Lindsey Metrus is the associate general manager at Byrdie and has been with the brand since Her work also appears in BuzzFeed, StyleCaster, and Yahoo.

Have you ever felt like your hair growth was completely stagnant? Like no matter the number of hair masks you put on and nourishing foods you eat, the inches just aren't adding up? Chances are you've got other hair growth—stunting factors in play that you aren't even aware of.

From your meal choices to chemical imbalances to the products you use, here are the reasons your hair isn't growing faster and how to reverse the damage. Dermatologist Michele Green, MD cites hormonal problems like thyroid disease or PCOS as causes of hair loss, which, when occurring in small amounts, can make it seem like your hair just isn't growing.

Both hyperthyroidism overactive thyroid and hypothyroidism underactive thyroid involve overall scalp hair loss wherein the hair appears thin and sparse. With PCOS , individuals experience male-pattern baldness where alopecia hair loss that's concentrated in small sections causes triangular-shaped hair loss at the scalp.

A common hormonal condition affecting individuals of reproductive age. It can cause irregular cycles, excess bodily hair growth, weight gain, and complications with fertility. Celebrity hairstylist Paul Labrecque says the way you eat affects your hair's overall health and growth. But it's not so much the foods you are eating, but rather the foods you aren't eating that prevent your hair from growing long and strong—more specifically a lack of nutrients and vitamins.

Being particularly low in one or a few of these may pinpoint why your hair isn't reaching its full potential. Normally, the hair follicle grows, then rests, then sheds to be replaced with new hair.

However, for an individual with a severe disease like pneumonia, their hair may go through a stagnant period wherein the stress of the illness causes all hair follicles to go into their resting phase, and hair growth temporarily ceases; this is called telogen effluvium.

Lars Skjoth, founder and head of research and development for Harklinikken says that Mother Nature plays a role in your hair's growth as you age. We know that hair thins as we get older, but there's a heredity factor that may affect your strands' fate faster than others: "The main cause of stunted hair growth is what is known as hair miniaturization caused by hereditary hair thinning," Skjoth explains.

A general rule of thumb when it comes to hair length is that the deeper-set your follicle is, the longer your hair is capable of growing. However, miniaturized hair follicles cannot grow very long hairs—they produce hairs that are weaker, duller, and more prone to breakage.

It's a no-brainer that heat styling your hair too often can lead to breakage and damage. And according to Green, different types of braids , tight styles, and hair extensions can cause stress to the hair shaft, leading to loss.

The same goes for frequent dying, perming, or chemical straightening. Chemically processed hair is more porous than untreated hair, which results in protein loss, and eventually breakage. Lastly, Skjoth notes that product buildup, such as overusing dry shampoo, can clog the hair follicle, which prevents hair from growing at a normal pace.

For starters, Labrecque suggests proper diet including fresh, unprocessed, nutrient-dense whole foods and exercise to keep the body healthy and keep your hair growing. His go-to method, though, is scalp maintenance, which includes a good scalp massage to stimulate your hair and help it grow.

Asian hair type grow and baby hair type. Several environmental, psychological, physiological, and pathological factors also influence the rate of hair growth.

Your hair texture, however, does not affect your growth rate. Curly hair does not grow any faster than other hair textures. In short, hair growth can be influenced by various factors, such as genetics, age, hormonal balance, and overall health.

Slow hair growth may result from these factors or external elements like poor diet, stress, and improper hair care. In short, factors affecting hair growth in both men and women include genetics, age, hormones, diet, stress, health conditions, medications, and hair care practices.

Minoxidil and finasteride are two pharmacologic formulations that are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of hair loss and reduced hair growth. Finasteride suppresses the activity of 5-alpha reductase and prevents the androgens from disrupting the hair growth cycle.

Minoxidil, on the other hand, stimulates potassium channels that in turn promote the proliferation of hair follicle cells.

Scalp massage is one of the widely used conventional techniques to boost hair growth. Scalp massage stimulates blood to flow towards the scalp as well as modulates stress. This promotes hair growth both directly and indirectly by reducing stress levels and regulating the levels of stress hormones such as cortisol.

