How to Grow Long Hair—Fast
Fret not—there are ways to make your hair grow faster (Photo: Patric Shaw/Trunk Archive)
Forget Prince Charming—I want Rapunzel’s hair without having to rely on wigs, hair extensions, and clip-ins. To find out how to grow thick, gorgeous hair naturally, I turned to Dr. Dendy Engelman, Associate at Manhattan Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery. According to Dr. Engelman, there are multiple supplements, products and foods that encourage manes to manifest from short to long, thin to full. Even better, you’ll see results in just a few weeks.
Here are 6 ways to get your hair growing:
1. Eat the right foods
It turns out there are actually certain foods that can help speed hair growth. “Eggs, soy, whole grains and liver are all good for hair growth because they are rich in Biotin,” says Engelman. “Liver contains the most biotin, but eggs are a more palatable option.” Other foods that are great for hair growth are salmon, mackerel, sardines, tuna and carrots.
2. Take supplements
Vitamins aren’t just for heart, bone and cell health, they can help hair grow fuller and faster. Try taking three softgels daily of Nature’s Bounty Optimal Solutions Extra Strength Hair, Skin & Nails ($16.49) for 30 days. Besides 5,000 mcg of Biotin, an important B Vitamin that supports skin and hair health, the supplement includes argan oil and hyaluronic acid, to promote healthy, lustrous, hair. For significant increase in hair growth, try two daily tablets of Viviscal Extra Strength ($49.99/month). It contains Biotin, Zinc and Vitamin C and amino acids. The supplement increases hair thickness, which can occur in as little as two weeks.
3. Rub Your Scalp
“Massaging your scalp just 30-60 seconds per day, helps to increase hair growth as it increases blood flow to the follicle,” says Dr. Engelman. Massaging anytime throughout the day is fine, she says, but if you do so while shampooing, make sure that it’s at least 60 seconds worth of stimulation. “Wet hair is better than dry because it lowers the amount of friction.”
4. Shampoo your way to longer locks
If you’re going to clean your hair anyway, you might as well pull double duty and make it grow. Try Sebamed Scalp Activating Shampoo ($14.99) The cleansing formula not only eliminates extra oil from scalp and hair, and lessens progressive hair loss, but caffeine and a NHE complex (which comes from Vitamin B) encourages natural scalp circulation. Additionally, a natural extract of the Asian ginkgo tree nourishes and strengthens the hair follicles. Growth and density results can be seen within six months.
5. Try a hair growth serum
Kérastase Densifique Minoxidil Hair Regrowth Treatment ($32) can be massaged into your scalp twice a day. The solution penetrates the scalp to revitalize hair follicles, promoting regrowth over the course of four months.
6. Repair your hair
Alterna Haircare Caviar Repairx Lengthening Hair & Scalp Elixir ($38) features caviar extract and Vitamin C smooth hair while a blend of marine botanicals repair damaged strands. The blend of proteins combat frizz control. Initial results can be seen within 14 days, and with less breakage to boot.
Related:
