Historically, hair growth symbolized physical strength and virility. It is said that the virtues of a person are concentrated in hair and nails. Lusciously long hair has been a symbol of instinct, female seduction, and physical attraction for centuries. And who doesn’t love flipping and twirling their hair? Remember hearing that you should cut your hair to make it grow faster? So that’s not true at all and probably was first said by a hairstylist trying to drum up business. Okay, trimming your hair will make your hair healthier. Cutting your ends to keep hair from splitting will indeed keep your hair healthy, but no, it will not stimulate hair growth. Your hair grows around 0.5 inches per month, and how fast it grows depends on factors like age, health, genetics, and diet.

Below you’ll see some ideas to try to help your own hair grow faster naturally. Anything that sounds too good to be true will inevitably just disappoint you. Buyer beware.

1. Diet For Hair Growth

What you eat will have a huge effect on the health of your body including your hair. This means eating right with a diet that includes healthy fats and proteins. Try to add fish, avocado, nuts, and legumes whenever possible. Eating a balanced diet with the right nutrients can help promote hair growth, especially if you’re experiencing hair loss due to poor nutrition. A lack of the right nutrients including vitamins A, C, D and E, zinc, B vitamins, iron, biotin, protein, and essential fatty acids may slow down hair growth or even cause hair loss. Fortunately, correcting a deficiency in any of these nutrients may help treat hair loss and promote the rate of hair growth.

2. Vitamin Intake For Hair Growth

Most of us are vitamin deficient even though we try so hard to eat well. There are studies that link hair loss to a low level of biotin. The vitamins such as biotin, C, and B3 are known to support hair growth, as are A, D, and E. The increase in these vitamins will also help nails and skin, added benefit. Just know that the supplements are great but only if you’re deficient in them. Otherwise, your body just uses what it needs and gets rid of the rest.

3. Castor Oil For Hair Growth

Hair growth with castor oil.

Castor oil has been used to lengthen hair for centuries. This natural treatment is touted for its effectiveness on both your tresses and eyelashes. Although too much of a good thing is not so good. You really don’t want to use a castor oil treatment more than once or twice a week as it can cause an oil buildup.

There is some concern that using castor oil as a hair treatment could lead acute hair felting. Since the only real solution for felted hair is cutting it, this concern is valid. 

Castor oil works well but it’s heavy and doesn’t smell so nice, many people will dilute it with other plant–derived oils like jojoba or coconut. Once applied to your scalp and hair, allow the oil to sit for an hour or so, then cover with a shower cap to prevent dripping. Complete the process by washing your hair as you would normally. 

4. Hair Extensions For Hair Growth

Yes, I know that hair extensions won’t actually make your hair grow at all but it’s a great way to have longer, fuller hair while you are waiting for your own hair to grow out naturally permanent hair extensions can be used for a lifetime and not cause damage if the correct products and methods are used. Basically if you are taking care of them and having them professionally done your tape-in or glue-in extensions can last up to 6 weeks.

Once they’ve grown out you will want to have your extensions refitted to avoid pulling on your own hair and causing breakage.

5. Scalp Massage For Hair Growth

Hair growth via scalp massage.

Scalp massages can be done on wet or dry hair, with or without product. And, you don’t need to be a pro to reap the benefits of massage . As long as you apply firm pressure using the pads of your fingers, your scalp will be happy and healthy. There are actually many products on the market to assist in the massage from silicone scalp brushes to rubber tipped wire massagers.

Scalp massages are also very stress relieving so there is a dual purpose. As long as the follicle is alive and intact there is every possibility to incite hair growth. If however, the follicle has closed or is scarred and not generated a new hair for quite a while, your massage will be stress relieving but will not stimulate growth.

6. Rogaine For Hair Growth

Although scientists aren’t quite certain how it works other than by improving blood flow to the area it’s applied. When applied to the scalp, it can improve the supply of blood and nutrients to hair follicles improving density and increasing the rate of growth. Patients with androgenic alopecia regardless of gender can benefit from its use. It’s easy to buy as it is an over the counter product and is also available in generic forms.

7. Silk Pillowcase For Hair Growth

Many people swear by silk pillowcases. The claim that it will help your hair to grow is a false claim. It will however, help keep the hair you do have from breaking as  easily. The very soft cotton pillowcase is nice but it causes friction with your hair thus making your hair more susceptible to breakage and split ends. An added benefit to using the silk pillowcase is that it helps to prevent wrinkles and acne on your face. This is because it keeps skin hydrated and regulates body heat. Additionally, for those with allergies, silk pillowcases have a natural resistance to dust mites.

8. Saw Palmetto Extract For Hair Growth

Saw Palmetto for hair growth.

Studies show that regular Saw Palmetto extract intake can help strengthen hair, and may even promote hair regrowth in men and women, for thicker hair. A common herbal treatment for hair loss, Saw Palmetto will slow hair loss. Saw Palmetto berries can also act as a natural supplement to help reduce acne and prevent its spread. In whole berry, capsule, soft gel, liquid extraction, or tablet form, Saw Palmetto should be taken in doses of around 320 mg per day. This natural species of palm, native to the southeastern part of the United States has many other health benefits including supporting prostate health and bladder infections.

9. No Poo For Hair Growth

The theory is that by washing hair with a gentle alternative to shampoo, like baking soda and apple cider vinegar or even plain water, you’ll achieve clean hair without the damage or dependency of daily shampooing and their additives. The No Poo method also will not make hair grow at all, but is a natural way to make the hair you do have healthier. Even the natural fixes are not a one size fits all. Baking soda is great for removing oil but is more alkaline than most shampoos on the market. And apple cider vinegar is great but undiluted on color treated or brittle hair will usually cause breakage.

10. Rice Water For Hair Growth

Rice Water for hair growth.

One of Asia’s best-kept beauty secrets is the use of Rice Water. In every possible way, rice water is great for your hair. It is safe, natural, and has absolutely no side effects. It improves the condition of your hair in a healthy manner. Plain Rice Water’s pH is higher than your hair’s pH. Fermentation brings down the pH levels of the Rice Water to that of your hair and helps close the cuticles, thereby protecting the hair.

Fermenting rice water enhances the existing vitamins and nutrients levels in it, which nourish your hair follicles. It promotes healthy hair and improves the overall condition of your existing hair. Also, during fermentation, a substance called pitera forms in the Rice Water, and it is rich in vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and organic acids. Pitera is known to promote cell regeneration and keep your skin and hair healthy.

Fermented Rice Water is acidic, and when you rinse your hair with it, it restores and balances the pH of your hair. Fermented Rice Water enhances the benefits of plain Rice Water, and you can use either of them depending on the level of repair and rejuvenation you need.

Conclusion

There are many natural ways to achieve a healthier look for your hair with knowledge and care. But there are really very few ways to stimulate hair’s regrowth, if at all. There is a great deal of hyped products on the market with their claims to regrow hair…and no real statistics to back the claims. As with just about everything with our body, eating a well-balanced diet rich in healthy fats and proteins is key.