Dietary supplementationalso plays a crucial role in the treatment and management of reduced hair growth. As mentioned in the preceding discussion, both micronutrients and macronutrients play an important role in promoting normal hair growth.

Therefore, it is imperative to consume a healthy and well-balanced diet along with effective management of stress. Learn more about the supplement for your hair. Hair extensions have been used to simulate a variety of different hairstyles and colors. In some communities, hair extensions are used extensively to change up your hair color while not dyeing your natural hair thus protecting them from damage that can cause brittle hair and hair fall.

Choosing appropriate hair care products is important to first give your hair the nourishment it needs, and also to help combat hair thinning, hair breakage, and female and male pattern hair loss. Scandinavian Biolabs and our scientists have thoroughly tested and formulated a trademarked Bio-Pilixin® concoction that will be your best friend against hair loss, thinning hair, and slow hair growth.

In fact, our values are rooted in transparency and effectiveness that we offer a days guarantee almost 5 months! that our products will work for you. If it doesn't, you'll get all your money back with no complicated process.

Learn more about our products for men and women. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version.

Diagnosis Before making a diagnosis, your doctor will likely give you a physical exam and ask about your diet, your hair care routine, and your medical and family history. You might also have tests, such as the following: Blood test.

This might help uncover medical conditions that can cause hair loss. Pull test. Your doctor gently pulls several dozen hairs to see how many come out.

This helps determine the stage of the shedding process. Scalp biopsy. Your doctor scrapes samples from the skin or from a few hairs plucked from the scalp to examine the hair roots under a microscope. This can help determine whether an infection is causing hair loss.

Light microscopy. Your doctor uses a special instrument to examine hairs trimmed at their bases. Microscopy helps uncover possible disorders of the hair shaft. Care at Mayo Clinic Our caring team of Mayo Clinic experts can help you with your hair loss-related health concerns Start Here.

Hair transplant Enlarge image Close. Hair transplant A typical hair transplant involves removing patches of hair from your head and reinserting the hair follicle by follicle into the bald sections.

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By Mayo Clinic Staff. Cancer: Managing Symptoms Discussions Have you ever had hiccups with or after chemotherapy? My body's immune system after cancer 20 Replies Fri, Feb 09, chevron-right. The Patient Portal—Help or Hindrance? Show references AskMayoExpert.

Mayo Clinic; Malki L, et al. Variant PAD13 in central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia. New England Journal of Medicine. Briggs JK. Hair loss. Triage Protocols for Aging Adults. Waloters Kluwer; Warner KJ. Allscripts EPSi. Mayo Clinic, Nov. Office of Patient Education. Hair replacement surgery.

American Academy of Dermatology. Accessed Jan. American Cancer Society. Van Zuuren EJ, et al. Interventions for female pattern hair loss. JAMA Dermatology. Shapiro J, et al. Evaluation and diagnosis of hair loss.

Alopecia areata: Clinical manifestations and diagnosis. Hereditary hair loss. Mayo Clinic Health Letter. Cold caps and scalp cooling systems.

Mirmirati P. Age-related hair changes in men: Mechanisms and management of alopecia and graying. Chemotherapy and you: Support for people with cancer.

Most humans have an average of two to five million hair follicles. Caucasians with light hair generally have higher hair density than Caucasians with darker hair, meaning they have more hair follicles per square inch. Caucasians in general tend to have higher hair density than people of African or Asian descent.

At any given time, your hair is in various stages of growth. The four stages of hair growth are:. In your lifetime, each individual follicle will go through this cycle about times. The anagen phase growth phase lasts between two and eight years, which means this is how long a hair will continue to grow on your head.

However, growth in other areas of the body may be shorter. For example, the growth phase for eyebrow hair is only two to three months. The rate at which hair grows and is lost can vary based on factors such as your age, medical conditions, and how you care for your hair.

Healthy, young hair usually grows about half an inch each month, and is lost at a rate of about hairs a day. Many factors can affect hair growth and how fast your hair grows.

Your hair growth may speed up at times and slow down at other times. Sometimes hair growth slows down substantially, or hair is lost and not replaced. Although hair loss or slowed hair growth is not life threatening, it can affect your self-esteem, mental health, and quality of life. Certain health conditions can cause hair growth to slow, hair to thin, or hair to fall out faster.

