Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat to Know10 Ways to Grow Your HairShort to Long
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What to Know
10 Ways to Grow Your Hair
Short to Long
Many people seek ways to help their hair grow as fast as possible. Fortunately, there are a few methods that can help accelerate the process. Embracing a nutrient-rich diet and incorporating regularscalp massagesare among the top contenders for fostering rapid hair growth.
However, it’s crucial to understand that individual hair growth depends on various factors such as genetics, overall health, and lifestyle choices. This article will explore effective methods to help promote faster hair growth.
Martin Zubiria Kage / Getty Images
Hair Length and Growth Speed: What to Know
Healthy hair usually grows about 0.35 millimeters (mm) every day. That’s roughly one-half inch every month and about 6 inches every year.Most adults have between 80,000 and 120,000 hairs on their head that grow like this, and it is normal to shed between 100 and 150 scalp hairs every day.
Hair growth occurs in thesefour main phases:
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Approximately 9% of hair follicles are in the telogen phase at any given time. However, various factors can influence the transition from the growth phase (anagen) to the resting phase (telogen), such as:
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Try a Scalp Massage
This stress triggers the activation of dormant hair follicles and encourages the expression of genes responsible for promoting hair growth. Scalp massages also reduce the activity of genes linked to hair loss.
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Eat a Nutrient-Rich Diet
Consuming a balanced diet rich in vitamins, minerals, and protein is essential for promoting hair growth. Nutrients like biotin, vitamin E, zinc, and iron support healthy hair follicles and encourage faster growth.
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Reduce Stress
Managing stress through relaxation techniques, exercise, and sufficient sleep may help maintain ahealthy hair growth rate.
Avoid Tight Hairstyles
Tight hairstyles like ponytails, hair extensions, and tightly braided hair can put stress on the hair follicles and lead to breakage and even hair loss. Opting for looser hairstyles or wearing hair down more often can help promote healthier growth. Consider using gentle styling techniques and minimizing the use of heated styling tools that can prevent unnecessary stress on the hair.
Consider Hair Growth Supplements
In some cases,supplements containing vitamins and mineralsspecifically targeted for hair growth, such as collagen and amino acids, may be beneficial.However, it’s essential to consult with your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement regimen.
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Use Peppermint Oil
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Bond-Building Treatments
By minimizing breakage and damage, bond-building treatments may preserve the length of the hair strands. This means that as new hair grows from the scalp, it may be less likely to break off prematurely, allowing you to retain length and achieve longer hair over time.
Rogaine (Minoxidil)
There is no evidence that Rogaine directly affects the rate at which hair grows. However, it may lead to thicker, longer, and more densely packed hair strands over time.
Keep Your Scalp Clean
There is evidence that an unhealthy scalp leads to unhealthy hair. Hair loss may be due to poor scalp health from conditions such aspsoriasis,seborrheic dermatitis, anddandruff.
Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is used as a treatment to promote hair growth in individuals experiencing hair loss. PRP contains growth factors that may stimulate hair follicles, improve blood flow to the scalp, and encourage the growth of thicker, healthier hair.
While PRP therapy may stimulate dormant hair follicles and potentially enhance the overall quality of hair, it doesn’t directly affect the rate at which hair grows. However, PRP therapy supports healthier hair growth and improves the condition of existing hair follicles, which may help hair grow longer over time.
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Growing Your Hair Out: Short to Long
Embarking on the journey to grow short hair into longer locks requires patience and a strategic approach. This section will explore effective tips and practices to get you through the grow-out phase and get the longer hair you desire.
Styling Tips
Heat styling can cause damage and breakage, which can disrupt your hair growth goals. Persistent damage to the hair can also escalate to more severe issues such as thinning strands or, in extreme cases, patches of baldness. A few styling tips to help get your hair to a longer length include:
Other hair styling tips that will reduce damage to the hair and prevent breakage include:
With Layers
If you are trying to grow out layers in your hair, you may want to get periodic trims, especially when transitioning from short styles like pixie cuts or bobs to longer hair. Adjusting the layers along the way can help ensure that your hair maintains an appealing shape and style throughout the growing process.
Without these adjustments, you may have unevenness or awkward lengths that compromise your style. Consult with a hairstylist to strategize and customize a plan for each phase of your grow-out journey to aid in the faster and smoother growth of your layered locks.
Regular Trims
Contrary to popular belief, trimming your hair regularly (every 8 to 12 weeks) may actually help grow your hair in the long run. Trimming removes split ends, preventing breakage that can hinder growth. Aim for small trims to maintain health while growing out your hair.
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Summary
While several hair growth factors are out of our control, eating a nutrient-rich diet, stress management, and gentle hair care practices may help you grow your hair. Understanding the natural hair growth cycle and implementing strategies like scalp massages and peppermint oil may also help stimulate hair follicles, promoting a healthier and quicker growth process.
Additionally, embracing looser hairstyles, reducing heat styling, and incorporating periodic trims can safeguard against breakage, ensuring the overall health of your hair as it grows longer.
While individual results may vary, patience and consistency with these practices may help contribute to a healthier head of hair over time.
14 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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American Academy of Dermatology Association.10 hair care habits that can damage your hair.
The Atelier Academy of Beauty.Why you need a haircut even if you’re trying to grow out your hair.
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