How I Bio-Optimize My Long Hair Care

My long hair makes me feel beautiful and confident, and when I want it out of my way, it gathers neatly into a thick, bouncy ponytail. 

I can reach my hand around my back and grasp the ends that now fall a few inches below my shoulder blades, a feeling I find intimate and reassuring. But my hair wasn’t always this healthy—or this long. I’ve struggled with thinning, shedding, a wide part and just general bad hair days. In fact, I developed OMI Hair Growth Peptides to address the root cause of my own hair troubles, the result of a peptide disorder that impacted the health of my follicles. 

As peptides helped my hair heal from the inside out, an unexpected benefit was that my hair looked good—great even—as it inched past my usual shoulder length. But I also knew that once hair grows beyond this point, it requires a completely different approach to care. The longer a strand grows, the older it becomes and the more stress it has endured from daily washing, brushing, sun exposure, chemical treatments, and styling. The ends of long hair, for example, may be several years old and far more fragile than the freshly emerging strands at the scalp.

To preserve length and keep my long hair strong, I knew I needed a plan that addresses both the scalp environment, where hair growth begins, and the strands themselves, which are exposed to constant wear. 

Why Long Hair Requires a Unique Care Strategy

Hair is made up of keratin peptides and protective lipids arranged in a layered structure. The outermost layer is the cuticle, a series of overlapping cells that shield the cortex. The cortex provides strength, flexibility, and pigment but over time, environmental exposure and grooming habits wear down this structure. Here’s what to watch out for: 

UV and Environmental Damage. I live in Los Angeles, so my hair is exposed to bright sunlight on a near daily basis, which has a measurable effect on hair fibers. Ultraviolet radiation breaks down melanin, which gives hair its color, and it also degrades important lipids such as 18-methyl eicosanoic acid (18-MEA) that normally coat the hair surface. When these protective molecules are stripped away, the cuticle becomes rough, hair becomes more porous, and shine is lost. Studies show that UV light combined with frequent washing accelerates cuticle loss, creating frizz, dryness, and split ends. For long hair, which spends years exposed to the elements, this type of cumulative damage is especially significant.

Thermal Damage from Styling. Heat styling is one of the most common causes of mechanical and structural damage in long hair, and my locks are no stranger to a variety of hot tools and other hair health perils, a sentiment shared by OMI friend and advisor Khloe Kardashian. And these tools can get very hot, hotter than many may realize. Research confirms that at around 185°C, or 365°F, keratin peptides begin to break down. Flat ironing, curling, or blow-drying at these high temperatures also causes cracks in the cuticle and weakens the cortex. Over time, repeated exposure at 200°C or higher can permanently alter the internal protein structure, leaving hair brittle and prone to breakage. Even moderate heat contributes to cumulative damage if used often, which is why protective strategies and temperature control are critical.

Mechanical Stress & Breakage. Long hair is more likely to experience breakage because of the simple fact that we handle it more. Every time hair is brushed, combed, tied up, or styled, it’s being exposed to mechanical stress, and the more hair you have, the more opportunities there are for this type of stress load. Wet hair is particularly vulnerable; water causes hair fibers to swell, making them more elastic yet structurally weaker. This is one reason conditioner is so essential: Clinical studies have shown that lightly combing hair while using conditioner significantly lowers breakage rates, evidence that it’s the little habits that determine how healthy your hair will be as it grows. 

The Importance of Scalp Health & The Role of The Scalp Microbiome

Still, it all starts with the scalp, the foundation of healthy hair growth. And it stands to reason (but is often overlooked) that since hair grows out of follicles embedded in the scalp, anything that disrupts the scalp environment can affect growth cycles, density, and strand quality. 

