5 ways to make your hair grow faster

Long, strong hair is on many wish lists. So it is no surprise that people search for ways to make your hair grow faster. Shops are full of oils, pills and masks that promise quick results. But what really works?

Here is the honest answer first. Most of the speed of hair growth is set by your body. You cannot double it with a product. What you can do is stop your hair from breaking. When less hair breaks, you keep the length you grow, and your hair looks longer and fuller over time. This guide explains five simple ways to do that, in plain words, based on advice from skin and hair doctors.

How Fast Does Hair Grow?

Scalp hair grows by about 1 centimetre a month on average. Some sources give a range of about half a centimetre to just under two centimetres a month. The exact speed differs from person to person.

Hair grows in cycles. Each hair has a growing phase, a short resting phase and a shedding phase. Not all hairs are in the same phase at the same time. That is why you lose some hair every day while the rest keeps growing. Health sources say that losing around 50 to 100 hairs a day is normal.

Also, the hair near your shoulders is much older than the hair near your scalp. It has been washed, combed and dried for years. So the ends need the most care.

1. Use Oil and Masks to Protect, Not to Speed Up

Oiling hair is an old Indian habit. Coconut oil has been part of hair care in Ayurveda for thousands of years. But does it make hair grow faster?

A 2022 review by skin doctors at the University of California looked at 22 studies on coconut, castor and argan oil. It found that coconut oil can help brittle hair. But there was only limited proof that it helps hair grow. There was no strong proof that castor oil helps growth. Argan oil showed no real effect on growth or hair quality.

The review also said something interesting. Many doctors let patients keep oiling because it does little harm, not because it is proven to grow hair.

So oil your hair if you like it. It may help dry, brittle hair. Just do not expect it to speed up growth. For help choosing a product, see our list of the best hair oil brands in India.

2. Wash and Condition the Right Way

The American Academy of Dermatology, a large group of skin doctors, gives simple tips:

• Wash based on your hair. If your scalp gets oily fast, you may need to wash daily. If your hair is dry or curly, you can wash less often.
• Put shampoo on the scalp. Do not scrub the full length. This cleans away old product, dead skin and extra oil without drying your hair too much.
• Always use conditioner. It makes hair soft and easier to comb. With fine hair, put it on the ends. With dry or curly hair, use it along the full length.

Conditioner matters more than many people think, especially if your hair breaks easily. Read more in our post on why conditioning matters when you have hair fall.

3. Be Gentle When Hair Is Wet

Wet hair is weak. It stretches and snaps more easily. The AAD suggests using a wide tooth comb, not a brush, on wet hair. Start combing at the ends and slowly work up to the roots. If your hair is straight, let it dry a little before you comb it.

What About Towels?

The old version of this post told readers not to wrap their hair in a towel at all. That is not quite what experts say. The AAD actually suggests wrapping hair in a towel or a soft t shirt to soak up water gently. The real problem is rubbing your hair hard with a towel. That rough rubbing is what causes damage.

So pat or squeeze, do not rub. A soft old cotton t shirt works well for this.

Go Easy on Heat

Too much heat damages every hair type. Use hair dryers, straighteners and curling irons less often. Choose a low or medium setting, and use a heat protection product. Heat and rough handling are also the main causes of split ends, where the tip of the hair frays into two or more strands.

Do Satin Pillowcases Help?

The old post said studies show cotton pillowcases cause more breakage. We could not find strong studies to back this. A dermatologist quoted by E! Online said there are no solid trials on satin or silk pillowcases. Still, a smooth pillowcase may cause less rubbing and frizz. It cannot hurt to try, but do not expect a big change.

4. Eat Well, and Take Supplements Only if You Need Them

Your hair is made by your body, so it needs good food. A poor diet can lead to hair loss. Low iron, low vitamin B12 and an underactive thyroid can all cause hair to fall out.

The Truth About Biotin

The old post told readers to try biotin pills. Biotin is a B vitamin, and it is sold widely for hair. But real biotin shortage is rare. It is so rare that no country asks for biotin to be added to food.

There is also a safety point. The US Food and Drug Administration has warned that high doses of biotin can upset some blood tests. For example, it can make a heart test show a falsely low result. That could delay care for a heart attack. If you take biotin, tell your doctor before any blood test.

Medical News Today also notes that there is little proof that pills or special shampoos speed up growth. Before buying any, read our post on whether hair growth tablets really work. If you feel your hair is thinning, it is better to see a doctor and get tested than to guess.

5. Trim the Ends Now and Then

Many people believe that cutting hair makes it grow faster. It does not. Hair grows from the roots under the scalp, not from the tips. Dermatologist Dr Jaishree Sharad has said that trimming does not make hair grow faster.

But a trim does help in another way. It removes split ends. So a small trim can help your hair look thicker and healthier, even if it does not grow any faster.

The old post said a trim every three to four months was essential. There is no fixed rule. Trim when you see split ends or dry, rough tips.

When Hair Loss Is a Sign of Something Else

Sometimes a lot of hair falls out at once. One common cause is called telogen effluvium. It can follow a stressful event, a crash diet, childbirth, a long illness, major surgery, low blood iron or thyroid problems. The shedding often shows up two to three months after the event. A doctor can run tests and help find the cause.

See a doctor if you notice bald patches, sudden heavy hair fall or hair loss along with tiredness or weight changes. For daily steps that can help, read our tips to reduce hair fall.

A Simple Weekly Routine to Help Make Your Hair Grow Faster

Putting it all together, here is an easy plan that most people can follow:

• Wash as often as your scalp needs, with shampoo on the scalp only.
• Use conditioner every time you wash.
• If you like oiling, do it once or twice a week, mainly on dry ends.
• Pat hair dry with a towel or t shirt, and comb it gently with a wide tooth comb.
• Use heat tools only now and then, on low or medium heat.
• Eat a balanced diet with enough protein, iron and vitamins.
• Trim the ends whenever they look split or rough.

None of this will turn short hair into long hair overnight. But if you stick with it for a few months, you are likely to see less breakage.

What We Changed From the Old Post

• It said a trim “triggers” hair growth. It does not. A trim only removes split ends.
• It said not to wrap hair in a towel. Experts say a gentle wrap is fine. Rough rubbing is the problem.
• It said studies prove cotton pillowcases cause breakage. We found no strong studies.
• It suggested biotin for everyone. We added that deficiency is rare and that biotin can affect blood tests.
• It said oil gives hair the nutrients to boost growth. Proof for this is limited.

This article is for general awareness only. It is not medical advice. Please see a doctor for hair loss or scalp problems.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does hair grow in a month?

About 1 centimetre a month on average, though it varies from person to person.

Does cutting hair make it grow faster?

No. Hair grows from the roots. A trim only removes split ends.

Do hair oils make hair grow faster?

There is limited proof. Coconut oil may help brittle hair, but it has not been shown to speed up growth.

How many hairs a day is normal to lose?

Losing about 50 to 100 hairs a day is normal.