Sometimes hair growth stops altogether. Medical conditions that affect hair growth include:. Your hormones can have a strong effect on your hair growth and on hair loss. For example, the hormones during pregnancy can slow down hair loss, leading to a fuller head of hair.

After giving birth, your hormones will adjust back to normal and can cause an increase of hair loss as the extra hair falls out naturally. Other hormonal conditions that can affect hair growth include:. Experiencing periods of significant stress and trauma or going through a serious illness can increase hair loss.

You may start to lose clumps of hair in the weeks after the stressful event. This can appear as large amounts of hair that collects when you brush or wash your hair.

This type of hair loss is usually temporary, and your normal hair growth pattern should resume in a few months. Aging can have significant effects on your hair. Not only does hair tend to thin and become grayer as we age, but it tends to fall out faster and grow slower.

Male pattern baldness and female pattern baldness are hormone-related conditions, but they are also age-dependent. Hair loss from male pattern baldness usually begins around the age of 30 and can sometimes result in complete baldness by the age of Female pattern baldness typically reduces the density of hair and can start to reveal some of the scalp.

It usually starts to appear between the ages of 30 and If you are dealing with hair thinning , slow growth, or hair loss, you may be looking for ways to remedy this. We include products we think are useful for our readers.

If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind. Some methods to help your hair grow faster and stronger may include supplements, dietary changes, and topical ointments.

That said, more research is needed to examine how the body regulates hair growth. Your head alone has about , follicles. As you age, some follicles stop producing hair, which is what causes baldness or hair thinning.

In total, the growth cycle for each hair on your scalp can take 2 to 6 years. Hair growth speed depends on factors like your age, hair type, overall health, and certain medical conditions.

Read on to learn what we know about the science behind hair growth and how to use that knowledge for healthier hair. Hair grows in three stages , and each strand of hair follows its own timeline:.

At any given time, the average scalp has 90 percent of the hair follicles in the anagen phase, about 1 percent in the catagen phase, and about 9 percent in the telogen phase. The last group accounts for the approximately to strands of hair that fall out every day.

How long the anagen phase lasts depends on how long your hair is and if the cells in your follicle base are continuing to multiply and become hair cells. Hair grows because matrix cells shed some of their structure as they reach the upper follicle.

Researchers are still looking into what triggers our bodies to switch on the anagen phase, and more studies are needed to know for certain what can be done to promote hair growth.

Your body requires a lot of energy to make your hair grow, so getting too few calories and certain nutrients can affect it. Still, you may also look into taking certain supplements — particularly if you have a deficiency. Below are some of the nutrients commonly touted to promote hair growth and the science behind their efficacy:.

Talk with your doctor before trying supplements like biotin, keratin, or other nutrients. They may interact with any medications you take and cause unintended side effects. If your doctor determines that you have a deficiency in certain nutrients that can relate to hair growth or hair loss conditions, you may consider asking them about the over-the-counter OTC supplement Hair Sweet Hair from HUM.

These vegan gummies contain vitamin B12, folic acid, biotin, and zinc, as well as fo-ti root extract to promote hair growth. Read more: Vitamins for hair growth ».

Put a few drops of tea tree , rosemary, or lime oil into your shampoo or dilute it with jojoba oil. In one review , researchers found that these three oils can improve scalp health. Still, there is a lack of studies proving that any essential oil will make your hair grow faster.

Another review found that the below essential oils may benefit hair loss treatment:. Always do a patch test before trying a new essential oil. For instance, add a few drops of essential oil into 1 ounce Certain carrier oils may even help moisturize your hair:.

Once cleared with a professional, this set of five carrier oils may be a good way to add moisture and shine to your hair without causing any allergic reactions that some essential oils might be associated with.

The set includes almond, avocado, castor, coconut, and grapeseed oils. Read more: Does coconut oil work for hair growth? Topical ointments are generally recommended for people who experience hair loss and may help your hair grow.

