This article was medically reviewed by Jenny Tran and by wikiHow staff writer, Dan Hickey. Jenny Tran is a Hair Stylist and the Founder of JT Hair Lab by Jenny Tran based in the Dallas, Texas metro area. With over seven years of professional hair styling experience, Jenny specializes in hair coloring, haircutting, and hair extensions. JT Hair Lab is an authorized carrier of R+Co and of Milbon and is committed to using products with quality ingredients.
There are 20 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources.
This article has been viewed 13,969,052 times.
It’s exhilarating to chop off your hair for a short new ‘do and see the results right away, but growing out your locks for a longer style can be frustratingly slow. Is there anything you can do to speed things up? With the right hair care strategy, it’s easy to grow out your hair faster and keep it thick, shiny, and healthy throughout the process. In this article, we’ll show you the best hair care, diet, and lifestyle changes to make to encourage quicker growth. Let’s dive in!
Things You Should Know
- Massage your scalp for a few minutes each day to encourage healthy hair growth.
- Eat at least 45 g (1.6 oz) of protein per day to support cell and hair growth.
- Eat leafy greens, beans, whole grains, and seafood to increase your iron and zinc levels, which are a must for healthy growth.
- Condition your hair weekly with rosemary, lavender, peppermint, tea tree, or thyme essential oil diluted in a carrier oil.
Steps
Expert Q&A
-
QuestionHow can I make my hair grow faster naturally?Jenny TranJenny Tran is a Hair Stylist and the Founder of JT Hair Lab by Jenny Tran based in the Dallas, Texas metro area. With over seven years of professional hair styling experience, Jenny specializes in hair coloring, haircutting, and hair extensions. JT Hair Lab is an authorized carrier of R+Co and of Milbon and is committed to using products with quality ingredients.
Professional Hair StylistGetting rid of split ends will also help your hair grow in. Trim your ends frequently to keep your hair healthy. -
QuestionDo you have to use cold water after washing your hair, even if the weather is cold?Sarah Gehrke, RN, MSSarah Gehrke is a Registered Nurse and Licensed Massage Therapist in Texas. Sarah has over 10 years of experience teaching and practicing phlebotomy and intravenous (IV) therapy using physical, psychological, and emotional support. She received her Massage Therapist License from the Amarillo Massage Therapy Institute in 2008 and a M.S. in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2013.
Registered NurseEven using cool water will help to flatten the hair cuticle. Warm or hot water will keep the hair cuticle open and the hair may look frizzy and not as shiny. This is true even during the winter. -
QuestionWhat foods should I include in my diet to make my hair grow faster?Sarah Gehrke, RN, MSSarah Gehrke is a Registered Nurse and Licensed Massage Therapist in Texas. Sarah has over 10 years of experience teaching and practicing phlebotomy and intravenous (IV) therapy using physical, psychological, and emotional support. She received her Massage Therapist License from the Amarillo Massage Therapy Institute in 2008 and a M.S. in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2013.
Registered NurseA nutrient rich, whole food, diet is the best option. Eating plenty of veggies, protein, and oils is beneficial for your skin and hair! Include biotin-rich foods: eggs, almonds, cauliflower, cheeses, mushrooms, sweet potatoes, and spinach. Also, include other B-complex foods: You can get B vitamins from proteins such as fish, poultry, meat, eggs, and dairy products. Leafy green vegetables, beans, and peas also have B vitamins. Many cereals and some breads have added B vitamins.
Video
Reader Videos
Share a quick video tip and help bring articles to life with your friendly advice. Your insights could make a real difference and help millions of people!
Tips
-
If you're looking for a natural option, research shows that rosemary oil can be an effective product for hair growth.[26]Thanks
Tips from our Readers
- Here are some tips that have helped me: stop using color, do a deep hair cleanse once a week, and rinse under cool water in the shower to add shine and minimize frizz.
- Try to be patient. Your hair won’t grow straight away, but if you're consistent you'll see change eventually.
Warnings
- Restrictive eating or sudden, dramatic weight loss can stop hair growth or even cause hair loss. Make sure to meet your base caloric intake and consume sufficient vitamins and minerals every day, even if you’re altering your diet slightly to encourage faster hair growth.[27]Thanks
References
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4740347/
- ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/how-much-protein-do-you-need-every-day-201506188096
- ↑ https://food.ndtv.com/food-drinks/7-amazing-hair-growth-foods-you-should-be-eating-daily-1667364
- ↑ https://food.ndtv.com/food-drinks/7-amazing-hair-growth-foods-you-should-be-eating-daily-1667364
- ↑ Jenny Tran. Professional Hair Stylist. Expert Interview. 19 May 2020.
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/bvitamins.html
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/omega-3-fatty-acids-fish-oil-alpha-linolenic-acid/dosing/hrb-20059372
- ↑ https://food.ndtv.com/food-drinks/7-amazing-hair-growth-foods-you-should-be-eating-daily-1667364
- ↑ https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Omega3FattyAcids-HealthProfessional/
- ↑ https://www.shape.com/essential-oils-hair-growth-7092270
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/23204-keratin
- ↑ https://patient.info/news-and-features/does-caffeine-shampoo-work-for-hair-loss
- ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home-products/a28037094/silk-pillowcases-benefits/
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/the-dirty-truth-about-washing-your-hair/
- ↑ https://stylecaster.com/beauty/how-to-wash-your-hair/
- ↑ https://stylecaster.com/beauty/how-to-wash-your-hair/
- ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/hair-loss/insider/stop-damage
- ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/hair-loss/insider/stop-damage
- ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/skin-hair-nails/hair-care/how-to-stop-hair-damage
- ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/skin-hair-nails/hair-care/how-to-stop-hair-damage
- ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/skin-hair-nails/hair-care/how-to-stop-hair-damage
- ↑ Jenny Tran. Professional Hair Stylist. Expert Interview. 19 May 2020.
- ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/hair/a33448/haircuts-how-often-trim-hair/
- ↑ https://share.upmc.com/2018/12/losing-hair-from-stress/
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/minoxidil-topical-route/side-effects/drg-20068750?p=1
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/rosemary-oil-for-hair
- ↑ https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/is-sudden-weight-loss-causing-hair-loss-118042300866_1.html
About This Article
To make your hair grow faster, try to eat fruits, vegetables, protein, whole grains, and healthy fats. Eating a nutritious diet will help support strong, healthy hair. Avoid shampooing your hair every day since shampoo strips hair of its natural oils and leads to breakage. Instead, condition your hair every day so it’s healthy and hydrated, which will make it easier to grow out. Gently brush your hair every day to distribute the natural oils from your scalp down to the ends. Limit how often you use heat-styling tools since they can cause breakage. Finally, it might seem counterintuitive, but remember to get your hair trimmed every 10 to 12 weeks to prevent split ends, since split ends make it harder to grow your hair out. To learn more from our Registered Nurse co-author about foods to eat to improve hair growth, keep reading below!
Reader Success Stories
-
"My hair is very long, long enough to sit on it, and healthy. I do not wash my hair but once every few weeks, and when I do, I wash only the scalp and then condition only from the ears down, never condition the scalp. Also, I use coconut oil on the ends all the time."..." more