How to make your hair grow faster

If you're growing your hair out, it can be hard to wait for it to get long enough. And if you've got a short pixie cut and want something different, your best bet is to let your hair grow as long as possible before deciding on the next cut. But there's one thing that can speed up the process of growing out your style: using the right products. Of course, sometimes our favorite shampoos and conditioners simply aren't doing the trick—and that's when we need to take matters into our own hands (or rather, hair).

From changing your diet and sleeping routine to practical tips on what not to do when styling your hair, this article is full of very useful information to promote healthy hair and help you grow it faster. There are tons of ways to make your hair grow faster than usual, including some tips backed by the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). Some of these tips are more reliable than others but all have their place in any routine if you're trying to grow out your style quickly!

Eat the right foods.

• Eat the right foods. You want to focus on eating whole, natural foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals. These can help support your hair health, including:
• Eggs
• Nuts and seeds (such as almonds, and walnuts)
• Legumes (such as beans)
• Leafy greens (like spinach)
• Fish

Eat protein & Biotin-rich foods.

It's a bit of a myth that eating foods rich in protein will help your hair grow faster. The truth is, it may make your hair look healthier and more voluminous, but there's no evidence that it'll actually grow faster.

However! If you're not getting enough protein—and most people aren't—then the lack of this nutrient can cause serious problems for your scalp and follicles. "Your body needs protein for healthy skin, hair, and nails," says registered dietitian Keri Glassman, author of The New You (and Improved!) Diet Book ($12; Amazon). "Protein is essential to building muscle mass as well as maintaining strong bones."

What's more: A study published in 2014 found that consuming high amounts of Biotin (a vitamin found in egg yolks, whole grains, and liver) could help increase the rate at which new hairs grow after being cut off or shaved off during chemo treatments.

Boost your nutrient profile.

There are many nutrients that help hair grow faster, but you can start with these:

• Green vegetables like broccoli, spinach, and kale.
• Fish like salmon and tuna.
• Nuts like cashews and almonds.
• Seeds such as flax seeds or chia seeds.
• Berries like strawberries and blueberries. -Legumes such as chickpeas (garbanzo beans) and lentils are an excellent source of protein for hair growth - especially when combined with other sources of iron in your diet.

Manage stress levels.

Stress, in addition to being bad for your mental health, can also be extremely detrimental to the health of your hair. Stress can cause hair loss, breakage, and brittle hair. It can also make your mane appear thin and dull - both of which are not great looks! To keep stress at bay:

• Don't worry about the things you cannot control. If it's out of your hands, let it go!
• Focus on what makes you happy. Try meditating or practicing yoga – these activities will help clear your mind and promote relaxation (and faster-growing locks!).

Sleep right.

Sleeping is a crucial part of the hair growth process, so getting the right amount of it (and the kind that will help your hair grow) is important. Women need more sleep than men, so if you're seeing signs that your body needs more rest, listen to it!

To get the most out of your nightly hours in bed:

• Try to avoid sleeping pills. While they can be useful for short-term use and temporary relief from pain or insomnia, they don't actually improve the quality or length of sleep. If possible, try some other methods before reaching for a pill bottle.
• Improve your environment by keeping lights dimmed at night, avoiding loud noises outside and inside as well as any major distractions like TV/computer screens (they emit blue light which interferes with our circadian rhythms), etc...

Avoid brushing wet hair.

• Avoid brushing wet hair. You may think it's a good idea to get a head start on detangling your hair, but doing so can cause breakage. Brushing while wet can also remove natural oils from the scalp, which makes your locks more prone to frizz and damage. If you must brush before styling, do so gently with a wide-tooth comb or paddle brush instead of the harsh bristles of an ordinary comb or brush.
• Use conditioner at least once per week for healthier strands that grow faster and longer.*

Get frequent trims.

Trimming your hair on a regular basis can promote hair growth because it removes split ends. If you want your hair to grow, you'll need to keep up with trimming.

Split ends are the little snags that appear at the top of each strand of hair when they break or fray; they're usually caused by heat tools like blow dryers and flat irons. Split ends make a person's hair look unhealthy and brittle, so if you tend to use heat on yours often, you might want to get frequent trims just for this reason alone!

But there's more—trimming also helps remove dead ends from your strands so that they're healthy again (especially if those dead ends are really tiny). And this means that as soon as those split ends are gone, new growth can start forming right away!

Rinse with cold water.

Cold water rinses are a great way to make your hair grow faster, stronger and healthier. Cold water helps close the hair cuticle, which makes it appear shinier and thicker. Rinsing with cold water also helps seal the hair shaft and can prevent split ends from forming. It's even rumored that washing your hair with cold water can help prevent dandruff!

Washing your hair with cold water will not only keep it looking shiny and healthy but it can also help prevent hair loss by stimulating blood flow to the scalp (some people claim that this is why they see an increase in growth rate when they use this method).

Avoid chemical treatments.

Do not use hair products with chemicals, especially those that are sulfate-based. Instead, choose to use all-natural products like apple cider vinegar or tea tree oil. Avoid using heat tools such as flat irons and curling irons too often as they can damage your hair and cause it to break off.

If you want to speed up your hair growth rate, avoid chemical treatments such as dyeing or bleaching—these will only cause more damage to your already fragile strands. You'll also want to stay away from alcohol-based shampoos and conditioners; instead opt for natural alternatives like coconut oil .

Avoid heat styling

The heat from blow drying, curling, or flat ironing your hair can damage the cuticles of each strand and make it more prone to breakage. If you must use heat on your tresses, apply a leave-in product like the Keratin Complex Heat Protectant Serum ($24) before styling. The formula works as a barrier between your strands and the heat source, so it won't burn up as easily.

If you're in need of a deep conditioning treatment that will hydrate and strengthen your locks after all that styling abuse, try using an overnight hair mask like Nativa Organic Botanicals Restorative Hair Mask ($12). Just apply this natural product after shampooing and leave it in overnight for maximum hydration.

Conclusion

We hope you found this article helpful and that it gave you some insight into how to make your hair grow faster. If you have any other tips or tricks for growing out your locks, please feel free to share them in the comments below!