Considered the number one dermatologist-recommended brand of minoxidil, this OTC treatment by Rogaine is said to boost hair regrowth by supporting hair follicle and protein production. It may be combined with certain prescription treatments recommended by your dermatologist.

Note that Rogaine sells different minoxidil formulas marketed to men and women separately. Hair loss is a common symptom of protein deficiency, so taking protein supplements — including keratin — may improve hair health in those who are deficient.

Besides this, not much is known about the effects of protein, keratin, and vitamins on hair health. One test-tube study found that keratin might decrease hair loss, treat damaged hair, and increase hair diameter.

Still, more research is needed to better understand how this nutrient might support hair growth. Nutrafol is a well-known brand of hair growth supplements, with formulas available for men and women.

It also contains other essential nutrients, such as biotin, zinc, and vitamins A, C, and D. Protein helps your hair grow and protects it from chemical and environmental damage.

Some studies have indicated that a low protein intake could be associated with reduced hair growth. Good sources include certain vegetables , nuts, yogurt , and foods like lean meat and fish. If you style or apply heat to your hair often, using a protein treatment may help protect it.

You can purchase these products online. This collagen-based cream for dry hair is designed to use after shampooing to hydrate, strengthen, and prevent further damage.

Additionally, this product helps detangle your hair and prevent breakage, making it ideal for curly hair types. Caffeine has been shown to promote hair growth , with women being more sensitive to its hair follicle effects.

While more studies are needed on caffeine as a hair growth promoter, preliminary research has shown that topical formulas may decrease hair loss, especially when combined with minoxidil.

This highly rated shampoo from Alpecin combines caffeine with niacin and zinc to promote fuller-looking hair and a thicker texture. It also contains castor oil for strength and shine. While sold worldwide, Alpecin C1 is considered the most popular caffeine shampoo in Germany.

Learn more about vitamins and hair growth here. According to one article , a lack of protein can lead to hair fragility and brittleness. It can also lead to hair loss.

One comprehensive review suggested that caffeine can:. In the review, research into caffeine shampoo indicated that it could reduce the amount of hairs that fall out during combing and slow down hair loss progression.

As a result, topical use of caffeine may help reduce hair loss. However, the studies are limited and have a lack of quantitative data. It is important to point out that, according to The Trichological Society , hair products such as shampoos are unlikely to make a noticeable difference in hair growth.

In recent years, several studies have looked into which essential oils have properties that can encourage hair growth. One study found that peppermint oil was more effective at promoting hair growth than saline, jojoba oil, and minoxidil.

Minoxidil is a medication that doctors prescribe to treat high blood pressure and hair loss. A study into the use of lavender oil in mice found that it improved hair growth by delaying the phase at which the hair starts to fall out, as did sandalwood oil.

Rosemary oil may also be as effective as minoxidil in restoring hair growth, as researchers found in one study. Although scalp massage can help relieve stress, the act of stimulating the scalp could also boost hair growth. A study looked at how performing a 4-minute scalp massage every day for 24 weeks affected hair growth in a group of Japanese males.

The researchers found that there was a significant improvement in hair thickness at the end of the study, suggesting that boosting circulation to the follicles by massage could help promote thicker, healthier looking hair.

More recent research from found that Smoking reduces circulation, which means that hair follicles are not getting the nutrients they need from the blood. A study into early onset alopecia found that those who smoke were more than twice as likely to have thinning hair than those who do not smoke.

Smoking is also more likely to cause the hair to gray prematurely. People with patches of visible hair loss or damage may wish to visit a dermatologist for advice and treatment.

The AAD suggest the following for Black hair care:. Learn more about Black hair care tips here. Weaves and extensions can damage the hair follicles.

To help prevent hair damage, a person can:. Hair growth passes through four distinct phases in its life cycle. The sections below will look at these phases in more detail. This phase can last between 2 and 6 years.

This is when hair remains in its follicles but does not actively grow. This phase allows the follicle to grow new hair unless it is damaged or affected by an underlying condition, such as alopecia. Learn more about hair growth here.

Although hair loss or slowed hair growth is not life threatening, it can affect your self-esteem, mental health, and quality of life. Certain health conditions can cause hair growth to slow, hair to thin, or hair to fall out faster.

