How to Grow Long Healthy Hair in Your 30s

So one of the things I’ve been very passionate about lately is my hair health. I mean, now that I’m in my 30s, I am slowly realizing that to grow healthy hair and keep it long will take more effort than I’m used to.

I did realize a few years back that I had no real idea of how to grow long healthy hair. But after learning a ton about this, I found out that it’s actually quite simple and does not require thousands of dollars.

I try to be as minimalistic with my hair as I possibly can. Running around after 2 small kids and holding down a full-time professional job won’t allow me much room for extras.

However, there are a few things I know make a huge difference in my regular hair care routine. Here are my golden rules to follow to grow longer stronger hair.

My 7 Tips to Get Healthy Hair Growing Faster

1. Be gentle with brushings

Remember when your mom pulled on your hair so hard you wanted to cry? Maybe that was just my mom? Anyways, that’s definitely a great recipe for damaged locks. 

Always start brushing your hair from the bottom up to prevent unnecessary tension on the hair shaft and ripping your hair. And while we are on the subject of brushings, do invest in a nice quality boar bristle brush. They help distribute the oils throughout the hair and bend nicely so you can avoid undue stress and tension. 

Regular brushings all the way from the root to the bottom also provide for a good scalp massage which will increase blood circulation to the hair follicle, stimulating hair growth, and helping to evenly distribute the natural oils all throughout. 

Bonus tip: Don’t brush your hair until it’s fully dry if you can. Wet hair is much more prone to damage.

2. Skip coloring your hair but trim regularly

You should not over-process and bleach your hair. To be perfectly honest, any bleaching will damage your hair. I once saw someone mention that it’s “customized damage”. Yes, any time you dye your hair, you have to lift melanin (what color pigment your hair does have) through the use of chemicals that need to lift your cuticles so that you can then deposit whatever color you want onto them.

And yes, this includes all of the current favorites like Balayage, Ombré, or Ecaille, highlights, lowlights, etc. If you have tons of thick and healthy hair that grows fast, this may not be much of a detriment. But for those of us with very fine hair, this can really do a number on it for years.

Certainly, get regular trimmings to prevent split-ends and damage traveling up the shaft.

3. Avoid heat and air-dry whenever you can

I always try to air-dry my hair. But whenever I need to use my hairdryer or style it, I won’t do it without applying a heat protecting lotion first. My favorite heat protectants for my very fine hair are all from the Kerastase line. They also protect your hair from UV damage.

Make sure to distribute whatever product you choose all the way through your hair. I like to use my fingers over a wide-tooth comb brush, but do what works for you best. Make sure that you are not setting your hot tools higher than the heat protectant level either.

Bonus tip: Do not ever use hot styling tools on wet or damp hair. This is a sure way to fry your hair strands and lead to breakage and dullness.

4. Don’t wash too much

First of all, it’s best not to wash your hair more than two times a week. And no one should be washing their hair every day. That strips your hair of any and all beneficial and naturally produced oils that protect and nourish your strands.

When washing your hair, it’s important to use products that don’t contain sulfates that dry out your hair and might lead to an itchy scalp. It also helps to make sure it’s fully brushed out first, especially if it’s on the longer side.

Bonus tip: Finish your shower with a cold rinse. This will close the hair cuticle to seal your hair and prevent damage. This one has been a game-changer for my hair!

5. Condition, condition, and condition

Always use a conditioner when you wash. Also, deep conditioning is essential for keeping your hair strong and healthy. And it becomes more important as you grow your hair out. Think about it. On average hair grows at roughly 6 inches per year. So if your hair is 18+ inches long, the strands on the end could well carry up to 4 years of accumulated damage.

I deep condition my long hair at least once per week. And in the winter, I will often do overnight oil hair masks. Speaking of sleep…

6. Braid your hair for sleep

Loosely braid, tie up, or cover your hair for sleep as this will limit the amount of damage due to simple rubbing throughout the night. It really helps with keeping your hair from getting tangled in the night.

Avoid using tight hair bands that will definitely cause damage to your hair strands by putting pressure and essentially cutting the strands. It’s a good idea to alter the placement of your hairbands to not stress the hair in the same place.

Bonus tip: Some people also suggest using silk pillowcases which have an added bonus of being better for the skin on your face.

7. Take supplemental vitamins and watch your nutrition

A balanced diet full of healthy proteins and fatty acids is key to ensure a healthy long mane. Drink plenty of water as well.

I do take additional supplements and a vitamin B complex to make sure I don’t skimp on any nutrition {*}. This should hopefully prevent any premature hair loss. In the fall, I also start taking vitamin D supplements as a lack of this vitamin can lead to slower hair growth and weaker hair {*}.

Growing healthier hair is a long term game, so stick with it and you’ll see results.

xo, Marina