A top trichologist reveals how to build strong foundations & promote good hair health, so you can hold onto your lengths for longer
If you’re longing for longer hair, you’re not alone. According to Google Trends data, ‘how to grow your hair faster’ and ‘how to make your hair thicker’ receive thousands of searches each month. And while hair is the second fastest growing tissue in the body (second to bone marrow), the World Trichology Society reports that, on average, it grows just half an inch each month, or roughly six inches per year.
So, is it possible to give hair growth a boost? "The maximum rate to which your hair will grow is genetically determined," says Anabel Kingsley, brand president and consultant trichologist at Philip Kingsley. "For most people, this is approximately half an inch per month, and unfortunately there’s not a lot you can do to speed this up." Other factors that may affect hair growth include age, health and hormones.
However, there are several ways to boost hair health, making it less susceptible to breakage, as well as things to avoid that may slow healthy hair growth down.
Here, Anabel reveals her top expert tricks to look after your lengths and create the optimum conditions for hair to grow, along with a round-up of our best hair growth products to promote healthy hair. You’re welcome!
1. Use a weekly conditioning treatment
It may sound obvious, but if your hair’s breaking at the ends, it will not be able to grow past a certain length. "The key is using treatments and products that will help strengthen strands," says Anabel, who recommends using a weekly conditioning treatment. It’s also important to avoid excessive heat styling (and use a heat protector spray when you do) as this can lead to damage, dryness and, ultimately, breakage.
"Hair isn’t a living tissue and therefore it has no nerves – meaning we can’t feel it burn," points out Anabel. "As a rule of thumb, if your dryer’s too hot for the back of your hand, it’s too hot for your hair. So turn down the heat setting."
Also, never straighten wet or damp hair as "the moisture inside the hair shaft can boil causing the hair shaft to burst, forming small nodules that may eventually lead to breakage."
Our top picks:
Try: L’Oréal Professionnel Metal Detox Hair Mask
• Size: 250ml
• Can be used after colour, balayage or bleach treatments
• Leave on for 1-3 minutes
Specially designed to protect colour or balayage, this innovative, salon-trusted formula helps protect against copper deposits found in shower water. These deposits can damage or discolour hair, so this mask works by purifying the hair to enhance vibrancy – pretty clever if you ask us! Lightweight, easy to use and with a sweet citrus scent, it’s a must to keep your hair fresh from AM to PM.
Try: L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths XXL Fibre Mask for Long, Damaged Hair
• Size: 400ml
• Suitable for all hair types
• With recyclable tub & lid
For some XXL volume, answer your hair dreams with this fibre mask. Scientifically powered by a 19% restoring fibres complex with pro-collagen, it gets to work on your strands, detangling, strengthening and so much more. Clap your hands together to awaken the restoring fibres inside, before applying onto wet hair. Rinse after three minutes to reveal softer, fuller locks.
Try: Pantene Pro-V Miracles Hair Mask Biotin & Bamboo
• Size: 300ml
• Suitable for all hair types
• With biotin & bamboo
Dry, damaged or colour treated hair is no match for this one pot wonder from Pantene. The formula, enriched with bamboo and Pro-V vitamin blends works to reconstruct the hair, making it stronger and less prone to breakage. Apply onto wet hair and leave for two minutes before rinsing off thoroughly.
Try: FUL Intense Moisture Hair Mask
• Size: 300ml
• Suitable for all hair types
• Vegan & cruelty-free*
• 94% naturally derived ingredients
• Free from silicone, sulphates, parabens & mineral oils
Achieve that fresh out-of-the-salon feeling from the comfort of our own home with this nourishing, thirst-quenching mask from FUL. Designed for optimum hydration, the pH balanced formula is infused with conditioning agents, including shea butter and coconut oil which work in tandem to smooth hair and banish frizz. Did we mention it also smells incredible too? It gets ticks all round!
Want to help shield hair from heat styling? Check out our guide to the best heat protection sprays and products.
2. Eat a healthy, balanced diet
The impact that nutrition has on hair growth should not be underestimated. "As hair is a non-essential tissue, and the second fastest growing tissue in the body, its nutritional requirements are high," says Anabel. "Even a small deficiency may cause hair loss."
According to the NHS, not eating enough calories during the day may lead to hair loss and a lack of certain vitamins or minerals (particularly iron and protein) can contribute to it as well. If you’re concerned, book in with your GP who can arrange a blood test to help highlight any deficiencies.
Anabel’s top tip for feeding hair from within? "Never skip breakfast. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day for your hair as it’s when energy to form hair cells is at its lowest," she says. "A 'hair-healthy' breakfast includes a portion of protein and a complex carbohydrate, such as eggs and wholewheat toast, smoked salmon on a bagel, or quinoa porridge with nuts and berries."
3. Keep your scalp clean
A healthy scalp is vital for healthy hair growth and, according to Anabel, a healthy scalp is a clean scalp. "Try to shampoo regularly (daily or every other day) to keep your scalp clean and flake-free," advises Anabel. Find what works best for your lifestyle, needs and hair type. The ultimate goal of shampooing is to cleanse your scalp of sebum, sweat, styling products and general dust and pollution. But if you have a dry scalp and don’t tend to use that many styling products, you may find that washing your hair less frequently works for you. Team with a scalp massage to turn your hair wash into the ultimate self-care ritual.
