Are you longing for Rapunzel vibes or regretting an impulsive pixie cut? We’ve all been there. While we can’t wave a wand for instant hair growth (though wouldn’t that be fabulous?), there are some tricks to give Mother Nature a little nudge. So, if you’re wondering how fast hair grows and what you can do to speed things up, keep reading!
How Fast Does Hair Grow?
Okay, let’s talk numbers. On average, hair grows 0.35 mm daily, which adds up to roughly a half-inch each month.
But everyone’s hair grows at different rates. Age, genetics, hair type, diet, and your overall health play a role in determining your hair growth rate.
Sadly, there’s no magic potion to turbocharge the hair growth process, no matter what those fancy supplements promise (more on that later). Additionally, for most people, that half-inch of growth per month usually doesn’t mean an extra six inches of length per year. Why? Because most people experience some type of breakage due to certain lifestyle factors.
So, the key to maximizing your growth (up to the 0.35 mm per day limit) is to give your hair lots of TLC to prevent breakage.
How Can I Speed Up Hair Growth?
1. Take a Supplement
First, let’s debunk a myth: popping hair growth supplements won’t grow your mane to your waist overnight. They might help your hair grow up to a certain point, and only if your diet lacks certain nutrients. Your hair requires some nutrients like iron, zinc, and selenium for optimal hair growth. So, if you’re not getting enough of those nutrients from your diet and start taking supplements, you may notice more hair growth than usual.
2. Eat Protein
Proteins are like the building blocks of your hair. Protein contains amino acids critical for forming keratin (the protein in your locks). The amino acid cysteine is particularly vital for hair growth and thickness. Another amino acid, l-lysine, is also a big deal for hair health, especially for those roots. Experts suggest aiming for at least 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight daily to keep your hair in tip-top shape.
3. Eat Fats
Yes, you heard us right. Healthy fats are essential for hair health because they are responsible for synthesizing steroid hormones (that contribute to hair growth) and the hydration of the hair shaft (which prevents breakage). Inadequate consumption of omega-3 fatty acids can result in hair loss, so make sure you’re eating plenty of foods rich in omega-3s, like walnuts and flax seeds.
4. Scalp Massage
Believe it or not, something as simple as massaging your scalp can promote thicker hair. In a 2016 study, nine participants massage their scalps for four minutes daily. After 24 weeks, the massaged areas showed a marked improvement in hair thickness. While no additional hair growth was observed in comparison to the control area, increased hair thickness may help with hair growth because thicker hair is stronger and less prone to breakage.
More research is needed to prove that scalp massage helps with hair growth and thickness. However, many Redditors have provided anecdotal evidence that regular scalp massage helped them achieve their hair goals.
1. Manage Stress
There’s no doubt about it: stress messes with your mane. When stressed out, your body can hit the panic button and divert resources away from hair growth, triggering telogen effluvium. This fancy term describes a condition where your hair starts shedding like crazy about three months after a stressful event. But people who are chronically stressed can experience ongoing telogen effluvium.
The good news? Stress management techniques can help to mitigate stress-induced hair loss. Whether deep breathing, journaling, downward dogging in yoga class, sweating it out at the gym, or simply walking in nature, finding your stress-busting groove may help promote regular hair growth.
2. Don’t Smoke!
You probably don’t need us to tell you that smoking isn’t good for your health, but did you know that it’s also bad for hair growth? Smoking impairs blood flow to the scalp, which means hair follicles can’t receive optimal nutrients for hair growth. Smoking also generates free radical damage and inflammation, which can affect hair cells.
3. Cut Down on Heat
If you want to grow longer, healthier hair, you’ll have to reduce your use of heat tools. While styling your hair with heat every day may look great in the short term, excessive heat styling can dry out your hair and cause breakage in the long term.
Of course, we don’t expect you to rock air-dried hair and ponytails every day. You can still do your favorite blowout, but instead of washing and starting over every morning, you can extend the life of your blowout with Sleepy Tie. Sleepy Tie is a viral hair product that utilizes a satin-covered scrunchy arch to tie up hair while you sleep so you can wake up with perfectly styled hair in the morning. It saves time and prevents hair damage from repetitive heat styling – a major win-win!
4. Be Gentle When Brushing
We can’t overemphasize the importance of being gentle when combing or brushing your hair. Always start at the ends and work your way towards the roots, carefully detangling any snarls as you go. Only use a wide-tooth comb on wet hair (wet hair is more prone to breakage). And if possible, try to brush your hair only once a day to minimize breakage.
5. Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize
As we mentioned before, well-hydrated strands are less prone to breakage. That’s why it’s essential to assemble a team of conditioners to keep your hair moisturized and healthy.
We hope it goes without saying, but you should definitely condition your hair after every shampoo. The formula you choose will depend on your hair type, but generally, straighter hair requires lightweight moisture, while curlier hair requires richer ingredients. You’ll also want to pick up a leave-in conditioner for long-term hydration after you step out of the shower. Finally, we recommend swapping out your regular conditioner for a deep conditioner or hair mask at least twice a month.
While you may not be able to change your biological hair growth rate, you can do certain things to optimize the hair growth rate Mother Nature gave you. Eating hair-healthy foods, avoiding heat, and being gentle with styling can speed up your hair growth as much as possible.
