19 Ways to Make Hair Grow Long Faster (with Videos)

Maybe you just had your haircut and it turned out shorter than you wished or maybe you just set your eyes on person with gorgeously long hair and you decided that you want that look. The problem is that growing hair can take longer than some of us would like. Average hair growth is ¼ inch per month, but this can vary depending on the person and their lifestyle.

Heredity plays a part in hair growth but lifestyle does too. This article will focus on the changes that you can make to promote faster hair growth.

While some people do have hair that seems to grow like weeds, you are probably not one of those people since you are reading this. My curly hair seems to take forever to grow, so I need to put all of the odds on my side. Most recently I ended up with a cut that was far shorter than I had wished for, so instead of feeling sorry for myself and mourning the loss of my longer locks, I put my energy towards getting my hair to grow longer, faster!

There are a variety of ways to increase the speed of hair growth and the great part about these hair growth methods is that they not only cause your hair to grow faster, they make your hair healthier, a double benefit!

The changes needed to get your hair to grow faster are fairly easy and are relatively inexpensive.

One hair stylist’s ‘inside secret’ is to have the hair trimmed very often, this would be approximately every 3-4 weeks, but the trim needs to be ever so slight, just enough to keep the ends healthy.

Why this works:

While this method may seem counterintuitive, it works because it keeps the ends of the hair in their best health. Split ends are the enemy of healthy long hair because they create the need to cut more length in the end.

Many women with long hair swear by this method, which sounds complicated, but is fairly simple. This method involves heating some easy to find oils (such as olive oil) and rubbing them into the scalp while situating the head lower than the heart, in other words, leaning over. This method can be done daily for the best results or periodically for those with less time to devote.

Why this works:

This massage method stimulates the scalp both through massage and increased blood flow since the head is lower than the heart. This in turn improves circulation to the hair follicles. This works to stimulate the hair follicle to simply grow hair more quickly. This kind of massaging can also help to reduce stress which is one of the enemies of hair growth.

A second reason that this works is because the oil works to moisturize the hair, similar to a deep conditioning treatment. Healthier hair can grow longer because it will require less cutting.

If the Inversion method seems like more effort than you are willing to partake in, a dry scalp massage might be your way to go. This does not involve heated oil or turning your head upside down. Scalp massage can be done at any time of day and can be done whenever you remember. Simply place your finger tips on the scalp and while applying light pressure make tiny gentle movements then reposition your finger tips and massage in a different spot continue throughout the scalp.

You can also spend more time doing a more involved massage like the one shown in the video.

Why this works:

Similar to the inversion method, scalp massage works because it is encouraging circulation to the hair follicles. This circulation brings with it oxygen and nutrients. Additionally, scalp massage works because it is relaxing and reduces stress. Stress slows down hair growth.

If you are a creature of habit, this shower massage method might just be your ticket to long luscious locks of hair. After learning about the inversion massage method or the dry scalp massage, you might be wondering, how will this fit into my schedule? A shower scalp massage might very well be the best way to go in the long run, since it can fit into your daily schedule, enabling you to follow through on your goal. While washing your hair, simply take a few moments to massage your scalp, using your finger tips to apply some gentle pressure and move them ever so slightly, then reposition the fingers, continue to massage throughout the scalp as desired. You are probably doing this already when you wash your hair. Now that you are aware of this method you can pay extra attention to really massaging your scalp.

Why this works:

Massage stimulates and invigorates the hair follicles; this brings oxygen and nutrients to the follicle which stimulates growth. This method might be the best one for you since you can use it whenever you shower. By regularly following this method you will be growing longer luxurious hair in no time.

Hair dryers, flat and curling irons use heat to dry or style the hair. This heat causes the hair to become brittle, which leads to split ends. Having split ends leads to needing more frequent trims or haircuts. If you must use a hair dryer then try to dry your hair until it is almost dry, this will cause less damage than drying it until it is completely dry.

Why this works:

Limiting the use of heat will allow the hair to remain healthy, healthy hair will be able to grow longer without the need for extra cutting or trimming. Air drying the hair, if time allows, promotes the best growth.

Shopping for natural hair products can be frustrating. There are so many products to choose from and reading labels and knowing what to look can seem like a daunting task. To make it easier I will point out two harmful ingredients to avoid, these are sulfates and silicone. Sulfates help shampoo to lather, but strip the hair of natural oils which block out needed moisture; this in turn dries out the hair. Silicone only creates the temporary illusion of lustrous hair but sadly blocks out true moisture and also clogs the hair follicles.

