wide-tooth plastic comb.

Use a wide toothed comb to gently get rid of tangles, don’t yank them out with a brush, and be extra careful when your hair is wet, because it will be far more prone to breaking.

Applying hot tools directly to your hair can fry the cuticle, so coat wet locks with a creamy moisturizing product for protection.

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You can buy supplements that are designed to promote the growth of hair, but it’s far easier and a lot more natural, if you just follow a hair-healthy diet. Eat plenty of protein and foods that contain omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon and nuts. There is also an amino acid that promotes hair growth, called cysteine, which is found in eggs, nuts, seeds, oats, and wholegrains.

Stress causes the release of cortisol and other hormones that contribute to hair thinning. The good news is you can reverse the problem by getting your stress under control. Scalp massage can help solve the problem.

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Go for a keratin treatment every eight weeks while growing out your hair. It smooths out the texture so there's less need for hot tools or dryers. Also, by coating hair with a protective layer, the treatments help protect colored or chemically straightened hair from further damage.

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