So you've decided it's time for a new hairstyle…. but there's a problem. As it stands, your hair is currently too short and that means you've got an agonizing wait ahead of you.
While it's true there are no miracle products out there that will magically grow your hair overnight, there are some tips and tricks you can leverage to make your hair grow faster, naturally.
In this article, we'll start by explaining how hair growth works, and then we'll show you how to make hair grow faster. (And for good measure, we've thrown in some bonus tips!)
- What We Know About Hair Growth
- Hair Growth Tip 1 – Eat Healthily
- Hair Growth Tip 2 – Avoid Very Cold Showers
- Hair Growth Tip 3 – Less Shampoo, More Conditioner
- Hair Growth Tip 4 – Don't Comb Wet Hair
- Hair Growth Tip 5 – Exercise Often
- Hair Growth Tip 6 – Sleep Well
- Hair Growth Tip 7 – Chill Out (Don't Worry!)
- Bonus Hair Growth Tips!
What We Know About Hair Growth
World-renowned trichologist Philip Kingsley (who's been in the hair business for many decades) says that human hair has “the second fastest-growing cells in your body – intestinal cells being the first.”
The average scalp has approximately 120,000 hairs growing on it at any point.
There's a lot of workforces involved in the way your hair is “dressed up.” But at the same time, hair is neither an essential tissue nor a vital organ. Your body never puts its nutritional needs ahead of the rest. So any nutritional “imbalance” would take a toll on your hair before anything else.
There is currently NO proven way to make hair grow significantly faster than 0.5 inches per month on average.
But when it comes down to it, it IS possible to increase your growth to 1 inch per week. It's mostly a question of genetics – aka the luck of the draw.
However, we know certain things encourage a more significant supply of healthy & normal-growing hair. These everyday lifestyle tips have benefits that go far beyond the “looks” department.
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- Strengthens, volumizes and thickens thinning/fine hair from the root up
- Infuses and strengthens your hair and scalp with Vitamin A, B, C, and E
- Promotes hair growth by stimulating circulation and nourishing your hair follicles
- Maintains a healthy scalp
Hair Growth Tip #1 – Eat Healthy
Our hair reflects our overall health. So it's no surprise that we need to eat the right things to look a certain way.
For well-nurtured hair – here are the must-haves for a regular diet:
Water
Your scalp (like your skin) can get dry. You should drink about 1.5-2 liters of water every day – and a little more if you're exercising or living in warmer conditions. Takamichi Saeki (who runs Takamichi Hair in New York) agrees it's an excellent practice to hydrate yourself regularly.
Protein
Hair is protein-based, so taking in more protein is essential. A serving of 120g of meat protein (for breakfast and lunch) is recommended. For vegetarians – you'll want to go over 120g of plant-based sources such as nuts, beans, legumes, and tofu.
Biotin
Hair cells (like all cells) have a fatty membrane. NYC nutritionist Brooke Alpert says that for cells to grow and multiply, it's about “keeping their fatty membranes healthy, which starts with having the right kind of fat in your diet.” That menu includes rich sources of Biotin: salmon, oysters, avocados, and nuts.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C (a resource for producing collagen) keeps healthy hair and skin. Alpert also mentions its role as a significant antioxidant that “fights off all of the cellular damage we're regularly doing.” Citrus fruits, sweet potatoes, and red peppers are among the top sources of Vitamin C.
A Good Breakfast
Never underestimate the importance of a nutritious breakfast. It's the refueling point for most of your body – including your scalp and hair follicles. A meal that's complete with all of the above provides much-needed energy to form hair cells.
Hair Growth Tip #2 – Avoid Very Cold Showers
Try not to shower with chilly water – or at least try not to use it on your scalp.
Kingsley explains that cooler temperatures may constrict the capillaries on your scalp that “carry nutrients and pick up waste products from the skin's surface.” As much as possible – you want your blood vessels active to keep the hair cells in good condition.
To stay on the safe side – use lukewarm water when starting. Get your head soaked without giving it the shock of a sudden temperature change. When it's time to rinse at the end, that's when you can turn up the cold just a little bit.
Hair Growth Tip #3 – Focus On Less Shampoo, More Conditioner
Let's make this clear: it's NOT advisable to shampoo your hair every single day. Washing with shampoo can cause the hair to become drier and more brittle.
Rodney Cutler (a stylist who owns Cutler Salons) says it's best to avoid “shampoos with high levels of detergents and sulfates, as they strip the hair and scalp of natural sebum and oils.”
That greasiness (which not everybody's comfortable retaining) is precisely what keeps your hair soft and shiny. If you don't want your hair at any form of risk – you shouldn't strip the scalp of this oil.
You want to use an excellent natural men's hair conditioner every day, maintaining the ends of the hairs. It minimizes the risk of tangles, split ends, and breakage, meant to replace the natural oils washed away and keep the hair moist.
Note: I don't recommend conditioners with waxes – they can make your hair look thin and dull.
