Beauty

6 Natural Ways to Speed Up Hair Growth

Want to have long, luscious locs? Here are 5 ways to grow hair faster, from DIY masks to simple tips and product swaps.

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Photography by Erika Long for L'OFFICIEL Winter 2022.

Whether tied up in a sleek ponytail or messy bun, in boho braids, or even left natural, the versatility that comes with long locks lets you change your look with ease. Unfortunately, as hair grows about half an inch per month on average, getting the length you crave also requires a bit of maintenance and a lot of patience.

Whether you're struggling with brittle ends, thinning all over, or had a hairstylist that was a little too happy with the scissors, here are five natural ways to speed up hair growth for long, healthy hair.

Have Regular Trims

It's no secret that in order for hair to grow faster, it must first be cut. This may seem paradoxical, but delaying a trip to the hairstylist will result in brittle split ends that grow less quickly. Shedding the dead weight allows hair to regain its health and strength, allowing it to grow faster.

"Essentially the ends of our hair can communicate with our hair follicles, and if the ends are not in good condition, the hair will slow down its production," says celebrity hairstylist and hair expert Christiaan van Bremen.  "Whereas if the ends are fresh and healthy, the hair follicles know to keep producing [more hair] so it's just going to keep your hair growing more if you get trimmed on a more routine basis."

Get into the habit of getting a trim every 8-12 weeks. The more regularly you trim split ends, the less will need to be cut each time, as hair will be less damaged.  

Zendaya looking at the camera.

Fuel Growth from Within

We've said it before and we'll say it again: a healthy and balanced diet is necessary for beautiful skin and healthy hair. To promote their regrowth, we mainly turn to foods rich in iron, zinc, proteins, vitamins, and essential fatty acids such as legumes, green vegetables, eggs, seeds, nuts, and fish oil. A good tip to borrow from your grandmother is to supplement your meals with brewer's yeast or nutritional yeast, which are rich in vitamins B1, B5, B8, B9, and trace elements and minerals. 

Scrub the Scalp

Like the skin on the face, the scalp needs to be rid of particles of pollution, excess sebum, dead cells, dandruff, and product buildup to regenerate. Once per week, add a scalp scrub to your shower routine to remove impurities and eliminate excess hair products. You can make your own using coarse salt or raw sugar mixed with olive or coconut oil. Apply to the roots and massage with fingertips in circular movements for a few minutes before shampooing. At the end of a shower, finish by rinsing the hair with cold water, which helps close the cuticles and results in shinier, more moisturized locks.

A model in a sequined top.
Christian Cowan Fall/Winter 2023.

Reduce Washes and Brush More Frequently

While the suggestion sounds odd, it may be in your best interest to cut down on the number of times you wash your hair per week. 


"Having a healthy scalp means healthy hair," says van Bremen. "One thing I suggest to clients is cutting down on the number of times per week they shampoo. Essentially, if we shampoo our hair too frequently, We're stripping our hair and our scalp of oils that are healthy and beneficial to the scalp. When the hair gets overly stripped, it drys out." 


Van Bremen goes on to explain that our hair drying out can stop it from growing healthily and properly, and over-dryness can cause an opposite effect where hair can start to produce an excess of oil to make up for the oils it's being stripped of. He recommends cutting down the number of times you shampoo per week and staying away from daily washes, depending on your hair type; this can range from three to four washes a week for slicker and straighter hair to three to four washes a month for coarser and curlier hair. He also recommends thoroughly brushing your hair with a boar bristle brush, from the scalp down to the ends of the hair. When you do this, you are essentially encouraging your natural hair oils from the scalp to travel their way through the length of the hair. Van Bremen recommends giving your hair two weeks to adjust to a new wash schedule. 


"I tell clients to commit to a two-week cycle of cutting down on shampooing and brushing daily," says van Bremen. "I have clients that used to be daily washers that started brushing more and lessening their shampoo days. Two weeks go by, the body starts to rebalance its oil production, and then within a couple of weeks, the hair is healthier and has more shine, more bounce, and more body." 

