When you’re trying to grow your hair thicker and longer, the process can seem to take forever. Hair grows about six inches each year on average, according to The American Academy of Dermatology Association, but oftentimes that growth feels minimal — especially when most folks lose 50-100 hairs each day.
While it seems that for some women, enviably long hair just happens, for the rest of us, tweaking certain aspects of our day-to-day haircare regimen must be made. Whether that’s using a different hairbrush, adjusting how often you use your hairdryer, adding foods to make hair grow quicker or vitamins to the mix, or sleeping on a silk pillowcase (yes, really), there are fast hair growth secrets and home remedies that even grow hair thicker.
Check out these pro tips for how to grow hair faster, naturally! This content is imported from {embed-name}. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, on their website.
1. Get frequent trims.
It may seem counterintuitive, but if you want long hair that’s actually healthy, you need to get regular trims. “While haircuts don’t make your hair grow any faster, they get rid of split ends that break your hair,” explains Michael Dueñas, a celebrity hairstylist for Aloxxi in Los Angeles. “Eliminating the breakage gives the appearance that your hair is growing faster.” After all, a split end that breaks can lead to your hair losing length — not to mention shine, volume, and smoothness.
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2. Resist the urge to go blonde.
As chic as platinum hair looks, going from a darker shade to light blonde could stand between you and your longest-possible hair. “When the cuticle of the hair is damaged from bleach, you can have more breakage or split ends,” explains Elizabeth Hiserodt, senior colorist at Cutler Salon in New York City. “The fewer chemical treatments, the better your hair will grow.”
3. Distribute your hair’s natural oils.
Going to bed with unbrushed hair may seem tempting when you’re tired, but giving your hair a few quick strokes can be great for its health. “Starting at the scalp, use a boar bristle brush to distribute your scalp’s oils evenly onto your hair so it stays naturally moisturized,” recommends Meri Kate O’Connor, senior colorist at Tabb & Sparks Salon in Santa Monica, CA. Bonus: This simple step each night helps increase circulation, which helps make your scalp healthier.
4. Eat the right foods.
Having long, strong hair doesn’t just depend on which products you put on your hair; it also depends on what you put into your body. “To promote hair growth, you need to ‘feed’ the hair from the inside,” explains Francesca Fusco, M.D., a dermatologist in NYC. So what foods make hair grow quicker? Those high in protein, the building blocks of hair, including meats and other sources. “Try increasing your protein intake with foods like fish, beans, nuts, and whole grains,” she recommends.
Even if you’re not a meat lover, you should still aim to maintain a diet high in protein for hair growth. Women who don’t get enough of it often experience “more hair shedding,” Dr. Fusco says. In addition to foods high in protein, vitamins A, C, and E, minerals like zinc and iron, and omega-3 fatty acids can also contribute to healthier hair, the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Nutrition Lab advises.