25 Secrets to Hair Growth: How to Make Your Hair Grow Faster

What are the biggest secrets to hair growth? Here are our top 25 tips for faster, healthier hair growth.

Strong, long and voluminous hair is associated with health and beauty - and it is desired by many women around the world. However, hair is also a very delicate creature that can be influenced by a variety of factors, some of which are within our control but others beyond it.

In this article, we will unlock some secrets to hair growth, and we will deep dive into the science behind hair so you can get a better understanding of how it grows and what stages it goes through. You will also learn about some of the biggest hair growth secrets and most effective tips for faster, healthier hair growth.

At the end of the day, understanding something is the key to taking control of it, and this is exactly what we are going to do. So, without further ado, let's get right into it:

How does hair grow?

So, exactly how does hair grow?

Hair growth is a complex biological process that occurs in cycles, and is influenced by a variety of factors. The hair growth cycle consists of four main phases: the anagen phase (growth phase), the catagen phase (transitional phase), the telogen phase (resting phase), and the exogen phase (shedding phase).

Let's take a better look at what all of these phases mean:

1. Anagen phase - at this stage of the hair growth cycle, the hair follicle (a small, pocket-like structure in the skin) grows actively as cells divide rapidly and push the hair shaft upward. This phase can last anywhere from 2 to 7 years, and it determines how long a hair strand can grow.
2. Catagen phase - at this phase of the cycle, the hair enters the catagen phase, also known as the transitional phase. At that point, the hair follicle starts to shrink, causing the hair to stop growing. This stage of the cycle is relatively short, lasting 2-3 weeks.
3. Telogen phase - this is the final stage of hair growth, also known as the resting phase. In this stage, the hair follicle remains inactive for a few weeks up to several months, most commonly between 2 and 4 months. 
4. Exogen phase - while this phase is not commonly recognized as an actual phase of the hair growth cycle (it is considered a part of the telogen phase), it refers to the shedding of the hair and the beginning of the new cycle.

How fast does hair grow?

The rate at which hair grows varies between individuals, but the average rate for scalp hair is about 0.5 inches (1.25 centimeters) per month for men, and 0.4-0.5 (1-1.25 centimeters) inches per month for women - which translates to approximately 6 inches per year.

Facial hair grows 0.3 to 0.5 inches (0.75 to 1.25 centimeters) per month, and body hair grows 0.2 to 0.3 inches (0.5 to 0.75 centimeters).

There are multiple factors that influence the rate at which hair grows, from genetics and age to gender and overall health.

Habits such as sedentary lifestyle, poor eating habits, and smoking may hinder hair growth, as they tend to deprive the hair follicles of nutrients and oxygen.

What can affect hair growth?

If you want to make your hair grow faster, it is important to know all the factors that affect hair growth: 

• Genetics
• Age
• Hormones
• Nutrition
• Health conditions
• Medications and treatments
• Stress
• Hairstyling practices
• Environmental factors
• Smoking and poor eating habits

As we mentioned earlier, hair is very delicate, and sometimes it's not a single factor that could be hindering  hair growth. Often times, it can also be a combination of factors, for example a lot of stress at an older age, or health conditions in combination with medications and treatments.

How to make your hair grow faster: 25 tips

And now, let's get to the fun part? How can you make your hair grow faster? Here are our secrets and tips for faster, healthier hair growth:

1.  Eat a balanced diet

Eating a balanced diet full of vitamins, proteins, and minerals is crucial for delivering essential nutrients to the hair follicles, and promoting hair growth. Check this article to see which are some of the best foods for healthy hair. 

On the contrary, having a restrictive diet or one full of processed foods can lead to chronic inflammation in the body, impacting the hair follicles and their ability to produce healthy hair.

2.  Stay hydrated 

If you want to make your hair grow faster, it is also extremely important to stay hydrated at all times. The hair shaft is made up of 25% water, so proper hydration helps to keep the hair shaft and scalp moisturized, and prevent dryness and itchiness.