Sometimes hair growth stops altogether. Medical conditions that affect hair growth include:. Your hormones can have a strong effect on your hair growth and on hair loss.

For example, the hormones during pregnancy can slow down hair loss, leading to a fuller head of hair. After giving birth, your hormones will adjust back to normal and can cause an increase of hair loss as the extra hair falls out naturally.

Other hormonal conditions that can affect hair growth include:. Experiencing periods of significant stress and trauma or going through a serious illness can increase hair loss. You may start to lose clumps of hair in the weeks after the stressful event. This can appear as large amounts of hair that collects when you brush or wash your hair.

This type of hair loss is usually temporary, and your normal hair growth pattern should resume in a few months. Aging can have significant effects on your hair. Not only does hair tend to thin and become grayer as we age, but it tends to fall out faster and grow slower. Male pattern baldness and female pattern baldness are hormone-related conditions, but they are also age-dependent.

Hair loss from male pattern baldness usually begins around the age of 30 and can sometimes result in complete baldness by the age of Female pattern baldness typically reduces the density of hair and can start to reveal some of the scalp. It usually starts to appear between the ages of 30 and If you are dealing with hair thinning , slow growth, or hair loss, you may be looking for ways to remedy this.

Options for speeding up hair growth include:. You should see a healthcare provider if you:. When diagnosing a health issue related to hair loss, the healthcare provider will typically ask about your medical history and examine your hair and scalp.

They may run blood tests to diagnose any underlying medical conditions, and possibly request a biopsy of your scalp tissue to determine the cause of your hair loss. Hair grows at about half an inch per month, and the hair on your head usually grows for about six years before falling out.

Factors that affect hair growth include stress, illness, various medical conditions, and aging. Remedies for hair loss or slowed growth may include changing your hair-care routines or products, trying topical treatments like Minoxidil, or asking your healthcare provider about prescription medications for hair loss.

Most causes of slowed hair growth or hair loss are not serious, but you should always contact a medical professional if you have any questions about your hair or want any help with hair growth. Hair problems. American Academy of Dermatology Association. Hair loss: overview.

Wall D, Meah N, Fagan N, et al. Advances in hair growth. Fac Rev. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. Guo EL, Katta R. Diet and hair loss: effects of nutrient deficiency and supplement use. Dermatol Pract Concept. Cleveland Clinic. Hair loss in women.

Updated February 10, Gavazzoni Dias MF. Hair cosmetics: an overview. Int J Trichology. The 14 Best Shampoos for Thinning Hair and Hair Loss, Tested and Dermatologist Approved. Subscribe Email Address Subscribe. Thank you [email] for signing up. Please enter a valid email address.

Email Address Subscribe. You may accept or manage your choices by clicking below, including your right to object where legitimate interest is used, or at any time in the privacy policy page. These choices will be signaled to our partners and will not affect browsing data.

Accept All Reject All Show Purposes. By Lindsey Metrus is the associate general manager at Byrdie and has been with the brand since Lindsey Metrus. Byrdie's Editorial Guidelines. Reviewed by Shab Caspara. Shab Caspara is a certified trichologist and hair stylist with over 15 years of experience.

Currently, Caspara is the host of the Hair Like Hers podcast, as well as the founder of a soon-to-launch hair health platform, Leona. Fact checked by Anna Harris Fact checked by Anna Harris. Anna Harris is an experienced fact-checker and researcher and a beauty writer and editor.

In This Article Hormonal Imbalance Poor Diet Hair Miniaturization. This estimate comes from The Trichological Society. However, lots of different factors affect the speed of hair growth. Males, for example, may find that their hair grows faster than that of females. Other things that influence the speed of hair growth include genetics, age, health, and pregnancy.

Bone marrow , which is the soft substance present inside the bones, is the only part of the body that grows faster than hair. The lips, palms of the hands, and soles of the feet are the only parts of the body on which hair does not grow.

The main purpose of hair is to protect the body and keep it warm. Keep reading for more information on how hair grows and the various factors that affect the speed of its growth.

