How to Grow Hair Faster Men

How to Grow Hair Faster Men

Plenty of brands claim to know how to make hair grow faster in men. But in reality, there are only a few things experts and professionals agree will make a difference for healthy hair growth.

You probably found us because you’re wondering how to make your hair grow faster. Balding is common — it affects 30 to 50 percent of men by age 50 — but whether you’re noticing hair loss or just trying to grow your hair, there are a few tricks you can try to potentially speed up the hair growth process.

With that in mind, we’ll go into more detail about healthy hair growth habits that can improve scalp health and hair health to make hair grow faster, what habits may be hindering hair growth, and what hair loss medications can help.

How Fast Does Hair Grow For Men?

The quick answer is that hair grows about half an inch per month, so, on average, you can expect your hair to grow about five inches a year. However, hair growth varies from person to person and happens in a relatively complex process called the hair growth cycle.

Hair grows from the root of the hair follicle. As cells at the root of the hair follicle multiply, they begin to merge together and harden.

These hardened cells form a hair strand and, as each piece of hair grows, it breaks through the skin and becomes visible on the scalp or body. Then it will continue growing until it reaches its full length.

Hair growth speed is a very unique experience from person to person. However, research suggests that hairs usually gain an extra 1.06 centimeters (0.42 inches) per month during the anagen (active growth) phase of the growth cycle.

Factors That Contribute to Hair Growth

Quite a few things affect a person’s hair growth speed. Some of the more dominant factors include:

• Genetics

• Hormones, specifically dihydrotestosterone (DHT)

• Blood flow to hair follicles

• Stress

• Testosterone levels

• Age

• Diet

• Damage to hair follicles

• Certain medications that damage the hair, scalp, or its natural oils

• Medical conditions and diseases affecting overall health

As you can see, there are so many isolated things that can impact your hair growth speed. Because of this, there are also plenty of “fixes” that will give you the best possible edge over your natural hair growth rate.

There’s not much you can do to increase your hair’s growth rate dramatically. However, there are some things that may promote healthy hair growth and slightly increase how fast hair grows.

Here are some tips for how to increase hair growth for men.

1. Use the Right Shampoo, Conditioner, and Other Products

Whether you have long hair, curly hair, or something in between, a clean scalp is generally a healthy scalp. Shampoo is your primary weapon in the fight against the buildup of dirt and debris that can get in the way of hair growth.

Taking the time to properly shampoo and condition your hair can protect your scalp from dandruff and fight off free radicals — reactive molecules that may be involved in premature hair loss.

Avoid shampoos with harsh chemicals (like sulfates), and instead opt for one formulated to promote stronger, thicker hair growth.

Also, don’t forget the conditioner. Conditioning enhances how your natural hair looks and feels. It also promotes strong hair by providing additional resistance against static electricity and UV radiation. Our thickening conditioner is formulated to support healthy hair using active ingredients such as niacinamide (vitamin B3).

No matter what other hair products you use, look for ones containing ingredients that support hair growth, like keratin, pumpkin seed oil, saw palmetto (which is in our hair thickening shampoo), or rosemary oil. You can learn more in our guide to the best oils for hair growth.

2. Eat a Hair-Friendly Diet

Wondering how to make male hair grow faster naturally? One of the easiest ways is to make sure you eat a balanced diet.

Certain nutrient deficiencies may contribute to some forms of hair shedding. Adding foods high in omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, vitamin E, and other essential nutrients can do wonders for maintaining your mane.

You can get all of these with some basic food pyramid items:

• Eggs

• Salmon, mackerel, and other fatty fish

• Avocados

• Spinach

• Beef and lamb

• Almonds and other nuts

• Beans and soybeans

Additionally, it’s best to limit highly processed foods and those containing lots of salt, sugar, or saturated fats.

For more tips, see our blog on foods to eat for optimal hair growth.

3. Try Hair Growth Supplements and Vitamins

Though tons of hair treatments, essential oils, hair oils, and hair loss supplements are on the market, only certain ones can deliver essential vitamins that support healthier hair.

Aloe vera and rosemary oil may benefit your hair health, but one of the most popular and proven hair growth supplements is biotin, a B vitamin vital for the hair growth process.

Although biotin itself isn’t linked to improved hair growth, research suggests it may help keep your hair and nails looking and growing their best — especially if you’re one of the rare people with a biotin deficiency.

Even if you’re not biotin-deficient, adding a biotin supplement — maybe something like our biotin gummies — to your hair care routine can’t hurt. Our gummies contain other hair-healthy ingredients like vitamin D, B12, B6, and folic acid.

4. Try Scalp Massage

Research suggests regular scalp massage can lead to hair growth. Researchers suspect that this works because scalp massages stimulate the dermal papilla cells (at the base of hair follicles), which can result in increased hair thickness.