As for how often you should shampoo – that's your call. Everyone has a cycle of shampoo-less showers, and you decide whether your hair feels too greased up.
But as a rule – try not to shampoo daily and make sure you use a men's shampoo with natural ingredients to avoid stripping your hair of its natural sebum oil, leaving you with brittle hair and a dry scalp.
Hair Growth Tip #4 – Never Comb Your Hair While Dripping Wet
It's best not to subject your hair to pulling or stretching whenever in its wettest state. That's the time when it's most vulnerable to split ends or breaking off.
I suggest you dry your hair with a towel before you gently use a comb or brush. Take your time doing this – there's quite a bit of moisture to remove.
The drying part should be gentle as well – no quick rubbing back and forth, significant for hair that's already reached half the desired length.
Click here to find the best way to brush your hair.
Hair Growth Tip #5 – Exercise Often
Cells rely on oxygen to duplicate and stay healthy. Oxygen reaches every cell through fully operational blood circulation.
So that's what you want to maximize the supply of to gain more healthy cells (both in your scalp and in each hair follicle).
A half-hour cardio workout 3x a week (e.g., running or any sport that forces you to move around) helps immensely.
Along with that, make it a habit to massage your scalp from time to time to help shake up the hair cells into a slightly more vigorous state.
Hair Growth Tip #6 – Sleep Well
Like your diet – your sleeping habits have a say in how well your hair grows.
About 7-8 hours of sleep every night is ideal. It's during these hours when the body is in constant repair mode.
That's the window for growth hormones to come out and speed up cell reproduction. More sleep = more active scalp cells = more hair.
Sleeping also increases blood circulation around your hair follicles. So think of exercise and hitting the sack as two activities that go hand-in-hand. Comprehensive Fitness Tracking: Real-time metrics and sports apps for optimized workouts.
Hair Growth Tip #7 – Chill Out (Don't Worry!)
Ever thought your brain might be affecting all the hair above it? You might be surprised.
A stressed state of mind is as big of a factor as the lack of physical health. The more you stress yourself out – the more it can burden your brain. It won't get to function like it does when you're relaxed.
Craig the Barber (a stylist based in Beverly Hills) talks about Telogen effluvium – which he says “is a physical or emotional stress related to severe weight loss, a death in the family, and, for many college students, exams.”
The goal is to worry less. Let go of minor concerns whenever you can. Remember that anxiety can physically weaken the body – including your hair cells.
Figure out a way to burn the stress. You can try going out for a run or watching a sketch comedy on TV. And make sure you have friends and family members to keep you company while you're trying to recover from the recent situation.
What is more attractive: long or short hair on guys?
Bonus Tip:
#1 Wash Your Hair With Raw Eggs
YES, raw eggs. People have been using egg yolk as a natural hair treatment from as early as the 11th century. Nowadays, people are still doing it.
Unfortunately, there is little research to prove this, but it's hugely popular as a natural remedy. There's logic in the chemistry – a key component of egg yolk is sulfur, an essential element of hair. There are approximately 164 milligrams of sulfur per 100 grams of egg.
Try it out! One thing's for certain: It won't hurt.
The bottom line:
- Healthy food, thoughts, and actions can lead to hair that grows right – and grows the way you want.
- Embrace a healthy lifestyle, and your scalp can work its magic.
- Be patient, avoid stress, and you'll soon get the desired length (or even more).
Frequently Asked Questions
How make my hair grow faster?
Eat Healthy
Avoid Very Cold Showers
Focus On Less Shampoo, More Conditioner
Never Comb Your Hair While Dripping Wet
Exercise Often
Chill Out (Don't Worry!)
Use a Thickening Shampoo and Conditioner
What will make your hair grow?
Water - Your scalp (like your skin) can get dry. You should drink about 1.5-2 liters of water every day – and a little more if you’re exercising or living in warmer conditions. Takamichi Saeki (who runs Takamichi Hair in New York) agrees it’s a good practice to regularly hydrate yourself.
Protein - Hair is protein-based, so taking in more protein is essential. A serving of 120g of meat protein (for breakfast and lunch) is recommended. For vegetarians – you’ll want to go over 120g of plant-based sources such as nuts, beans, legumes and tofu.
Biotin -Hair cells (like all cells) are coated with a fatty membrane. NYC nutritionist Brooke Alpert says that for cells to grow and multiply, it’s about “keeping their fatty membranes healthy, which starts with having the right kind of fat in your diet.” That menu includes rich sources of Biotin: salmon, oysters, avocados and nuts.
Vitamin C -Vitamin C (a resource for producing collagen) is needed for healthy hair and skin. Alpert also mentions its role as a major antioxidant that “fights off all of the cellular damage we’re doing regularly.” Citrus fruits, sweet potatoes and red peppers are among the top sources of Vitamin C.
A Good Breakfast -Never underestimate the importance of a nutritious breakfast. It’s the refueling point for most of your body – including your scalp and hair follicles. A meal that's complete with all of the above provides much-needed energy to form hair cells.