People are born with around 5 million hair follicles. These are little pockets in the skin that hair grows out of. Around , of these follicles are on the scalp. People with oval shaped follicles have very curly hair, while those with round follicles have straight hair.

Not all hair follicles are in action at the same time. Follicles on the scalp, for example, will grow hair for a few years before becoming inactive for a period.

This inactive part of the hair growth cycle is called telogen. People lose around 50— hairs from their body every day as part of the normal hair growth cycle.

Telogen effluvium occurs when stress prompts the hair roots to enter the telogen stage of the hair cycle too early. People experiencing telogen effluvium often find that their hair comes out in handfuls.

It is usually most noticeable on the scalp but can affect any part of the body. Telogen effluvium will usually clear up on its own once a person has sought treatment for the cause. According to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology , the amount of shedding tends to decrease over a period of around 6—8 months.

Learn more about telogen effluvium and its treatment here. According to The Trichological Society , there is little evidence to suggest that using special shampoos or taking supplements can make hair grow any quicker.

Good nutrition is an important part of healthy hair growth. This is because the living part of the hair the root receives its nutrients from the blood. Adopting a healthful diet containing fruit, vegetables, grains, and an appropriate amount of fat will promote healthy hair.

Learn more about how vitamin D deficiency can cause hair loss here. Many factors — including genetics, sex, and age — can influence the speed of hair growth.

Sometimes hair growth stops altogether. Medical conditions that affect hair growth include:. Your hormones can have a strong effect on your hair growth and on hair loss. For example, the hormones during pregnancy can slow down hair loss, leading to a fuller head of hair.

After giving birth, your hormones will adjust back to normal and can cause an increase of hair loss as the extra hair falls out naturally. Other hormonal conditions that can affect hair growth include:. Experiencing periods of significant stress and trauma or going through a serious illness can increase hair loss.

You may start to lose clumps of hair in the weeks after the stressful event. This can appear as large amounts of hair that collects when you brush or wash your hair. This type of hair loss is usually temporary, and your normal hair growth pattern should resume in a few months.

Aging can have significant effects on your hair. Not only does hair tend to thin and become grayer as we age, but it tends to fall out faster and grow slower. Male pattern baldness and female pattern baldness are hormone-related conditions, but they are also age-dependent.

Hair loss from male pattern baldness usually begins around the age of 30 and can sometimes result in complete baldness by the age of Female pattern baldness typically reduces the density of hair and can start to reveal some of the scalp.

It usually starts to appear between the ages of 30 and If you are dealing with hair thinning , slow growth, or hair loss, you may be looking for ways to remedy this. Options for speeding up hair growth include:. You should see a healthcare provider if you:. When diagnosing a health issue related to hair loss, the healthcare provider will typically ask about your medical history and examine your hair and scalp.

They may run blood tests to diagnose any underlying medical conditions, and possibly request a biopsy of your scalp tissue to determine the cause of your hair loss. Hair grows at about half an inch per month, and the hair on your head usually grows for about six years before falling out.

Factors that affect hair growth include stress, illness, various medical conditions, and aging. Remedies for hair loss or slowed growth may include changing your hair-care routines or products, trying topical treatments like Minoxidil, or asking your healthcare provider about prescription medications for hair loss.

Most causes of slowed hair growth or hair loss are not serious, but you should always contact a medical professional if you have any questions about your hair or want any help with hair growth.

Hair problems. American Academy of Dermatology Association. Hair loss: overview. Wall D, Meah N, Fagan N, et al. Advances in hair growth. Fac Rev. Phillips TG, Slomiany WP, Allison R. Hair loss: Common causes and treatment. Plus, it will leave you with an invigorating, tingling, and refreshing feeling that lasts all day.

Green is a fan of treating the issue internally. Medications when it is hormonally related topical Minoxidil , Propecia or the laser cap to grow hair. The most popular method in my office is PRP platelet-rich plasma for hair growth.

It works amazingly well to thicken existing hair and promote the growth of new hair. I do three treatments one month apart for the best results with the maintenance of PRP to promote new hair growth.

Important note: Before taking supplements, using a laser cap, or changing your diet, please speak with your general practitioner. Carmina E, Azziz R, Bergfeld W, et al. Female pattern hair loss and androgen excess: A report from the multidisciplinary androgen excess and PCOS committee.

