The bob may be on-trend as ever but as anyone who has ever committed to the chop knows, there comes a point where you start getting a little bored of your above-shoulder ‘do.
In theory, growing out your hair is a simple task. However, while you navigate the weird period of in-between lengths, there are the issues of breakage, styling and stagnant growth to contend with. It can make achieving Olivia Rodrigo-esque lengths feel near impossible.
Trust me, I get it: As a bob girly with aspirations of a Madelyn Cline-style mane (see below), I’ve found myself Googling ‘How to grow hair faster’ more times than I’d care to admit. But amid the “miracle” fixed touted online, it’s difficult to discern what actually works.
That’s why I turned to the experts for advice. Ahead, Robe Haircare founder and celebrity hairstylist Lauren Mackellar, and hair educator, expert colourist and Edwards & Co. founder, Jaye Edwards, offer their top tips for growing long, strong, healthy hair.
Can You Really Make Your Hair Grow Faster?
So you’ve likely seen the supplements, serums and TikTok hacks from murky sources, but can you actually make your hair grow any faster than it naturally wants to? According to both Lauren and Jaye, yes, you can—but it’s not quite so straightforward.
“Hair growth will be different for everyone, it depends on your hair type, the condition it’s in, genetics, and pretty much your lifestyle,” says Jaye. “Naturally, you can do some things to help the health of your hair which can impact its growth.”
Lauren adds that you can, “but you need to provide your scalp with the right conditions!”
“The hair follicles and scalp need a few key factors to help promote faster growth—but when they are all in check you can definitely give your hair the best conditions to increase the speed of growth,” she explains.
Related: How To Start a Skincare Routine From Scratch, According to Three Experts
How To Make Your Hair Grow Faster, Longer and Stronger
So you want longer, stronger an healthier hair… Scroll on for our full breakdown of the following:
- Get regular haircuts
- Do scalp massages
- Avoid heat
- Use rosemary oil
- Be conscious of styling
- Do a mask
- Pay attention to your products
Get Regular Haircuts
This is the most straightforward tip for growing your hair long but somehow, feels like one of the hardest to do. When you’ve managed to grow an inch (maybe your hair is finally, finally past your shoulders!) cutting half of that off can be scary. Unfortunately, regular trims are a must in maintaining your hair’s health and thus, growing it out.
While trims won’t make your hair grow faster because growth comes from the follicle, Jaye describes regular cuts as “the best thing you can do.” This is because by removing dead ends, you prevent them from splitting further up the hair shaft and potentially snapping off—ie. erasing your progress.
“If your hair is splitting and weakened from chemical services or the overuse of styling tools, then having very small trims (I used to call them ’trimettes’ or ‘dustings’ because at the end of the service there would literally only look like dust on the salon floor!) can help seal the ends of the hair and reduce further splitting and breakage, which will help your hair have a chance to grow longer,” Lauren explains.
Try a scalp massage
From your ends to your roots: One of the best places to focus to stimulate natural hair growth is the scalp.
“Healthy circulation and blood flow in the scalp is essential for strong and healthy hair growth,” says Lauren. “We all hold tension and stress in our scalps (even without realising it) and over time, if the blood flow cannot deliver the essential nutrients to the follicles for growth—it can lead to an increase of shedding, a gradual decreased size of the hair shaft, and even eventually stop growing.”
She adds that getting in the habit of massaging your scalp will help create a better environment to encourage faster and thicker hair growth.
Massaging your scalp is also a super effective way to work in any products you may be using. Lauren notes that one of Robe’s signature products, The Tonic, was intentionally designed as a spray-in treatment because “the action of massaging the product in will help to kick-start the process and absorption of the ingredients to where the follicles can utilise it for faster growth.”
Avoid Heat
It’s one of the most repeated hair health tips and that it because it is important!
If you’re hoping to grow long, healthy, thick hair then you’re going to want to lay off the hot tools (sorry). Both Lauren and Jaye point to the importance of this, with Lauren advising you let your hair dry naturally at least once a week.
If you are going to use a curler or a straightener, ALWAYS use a good heat protectant spray on your hair first.
Try Rosemary Oil
Okay so this is one of those social media hair growth hacks that actually might work.
A 2015 study found that the seasoning is just as effective at encouraging hair growth as the medication minoxidil. Per the Cleveland Health Clinic, effectiveness of rosemary oil is thanks to carnosic acid, which is a phenolic chemical compound in the plant. As well as promoting growth, the ingredient can help calm dandruff—double win.
“I love the rosemary oil trend that took over TikTok last year, it’s an easy and effective method to promote hair health,” says Jaye.
Choose hairstyles that cause the least amount of breakage
“Loose hairstyles will be your go to for preventing breakage on your hair growth journey,” says Jaye.
Consider a loose plait, or a bun tied with a silk scrunchie.
Do regular masks
Keeping your hair nourished and hydrated can help prevent breakage. While this won’t encourage growth, it will help your hair be healthier and less prone to snapping off.
Whether you would prefer to commit to an overnight mask or want a light, leave-in treatment that you can apply before work, there are options to suit your needs.
Check your products
Ensuring that the products you’re using are nourishing and not stripping is vital.
Lauren points to Natural actives like Redensyl as a good place to start, which “increases the rate of stem cell activity at the follicle, reducing shedding and resulting in faster hair growth.” She also recommends ginger, another ingredient loved in-house as Robe, which boosts circulation in the scalp.
Jaye always looks for “naturally-derived and Australian ingredients.”
Meanwhile, there are some common ingredients that could actually be doing you harm, by building up and leading to scalp irritation and even hair loss.
These are the ingredients Lauren and Jaye suggest keeping an eye out for:
USE
- Natural actives (ie. Redensyl)
- Ginger
- Vitamin B
- Keratin
- Collagen
- Peppermint oil
- Argan oil
- Rosemary oil
- Coconut oil
AVOID
- Sodium laurel sulphates
- silicone
- parabens
- alcohol-based formulations
Enjoyed our guide on how to grow hair faster, longer and healthier? Check our more beauty tips from Cosmopolitan Australia below.