A survey conducted by Dermatology and Therapy in 2019 looked at 327 participants who used standardized scalp massages for hair regrowth. Nearly 69 percent reported hair loss stabilization or regrowth after doing a daily massage of 11 to 20 minutes for six to eight months.

The researchers also found that massaging the skin on the scalp leads to changes in gene expression that may play a role in thickening hair cuticles and promoting healthy growth.

5. Get Regular Trims

Regular trips to the barber may not make your hair grow faster. But keeping your hair length in check offers several other benefits.

Hair is prone to tangles and breakage, so getting it trimmed regularly can help remove split ends and keep your otherwise manly mane looking its best. If your hair is damaged at the ends it breaks off more easily, which can make it seem like your hair isn’t growing.

Most stylists recommend getting a haircut every month or two to maintain your hair’s shape and take care of any signs of damage.

What to Avoid to Make Hair Grow Faster

Helping your hair grow faster isn’t just about doing certain things — it’s also about avoiding habits or behaviors that may be hindering hair growth. Here’s what to avoid.

1. Unmanaged Stress

If you’re seeing an alarming amount of stray hair in your shower drain or on your clothes, stress and anxiety could be to blame. Here’s how:

• Telogen effluvium: Stress is among the main triggers for telogen effluvium, a form of temporary hair loss. This scalp condition causes hair roots to be pushed prematurely into the resting stage, leading to rapid hair loss.

• Trichotillomania: Another cause of stress-induced hair loss is trichotillomania, also known as hair-pulling disorder. Men who have this condition repeatedly pull out their hair until hair loss or thinning occurs. While this compulsive behavior may not be directly caused by stress, it’s often triggered by stressful situations.

2. Certain Medications

Start by checking your current medications. Common medications that can cause temporary hair loss include:

• Anticoagulants (blood thinners)

• Anticonvulsants (anti-seizure medications)

• Antihypertensives (high blood pressure medication)

In addition, medications that increase testosterone, like anabolic steroids, can lead to permanent damage.

Just be sure to talk to your healthcare provider before stopping any prescribed medication. They can tell you if you need to wean off the medication slowly or if there are any side effects to look out for.

3. Chemicals That Damage Hair

Harmful substances or hair care practices that can cause damage include:

• Bleach

• Hair coloring

• Blow dryers or other heat styling tools

• Chlorine (like the stuff from in swimming pools)

4. Overly Tight Hairstyles

Tight hairstyles such as braids or dreads can cause tension on the hair’s root. This can lead to traction alopecia, a form of hair loss that can be permanent if not addressed.

How to Grow Hair Faster With Medication

You need to act at the first signs of male pattern baldness if you want to manage hair loss.

If you notice a receding hairline, a bald patch near your crown, or other signs of male pattern hair loss, there are two treatments approved by the Food and Drug Administration that can help: minoxidil and finasteride.

Minoxidil

Applying minoxidil for hair growth is simple and effective. While its mechanism of action is still unknown, researchers generally believe it works by moving resting hairs into the anagen phase of the hair growth cycle and stimulating blood circulation to the scalp and hair follicles.

Most men who use minoxidil report significant improvements. In one study, upwards of 84 percent of those who used minoxidil found it effective at promoting hair growth over one year.

We offer minoxidil solution (a liquid) and minoxidil foam online as part of our range of hair loss treatments for men. Unlike its topical counterpart, oral minoxidil requires a prescription, but it may be an option following a consultation with one of our healthcare professionals.

Finasteride

Finasteride is a prescription hair loss medication that stops the body from creating dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is an androgen (male sex hormone) that causes male pattern baldness by binding to receptors in the scalp and “miniaturizing,” or shrinking, hair follicles.

In one study, men affected by pattern hair loss showed significant improvements in hair growth after taking finasteride for one year, with even more significant improvements after a second year of treatment.

We offer finasteride pills and topical finasteride online, following a consultation with a licensed healthcare provider who will determine if a prescription is appropriate.

We also offer finasteride, minoxidil, and biotin gummies together in our Hair Power Pack.

The Final Word: How to Grow Hair Faster

While your hair growth rate is largely beyond your control, there are marginal changes you can make for faster hair growth, from dietary changes to switching up your hair care products.

Whether you’re trying to combat androgenic alopecia or just optimize what you’ve got, here’s what to remember about how to speed up your rate of hair growth:

• Hair already grows pretty fast. Your hair naturally grows about five to six inches a year, although this growth may look slightly different depending on your hair type. Genetics influence your growth rate, so there’s not a lot you can do to change it.

• But there are things you can do to help your hair grow even faster. You can support hair growth by using the techniques listed above, including maintaining a healthy diet, lathering up with thickening shampoo, and daily scalp massages.

• If you’re balding, start treating it as soon as possible. You can also promote growth and prevent thinning by using proven hair loss medications, such as minoxidil and finasteride.

If you’re interested in learning more, take a look at our guide to what one year of hair growth looks like on men’s hair or tips for regrowing thinning hair.