How To Make Your Hair Grow Faster: Tips for Healthy Growth

How To Make Your Hair Grow Faster: Tips for Healthy Growth

Avoid Restrictive Dieting

According to Dr. Lindsey Bordone, a dermatologist at ColumbiaDoctors and assistant professor of dermatology at Columbia University Medical Center, we can’t control everything that affects our hair growth. However, there are things we can avoid that may cause impaired growth and increased shedding.

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"Restrictive dieting can decrease resources and nutrients needed for hair growth," said Bordone.

And since hair growth is a relatively low priority compared to other bodily functions, hair growth is halted quickly when your body is placed under stress due to restrictive dieting, she explained.

Assess Your Protein Intake

"If your diet is severely restrictive, hair won’t grow optimally, and shedding can occur," said Bordone.

"Eating a well-balanced diet with adequate protein intake is important for optimal hair growth," she added. "Generally, we recommend 50 grams of protein or more per day."

Try Caffeine-Infused Products

Caffeine may have topical uses that could help give hair growth a boost.

A 2020 review suggests that caffeine in topical products, like shampoos and conditioners, could prevent hair loss as effectively as drug-based treatments. Caffeine may promote hair growth by stimulating the metabolism and proliferation of cells.

Essential Oils

Essential oils not only smell good, but they may also help promote hair growth.

A 2021 study found that after 3 months, pumpkin seed oil applied topically significantly increased hair regrowth in participants with female pattern baldness. However, larger studies are needed to further support this result.

Other essential oils that may help prevent hair loss and promote hair growth include:

• Rosemary oil
• Lavender oil
• Thyme oil

Boost Your Nutrient Profile

The authors of a 2017 review suggest that a deficiency in key nutrients can impact both the structure of your hair and its growth. Some nutritional deficiencies that may affect your hair include:

• Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid deficiency
• Vitamin D deficiency
• Iron deficiency

Indulge in a Scalp Massage

A scalp massage may help promote relaxation, relieve stress, and help boost the health of your hair.

A 2016 study examined the effectiveness of daily 4-minute scalp massages. After 24 weeks, the nine participants had thicker hair than at the start of the study. Larger studies are still needed to support these results.

Look into Platelet-Rich Plasma Treatment (PRP)

A 2015 study found that PRP therapy may serve as an effective treatment option for hair loss.

According to the board-certified dermatologist Dr. Sapna Palep of Spring Street Dermatology, "PRP is a breakthrough treatment that uses injections of a concentration of a patient’s own platelets to restore and accelerate hair growth. Platelets are proteins derived from one’s own bloodstream and DNA that can act like a stem cell when placed back into the body."

Hold the Heat

The heat from curling irons, hair dryers, and straighteners could damage your hair and cause breakage. To help reduce hair damage, try limiting how often you use these tools and decreasing the temperature when you use them.

Additionally, using a heat-protectant product before using a heated styling tool may significantly reduce hair breakage.

Talk to a Doctor about Minoxidil

Minoxidil is a drug that may help prevent hair loss and promote hair growth. It’s typically sold over-the-counter (OTC) as Rogaine.

This medication may not work for everyone and it could take up to 12 months before you see results. It’s best used as part of your hair loss treatment plan, rather than on its own.

Go Easy on Coloring Your Hair

Using hair dyes could affect the strength and thickness of your hair, resulting in hair damage.

The authors of a 2021 review suggest that permanent hair dyes can remove the natural fatty acids that make up the hair. These dyes can cause more damage than nonpermanent options.

Apply Antioxidants to Your Scalp

Applying antioxidants to your scalp may help reduce hair loss and improve the condition of your scalp.

In a 24-week study, the participants who used either a shampoo or leave-in scalp treatment containing the antioxidant piroctone olamine had significantly increased hair amounts and improved scalp conditions compared to those who used placebo formulations.

Trim Your Hair Regularly

Trimming your hair every few months may boost the growth of healthy hair. It removes split ends, preventing them from spreading farther up your strands and causing hair breakage.

Protect Your Hair While You Sleep

To help promote healthy hair while you’re sleeping, try the following:

• Make sure you’re getting between 7-9 hours of sleep every night. Not sleeping enough decreases your body’s production of melatonin, a hormone that plays a role in regulating hair growth.
• Use a silk or satin pillowcase to help prevent friction, tugging, and tangling that may cause hair breakage.
• Don’t go to sleep with wet hair. Laying on wet hair can weaken your strands and can lead to breakage or matting.

Reduce Stress

Chronic stress may lead to hair loss. Stress may cause your follicles to go into a resting phase during which they shed hair instead of growing new strands.

Some tips to help you relieve stress may include:

• Meditation
• Yoga
• Deep breathing exercises
• Progressive muscle relaxation

Conclusion

Growing healthy, long hair requires patience, consistency, and the right techniques. By avoiding restrictive dieting, assessing your protein intake, trying caffeine-infused products, and boosting your nutrient profile, you can promote healthy hair growth. Additionally, indulging in a scalp massage, looking into platelet-rich plasma treatment, holding the heat, talking to a doctor about minoxidil, going easy on coloring your hair, applying antioxidants to your scalp, trimming your hair regularly, protecting your hair while you sleep, and reducing stress can all contribute to a fuller, healthier head of hair.

FAQs

Q: How can I make my hair grow faster?
A: While there’s no magic formula to make your hair grow faster, a healthy diet, regular trims, and reducing stress can all promote healthy hair growth.

Q: What are some effective hair growth products?
A: Caffeine-infused shampoos and conditioners, as well as biotin supplements, have been shown to promote hair growth.

Q: How often should I trim my hair?
A: Trimming your hair every few months can help remove split ends and prevent hair breakage.

Q: Can stress cause hair loss?
A: Yes, chronic stress can cause hair loss by putting your body into a resting phase during which hair follicles shed instead of grow new strands.