3.  Invest in high-quality heat styling tools

Excessive heat styling at high temperatures can strip the hair of its natural moisture, leaving it dry and brittle. Dry hair is more prone to breakage, which can lead to slower hair growth and thinner-looking hair.

For this reason, it is recommended to invest in high-quality tools when it comes to thermal hair styling, such as the award-winning NuMe Megastar Flat Iron.

Made from the gemstone tourmaline, it uses ion conditioning technology which helps to seal in moisturize, and minimizes damage that could otherwise slow down hair growth.

4.  Massage your scalp frequently

Another fast hair growth technique is frequent scalp massages. These are an excellent way to improve blood circulation and regulate the production of sebum, which improves the overall health and condition of the hair.

In addition, the mechanical action of the massage can activate dormant hair follicles and encourage them to enter the active growth phase (anagen phase) of the hair growth cycle.

5.  Get regular trims

While getting regular trims may not necessarily help your hair grow faster, it makes it appear thicker and healthier by removing damaged and thinning ends. Trimmed ends are also smoother and less likely to tangle, leading to less hair breakage during detangling and styling.

Regular trims also help maintain the integrity of the hair, preventing excessive breakage. When the ends of the hair are healthy and free of splits, the hair is less likely to break, and it can retain more length over time.

If you are suffering from split ends, you can also check our product Sleeky in a Bottle, which smooths frizz and repairs split ends.

6.  Avoid tight hairstyles

While tight hairstyles can be a tempting way to spice up your hair routine or to simply keep your hair under control, they can actually hinder hair growth and lead to hair damage.

Since they cause tension on the hair shaft and scalp, the constant pulling can lead to a type of hair loss called traction alopecia. They may also lead to scalp irritation and restricted blood flow.

7.  Use argan oil

If you want to make your hair grow faster, another awesome fast hair growth technique we have for you is is to use argan oil such as the NuMe Argan Oil serum. It contains vitamin E, which promotes hair growth and enhances the elasticity and flexibility of the hair so you can see results faster.

8.  Protect your hair from the sun

Protecting your hair from the sun can indirectly support hair growth by maintaining the overall health of your hair and scalp.

It minimizes dryness and damage (which may impede hair growth), prevents scalp sunburn, and helps to retain moisture -all important for preserving the structural integrity and health of the hair.

9.  Detangle wet hair with a wide-toothed comb

When hair absorbs water, it swells and becomes more porous. This swelling weakens the hair's structure, making it more susceptible to damage and breakage, hindering hair growth.

For this reason, it's important to detangle wet hair with a wide-toothed comb to ensure that you are removing tangles and knots without causing damage to the wet hair strands.

10.  Use lukewarm water to wash hair

If you want to make your hair grow faster, avoid washing it with hot water - ideally, you should use lukewarm or cold water instead, as it helps to cleanse the scalp effectively without stripping away its natural oils.

Lukewarm water helps to regulate the production of sebum and improves blood circulation in the scalp - which means more nutrients and oxygen reach the hair follicles, supporting hair growth. 

11.  Sleep on a silk pillowcase

Silk has a smooth texture, which creates less friction between your hair and the pillowcase compared to materials like cotton. Reduced friction means less tangling and breakage of the hair, especially for individuals with curly or textured hair.

With less friction, there is less strain on the hair shaft, reducing the likelihood of hair breakage and split ends. This can help retain hair length over time.

12.  Avoid washing your hair excessively

Washing hair too frequently can strip the scalp and hair of its natural oils, known as sebum. Sebum helps moisturize and protect the hair and scalp. When these natural oils are removed too often, it can lead to dryness and scalp issues, which can impact hair growth.

Instead of everyday, try to wash your hair once every 2-3 days.

13.  Wash your hair with a mild shampoo

Ideally, you should wash your hair with a mild shampoo that doesn't contain parabens or harsh chemicals, such as the NuMe Vegan Tourmaline Shampoo.

This mild and lightweight, but deeply hydrating shampoo is perfect for all hairstyles, and it smooths and hydrates the hair leaving it beautiful and shiny. Made from tourmaline powder and 11 amino acids, it strengthens and repairs the hair follicles.

