Last year I saw a Facebook post from a girl named Charlotte who was looking for a way to get rid of her unwanted hair. She had just finished reading an interview with a well-known British hairdresser named James Pattinson, who had a rather unconventional method of removing hair. Intrigued, I clicked on the link and was immediately transported to a page with a pink button that said ‘Sign me up!’. The interview was with Vogue, and the headline was ‘The Pattinson Method: How to Grow Gorgeous Hair in Just 7 days’ (1).
Pattinson is a man of many talents, as well as being a hairdresser. He is also a photographer who has taken some truly breathtaking self-portraits (2). He is best known for his work in fashion and beauty, and he has collaborated with some of the biggest names in those industries. His clients include; Rihanna, Lady Gaga, and Kylie Jenner.
Now, I must admit that I am not usually one to give much thought to hair and its growth strategies. However, after reading the Vogue article, I decided to give the Pattinson method a try, and I am rather glad that I did. Not only did it help me get rid of my unwanted hair in a relatively short amount of time, but it also gave me a new perspective on my hair; one that I had not considered before.
The Method Behind The Madness
To be fair to Pattinson, Charlotte was not the only one who thought that his method would be a good way to boost her beauty and self-confidence. So did Vogue, who described the Pattinson method as ‘the ultimate quick fix for those who want to change their look in a hurry’ (1).
The method itself is rather simple and something that anyone can follow. Essentially, it involves taking a seven-day break from washing your hair, and instead concentrating on conditioning and treating your strands with nutrition. This, in turn, will lead to quicker hair growth.
‘Conditioning’ refers to the process by which you brush your hair before you start styling it. It prepares your strands for styling, by removing the build-up of oil and pollution that could otherwise leave you with a nasty rash or an inferior haircut. The recommended way to condition your hair is by using a leave-in conditioner, which you can apply to your strands before you go to bed. Most people find that this helps them sleep on their hair, and it also means that they will not have to wash their hair as often.
‘Treating’ your strands with nutrition means to top them up with the vitamins, minerals, and proteins that they might lack. This could be something as simple as using a serum, which is essentially a concentrated solution of vitamins, minerals, and proteins that are particularly good for hair growth. The downside to this is that it can be a little pricey; especially if you are using high-quality products that are already packaged in serums. However, it is a good idea to look into this option, especially if you want to grow your hair out quickly and want to avoid the many hair-related problems that come with frequent washing.
Why Should You Try The Method?
You might be wondering why you should try the Pattinson method, especially since it is rather unconventional. First off, let’s consider the fact that you are not supposed to wash your hair for seven days before you start styling it. This is normally considered bad hairdressing practice, since it leads to breakage and a rough texture that might even be described as ‘uncomfortable’ (1). So, washing your hair regularly is a guaranteed way to damage it, even if it is not obvious at first glance. This is why it is best to take a break from washing your hair for seven days before you start styling it, and why the Pattinson method encourages you to avoid shampooing altogether during that time. This will make it easier for your hair to grow.
Another upside to the method is that it puts your health first, which is always a good thing, especially if you want to grow your hair out quickly. If you are already following this practice, then it is well established that less washing means healthier hair. The final upside to the Pattinson method is that it teaches you how to look after your hair, which is something that you might not have considered before. Since you are not supposed to wash your hair very frequently, you might start noticing a number of problems that come with not having clean water to bathe in. Many of these problems might be alleviated by simply learning how to take better care of your strands. For example, if you are experiencing dry skin or dandruff, then this might be a sign that you are not nourishing your strands sufficiently. Using products with minerals such as silica might also help, as might frequent washing. In fact, people with really long hair might even notice that they are gaining weight, since there is less of it on the ground when they brush it, compared to regular shampooing (3).
Ultimately, it is always better to put your health first, especially if you want to grow your hair out quickly. This is why the Pattinson method encourages you to avoid washing your hair as much as possible, and it also means that you should not be afraid to try new things, even if they are rather unconventional. If you want to grow your hair out quickly and do not want to jeopardize your health in any way, then the Pattinson method might just be the answer you are looking for.
If you are new to hair or are just looking to change up your routine a bit, then the Pattinson method might be a great option, especially since it does not require many ingredients and it is a quick and easy way to see results. As for the price, I would not say that it is overly expensive, especially if you consider the value that you get in return. In fact, if you consider that you are not damaging your strands and that your hair is beginning to grow healthier as a result, then the cost might even be seen as a reasonable investment. Not many hair-related products on the market will encourage your health and lead to quicker growth, and it is high time that you invested in one that does.