Massage Your Scalp

A scalp massage stimulates the hair follicles, producing thicker hair and encouraging hair regrowth. At least twice a week, for five to 10 minutes, allow yourself a little moment of softness by massaging the entire skull with your fingertips, using circular movements. We start at the nape of the neck before moving up to the top of the skull and ending at the temples. The massage can be done without product or using a mixture of invigorating essential oils such as pine, lemon, ylang-ylang, or thyme. In addition to being good for your hair, this practice also helps you relax and re-center.

A model in a cutout red dress.
Kim Shui Fall/Winter 2023

Try a Hair Mask

Nourishing hair masks are an incredible asset for accelerating hair growth. Try one of these natural recipes once per week.

Van Bremen recommends focusing these ingredients, especially oils towards the middle and end portions of your hair. 

"I do think putting oils in the hair is always good. Because our bodies need oil, especially hair, and especially if your hair is long," says the hairstylist. "I would say avoid putting oils on the scalp because that's going to make your hair look oily. I would say mid-shaft to ends is where you want to place oils. But I always tell people to emulsify the oil or warm it up in their hands first and then work it through the hair starting at the ends and then gradually working your way up."

Oil Bath

Castor oil is known to promote hair growth. Rich in vitamin E, it helps to strengthen our lengths by hydrating and nourishing them. Just be sure to mix it with another, lighter oil such as olive oil or argan oil. Combine a tablespoon of castor oil with 3 tablespoons of olive oil. Apply the mixture to the entire scalp and lengths, gently massage for a few minutes, and leave for 30 minutes minimum before washing with a mild shampoo.

Castor oil
Onion Mask

Many beauty enthusiasts praise the merits of the onion on the hair, and for good reason. Onion promotes blood circulation and allows hair follicles to be better nourished and oxygenated. Rich in sulfur, this ingredient also allows the hair to produce more collagen and be in better shape. First, blend an onion to extract its juice, then mix three tablespoons of onion juice with 1 tablespoon of coconut oil and a tablespoon of olive oil. Apply all over the hair, concentrating on the roots, and leave on for an hour before shampooing. This recipe can be miraculous — so long as you can stand the smell of it!

A basket of onions.
Coconut Milk Mask

Known for its protective properties, coconut milk helps repair damaged hair, rehydrate dry locks, and promote regrowth. Simply mix six tablespoons of more than 90 percent condensed coconut milk (remember to mix the coconut milk well with a spoon before pouring it into a bowl) with 3 tablespoons of castor oil. Apply the mask to all of the hair and leave on for at least 30 minutes before shampooing. You can also add a few drops of basil essential oil to the mixture, which will improve scalp circulation.

Homemade coconut milk
Ginger Mask

In addition to its energizing and anti-inflammatory powers, ginger is also very good for the hair. By increasing blood circulation to the scalp, it can accelerate hair growth. The best option is to use fresh ginger juice, but you can just as easily use powdered ginger. Mix two tablespoons of ginger with a tablespoon of olive oil or castor oil. As ginger can be irritating to the scalp, it is advisable to mix it with a neutral oil. Mix everything well, then apply to the scalp, massaging for a few minutes. Leave on for at least 30 minutes before shampooing.

A bowl of ground ginger.
Egg Mask

Rich in proteins, eggs nourish the hair and accelerate its growth by boosting its cellular metabolism. To take advantage of its benefits, mix an egg with a tablespoon of castor oil and a tablespoon of honey. Apply the mixture all over the hair, from roots to ends. Leave on for a good 30 minutes and then shampoo.

A cracked egg and a yolk.

Last-minute hot tip: Avoid washing your hair too often by spacing out shampoos as much as possible. Brush your hair delicately, always starting by untangling the ends and then moving up to the roots. Opt for sulfate-free shampoo and minimize the use of hot tools, which can seriously damage the hair fiber. 

By heeding these tips, you'll be on your way to long, healthy hair in no time.

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