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.
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.
5. Add a vitamin to your a.m. routine.
If your diet isn’t supplying you with enough nutrition, a supplement could make a world of difference. “Look for a multivitamin that’s formulated and labeled ‘for hair, skin, and nails,'” Dr. Fusco suggests. “Those contain important vitamins like biotin and C and B that support hair health.” Bonus: You may get better skin in the process!
6. Skip the daily shampoo.
By now, you’ve likely heard all the testimonials attributing great hair to going “no ‘poo,” but do you know why it actually helps your hair? “Shampooing your hair two to three times a week allows your natural oils to penetrate your hair, allowing it to hydrate and repair itself,” explains Ken Paves, a celebrity hairstylist in LA. For thicker and fuller-looking hair fast, choose a formula labeled “volumizing” or “thickening.”
7. Hydrate and condition your hair frequently.
Coating your strands in a silky deep conditioner or hair mask regularly can help to prevent damage while detangling strands, according to GH Beauty Lab pros. Slather on a store-bought or DIY hair mask from root to tip once a week: One with cinnamon can stimulate blood circulation to encourage stronger, longer hair in no time, says Liana Zingarino, a hairstylist at Serge Normant at John Frieda Salon in New York City.
8. Keep your showers cooler and focus on scalp care.
A hot shower can dehydrate your skin — and it’s also rough on your hair. “Turn the water temperature down when cleansing,” recommends Paves. But give your scalp a little extra love: Give it a mini massage as you shampoo to deeply de-gunk and help boost circulation.
9. Be careful when you brush wet hair.
Hair is especially susceptible to breakage when it’s wet. “Water exposure swells and stretches the hair’s shaft, which causes the shingle-like outer layer to lift, and adding stress from brushing in that state can cause it to break,” says Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab senior chemist Sabina Wizemann. Instead, brush hair before shampooing, and if you have to detangle it when wet, towel-dry first so it no longer drips, applies a leave-in conditioner from roots to ends, and use a gentler wide-tooth comb or detangling brush to reduce friction, working from the ends up in small sections to prevent tearing hair, she advises.
10. Start using minoxidil.
Pick up a bottle of Women’s Rogaine, recommends GH Beauty Director April Franzino. “The active ingredient, minoxidil, is FDA-approved and proven to help stop hair loss and promote hair regrowth with continued use according to packaging instructions.” For a more targeted solution, pick up Hers 2% Minoxidil Topical Solution and use the dropper applicator to focus on more specific problem areas.
11. Avoid excessive heat styling.
“Stop over-styling your hair,” Paves says. If you must use heat, he recommends decreasing the temperature and always using a heat protectant — otherwise, you risk damaging your hair, leading to breakage and frizz.
12. Stop doing trendy “cleanses.”
Diet companies may try to convince you that a “cleanse” will turn your whole life around, but Dueñas strongly advises against them. “Doing a cleanse is terrible for your hair because you’re depriving your body of nutrients,” he warns. “After doing a cleanse even for a week, you’ll notice slower hair growth and lackluster locks.”
13. Sleep on a silk pillowcase.
Getting better hair in your sleep is possible — all you need is to switch up your pillowcase. “Silk is easier on hair — it helps avoid tangles and breakage,” says Jesleen Ahluwalia, M.D., a dermatologist at Spring Street Dermatology in NYC. The less breakage your hair experiences, the longer your hair will be. In fact, they’re so good that the Good Housekeeping Institute even conducted an entire study to find the best silk pillowcases — see below for the winners!.
14. Pay attention to your skin.
It’s easy to see shiny hair initially and assume a hair product is working for you, but Dueñas recommends taking a closer look — at your scalp. “What the formula is doing to your skin is generally what it’s doing to your hair,” he says. “Does it make your skin feel dry, stripped, heavy, waxy, sticky, or greasy? Or does it feel soft, hydrated, silky, and supple?” Treat your hair the way you would treat your skin — after all, it’s another part of you! If your hair follicles are clogged and congested, there’s no way it can grow as efficiently.
15. Consider what’s happening below the surface.
Underlying causes may be contributing to your hair’s slow (or lack of ) growth. One in four American women reports thinning hair — and that doesn’t count those born with wispy or sparse strands. “Hair that’s naturally thin in diameter [fine] or sparse is genetic,” says Joyce Davis, M.D., a dermatologist in NYC. “Hair loss is often hereditary (or androgenic) thinning, which tends to be patchy.” Another common type is telogen effluvium (TE), or allover shedding due to hormones or health issues such as thyroid or autoimmune disease and anemia.
With TE, hair generally grows back once the problem is treated; see a doctor for a diagnosis. For androgenic loss, the over-the-counter topical minoxidil mentioned above is proven to grow hair with continued use. For all types, the professional treatment PRP (platelet-rich plasma) stimulates growth with scalp injections of your blood’s growth factors, Dr. Davis says. Consult a dermatologist to find out if it’s right for you.