J Clin Endocrinol Metab. Guo EL, Katta R. Diet and hair loss: effects of nutrient deficiency and supplement use. Dermatol Pract Concept. Cleveland Clinic. Hair loss in women. Updated February 10, Gavazzoni Dias MF.

Hair cosmetics: an overview. Int J Trichology. The 14 Best Shampoos for Thinning Hair and Hair Loss, Tested and Dermatologist Approved.

Subscribe Email Address Subscribe. Thank you [email] for signing up. Please enter a valid email address. Email Address Subscribe. You may accept or manage your choices by clicking below, including your right to object where legitimate interest is used, or at any time in the privacy policy page.

These choices will be signaled to our partners and will not affect browsing data. Accept All Reject All Show Purposes. Consistently removing buildup is majorly important for scalp health and hair growth. When your scalp is gunked up with oil, grime, and excess product dry shampoo and hairspray , I'm lookin' at you , you can cause buildup that leads to irritation and inflammation, which could potentially stunt hair growth.

Once a week or every two weeks depending on your hair type and scalp—more often for oil-prone scalps , do a "reset" wash with a clarifying shampoo to help deeply clean your scalp and get rid of any built-up oil or product.

I'm, personally, in the "pro-sulfates camp" every once in a while, especially on my ultra-oily hair or after I use any product that contains silicones, which are difficult to remove with sulfate-free surfactants.

However, if you have dry, coarse hair, opt for a sulfate-free clarifying shampoo Cosmo editors swear by the ones below, FWIW. No, scalp massage isn't some magic treatment to grow your hair faster.

But it can potentially help by increasing blood circulation to your hair follicles. Even better? Pair it with a rosemary oil. One study compared rosemary oil to 2. Actually, rosemary oil was less irritating for most scalps in the study. Why does it work? Well, it's loaded with anti-inflammatory ingredients to help reduce inflammation which is a major cause of hair loss and thinning , as well as antioxidants that supposedly can help increase blood flow to your scalp.

Once a day, massage in a few drops of rosemary oil either already in a formula, like Mielle's Rosemary Mint Scalp Oil , or mixed with a carrier oil, like castor oil or argan oil into your scalp for a few minutes.

Because my hair is oily, I always do my rosemary-oil massages before bed, then wash my hair in the morning.

PRP therapy, aka platelet-rich plasma therapy, is a treatment where a doctor draws your blood, separates the plasma from it, then re-injects it into your scalp to stimulate follicle activity.

But for a less invasive route, consider getting a scalp microneedling session like Vivace or Morpheus8 , in which tiny needles microscopically puncture your skin to encourage collagen production and then your provider massages in the plasma.

Bhanusali previously told Cosmo. Try topical hair-growth products. Bhanusali has previously told Cosmo. Consider hair-growth vitamins.

Not only that, but if you eat at least somewhat balanced foods more on that below , your body will already be filled with the only hair-strengthening ingredients it needs, like biotin , folic acid, vitamins D, A, C, and E. That said, if you think you might be vitamin deficient, you could be a solid candidate for hair-growth supplements.

But as always, ask your doctor. Try caffeine hair treatments. According to Dr. Bhanusali, topical caffeine not only helps stimulate blood flow to your scalp which is essential for healthy hair growth , but it also helps counteracts DHT, the hormone responsible for hair loss.

Trim your hair. No matter how well you treat your body, your hair will never look longer if you're not taking proper care of it, which starts with getting regular haircuts and trims. He suggests asking your stylist to take just an eighth of an inch off your hair every 10 to 12 weeks to prevent split ends before they even start.

Yup, blow-drying natural hair. With heat. So what does proper scalp care look like? A mix of scalp oils, serums, and hair masks with scalp-stimulating ingredients like peppermint or tea tree oils that help increase circulation to the scalp, she says.

Hill also suggests incorporating a proper scalp shampoo once a week, i. Pro tip: A hair-color applicator bottle can help easily distribute the shampoo through your scalp.

Consider conditioner and deep conditioner your hair-growth BFF.