While it’s easy to forget about the skin on your scalp, Anabel reminds us that "the scalp is simply an extension of the skin on your forehead, and it should be cared for with the same attention that’s devoted to facial skin." Think cleanser, an exfoliator and treatments. "Once a week, try using an exfoliating scalp mask to gently lift away dead skin cells," recommends Anabel.
Our top picks:
Try: Ouai Scalp & Body Scrub
• Size: 250g
• Vegan & cruelty-free*
Take your scalp and skin to rehab with this deep-cleansing scrub from Ouai. Massage the sugar crystals in circular motions onto a wet scalp and watch as it gently foams. Rinse to reveal a cleansed and softened scalp that complements your swish-worthy styles. This hybrid hero can also be used on the body too. So, you’re getting even more bang for your buck.
Try: Pureology Hydrate Moisturising Shampoo for Medium to Thick Hair
• Size: 266ml
• Suitable for all hair types
• Vegan*
• With jojoba, green tea & sage
Looking for a hair growth shampoo? Indulge your tresses in a little self-care treat thanks to this luxurious shampoo from Pureology. The hydrating formula coats each strand with an aromatherapy blend of lavender, bergamot and patchouli. From the first use, your hair will achieve added moisture, softness and colour protection. Plus, it’ll help you wave goodbye to split ends and brittleness.
Try: Coco & Eve Deep Clean Scalp Scrub
• Size: 150ml
• Suitable for sensitive scalps
• Vegan & cruelty-free*
This super scrub gets to the root of your scalp dilemmas in just one application. With ingredients like coconut shell to brush away flakes and peppermint oil to soothe the skin, its cocktail of active ingredients work in tandem to leave your scalp clean and healthy. Housed in a pretty pink bottle, it even looks fantastic on your bathroom shelf!
Try: Umberto Giannini Scalp Serum
• Size: 50ml
• Free from sulfates, parabens & silicones
Want to scratch that itch when it comes to finding scalp solutions? Look no further. This soothing serum is packed full of nourishing super fruit enzymes to help restore balance to the scalp by calming the skin. You no longer need to deal with the burden of pesky flakes and can instead say ‘hello’ to a healthy scalp. This one-size-fits all formula is also suitable for colour-treated hair.
4. Brush hair from ends to roots
Contrary to what you may think, it’s important to brush hair from ends to roots – but gently, rather than tugging at strands like you’ve got a personal grudge against them. "Dragging a brush through the length of your hair and tugging on tangles can cause strands to snap," warns Anabel, "and over time, rough brushing can lead to breakage and split ends."
The best way to brush to work towards a fast growth of hair? Begin by detangling with a wide-tooth comb. "Gently run your comb through your hair, starting at the ends and gradually working your way up to the roots," says Anabel.
Do this before you step in the shower. "Hair can swell by 20% to 30% when it’s wet, making wet hair a little like a taut rubber band," explains Anabel, "roughly brushing hair in this state can easily cause it to snap." So, be gentle on wet hair, using a comb and detangling spray to help prevent any tugging.
Our top picks:
Try: Boots Basics Paddle Hair Brush
• Made from at least 25% recycled materials
• Packaging is 100% recyclable
No haircare routine is complete without that one trusty tool – a soft, bristled brush. And this pretty pink paddle brush certainly fits the bill. With a purse-friendly price tag, it’s the convenient companion you need to keep your strands looking tip-top. Use it to effortlessly tease and detangle unruly locks – it’s also great for blow drying your hair to get that smooth, sleek finish.
Try: Color Wow Root Cover Up Medium Brown
• Size: 2.1g
• Apply to dry hair
• Mineral powder formula
• Water-resistant
• Free from waxes, dyes or parabens
This ground-breaking innovation is making headway. A name that’s become well-known, (you can thank Tik Tok for that!) Colour Wow are in a league of their own! This root cover up has quickly become our best-kept secret for covering roots and regrowth as quick as a flash. With fast and easy application and no mess, it delivers head-turning results in minutes. We can’t get enough of it.
Try: Drybar Hot Toddy Heat Protectant Mist
• Size: 130g
• Notes of coconut, amber & vanilla
• Vegan*
• Leaping bunny certified
A cult-favourite brand that are masters in the art of blow-dries, Drybar certainly know their stuff. This heat protectant mist is one must-have in their ever-growing list of professional-quality products. Enriched with a powerful blend of fire tulip extract and marula oil, one spritz graces your hair with a protective coat, defending against heat up to 232°C.
Try: Matrix Food For Soft Hair Oil Serum
• Size: 50ml
• Leave-in treatment
• For all hair types
• Protects from heat damage up to 230°C
Looking for a solution to quench those thirsty locks? Give them a gulp of avocado goodness with this little green bottle of dreams. Powered by hyaluronic acid and avocado oil, the lightweight, leave-in treatment provides long-lasting moisture, while smoothing and softening the hair for added shine – it even provides heat protection too. Is there anything it can’t do?
The takeaway
"Although there’s no 'one-size-fits-all' in haircare, a balanced diet and a good haircare regime can encourage healthy hair growth," says Anabel. With the right products, regular cleansing and a less damaging hair brushing technique, we can help keep our new-found lengths looking stronger, healthier and happier for longer. Apply several drops of oil serum to wet or dry hair and don’t rinse. It really is that easy!
