For all of you who banished the pixie cut and the trendy bob and any other shorter do from your vocabulary, we feel you. Rapunzel is your fairytale alter-ego and that will never change. You want her long, flowing locks (and, yes, maybe the knight in shining armor, too).

However, you cannot just spin your shorter strands into long silky ones overnight.?There is no magic potion to make your hair grow in the blink of an eye, unfortunately. But you can promote healthy growth with a few changes to your routine that will have you letting down your hair in the fastest way possible.

While hair extensions are a quick-fix way to additional length, they arent permanent nor are they the best option for your scalp and hair health in the long run.

1. Trims are your friend

Its one of the ultimate ironies of the beauty world, but hair must be trimmed regularly to grow longer and live up to its full potential. So, dont banish the salon from your schedule. We know you want to maintain every millimeter of that hair, but getting it trimmed will pay off in the long run.

If you let those split ends stick around for too long, theyll work their way up the strand and cause breakage that will negatively impact your hair growth efforts as youll have to trim more later on.

2. Mind your scalp

If you want long, beautiful hair, you cannot ignore the building blocks, which is to say you need a good foundation with your scalp. Massaging a serum into your roots a few times a week will help nourish the scalp and leads to healthier, stronger hair with less breakage. Look for one that contains essential oils such as avocado or coconut. Massaging your scalp is also recommended as it promotes blood flow to the scalp, which in turn stimulates the hair follicles.

3. Skip the suds

If youre shampooing on the daily every time you shower, then its high time to stop so much sud action. The purpose of shampoo is to wash away dirt and product buildup, but it can also strip your hairs essential natural oils that keep strands soft and healthy.

4. Get in the right condition

A good conditioner is key when it comes to attaining long locks.?A weekly deep conditioning treatment such as an oil or mask is also advisable. You can either purchase one from the store, or make your own. One easy recipe is 1 cup of unrefined coconut oil mixed with 1 tablespoon each of almond, macadamia, and jojoba oil. Just leave it in for about 10 to 15 minutes before shampooing and conditioning as normal. The fatty acids in the oil deliver much-needed moisture to your strands.

5. Feed the need

Much like glowing skin, the fostering of glossy hair begins from the inside out. Try increasing your protein intake with foods like fish, beans, nuts, and whole grains. If youre a vegetarian or vegan, be sure to still get adequate protein from plant sources. You may also want to add a multivitamin to your daily routine, or switch up the one youre currently taking. One thats formulated and labeled For Hair, Skin, and Nails will serve you well. Of course, check with your doctor before you change your routine.

6. Channel your sleeping beauty

If its Rapunzel locks you want, then make sure that youre also paying attention to your beauty sleep. While getting enough shut-eye is important, the pillowcase upon which youre laying your head is just as crucial when it comes to your strands. Satin and 600-thread-count Egyptian-cotton pillowcases create less friction than standard-issue cotton ones. Silk is easier on hair; it helps avoid tangles and breakage. And, less breakage means longer, healthier hair. You can also tie your hair into a very loose loop on the top of your head with a scrunchie as this will not crease or stress your hair the way an elastic hair tie does.

7. Patience makes perfect

The bottom line is that growing out your strands takes time and patience. Hair typically only grows about a quarter of an inch to a half an inch max a month. And thats only if it is super-healthy and doesnt have a ton of split ends. So, sit back and enjoy each hair length in the journey to your happily-ever-after locks of love. After all, sometimes good things take time.