Can you make hair grow faster? What actually helps

"How to make hair grow faster" is one of the most searched hair questions, and social media is full of oils, supplements and tricks that promise fast results. The honest answer is that the speed at which each hair grows is largely set by your body. What you can influence is keeping the hair you grow healthy, reducing breakage and dealing with any problem that is causing shedding.

How hair grows

Each hair grows from a follicle in the scalp and passes through a long growing phase, a short transition phase and a resting phase, after which it is shed and a new hair starts ¹. The length of the growing phase largely decides how long your hair can get, and it varies from person to person. Genes, age and hormones all play a part. Read more in the hair growth cycle explained.

Why hair may seem not to grow

If your hair seems stuck at the same length, the cause is often one of these:

• Breakage. Hair grows at the root but breaks at the ends, so length does not build up. Heat styling, bleaching, chemical straightening and rough brushing can weaken the hair shaft ^{2 3}.
• Shedding. Telogen effluvium after illness, stress or rapid weight loss can cause more hairs to fall out than usual for a few months ⁴.
• Pattern hair loss. Over time, follicles may produce thinner, shorter hairs ^{5 6}.
• Nutritional problems. Low iron and very restrictive diets are associated with hair shedding ^{7 8}.

Habits that may help hair look longer and healthier

These steps will not change your genes, but they may reduce damage so you keep more of the length you grow ^{9 10}:

• Be gentle when wet. Wet hair breaks more easily. Pat dry rather than rubbing, and use a wide-toothed comb.
• Reduce heat. Use lower heat settings, let hair air-dry when you can and use heat tools less often.
• Limit chemical treatments. Space out colouring, bleaching, rebonding and perms.
• Avoid tight styles. Constant pulling can lead to traction alopecia ¹¹.
• Use conditioner. It may reduce friction and help hair feel smoother.
• Get regular trims if your ends are split, so splits do not travel up the hair.
• Protect from sun and chlorine with a hat or swim cap.

Eating well

Hair needs energy, protein and a range of vitamins and minerals. A balanced diet supports normal hair growth ^{12 13}. If you have a deficiency, such as low iron, correcting it may help reduce shedding ¹⁴. But if your levels are already normal, there is little evidence that extra supplements make hair grow faster, and some, such as high doses of vitamin A or selenium, may even cause hair loss ^{15 7}. See vitamin deficiencies and hair loss.

Popular tips: what the evidence says

• Biotin. Biotin deficiency is rare, and there is little evidence that biotin helps people who are not deficient. High-dose biotin can also interfere with some blood test results ¹⁶.
• Rosemary oil. One small randomised study compared rosemary oil with 2% minoxidil in pattern hair loss and found similar changes after six months, but the study was small and more research is needed ¹⁷.
• Scalp massage. A small study found standardised daily scalp massage was associated with increased hair thickness, but the evidence is limited ¹⁸.
• Coconut oil. Coconut oil applied before washing may help reduce protein loss from hair, which may help with damage rather than growth ¹⁹.
• Onion juice, rice water and other home remedies. Evidence is limited or lacking. Some remedies can irritate the scalp ^{20 21}.
• Cutting hair often makes it grow faster. This is a myth. Trimming removes split ends but does not change the rate of growth at the root.

When it is not just slow growth

If you notice more shedding than usual, a widening parting, a receding hairline or bald patches, the issue may be hair loss rather than slow growth. In that case, treatments such as minoxidil may be discussed with a doctor or pharmacist, and some people explore hair growth serums. See a doctor if hair loss is sudden, patchy or comes with other symptoms ²².

The bottom line

You cannot dramatically speed up how fast hair grows, but gentle care, a balanced diet and treating any underlying cause may help you keep healthier, longer hair. Be cautious of products that promise fast or dramatic results.

Frequently asked questions

Can you make hair grow faster?

Not dramatically. The growth rate is largely set by your body, but reducing breakage, eating well and treating any underlying cause may help you keep more length ⁹.

Does cutting hair make it grow faster?

No. Trimming removes split ends but does not change how fast hair grows at the root.

Does biotin make hair grow faster?

There is little evidence that biotin helps people who are not deficient, and high doses can interfere with some blood tests ¹⁶.

Does rosemary oil help hair growth?

One small study suggested rosemary oil may have similar effects to 2% minoxidil in pattern hair loss, but more research is needed ¹⁷.

Educational content. Not medical advice.