“The aim here is to make your hair more manageable as it grows,” says Hunt. “Again, this is easier said than done. Don’t be tempted just to buy a some thinning scissors on Amazon and smash them through your lid erratically, as you could end up with hair that’s even more frizzy and unruly than when you started.”
4. Elevate your shampoo game
When buzz cuts are super tight, some would question if shampoo is even necessary. Surely body wash would do the trick on stubble-length follicles, right? Well, maybe, but not if you’re looking to achieve lustrous locks from your grow-out. It’s pretty straightforward, really. Hair grows best when it’s healthy, and hair is healthiest when you use a good quality shampoo and conditioner. This is because the scalp will be in optimum condition, so when the strands do come through, they’ll thrive. The hair itself will also have more nutrients and suffer less breakage.
“Cheap shampoos and conditioners and body washes often contain a lot of nasty chemicals as filler or to enhance foaming,” says Hunt. “A lot of higher-end brands ditch these in favor of the good stuff. Look for formulations that contain no sulfates, parabens, or synthetic fragrances. An added bonus is that such products tend to last longer, so though you have to part with more of your hard-earned cash to start with, you’ll be two-fold better off in the long run.”
5. Switch up your lifestyle
A good diet and improved lifestyle choices can also effect the quality of your hair.
“Exercise, particularly cardio, increases blood circulation and oxygen levels, which improves hair health and reduces stress,” says Hunt. “A healthy and balanced diet can greatly improve the condition of hair. Good levels of protein, fatty acids, and vitamins B6 and B12 can all contribute to healthier, faster growing locks.
6. Experiment a little
If you’re looking to grow your hair out but don’t have a definite idea what you want the final look to be, then why not experiment a little? For example, once you reach the dreaded mushroom phase, try out a blowout taper or a mini mullet. As it gets longer you could go full mullet before eventually ending up with a Jim Morrison-esque shag.
“Alternatively, if your hair is coiled then maybe you could go buzz—low fade—taper—afro,” says Hunt. “There are many different styles that you could adopt while your hair is growing out, so why not make the most of the journey? It’ll mean that you’ve not spent the entire time wishing for your hair to grow at an impossibly fast rate.”
This story originally appeared in British GQ.
