How to Grow Hair Faster: Proven Tips That Actually Work

Growing your hair longer can feel painfully slow - especially when you’re dealing with breakage, thinning or stalled growth.

The truth? There’s no magic potion that makes hair grow inches overnight. But there are science-backed habits and treatments that support healthier, faster growth over time.

Here’s what actually works (and what doesn’t).

1. How Fast Does Hair Really Grow?

On average, hair grows about 4-6 inches per year. This varies depending on:

• Genetics
  
  

• Age
  
  

• Hormones
  
  

• Overall health
  
  

• Hair care habits

  
  

• Nutrition

You can’t change your genetics, but you can optimise the factors that affect growth speed and hair health.

2. Nourish Your Hair From the Inside Out

Your hair is made of a protein called keratin. When your diet is lacking certain nutrients such as protein, hair growth slows.

Key nutrients for faster, healthier hair growth:

✓ Protein

Essential for keratin production.
Found in: eggs, fish, lean meats, tofu, beans, lentils.

✓ Iron

Low iron is one of the most common causes of hair shedding.
Found in: spinach, red meat, beans, fortified cereals.

✓ Vitamin D

Helps regulate the hair growth cycle.
Found in: sunlight, salmon, egg yolks, fortified foods.

✓ Omega-3 fatty acids

Support scalp health and reduce hair follicle inflammation
Found in: salmon, chia seeds, walnuts.

✓ Biotin & B vitamins

Important for cell growth and keratin production.

Tip: If your diet is limited or inconsistent, a multivitamin can help – but supplements can’t replace a nutrient-rich diet.

3. Reduce Breakage (So You Keep the Length You Have)

Sometimes, it’s not that your hair isn’t growing – it’s breaking faster than it grows.

Practical ways to reduce breakage:

✓ Use a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo

Over-cleansing can strip natural oils and weaken hair.

✓ Apply conditioner every wash

Hydrated hair is more elastic and less prone to snapping.

✓ Avoid brushing wet hair

Wet hair breaks more easily – use a wide-tooth comb instead.

✓ Sleep on a silk pillowcase

Reduces friction and morning breakage.

✓ Limit heat styling to 1–2 times per week

And always use a heat protectant.

4. Stimulate Your Scalp for Better Blood Flow

Hair follicles need oxygen and nutrients to grow.

Effective scalp-stimulating habits:

✓ Daily or weekly scalp massages

Even 3–5 minutes can boost circulation.

✓ Avoid tight hairstyles

Tension can damage follicles over time.

5. Try Evidence-Based Hair Growth Treatments

If you want real, visible results – not myths – focus on treatments that have scientific backing if there is an underlying condition that causes hair loss.

✓ Minoxidil (topical)

The most widely studied, clinically proven treatment for promoting hair growth in people with pattern hair loss 

✓ Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT)

May stimulate follicles and improve growth for some people with pattern hair loss 

✓ Prescription treatments (for men or women)

If thinning is caused by hormones (like DHT), medical treatment is often more effective than cosmetic changes for people with pattern hair loss. 

If you’re noticing thinning, widening parting or increased shedding, speak to a dermatologist to understand what’s causing it – and which treatments are suitable.

6. Avoid Trends That Don’t Actually Speed Up Growth

Some popular hacks are more hype than help.

Myths that don’t make hair grow faster:

• Cutting your hair frequently
  
  

• Rice water (works for strength, not speed)
  
  

• Castor oil “rapid growth” claims
  
  

• Inversion method (hanging your head upside down)
  
  

• Hair-growth gummies with no deficiency to correct

These won’t harm you, but they also won’t dramatically boost growth.

7. Keep Your Scalp Healthy

A healthy scalp is key for stronger, faster-growing hair.

Simple scalp-care habits:

• Wash regularly (2–4 times per week depending on hair type)
  
  

• Avoid heavy product buildup
  
  

• Treat dandruff or irritation/inflammation early
  
  

• Exfoliate once a week with a gentle scalp scrub

8. Be Consistent – Hair Growth Takes Time

Even with the best routine, results take time.

Expect to see visible improvements in 8–12 weeks and fuller hair in 3–6 months.

Small, consistent changes = long-term growth.

9. When to Seek Expert Help

If you notice any of the following, it’s worth talking to your GP or a dermatologist:

• Sudden shedding
  
  

• Rapid thinning
  
  

• Widening part in the scalp
  
  

• Bald patches
  
  

• Thinning eyebrows
  
  

• A family history of hair loss
  
  

• Hair not growing past a certain length

Early treatment always leads to better outcomes.

Final Thoughts

You can’t speed up hair growth overnight – but you can create the right conditions for faster, stronger growth over time.

Focus on:

• Nourishing your body
  
  

• Reducing breakage
  
  

• Stimulating your scalp
  
  

• Using proven treatments
  
  

• Staying consistent

Healthy habits + the right science-backed support = the best chance for longer, fuller hair.

References

1. How to make your hair grow faster. Available at: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/is-there-any-way-to-make-your-hair-grow-faster

2. Guo EL, Katta R. Diet and hair loss: effects of nutrient deficiency and supplement use. Dermatol Pract Concept. 2017 Jan 31;7(1):1-10. 

3. Koyama T, Kobayashi K, Hama T, Murakami K, Ogawa R. Standardized Scalp Massage Results in Increased Hair Thickness by Inducing Stretching Forces to Dermal Papilla Cells in the Subcutaneous Tissue. Eplasty. 2016 Jan 25;16:e8.

4. Le Floc'h C, Cheniti A, Connétable S, Piccardi N, Vincenzi C, Tosti A. Effect of a nutritional supplement on hair loss in women. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2015 Mar;14(1):76-82.