Proven Ways to Stimulate Existing Hair Growth

Growing long, beautiful, Rapunzel-like hair isn’t easy — but it’s not impossible either. On average, hair grows a quarter- to a half-inch per month. Hair growth varies by individual, and can change based on factors like diet, illness or stress. The best way to make your hair grow healthier is to provide hair follicles with the nutrients they need to grow thicker hair, and by taking care of your existing hair. While you won’t have hair down to your waist in the next week, following these tips for hair growth naturally will give your hair the best possible chance to reach awesome lengths.

How to Stimulate Existing Hair Growth

1. Grow Hair Naturally with a Healthy Diet

In order to support your hair follicles, you must eat a healthy diet rich in the vitamins, minerals, proteins and fats that your body needs to grow healthy hair.

2. Supplement Your Diet for Improved Hair Growth

Even the healthiest eaters slip up sometimes. To make sure that your hair follicles are always supported, add a hair supplement to your diet. Viviscal Extra Strength is formulated to nourish healthy hair from the inside out, with a proprietary blend of ingredients necessary to help support healthy hair.

3. Encourage Faster Hair Growth Through Scalp Massage

Vital hair growth nutrients are delivered to the hair follicles via a network of blood vessels throughout the scalp. Massaging the scalp improves blood flow through this area, thereby delivering more nutrients to the hair follicles for improved hair growth.

To give yourself a scalp massage, use your fingertips to rub your scalp in a circular motion. Begin above your ears, then move to the front of your scalp, and finally to the back. As you massage, you’ll feel your scalp relax. This massage can be performed on dry hair, or using a hair growth-promoting essential oil (see below).

As an added benefit, scalp massages reduce stress, which can contribute to thinning hair and reduced hair growth rates.

4. Microneedling for Rapid Hair Growth

While microneedling can be painful, there is some evidence that this method can encourage hair to grow faster. In microneedling, a dermaroller or dermastamp is applied to the scalp. These tools have many tiny needles, which cause small tears in the skin. The miniscule wounds encourage skin to produce more collagen and elastin, as well as improve circulation to the scalp. While the procedure is somewhat invasive, it may be worth a try if you’re serious about hair growth.

Microneedling is best performed by a professional. If you do choose a microneedle that can be used at home, follow your tool’s instructions carefully, and always be sure to sterilize any tool before use to prevent infection.

5. Essential Oils Help Promote Healthy Hair Growth

Research suggests that several types of essential oils may encourage healthy hair growth.
These include:

Peppermint Oil

A 2014 Korean study demonstrated that peppermint oil was more successful at growing hair than minoxidil or jojoba oil. ()

Rosemary Oil

In 2013, Japanese scientists demonstrated that rosemary oil was just as effective as finasteride at blocking DHT, the hormone responsible for shrinking hair follicles and causing androgenetic hair loss.

Consider purchasing a shampoo or conditioner with these ingredients, or add a few drops of these essential oils to your favorite conditioner. Try massaging your scalp using a few drops of these essential oils added in a carrier oil, like jojoba or coconut.

6. Egg Yolks Prevent Hair Breakage

Perhaps you’re one of the lucky ones whose hair does grow quickly, but always breaks off at a certain point. If that’s the case, this egg yolk mask can help strengthen your strands and prevent breakage.

Mix two eggs with two tablespoons of olive oil. Apply the mask to dry hair from root to tip and leave on for 30 minutes. Shampoo and condition as usual. Use once per week for best results.

Consistency is key. Pick one or two of the practices above and stick with it for a least eight weeks to see results. Remember, if you’re concerned about hair loss, you should speak to your physician to rule out any other serious, underlying issue.

Have you tried any of these ways for hair grow faster and longer? Let us know in the comments!