The scalp is home to a diverse community of microorganisms, some helpful, others not so much. Among the most common are the Malassezia fungi, which, when unbalanced, are often linked with dandruff and irritation. Scalp micro-inflammation is a subtle but important factor that can influence hair shedding and thinning, which can be compounded as your hair grows to greater lengths. Studies have shown that when ketoconazole (the active ingredient in dandruff shampoo that keeps this fungus in check) is used regularly, scalp balance is restored, which helps maintain a healthy hair growth cycle. While this study is primarily focused on dandruff, these findings highlight the importance of maintaining scalp balance as part of a long-hair health strategy.

Gentle but Effective Cleansing

To shampoo or not shampoo (or not shampoo too much). There are many questions with many (often viral) theories about this, and too few are rooted in actual science. But luckily, I have access to Dr. Antonella Tosti, a leading hair and scalp specialist and OMI’s Scientific Advisor. 

Her educated advice: While cleansing is necessary to remove sebum, pollution, and product residue, harsh cleansers can strip too much of the scalp’s protective oils. Over-cleansing disrupts the barrier function of the scalp and can cause irritation, dryness, or excessive oil rebound. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t cleanse your scalp and strands regularly. As with most things in life, it comes down to balance. 

A balanced routine includes gentle shampoos for regular cleansing and targeted treatments, such as exfoliating scrubs or salicylic acid cleansers, once a week to remove buildup. This magic combination maintains a clean and healthy scalp environment without causing long-term dryness or damage.

As far as shampoo frequency, Dr. Tosti suggests at least three times a week. “Shampoo, rinse, and then shampoo again, since a single wash often won’t fully remove dirt and buildup,” she notes. For long hair, Dr. Tosti recommends washing the scalp daily and applying conditioner instead of shampoo to the lengths to protect and preserve the strands.

The Importance of pH-Appropriate Washing

One of the most overlooked yet critical aspects of hair care is the pH of shampoos and conditioners. Both the scalp and the hair fiber naturally exist in a slightly acidic state, usually between pH 4.5 and 5.5. When this balance is thrown off (for example, if a higher alkaline product is used) the pH of the hair shaft rises, causing the cuticle to swell and lift. A lifted cuticle exposes the inner cortex, making it more vulnerable to protein loss, moisture loss, and environmental damage. 

On the scalp, alkaline cleansers disturb the microbiome and weaken the barrier, leading to irritation, dryness, or flaking. Long hair is particularly at risk because lifted cuticles along its length lead to tangling, roughness, and breakage. Common high alkaline hair products include chemical relaxers, bleach and dye, even some shampoos and toners. 

The Acid Test 

Acidic shampoos and conditioners, on the other hand, help reseal the cuticle after cleansing which keeps the cuticle layers smooth, aligned, and intact, reducing friction and static. Acidic formulations also preserve natural lipids like 18-MEA, which keep hair glossy and soft. By maintaining scalp acidity, these products also support the skin barrier, which is essential for follicle health.

Practical Steps for pH Balance

Most modern products are formulated in the acidic range, but it’s worth confirming. Conditioners are usually acidic, so even if your shampoo is slightly alkaline, conditioner helps restore balance. Still, the cumulative cuticle damage from washing with alkaline products becomes more noticeable with longer hair. You’ve seen the phrase “pH balanced” on the labels of shampoos and conditioners? Stick with those. 

Strand Care Supported by Clinical Data

Reviewing clinical data is my happy place, and using it to create a personal long-hair care routine allows me to nurture and protect my hair on a deeply scientific level. In consultation with Dr. Tosti, here are my clinically driven long hair-care tips:

Coat strands with coconut oil before you shampoo. Coconut oil is one of the most studied oils in hair care. Its unique lauric acid structure penetrates the cortex and binds to keratin peptides, preventing their loss during washing. Clinical studies show that applying coconut oil before or after washing reduces protein loss in both virgin and chemically treated hair. For long hair, pre-wash oiling is a highly effective way to minimize the damage that accumulates over years of cleansing.