14.  Use a deeply hydrating conditioner

A good shampoo, paired with a deeply hydrating conditioner, makes the perfect duo for moisturizing your hair and promoting healthy growth.

If you want to make your hair grow faster, ensuring that it's properly hydrated from the inside out will be key for replenishing nutrients and repairing damage that may hinder hair growth.

15.  Apply nourishing hair masks

A nourishing hair mask is the perfect option if you are looking to boost hair growth and make your hair grow faster than it usually takes. 

One great product for that purpose is the NuMe Vegan Tourmaline Hair mask - a mild, paraben-free hair mask that uses a proprietary blend of proteins that result in longer, thicker and shinier hair.

16.  Handle wet hair delicately

Handling wet hair delicately is important for promoting hair growth because wet hair is more fragile and prone to breakage.

Rough handling, like vigorous towel-drying or brushing, can cause damage, split ends, and hair breakage, hindering healthy hair growth. Gently patting and using a wide-tooth comb can help prevent unnecessary stress on wet hair.

17.  Take supplements

Hair supplements can provide essential nutrients like biotin, vitamins (A, C, D, E), and minerals (zinc, iron) that support hair growth.

While not a magic solution, they can fill nutritional gaps, improve hair health, and aid in the natural hair growth process, promoting healthier and stronger hair.

18.  Avoid smoking

Another hair growth secret is to make sure that you avoid smoking to the fullest extent possible. As we mentioned earlier, smoking reduces blood flow to the scalp, depriving the hair follicles of essential nutrients and oxygen - thus hindering hair growth.

Smoking also exposes hair to harmful chemicals, leading to hair loss, premature graying, and overall hair damage.

19.  Get 7-9 hours of sleep

If you want to make your hair grow faster, make sure that you get at least 7 hours of sleep every day. Sleeping is important for hair growth because it plays a crucial role in overall health and hormonal balance.

During deep sleep, the body releases growth hormones that support tissue repair and cell regeneration, including the cells that promote hair growth.

Lack of sleep can disrupt hormone levels, potentially leading to hair loss and unhealthy hair. Adequate rest allows the body to rejuvenate and nourish hair follicles, promoting optimal hair growth and maintaining hair health.

20.  Manage stress effectively

Stress plays a huge role when it comes to hair growth. Acute or chronic stress can trigger a condition called telogen effluvium, where a large number of hair follicles prematurely enter the resting phase (telogen) and subsequently shed. This can lead to noticeable hair thinning and hair loss.

To make your hair grow faster, look for ways to manage stress effectively - such as yoga, meditation techniques, regular exercise, good sleep, and good dietary choices.

21.  Avoid chemical treatments

Chemical treatments can cause significant damage to the hair shaft and scalp, hindering healthy hair growth.

They weaken the hair, irritate the scalp, and lead to dryness - they can also seriously disrupt the natural hair growth cycle, leading to irregular or slower hair growth.

22.  Limit alcohol intake

Limiting alcohol intake can boost hair growth because excessive alcohol consumption can lead to dehydration, nutritional deficiencies, and hormone imbalances, all of which can negatively affect hair health.

By reducing alcohol intake, you can support overall health and provide a better environment for hair follicles to thrive, promoting stronger and healthier hair growth.

23.  Do regular physical activity

Of course, don't forget to do regular physical activity if you are looking for ways to make your hair grow faster. Exercise improves blood circulation, delivering more oxygen and nutrients to hair follicles.

It also reduces stress, a common cause of hair loss, and helps maintain hormonal balance, supporting healthy hair growth and overall hair health.

24. Avoid overuse of hair products

Excessive use of hair products, especially if they are heavy or greasy, may lead to product build up on the scalp and hair. This buildup can clog hair follicles, obstructing new hair growth.

Instead, opt for an effective and lightweight product - check our NuMe shop for the best hair care products on the market.

25. Avoid aggressive brushing

Excessive force while brushing can cause hair breakage, especially when the hair is wet and more vulnerable. Broken hair strands lead to shorter lengths and hinder overall hair growth.

Excessive brushing also weakens the hair shaft, making it more susceptible to damage and breakage.