Here are two brands that don’t include sulfates and silicone:

Trader Joe's

Organix

Why this works:

As with many of the suggestions this article points out, allowing hair to grow means taking care of hair and making it the healthiest that it can be, thereby avoiding cutting any length off due to damage such as split ends. Natural shampoo and conditioner will enable your hair to become healthier and this will allow your hair to grow longer. The absence of silicone and sulfates will allow the hair to take on its true natural beauty.

Try leaving conditioner on your hair for as long as possible, if you plan to be home one day, you might consider leaving conditioner on your hair. To do this, after bathing and conditioning, rather than rinsing out the conditioner, simply place a plastic bag over your hair and leave it on for a time period ranging between 10 minutes to a couple of hours.

Why this works:

By leaving the conditioner on your hair for a longer period of time, your hair will better absorb the nutrients and the conditioner will penetrate deeper. This will result in more lustrous hair that will not only look better but be ready to grow longer.

It is best to only comb wet hair and only brush dry hair to create a healthy head of hair that will grow longer, faster!

Why this works:

Wet hair is prone to being stretched which causes breakage and split ends, use a wide tooth comb on wet hair instead.

Brushing dry hair helps to distribute the natural oils are created by glands in the scalp; these natural oils help the hair to lock in needed moisture. Brushing hair also stimulates circulation to the hair follicle, a double benefit! Brush your hair each day to promote moisturizing and increased circulation.

If you want a plant to grow healthier and larger, you would fertilize it, if you want your hair to grow healthier and longer you need to give your body the building blocks it needs through diet and supplements necessary to grow healthy hair.

Biotin is touted by many hair dressers as the ‘go to’ pill for increased hair growth. Biotin works not necessarily by increasing growth but rather by supporting the health of hair that is already growing. Biotin strengthens the roots and follicles. Stronger healthy hair will then be able to grow longer.

Food sources of biotin include: leafy green vegetables, peanuts, Swiss chard, raw egg yolks and liver

Omega 3 is an essential nutrient needed by the body, by increasing your omega 3 intake; you will be providing your hair follicle with the building blocks it needs to grow hair more quickly. Omega 3 will not only increase the speed of your hair growth but will also improve the luster of the hair.

Food sources of Omega 3 include walnuts, sardines, salmon, beef, tofu and shrimp.

MSM, which stands for methylsulfonylmethane, is a naturally occurring form of sulfur that is present in food and beneficial to hair growth. When food is heated up a large portion of MSM is destroyed. Taking a supplement will counteract the loss of MSM through cooking. MSM has been found to extend the growth phase of the hair, enabling the hair to grow longer.

Food sources of MSM include milk, seafood, onions, garlic and green vegetables

Silica is a trace mineral which can promote growth of healthy hair by increasing circulation to your scalp which supplies vitamins and minerals. We are born with a large amount of silica that is lost as we age.

Food sources of Silica include unrefined cereals, apples, cherries, almonds, oranges, fish, oats and seeds.

Hair Supplements such as GNC’s Ultra Nourish Hair includes all of the above mentioned supplements as well as others to promote healthier hair and faster hair growth. You could also try Healthy Hair, Skin & Nails by Andrew Lessman.

Hair is mostly made of protein so to grow healthy hair that will be able to grow longer; you need to make sure that your diet includes enough protein.

Sources of protein include: Chicken, eggs, lean red meats, dairy, nuts, seafood, soybeans

The average adult woman’s body is made of 55% water. A well hydrated body will be better able to circulate its blood. The hair follicle relies on healthy circulation to provide it with nutrients to grow hair. Bottom line – make sure you are drinking enough water to allow your hair to grow faster and healthier.

A wholesome balanced diet with give your body the basic building blocks to grow healthy hair. To grow you hair faster you will want to include the following hair growth superfoods:

• Walnuts
• Quinoa
• Fruits such as mangos, strawberries and kiwis
• Chickpeas – biotin
• Almonds
• Dark green vegetables such as spinach and broccoli
• Sweet Potatoes
• Berries

• Protect your hair from the sun’s damaging rays by wearing a hat.
• Don’t towel dry your hair; the rubbing motion can damage the hair shaft.
• Use a silk pillowcase since cotton can cause friction and pull on hair.