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.
So you’ve been rocking a buzz cut, and now you’re ready to grow it out. Well, a buzz cut is like a casino — easy to find your way into and significantly harder to get out of. Like many guys, you might feel like you’d rather reach for the number-one clipper than endure the awkward grow-out phase.
The good news? With patience, persistence, and expert guidance, growing out a buzz cut can be a pretty painless process.
Read on to explore tips for making the best of a grown-out buzz cut, plus expert advice from Gabe DeJesus, a barber with over 20 years of experience and the owner of Studio58, a barbershop in Brooklyn.
Yes, the stages of growing out a buzz-cut may have you grabbing a hat and questioning your life choices. But there are a few things within your control that make the process a little easier:
Have a plan
Get trims
Be patient
Experiment with products
Take care of your scalp
Get more details for each grown-out buzz cut tip below.
Knowing what you want your hair to look like once your buzz cut is grown out is helpful. That way, you can be more deliberate in the growing-out process and shape your hair to ensure it’s heading in the right direction.
You may also want to try different hairstyles along the way. For example, you could go from a short haircut like a buzz to a crew cut to an Ivy League style (short on the sides and back and slightly longer on top).
It may seem counterintuitive, but getting occasional trims can help the grow-out process go more smoothly.
“The focus [at this stage] is finding out what you need to do to minimize the annoyance that comes with trying to grow your hair out from a buzz,” DeJesus says.
You can keep the sides and back tapered to avoid a puffy look as your hair grows. You might also want to have your hairstylist remove some of the “bulk” from your hair to keep it manageable during the in-between stage.
“Patience is the most important factor in growing out your hair from a buzz cut,” says DeJesus. “The awkward phase is inevitable, and it’s important to embrace it and have fun while it grows out.”
We know — this isn’t what you want to hear. But growing out buzz cuts requires patience and a willingness to allow your hair to look a little funky until you reach the length you want. Embrace hats and beanies, and know it’s temporary.
A lightweight styling cream or pomade helps control awkward-length hair and can help you achieve spiky or slicked-back styles.
As your hair gets longer, matte clays, gels, and texture sprays can add grit and hold so you can experiment with different looks.
Healthy hair growth starts with a healthy scalp. As you grow out a buzz cut, use gentle shampoo and conditioner free of sulfates. Sulfates are lathering ingredients that can sometimes be overly harsh (all Hims shampoos are sulfate-free).
You can also reduce hair damage by protecting your hair from chlorine and letting it air dry. Growing out a buzz cut probably isn’t the best time to bleach or dye your hair, as the chemicals can be drying and damaging.
Check out our guide to scalp care for more tips.
Wondering how to style hair when growing out a buzz cut? According to DeJesus, the goal at this stage is to keep things neat and tidy while your hair is growing.
“For some, it could be as simple as keeping the areas around the ears and neckline clean and tidy,” he offers. “Others may just want to grow out the top, so many opt for some variation of fade or fairly short back and sides to keep a polished look as the hair grows out.”
You might want to invest in a few quality hair products to style your hair as it grows. Like shaved heads, buzz cuts don’t require much product or maintenance, so you may not know where to start.
Ask your barber or stylist for tips for your hair type, or check out our guide to hair care for men for pointers. You can also look at hair tutorials online with guidance on what products to use with a grown-out buzz cut.
“Hair grows about half an inch per month on average,” DeJesus says. “Depending on your desired length, it may take several months to a year.” Getting your hair trimmed will slow down growth slightly, but it might be worth it to keep things looking clean.
The exact length of time depends on your specific hair growth cycle, as well as how short your hair was to begin with and what style you’re trying to achieve.
There’s not a ton you can do to change the natural rate of regrowth, but certain things can support healthy hair growth:
Scalp massage. Research suggests regular scalp massage may stimulate hair growth by increasing circulation to the area.
Healthy eating. Eating a balanced diet can help you get the nutrients needed for hair health (like biotin, zinc, and vitamins A, C, and D). If you have trouble meeting your nutritional needs through diet alone, hair supplements may help.
Hair loss medication. And if you’re noticing the early signs of balding, thinning hair, or a receding hairline as you grow out your buzz cut, hair loss treatments are your friend (the earlier you start, the better).
Minoxidil and finasteride are the only two medications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) specifically for treating male pattern baldness — and they work even better when paired together.
We offer access to both finasteride and minoxidil as separate or combined treatments.
You may notice your hair feels different as you grow out a buzz cut, especially if it’s been a while since you had longer hair. There are a few reasons for this (and no, your hair texture probably hasn’t permanently changed).
First, super-short hair is blunt at the tip and can’t lay flat. This can make it seem coarser or rougher than you’re used to.
Second, as hair grows out, any waves, curls, or cowlicks become more defined. So, it’s possible your buzz cut looked straight, but your longer hair is wavy or even curly, depending on how close to the scalp your natural curl pattern starts.
Many dudes consider a low-maintenance buzz the best haircut in terms of practicality. But it’s not for everyone — or perhaps just not the ideal option to rock forever.
Here’s what to keep in mind when growing out your buzz cut:
Growing out a buzz cut can be a process, and there are some inevitable awkward stages along the way — strategic trims keep it looking intentional.
As your hair gets longer, your natural texture will start to show. It’s possible you’ll also notice signs of balding that were less obvious before, especially if you haven’t had long hair in a while.
A little scalp care, patience, and the right products make the grow-out phase smoother (and way less frustrating).
To learn more about hair growth, check out our guides to what six months of hair growth looks like and pumpkin seed oil for hair growth.
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