Alright, let's get real for a minute. Curly hair can sometimes feel like it's taking FOREVER to grow! Curly hair grows in a spiral shape, which means it takes a little longer for those precious strands to dance their way down to your shoulders. And let's not forget about shrinkage. Those curls can look like they're only a couple of inches long when in reality they’re a whole lot longer. It's like curly hair has a mind of its own, constantly bouncing back and defying gravity!

It can be frustrating, we know. But don't despair. We've got some tips to help you speed up the growth process and achieve the long, luscious curls you've been dreaming of. It might take a bit of time, but trust us, those curls are worth the wait.

1. Keep your scalp healthy

Healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp. So, make sure you're giving lots of love to your scalp by keeping it clean and nourished. Try a shampoo that’s free from sulphates. Sulphates are harsh detergents that can strip your hair of its natural oils and leave it dry and damaged. Switching to a sulphate-free shampoo can really help to keep your hair healthy and promote growth. To give your scalp even more love, massage your scalp to promote blood flow and encourage growth. Try giving yourself a scalp massage for a few minutes each day, using gentle circular motions with your fingertips. You could even consider using a scalp oil or serum to nourish and protect.

2. Use a leave-in conditioner

A moisturising conditioner every wash day can help to keep your hair moisturised and prevent breakage. If you have the time, you can even reach for the curl mask. A deep conditioning curl mask will give your curls an incredible hydration boost, which is essential for growth. It can also help to prevent breakage and split ends, which can slow down the growth process.

3. Snip those ends 

We know it sounds a little like the opposite of what you want, but trust us… trimming your ends can help to speed up hair growth! When your ends are split or damaged, they can travel up the hair shaft and cause more damage, which can slow down growth. By trimming your ends every 6-8 weeks, you can prevent this damage and promote healthier, faster-growing hair. As they say, good things take time.

4. Protect your hair when you catch some zzz

It can be tempting to hit the pillow after a long, long day. So tempting! But sleeping with your hair loose can cause friction if you toss and turn at night. This can lead your lovely curls to tangle and snap, which can slow down growth. Try sleeping on a silk or satin pillowcase, or using a silk or satin bonnet or scarf to protect your curls while you sleep.

5. Keep heat styling for special occasions

While it’s always fun to get imaginative with your styling, adding heat to your hair isn’t helping you reach your growth goals. Heat styling tools like flat irons and curling irons can damage  your hair and make it more prone to breakage and split ends. If you're trying to grow out your curls, it's best to limit it to once a week. If you do use heat styling tools, be sure to reach for your fave heat protectant spray to minimise damage!

6. Enjoy a balanced diet

What you eat can have a big impact on your hair growth. If you’re able to, try eating a balanced diet that includes plenty of protein, iron, and vitamins like biotin and vitamin D. These nutrients can help to promote healthy hair growth. Foods that are particularly good for hair growth include leafy greens, nuts, eggs, and salmon - so if you’re already reaching for these foods, you’re already doing your curls a favour!

7. Drink plenty of water

We know everyone’s asking you for good reason… but have you had your 8 glasses today? Water is the very best friend of healthy hair growth, because staying hydrared will help to ensure those gorgeous curls are hydrated from the inside out.

8. Patience is a practice

While we wish there was a magic tonic that could make hair grow overnight, it is a long and winding journey. Curly hair growth can take anywhere from several months to a year to see noticeable results. So, be patient and stick with your healthy hair habits – the payoff will be so, so worth it.

So, there we have it… plenty of things you can do to speed up the growth of your curly hair. From keeping your scalp healthy to keeping heat styling as a treat, these tips can help you achieve the long, luscious curls you've been dreaming of. So, let’s get ready to see those curls grow! x