Long hair care tips:

• The first step is to get a haircut, because you need to start with healthy hair, ready to grow. Ask your hairdresser to cut off all the damaged hair and to style it according to your goals. That means no short bangs.
• Let your hair grow for a few months. At first you’ll be often unsatisfied with the way your hair looks. That’s usually why many women give it up and cut it the way it was. But don’t give up,bear with it, it’ll be worth the trouble.
• You still have to trim your hair regularly, half an inch every four months at least.
• Avoid using blow dryer, or hair iron, it’ll break and damage your hair.
• After you wash your hair, tuck it in a towel and leave it that way for 20 minutes.
• If you really must use the blow dryer, use it for only a few minutes at time, letting your hair cool off in between.
• Say goodbye to peroxide and other damaging hair colours. Go for nature-based colours that protect your hair.
• Never brush your hair when it’s wet. Brush your hair starting at ends, detangling gently piece-by-piece with your fingers first.
• Once your hair has grown for a few inches, you can go to the hairdresser to style it more suitably. For instance, you can get layers by cutting a few locks shorter, which will make your hair appear fuller too.
• Eliminate or cut back on smoking, caffeine and carbonated sodas which weaken the body and block maximum hair growing potential.
• Eat a healthy diet.  Avoid foods that are high in sugar or fat.
• Treat your hair like a piece of fine old lace.  Treat it carefully avoiding any unnecessary brushing, combing or handling.
• Avoid use of hot water, hot blow dryers or other hair care tools that may stress the hair.
• Have a weekly scalp massage to provide stimulation to the hair follicles.
• Do a series of ongoing hot oil treatments to protect the hair's shaft.
• Have regular trims to eliminate split ends and allow the hair to look and feel healthier.
• Get plenty of rest and sleep to allow your body to grow hair.

Maximizing Your Growth Cycle

The right vitamins and minerals play a major role in keeping your hair healthy. Any nutritional deficiencies can lead to thinning hair or even total baldness.  

It is a well known fact that an under active thyroid can result in frizzy or brittle hair while an overactive thyroid turn hair greasy and limp.

The bottom line to this thread is that your hair ultimately reflects the overall condition of your body.  If your body is healthy and well nourished, your hair will be your shining glory. 

If you are having any health problems or suffering from any nutritional deficiencies, your hair may stop growing or show damage.

If your body is in good health, you can maximize your genetic growth cycle through taking the proper blend of amino acids and B-vitamins. 

It is also important to include B-6, biotin, Inositol and folic acid in the supplemental program.  It has been found that certain minerals including magnesium, sulfur, silica and zinc are also very important toward maintaining healthy hair.

Beta-carotene is also essential to hair growth.  This is because it is converted to vitamin A as the body needs it, helps maintain normal growth and bone development, protective sheathing around nerve fibers, as well as promoting healthy skin, hair and nails.  

Beta-carotene is found in green and yellow vegetables and fruits.

Foods, Vitamins and supplements to help hair growth

Hair is mostly protein, so nutritionists advise those wanting healthy hair to eat well balanced diets that include healthy proteins, along with foods high in vitamin B, C, E, A and K.

Your hair will most likely respond well to the addition of high protein foods such as meats, eggs, cheese, seeds and nuts. Fish has good protein as well as essential fatty acids and natural oils.

Vitamin B - Green vegetables, beans, sunflower seeds, nuts and peas.

Vitamin C - Citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, limes, melons and berries.

Vitamin E - Avocados, rice bran, nuts, dark green vegetables, legumes and whole grains.

Vitamin A - Carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, broccoli, cantaloupe and apricots.

Vitamin K - Seafood, dairy, figs, asparagus, broccoli, lettuce, brussel sprouts, cabbage, dark green leafy vegetables, oatmeal, soybeans, wheat, yoghurt, egg yolks and liver.