I’ve impulsively cut my hair more times than I can count. Whenever something minor happened, I would rush to the nearest salon and ask them to do their best. And after the initial thrill wore off, I’d find myself in a “what have I done” fugue state, desperately searching the internet for tips on how to make my hair grow faster.
Fortunately, I’ve outgrown that habit (therapy > haircuts), and as a beauty editor, I’ve had the privilege of working with some of the best in the industry. A good hairstylist will always inquire about your reasons for coming in and steer you away from emotion-driven decisions; just a friendly FYI. If you’ve been in a similar situation, whether it’s regretting a spontaneous haircut, wanting longer hair for a special event like a wedding or performance, struggling to get your hair past shoulder length, or experiencing hair loss, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. So, keep reading for some expert-approved tips on how to make your hair grow faster, as well as their product recommendations.
Eat a healthy, balanced diet
“While hair holds huge psychological importance, it isn’t an essential tissue in terms of physical health,” explains Anabel Kingsley, trichologist, and brand president of Philip Kingsley. “Hair cells are among the second fastest dividing cells in the body, making hair a very demanding tissue. Since hair is both needy and dispensable, hair growth is highly sensitive to dietary inadequacies, such as skipping meals or restrictive eating.”
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Regarding what to eat, Dr. Kingsley recommends incorporating at least a palm-sized portion of protein with breakfast and lunch, adding a portion of complex carbs to each meal, and including iron-rich foods, Vitamin B12, and zinc in your weekly diet.
Manage your stress levels
“High-stress levels throw off hormone levels, and they can also inflame and irritate your scalp — both of which can impact hair growth,” says Dr. Kingsley. When you’re stressed, you might not eat well, and your body may also struggle to absorb nutrients, which can harm your strands too.
Avoid excessive heat styling
We know it can be hard to put down the hot tools, but according to dermatologist and founder of Sobel Skin, Dr. Howard Sobel, “Extreme styling heat and hot temperatures can be damaging to both the hair and the hair shaft, leading to breakage, brittleness, and dehydration, which in turn can slow down hair growth.”
Minimize breakage
Philip Kingsley Philip Kingsley Elasticizer (5.07 fl. oz.)
Philip Kingsley Philip Kingsley Elasticizer (5.07 fl. oz.)
Addressing breakage at the ends is crucial to ensure your hair grows long and healthy. Dr. Kingsley recommends incorporating weekly strengthening treatments, such as Philip Kingsley Elasticizer, into your routine.
Additionally, show your hair daily kindness—use a gentle touch when brushing, apply heat protection during styling, and towel dry gently with a microfiber towel like Aquis.
MANTA Manta Hair Hairbrush - Fully Flexible Hair Brush - Gentle Brush That Helps Prevent Hair Breakage - Scalp Care Massager and Detangler (White-Rose)
MANTA Manta Hair Hairbrush - Fully Flexible Hair Brush - Gentle Brush That Helps Prevent Hair Breakage - Scalp Care Massager and Detangler (White-Rose)
And remember, “harsh brushing can cause breakage, so especially if you have curly, fragile, damaged, or fine hair, be mindful when brushing and styling,” says celebrity hairstylist Marley Xavier. When brushing, Xavier recommends switching to a gentle brush like the Manta detangling brush.
Create a scalp care routine
Rossano Ferretti Parma Rejuvenating Anti-Aging Hair Mask
Olaplex No. 8 Bond Intense Moisture Hair Mask
“Your scalp houses your hair follicles and serves as your hair’s support system, so if it isn’t in good condition, your hair won’t grow as well as it could,” warns Dr. Kingsley. Studies show that a flaky scalp can cause hair loss, and it also impacts the quality and strength of hairs as they emerge from the hair follicle. To encourage a healthy scalp, she suggests adopting a scalp care routine that mirrors your skincare routine—after all, the scalp is skin and benefits from similar TLC. Cleanse (i.e. shampoo) regularly, use a targeted serum daily/nightly, and apply a weekly intensive scalp mask.
Massage your scalp daily
Daily scalp massage is a great way to stimulate circulation and stimulate healthy hair growth. “This helps to increase blood flow to the scalp and remove product build-up and dead skin cells to rev up hair growth,” says Dr. Sobel. “The best time to massage is when you apply a scalp scrub or serum on your scalp,” says Jan Spagnuolo, stylist director at Rossano Ferretti Hair Spa in New York. However, it’s all about consistency, so while a daily massage is the preferred choice, as often as you can is good too.
