Cool It Down
Heat styling can break and damage hair. If you often get blow-outs or use a curling or straightening iron or hot comb, your hair may not grow as quickly as you’d like. If you must use heat:
Spritz on a heat protectant first.
Use the coolest setting.
Work quickly so heat touches your hair as little as possible.
Don’t use it every day.
Let Wet Hair Be
Wet hair is super-stretchy. If you brush it when it’s dripping, you could break strands or damage the cuticle, the shingle-like cells that protect each hair. Using heat tools on very wet hair can create bubbles in the hair shaft, making it extra fragile. If your hair’s straight, let it air-dry, then comb gently with a wide-tooth comb. For textured or curly hair, gently detangle with a wide-tooth comb while it’s damp.
Take Care With Color
Bleach and other chemical hair treatments like permanents weaken your hair, so it’s more likely to break before it grows to your longed-for length. If you choose a hue not too far from your natural color — say, three shades — you’ll need less damaging peroxide. Always spot-test store-bought dye before applying it to your whole head.