Do you want to quickly grow out a bad cut or grow your hair from short to long? These six tips will make it quicker
Everyone knows this: the visit to the hairdresser went mediocre, and as soon as you leave, you pull out your phone to Google how you can accelerate hair growth. But can that actually work? We asked experts. So it’s good that you ended up here.
How fast does hair grow?
On average, about 1 to 1.5 centimeters per month on the head—that’s 12 to 18 centimeters per year. If you’re now thinking, “One and a half centimeters a month—that would be nice!” then you’re not alone. After all, we are talking about an average here. This means that for some people, their hair grows even faster, and for others, it grows a little slower. There is no reason to worry.
My hair is growing slowly; why?
If you feel like your hair is growing in slo-mo, it could be due to a variety of reasons. How quickly the strands sprout in each individual is mainly determined by genes. “Stress is often the cause—for example, due to work or illness and strong medication,” says Julia Dieck, master hairdresser and owner of the Nova Hairstudio salon in Hamburg.
“During periods of stress, the body switches to ’emergency supply’ and primarily supplies the vital organs with vitamins and minerals—the scalp and hair are now the least of its worries.” Speaking of nutrients, deficiencies can also be to blame for poor growth. You can find the 10 best tips against stress here.
How can I speed up hair growth?
Good news for men with slow-growing hair: With the right tips and tricks, you can actually support your hair’s growth immensely. And as follows:
1: First, change your diet so that your hair grows better
A healthy diet plays an important role in how quickly your hair grows. White flour and refined sugar can cause inflammation around the hair roots. As a result, the hair doesn’t grow back at all or only grows very thinly. Other foods support growth. According to dermatologist and hair specialist Dr. Christian Merkel from the Skin and Laser Center at the Opera in Munich:
- Nuts are rich in growth-promoting omega-3 fatty acids, copper, and biotin.
- Avocados contain vitamins B, C, and E in addition to folic acid and good fatty acids.
- Fish contains a lot of iron, omega-3 fatty acids, and essential proteins.
Do you feel like your hair is not only growing slowly but also less and less? Then you should also take a close look at your menu. These are the best foods for hair loss
2: Start using hair growth supplements now
“If, despite all of our tips, the hair does not grow as quickly as desired, we recommend visiting a specialized dermatologist,” says Dr. Merkel. “Through a professional analysis of the blood, deficiencies can be identified and specifically treated.” Dietary supplements are recommended for this. “The vitamins and minerals in dietary supplements help to provide the body with everything it needs for optimal hair growth,” explains Lückemann. However, you should keep in mind that hair supplements can only work if there is a deficiency and can in no way replace a healthy diet.
3: Be extra gentle on your scalp
“Hair is like plants; they only grow on good breeding grounds,” says Lückemann. So, treat your scalp well and keep it healthy. Therefore, get into the habit of shampooing your hair with caution when washing and rinsing out any remaining shampoo well with lukewarm water. Then don’t rub your hair too hard with the towel, but rather “press” it dry.
Tip: Microfiber towels like these from Blumtal are very absorbent and gentler on the hair and scalp than coarse terrycloth towels. Then only blow dry your hair lukewarm, as heat stresses the scalp. And the more stressed it is, the worse the growing conditions. By the way: This can also speed up your beard growth
4: Pay close attention to the ingredients in your shampoo
If you want your hair to grow faster and fuller, you should care for it accordingly. It’s best to choose hair care products that offer the hair roots an optimal mix of nutrients and at the same time invigorate them, for example, shampoo with caffeine or mint extracts.
Our tip: Schwarzkopf Men Growth Factor Shampoo with Arginine, which activates hair growth. You can find more products that help your business grow in our overview: The best hair care products to support hair growth
5: Boost your blood circulation
“Good blood circulation is crucial for healthy hair growth,” says Dr. Merkel. “Only then will the hair roots be optimally supplied with nutrients.” For example, start doing endurance exercises so that your blood vessels dilate. “Massaging the scalp can also help,” says Dr. Merkel. And stop smoking. Easier said than done? This is how you can quit smoking.
6: Give up your bad habits
Manual stress can prevent hair from growing quickly and optimally. Those wearing hats and helmets should be careful not to pull their hair unnecessarily when putting them on or taking them off. It’s also really bad if you often pull your hair out with your hands out of habit. If the hair root is constantly irritated, it reacts irritably and reduces its productivity.
Are there products that stimulate hair growth?
Yes, many products entice you to buy them with the promise of stimulating hair growth. The latest and most promising product comes from Panthrix. This hair growth activator is based on stem cell research and is composed of the molecule complex Redensyl, as well as caffeine and keratin. If used daily, you can expect the first visible results after around 6–10 weeks. However, you should expect that so-called “shedding” will occur. This describes short-term, severe, but positive hair loss and is a sign that the treatment is working. Hair with a short lifespan falls out, making way for thicker, longer-lasting hair.
From proper hair care to exercise and nutrition: You now know that you can optimize your hair growth in many ways. A bad haircut is quickly history. By the way: If you want to grow your hair from short to long, you will find the perfect step-by-step hairstyle guide here so that you can look perfectly coiffed even in the transitional period.