Get a health screening
If you’ve noticed a change in your hair, a health screening is a good way to know if you may need to top up on any vitamins, minerals, etc., or just to check everything over. “For example, thyroid issues can interfere with hair growth and thickness,” says Xavier. “Prevention and management are important lines of defense to maintain luscious hair,” he adds.
Take the right supplements
Nutrafol Women Hair Growth Nutraceutical
Philip Kingsley Women's Density Healthy Hair Complex
Dr. Barbara Sturm Growth Cycle Hair Supplement
Due to hair’s high energy demands, and considering that your strands are the last to receive nutrients from your body, it can be challenging to meet its requirements through diet alone. Dr. Kingsley recommends, “Taking a good multi-vitamin and mineral supplement, along with a protein supplement, can provide your hair with the extra internal support it needs to promote growth.” A nutritional supplement that delivers a cocktail of effective ingredients like collagen, saw palmetto, horsetail extract, and biotin can contribute to overall hair health.
Upgrade your hair care routine
For the best results, consider a personalized hair care routine using high-quality products, ideally curated for you by a hair professional during a proper hair consultation. Spagnuolo explains, “A routine typically includes a sulfate-free shampoo, paraben-free mask or conditioner, a weekly treatment, and a styling serum and/or oil—all of which are tailor-made for your hair type and condition.” Using products designed specifically for your hair type is the key to healthier hair, which, in turn, improves the speed and quality of hair growth. To protect your hair, “it’s essential to avoid products containing sulfates, parabens, phthalates, and silicones that can dehydrate, weigh down your hair, and irritate the scalp,” adds Sobel.
Get a frequent trim
“This is not a myth!” emphasizes Spagnuolo. “Regular trims help because the ends of your hair can become thin, straggly, and prone to breakage. Split ends can work their way up your hair shaft and discourage hair growth. So, getting them trimmed regularly keeps the ends of your hair strong, full-looking, and healthier, which, in turn, will help it grow longer and faster.”
Try a serum
Nutrafol Women Hair Growth Nutraceutical
Philip Kingsley Women's Density Healthy Hair Complex
Dr. Barbara Sturm Growth Cycle Hair Supplement
Many serums on the market promise to keep both the hair and scalp healthy. Just like our complexion, certain lifestyle factors affect the health and appearance of our skin and scalp. Dr. Sobel advises, “Choose lightweight, water-based serums that target hair follicle function, treat dryness and flakiness, and encourage hair growth. Look for naturally energizing and antioxidant-rich ingredients like caffeine, green tea, biotin, and castor oil.”
Switch to a silk pillowcase
Slip Slip Silk Pillowcase - Standard/Queen Rose Gold - Zipper Closure
Slip Slip Silk Pillowcase - Standard/Queen Rose Gold - Zipper Closure
If you want immediate change, consider investing in a silk pillowcase. Xavier says, “If you often wake up with very knotty hair, a silk pillowcase can help keep your hair smooth and tangle-free.” Plus, silk is gentle on your skin, as it is less abrasive to hair and skin.
Consult a dermatologist
If your hair is thinning or has changed in appearance (reduced volume and fullness), Dr. Sobel says that you should consult with a physician to determine the underlying causes, such as stress, nutritional deficiencies, or reactions to hair products. “It could also be male or female pattern baldness, which tends to become more prevalent as we age.”
Consider PRP
If you’ve tried everything else on this list without success, PRP (platelet-rich plasma) might be your solution. “This increasingly popular treatment works wonders in improving the function of hair follicles by utilizing high-volume platelets derived from the patient’s own blood,” says Dr. Sobel. As he describes, this “liquid gold” solution stimulates cell regeneration and triggers and maintains the hair’s growth phase. An additional advantage of PRP is that it comes from the individual’s blood, ensuring there are no adverse or allergic reactions to worry about.
Meet the experts
Anabel Kingsley, trichologist, and brand president of Philip Kingsley.
Why trust ELLE Beauty?
As a leading publisher of beauty, fashion, and lifestyle content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, Iman Balagam consulted a trichologist to learn the most updated ways to make your hair grow faster.
Iman Balagam is a freelance writer who has been in the beauty industry for nearly five years. She has written for and contributed to top women’s magazines and digital brands such as Harper's BAZAAR, Allure, Byrdie, Elle and more. She will try *nearly* anything and spends a lot of time looking for new ways to store her beauty products in a small New York apartment.
