6 Tips to Help Your Hair Grow Longer Than It Ever Has

As someone who has wavered between a number-two buzz cut and mermaid length locks, it’s safe to say I have done my fair share of research and experimentation in the hair-growing department.

The literature on hair care is vast, so to help you out, I have compiled a list of 6 of the best hacks to help grow your hair – including habits to break, products to use, supplements to take and treatments to book.

The Best Tricks to Make Your Hair Grow Long

1. Scalp Massage

We have a whopping 100,000 hair follicles on our scalps, with hair sprouting from the roots of these little guys. “Blood in your scalp goes to the follicle and supplies oxygen and nutrients to the hair root, which helps your hair grow,” Healthline explains.

But how to encourage it? The answer is fairly simple: Massage.

There is compelling evidence to support that indulging in a scalp massage can help dilate blood vessels beneath the skin and improve circulation, leading to thicker and potentially longer hair.

Massage your scalp whilst shampooing your hair or enlist the help of a professional. Alternatively, many products are hitting the market recently, each promising to stimulate hair growth. One example is the Brigeo Scalp Revival™ Stimulating Therapy Massager from Mecca.

i-045594-scalp-revival-stimulating-therapy-massager-1-940.jpg — briogio, Scalp Revival™ Stimulating Therapy Massager ($24)

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2. Essential Oils

For those who love to explore alternative routes, certain essential oils have been known to aid in hair growth. One NCBI study showed that after four weeks of testing, 3% peppermint oil “showed the most prominent hair growth effects, including a significant increase in dermal thickness, follicle number, and follicle depth.” This is all the more impressive given that the study compared the effects of peppermint oil with saline, jojoba oil and minoxidil: A medication famous for treating hair loss.

The high menthol content makes doTERRA’s peppermint oil your best option.

Screen Shot 2021-03-04 at 11.06.43 am.png — dōTERRA, Peppermint ($27)

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3. Just Keep Trimming

The good old old hair trim. It’s one tip we hear all the time, which seems counter-intuitive but apparently works. I was convinced for a while that it was a lie made up by hairdressers to ensure recurring business, but it appears that leaving your hair to run wild doesn’t help in the hair length department. Without regular trims, split ends can quickly get out of hand and with splits come breaks which leads to shorter hair.

Hair growth should be viewed holistically, which means putting good things into your body, taking care of your scalp to stimulate growth, using effective products and ensuring those tips are healthy and split-free.

4. Vitamins

Vitamins such as Biotin, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Zinc, Iron and Omega 3 and 6 are all known supporters of hair growth, which means that a deficiency could be detrimental to your long hair goals. While you should always check with your doctor first, a supplement might help give you the little boost to get across the finish line.

Grown Alchemist’s Hair Complex contains wonder-vitamin Biotin to improve your hair’s keratin formation and Silica and Riboflavin to repair and regenerate tissues and help promote healthy hair growth.

vitamins for growing hair long — grown alchemist, hair complex ($95)

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5. Caffeine

Caffeine is a miracle worker for hair growth. Unfortunately, I don’t mean your morning cup of joe but rather caffeine enriched products. One study even revealed “new growth-promoting effects of caffeine on human hair follicles in subjects of both sexes at different levels (molecular, cellular and organ).”

The Grow Gorgeous range is one of the best—offering a thickening shampoo and conditioner, intense serum and thickening hair and scalp mask.

caffeine shampoo to make your hair grow — grow gorgeous, intense collection ($127)

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6. Avoid Heat Styling

In terms of hair damage, heat styling is the number one culprit. Overheating from hairdryers, straighteners and curling wands has proven to cause long-term damage, inhibiting hair growth. As mentioned, healthy hair helps create an environment for growth, so minimising your hair tool time is paramount.

If you can’t live without beach waves or your daily blowout, ensure you have EVO Icon Welder Heat Protection Mist on hand to protect those luscious locks.