If you’re eager to see faster hair growth, you’re not alone—by age 50, nearly 40% of women and 85% of men experience noticeable hair thinning. While hair typically grows only about half an inch each month, factors like stress, poor nutrition, and hormone fluctuations can slow this down even more!
Losing 50-100 hairs daily is normal, but if you’re noticing more, it might be time to focus on better growth practices. Boosting hair growth naturally can start with small changes to your daily routine, such as focusing on scalp health, managing stress, and nourishing your hair from within with the right vitamins and minerals.
Growing healthier, thicker hair isn’t just about genetics—simple habits can go a long way in encouraging stronger, faster growth. And these are the practices and tips we intend to list below to grow faster, thicker, and healthier hair!
How can I grow hair faster naturally?
1. Scalp massages
- How-to: Use your fingertips to gently massage your scalp in circular motions for 5–10 minutes each day. You can enhance the effect by adding essential oils, like lavender or peppermint, diluted in a carrier oil.
- How it helps: Scalp massages increase blood flow to hair follicles, bringing essential nutrients to promote growth and thickness. Studies show improved circulation may stimulate hair follicles, leading to faster growth over time. Massaging also reduces stress—a factor known to impact hair loss.
2. Apply rosemary oil
- How-to: Mix a few drops of rosemary essential oil with a carrier oil (like coconut or jojoba), and massage it into your scalp. Leave it on for at least an hour, then rinse.
- How it helps: Rosemary oil is known to boost scalp circulation and has shown results comparable to hair growth treatments like minoxidil. It contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, which support hair strength, help reduce dandruff, and improve overall scalp health.
3. Maintain a protein-rich diet
- How-to: Incorporate protein sources like eggs, fish, nuts, and lentils into your diet. Aim for at least one protein-rich meal each day.
- How it helps: Hair is primarily made of keratin, a type of protein. Consuming adequate protein helps repair and strengthen the hair shaft, preventing breakage and supporting new hair growth. Amino acids in protein-rich foods provide building blocks necessary for hair health, so more protein often leads to faster growth. If vegetables are your source of protein, learn how to grow a healthy vegetable garden.
4. Reduce heat styling
- How-to: Limit hot tools like hair dryers, curling irons, and straighteners. If you must use them, apply a heat protectant spray and set tools to the lowest heat setting.
- How it helps: Heat damages the cuticle, leading to dryness and breakage. Minimizing heat styling preserves moisture and natural oils that are essential for healthy hair growth, allowing your hair to reach its full growth potential without splitting or thinning.
5. Use aloe vera gel
- How-to: Apply fresh aloe vera gel directly to your scalp, leave it on for 30 minutes, and then rinse.
- How it helps: Aloe vera is soothing and moisturizing, which helps to balance scalp pH and reduce dandruff. Its proteolytic enzymes repair dead skin cells on the scalp, which creates an optimal environment for new hair growth. Its hydration also combats dryness, reducing hair breakage and encouraging healthier growth.
6. Avoid tight hairstyles
- How-to: Choose loose hairstyles or braids that don’t pull on your scalp. If you need to tie your hair back, use soft hair ties and avoid wearing tight ponytails.
- How it helps: Tight hairstyles, such as high ponytails and braids, can weaken hair strands and damage follicles, leading to hair loss over time. Switching to looser styles minimizes tension on the hair and scalp, preserving the integrity of your strands and promoting long-term growth.
7. Hydrate and moisturize
- How-to: Deep-condition weekly, use leave-in conditioners, and apply oils like argan or coconut oil to keep your hair hydrated.
- How it helps: Hydration prevents hair from becoming brittle and breaking. Well-moisturized hair retains length, while deep conditioning strengthens the hair shaft, reducing split ends and allowing it to grow longer without damage.
8. Take collagen and biotin supplements
- How-to: After consulting with a healthcare provider, consider adding biotin or collagen to your routine.
- How it helps: Biotin and collagen are known for supporting hair structure. Collagen strengthens hair at the roots, while biotin helps create keratin, enhancing hair’s strength, elasticity, and growth. Together, they promote longer, thicker hair.
9. Wear protective styles
- How-to: Opt for styles like twists, braids, or low buns to shield hair from breakage.
- How it helps: Protective styles reduce daily handling and environmental exposure, which can weaken hair. By minimizing physical stress on the hair, these styles help retain length and create an ideal environment for growth.
10. Limit washing frequency
- How-to: Wash your hair 2–3 times per week to retain natural oils, using a mild, sulfate-free shampoo.
- How it helps: Over-washing can strip hair of natural oils, leading to dryness and breakage. Washing less frequently preserves scalp oils that nourish and protect hair, making it more resilient and able to grow longer without becoming brittle.
These tips, highly recommended by both Reddit communities and health experts, help create a healthier environment to grow hair faster naturally, without harsh chemicals or expensive treatments.
5 easy tips to grow hair thicker at home
1. Yogurt and honey mask
- How to: Mix two tablespoons of plain yogurt with one tablespoon of honey. Apply the mixture from roots to ends, leave it on for 20-30 minutes, then rinse with cool water. Repeat weekly.
- How it helps: Yogurt provides protein to strengthen hair, while honey’s natural humectant properties lock in moisture, adding thickness and resilience over time.
2. Green tea rinse
- How-to: Brew green tea and let it cool. After shampooing, pour the tea over your hair, letting it sit for a few minutes before rinsing with cool water. Use weekly for best results.
- How it helps: Green tea’s antioxidants reduce scalp inflammation and support follicle health, encouraging thicker, healthier hair strands.
3. Banana and carrot mask
- How-to: Blend a ripe banana with two tablespoons of carrot juice to form a smooth paste. Apply it evenly through your hair, leave for 15-20 minutes, then rinse. Use biweekly.
- How it helps: Bananas provide potassium and natural oils that condition hair, while carrot juice’s beta-carotene promotes stronger, thicker hair growth.
4. Scalp protection from the sun
- How-to: When spending extended time outdoors, wear a hat, scarf, or use a hair product with SPF to shield your scalp and hair from UV rays.
- How it helps: Sun exposure can weaken hair’s protein bonds and cause thinning. Regular protection keeps hair fibers stronger and fuller over time.
5. Reduce stress
- How-to: Incorporate stress-reducing practices like meditation, exercise, or even short breaks during your day to manage cortisol levels.
- How it helps: Chronic stress can disrupt the hair growth cycle, leading to thinning and shedding. Reducing stress supports a healthy hair cycle, aiding in thicker, fuller hair.
Incorporating these natural tips into your routine can significantly help grow hair faster, reduce hair fall, and maintain overall hair health. Regularly using nourishing masks and rinses provides essential vitamins and minerals, strengthening each strand from root to tip.
Additionally, protecting your scalp from environmental stressors and managing stress levels can create a healthier environment for hair growth.
With commitment and care, these simple yet effective practices can lead to visibly thicker and healthier hair over time, empowering you to embrace your natural beauty!
