How to Grow Hair Faster: 15 Tips for Longer, Healthier Hair

Her Pure BioGen Complex Deep Conditioner can be used as a regular conditioner or a 10-minute mask, infusing hair with vitamins, collagen, and biotin. Pattern’s Leave-In Conditioner is also the perfect option for curls and tight textures, sealing in moisture with a blend of lightweight oils and honey.

Pattern Leave-In Conditioner

7. Swap out your bath towel for something snag-free.

Once you’re out of the shower, your hair is in its most fragile state. Avoid breakage by using towels that won’t snag and pull. “The best towels to use for drying the hair are non-terry-cloth towels,” says Yates. “The absence of the tight loops prevent that excess pulling, which is not good for hair health.” She suggests using an old cotton T-shirt instead, which provides a smooth surface for hair to glide over without getting caught. Another option is the Aquis Lisse Luxe Hair Turban, which features moisture-absorbing channels in the place of loops, encouraging the hair cuticle to lay flat and dry faster.

Aquis Lisse Luxe Hair Turban

8. Minimize heat damage.

Growing your hair out doesn’t mean swearing off hot tools entirely, but minimizing heat damage significantly cuts down on dryness and split ends. “I recommend Ghd hot tools because of their universal heat setting, which styles your hair without blowing out the cuticle and contributing to heat damage,” says Marjan. Rivera also recommends lines like By Gina with infrared smart technology, which locks moisture into the hair shaft. In general, keep your blow-dryers, flat irons, and curling wands on lower heat settings when possible to prevent scorching the hair. (And always pair them with a heat protectant.)

Ghd Platinum Professional Styler

9. Brush your hair—carefully.

Brushing your hair does more than detangle it; it also releases dead cells, improves scalp circulation, and distributes oil throughout your hair shaft. Shamban often recommends that her clients with irritated scalps incorporate this step by using a bristle brush daily. Remember that hair is especially fragile out of the shower, so it’s best to do this step once your hair isn’t sopping wet. “Make sure you brush gently and use a non-damaging brush that won’t pull or snag hair,” says Marjan. “I like The Wet Brush Original Detangler because of their bristles that glide seamlessly without any pain. Start on the ends and gently work upwards.”

Check out our guide on how to brush your hair the right way.

Wet Brush Pro Paddle Purist Blue Detangler

10. Invest in a silk pillowcase.

“Silk pillowcases are probably the easiest change you can make that reaps the biggest reward,” says Marjan. When you sleep on cotton pillowcases, the fabric can pull moisture from your hair overnight and cause friction that leads to dryness and pulling. “Sleeping on silk not only extends the life of your hairstyle, but also keeps hair healthier,” says Marjan. These colorful cases from Branché keep their soft but substantial finish no matter how many times you wash them, but you should also take a look at our breakdown of the best silk pillowcases worth your money.

Branché Charmeuse Silk Pillowcase

11. Gua sha your scalp.

If you’ve tried gua sha on your face, the same technique can be applied to your scalp to stimulate hair follicles. “This is a great pre-shampoo treatment and can be done with an oil on your scalp,” says Marjan, who recommends either castor or tea tree oil. “Castor oil has an essential fatty acid that nourishes your scalp and prevents hair from falling, resulting in thicker, healthier hair,” she says. Tea tree oil is an ideal option if you want a cooling, stimulating effect. Pair them both with Snowfox’s Black Obsidian Gua Sha stone and its four massage touch points.

Snowfox Black Obsidian Hot Stone Gua Sha

12. Use low-pressure hair ties.

Just like cotton pillowcases, elastics can also pull on your hair if you’re not careful. “Constant pulling will result in permanent follicle damage and prevent the follicles from operating normally,” says Yates. “If you like to wear your hair in tight ponytail, try one a bit lower, towards the nape of your neck, to limit strain.” Also consider swapping out your regular elastics for silk scrunchies or hair ties that distribute pressure more evenly, like the Invisibobble.

Invisibobble Traceless Hair Ring

13. Take biotin, iodine, and zinc supplements.

Topicals are effective at maintaining hair health to an extent, but supplements are another smart way to get your nutrients in. There’s no miracle pill that will suddenly speed up hair growth, but certain ingredients can assist in the process. Shamban frequently recommends biotin to her patients, which works as well internally as it does topically. Nutritionist Jessica Sepel, founder of JSHealth Vitamins, likes kelp-sourced iodine and zinc, which are featured in her Hair + Energy vitamins. “Iodine has promising research to enhance hair health and growth, and zinc can help maintain it,” she says.

JSHealth Hair + Energy Formula

14. Eat foods rich in iron, protein, and healthy fats.

Sepel also recommends paying attention to your regular diet, where you get the bulk of your growth-boosting ingredients. “Incorporate a variety of nutrients to promote healthier hair,” she says. At the top of her list are iron- and protein-rich foods like red meat, spinach, legumes, tempeh, tofu, poultry, fish, and eggs. The healthy fats found in salmon, avocado, and nuts can also help promote shinier, stronger hair.

15. Reduce stress.

Shamban says that stress and hormonal shifts are the main factors behind hair loss and thinning in women. “When you are unhealthy, the energy to support scalp and hair health will be diverted to other parts of your body,” says Yates. “Solely relying on topical treatments in these cases will not help with scalp health.”

This one’s admittedly easier said than done, but whether reducing stress involves plugging in an essential oil diffuser or having a longer conversation with your doctor, it’s an important final step. “A happy scalp grows healthy hair,” says Shamban.

Sarah Wu is a writer in Berlin. Follow her on Instagram @say.wu.