Every once in a while, TikTokers will discover a “magical” product or technique and treat it like it’s some bright new idea. But of course, when you chat up industry experts or your grandma, you’ll learn that it’s been a not-so-secret pro-tip for years.
This is the case with the Inversion Method. While it might have gained popularity late last year, the hair growth technique has been a household best-kept secret to longer strands.
So, what is the inversion method for hair? And does it really help you get Rapunzel-like locks?
Keep scrolling for all the inversion method tea and product recommendations.
What Is The Inversion Method For Hair Growth?
As mentioned, this isn’t an entirely new trend, but it has quickly come to the forefront, with several people applauding it on the internet.
As the name suggests, the inversion method involves inverting your head/ hair for some minutes every day for about a month. It involves doing handstands, putting your head between your legs, and using fitness inversion tables to help stimulate hair follicles by boosting blood flow – which helps enhance hair growth.
Social media buffs claim the upside-down hair growth method results in one inch of hair growth in a week – the average growth rate is ½ inch per month – making the touted hair growth technique alluring to girlies looking to achieve Rapunzel-like growth right now.
But does it work? Here’s what the pros say.
How Does The Inversion Method Work?
While there is no proven scientific information to back this method, there are several reasons why the hair inversion method can lead to hair growth, especially if your goal is length.
- You use oils, which are massaged into the scalp for a few minutes before the physical inversion. This can stimulate your scalp, allowing for better blood flow, which is associated with longer, healthier hair.
- The physical inversion part. This also stimulates increased blood flow to your scalp, mainly your hair follicles. This increase in blood flow will allow for better nutrient supply to your strands while promoting toxin elimination.
How To Pull Off The Inversion Method
If you’ve made it this far, you’re definitely curious about how to go about this process. Don’t worry. We still got you.
Gather Your Supplies
Gather some essential and carrier oils – these have been significantly lauded for having numerous benefits when applied on the scalp and hair.
However, most are too concentrated to go directly on your skin, so you need carrier oils like avocado, jojoba, or castor oil. Your choice of oils largely depends on your hair type and personal preference. You can also use these hot oil treatment combos – they work some genie magic (seriously!)
You’ll want to warm the oil before applying it directly onto your scalp. Afterward, use your fingertips to gently massage the oil onto your scalp in clockwise and anticlockwise motions for about 4 minutes.
Inverting Your Head
Essentially, you need to ensure your head is inverted, meaning upside down. You can do this by lying off the sofa or bed with your head upside down.
You could sit on a chair and hang your head between your knees. Or if you have the hand and upper body strength, you can do a handstand or headstand.
Whichever method you choose, staying in that inverted position for about 4 minutes is advisable.
Cleanse Your Strands
PSA: Experts recommend leaving the hair oils on your scalp and waiting to shampoo for at least 2-3 hours after completing the inversion method.
Afterward:
The last step is simply washing your hair to remove the excess oil. If you intend to do the inversion method daily using oils, you can opt to skip the daily washing sessions.
However, if you want to wash your hair daily, opt for a mild shampoo or co-wash your hair to avoid stripping off all the oil.
Who Shouldn’t Try The Hair Growth Technique?
As stated, this method hasn’t undergone any official clinical testing.
That being said, it’s also wise to note that the inversion method isn’t for everyone. If you’re pregnant, suffer from high blood pressure, vertigo, a detached retina, a spinal injury, an ear infection, or heart disease, stay away from this hair growth method.
Best Hair Oils For The Inversion Method
If natural oils don’t excite you (or mixing them up makes you feel like Dexter), here are some oil-infused products to make your work easier:
Briogeo, Don’t Despair, Repair! Strengthening Treatment Hair Oil, $30
Every Briogeo product is like a “chef’s kiss” for curly, heat-damaged, and brittle strands.
This particular hair oil is loaded with ceramides that help strengthen and reinforce your tresses. The macadamia nut derivatives offer a silky texture and increase shine, while the rose flower oil is packed with antioxidant-rich emollients to keep hair soft, shiny, and lustrous.
It also stimulates hair growth and potentially creates an environment to promote Rapunzel-like growth. And did we mention it’s the perfect treatment to rake through color-treated hair, dry, irritated scalps, twist-outs, and Bantu knots? Now you know!
SheaMoisture Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, $17
We’ll hold back from making this product definition about the dreamy tropical scent of this coconut hair oil, but you know we had to mention it (*wink*wink).
And isn’t coconut oil the natural oil version of duct tape? It can seriously hold it down! From providing your tresses with major moisture and free radicals x UV-ray protection to minimizing breakage and hair loss and promoting healthier, shinier hair, coconut oil is everything an inversion method enthusiast needs.
Aveeno Almond Oil Blend Mist, $6
Infused with almond oil, avocado oil, and oats, this hair treatment keeps frizz at bay, protects strands from UV rays and other environmental pollutants, and improves scalp health while preventing hair loss. And it’s free from dyes, parabens, and sulfates? Where do we sign up?
Alternatives To The Inversion Method
If you’ve been looking to boost hair growth, you can use the following tips as alternatives to or to supplement your inversion hair growth technique:
- Drinking gallons of water each day. As experts have continuously recommended, you need to consume half of your body weight in ounces every day. So, if you weigh 170 pounds, you should take 85 ounces of water daily. However, you can always go for the alternate eight glasses of water if the ounces don’t spark motivation for water consumption.
- Consume a balanced diet with healthy fats, nutrients, proteins, and vitamins. Berries, eggs, fatty fish, avocados, and nuts have been lauded for improving hair growth.
- Maintain a healthy, regular haircare routine that involves shampooing (with zero-sulfate products), conditioning, deep conditioning, and moisturizing.
Inversion Method Reviews
Here’s what the hair queens have been saying about the hair growth technique:
@xanthelt Follow me for more hair growth methods ☺️ #hairgrowth #hairtutorial #foryou #fyp #viral ♬ Steven Universe – L.Dre
and
@ipheey_obi Replying to @mamacammey3 Inversion method is one of the most important hair routines. #naturalhair #inversionmethod #fasthairgrowth #naturalhairgrowth #naturalhairroutine #fyp #blackhair ♬ original sound – Ipheey Obi
and
@nu.elefa Day 1 of the inversion method let’s go! #inversionmethod #scalpmassageforhairgrowth #4chairisgorgeous #afrohairisbeautiful ♬ original sound – ?
and
@bellorizos I did it for a week straight #fy #PrimeDayShowPJParty #curltok #hairgrowthtips ♬ original sound – RaveCentral
and
Comment
by u/_Liquorice_ from discussion Hand Stands For Faster Increased Hair Growth??? 1 inch in 1 week anybody?!?!?!
in BlackHair
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The Takeaway
Typically people experience about ½ inch of hair growth per month. The inversion method is claimed to give you 1 inch or more in a week. That’s four inches of hair growth every month.
As with every new trend, some people will see results in weeks, while others may never see any benefits.
For healthy long and thick hair, most hair care experts advise a nutrient-rich diet, a healthy lifestyle, and regular washing and conditioning using products best suited for your hair type.