Double down on conditioner. Conditioners are more than cosmetic—they’re scientific. A good conditioner contains cationic surfactants and conditioning polymers that lower the force required to comb through wet or dry hair. While this may sound like something out of engineering school, this reduction in combing force directly decreases breakage. For long hair, where detangling can take time, conditioners are an absolute must. 

Use heat protectants and pay attention to temperatures. High heat hair dryers, flat irons and hot rollers are often necessary to get glam but can cause serious damage. Luckily these effects can be controlled. Studies show that heat protectants create a film over the hair that reduces the rate of water evaporation and limits cuticle lifting. Plus, combining protectants with lower styling temperatures greatly reduces protein degradation. Aim for 160 to 170°C, or 320 to 340°F.

Protect your hair from the elements. Just like I shield my skin from the bright So Cal sun, I protect my hair as well, because just like skin, hair is susceptible to UV damage. Sun exposure causes pigment loss, lipid degradation, and weakening of the cuticle. For long hair that spends years exposed, the effect is cumulative. Wearing hats or using UV-filtering leave-ins helps preserve color, shine, and smoothness.

Be gentle with combs and brushes. Hair is weakest when wet, which is why brushing it straight out of the shower leads to breakage. Research confirms that shorter comb strokes and the use of wide-tooth combs reduce breakage compared to brushing. Adding a leave-in conditioner or detangler increases slip and decreases combing force.

Think about everything that touches your hair. Friction from pillowcases, scarves, or tight hairstyles can wear down the cuticle. I rest my head on silk or satin pillowcases to reduce friction at night, and always keep ponytails on the loose side to prevent tension at the roots. These small adjustments accumulate into significant preservation of length over time.

The Role of OMI Hair Growth Peptides in Long Hair Health

I created OMI Hair Growth Peptides to address one of the most critical aspects of achieving and maintaining long hair: follicle anchoring. While much of long-hair care focuses on the external fiber, true length retention begins at the root. If the follicle anchorage is weak, hair is more likely to shed prematurely, regardless of how carefully the strands are protected.

At the cellular level, OMI’s IFP Hair Growth Peptide™ (Intermediate Filament Peptide) technology is designed to interact with the structural proteins that give follicles stability. Intermediate filament peptides are part of the follicle’s scaffolding, helping anchor each strand firmly within its root sheath. By strengthening this anchoring system, OMI peptides support hair retention, allowing more strands to stay in the growth phase for longer periods.

This process is especially important for long hair, which takes years to grow. If follicles release hair too early, it’s impossible to achieve or maintain the desired length. By reinforcing the follicle’s connection to the scalp, OMI Hair Growth Peptides help reduce premature shedding, increase strand survival, and promote a denser, fuller appearance over time.

Another key benefit of OMI peptide technology is its potential to enhance the quality of newly emerging fibers. When the follicle environment is supported and structural proteins are stabilized, the hair that grows is more resilient, with stronger cuticle and cortex layers. This means that once the strand emerges, it’s better equipped to withstand years of washing, UV exposure, and mechanical stress, all of which are unavoidable for long hair.

The Takeaway: Long Hair Care Requires a Science-Based Strategy

Long strands are vulnerable because they accumulate years of wear, but careful habits make a significant difference. Protecting hair from protein loss, lowering combing force, maintaining pH balance, limiting heat, shielding against UV, and minimizing friction are all proven methods for preserving length.

OMI Hair Growth Peptides provide an innovative complement to these strategies by supporting follicle activity and potentially improving strand resilience. When combined with a smart routine, they can help long hair remain fuller, healthier, and more beautiful over time. My hair is living proof.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do OMI Hair Growth Peptides help with long hair?

They strengthen follicle anchoring, which reduces premature shedding and allows more strands to reach longer lengths.

Can OMI Hair Growth Peptides replace external hair care like conditioners and heat protectants?

No, they work from the inside by supporting follicle health, but external care is still needed to protect the hair fiber.

How long does it take to see results from OMI Hair Growth Peptides?

Since hair grows slowly, visible improvements may take three to six months of consistent use.