How To Make Your Hair Grow Faster, Longer And Stronger

Are you longing for long hair but impatient to wait? Vogue investigates the latest discoveries in allowing your hair to grow at its maximum speed.

By Emma Strenner, Vogue

The maximum rate at which your hair will grow may be genetically determined: "For most people this is approximately half an inch a month - there is not much you can do to speed this up,” says Anabel Kingsley, a leading trichologist in London and New York. “But you can certainly take steps to ensure your strands are growing at their optimal rate and not falling out before they should.”

From ensuring your hair is healthy from roots to ends to nourishing it from the inside out and caring for it properly, you can optimise your hair’s ability to grow longer and stronger at the fastest rate possible for you. Here Vogue brings you a step-by-step guide to growing out your locks.

Does a healthy scalp mean healthy hair?

“The scalp is the environment from which hair grows. As such, looking after your scalp is essential if you want to grow your hair long and strong.” Kinglsey advises treating your scalp with regular cleansing, daily toning and a weekly exfoliating scalp

Should you take supplements to boost hair growth?

Ensuring healthy levels of certain minerals in particular will encourage hair growth and help prevent breakage.

What are the best supplements for hair?

Fulvic acid: Shabir Daya, pharmacist and co-founder of Victoria Health says, “we found that a blind study using IoniCell For Women (a fulvic acid supplement) provided significant hair thickness and improvement in hair condition.”

Iron: “Iron deficiencies affect 15 per cent of the world’s population,” so it’s important to ensure you’re not part of that group by taking a high-quality iron supplement, such as Florisene for Women, according to Daya.

Biotin: “Hair is primarily made up of keratin so a biotin deficiency could result in hair loss,” says Daya.

Which products will enhance hair growth the most?

“Hair will not grow past a certain length if it is breaking off,” says Kingsley. It pays to invest in products that will strengthen hair and keep it in great condition. “To minimise breakage, use a weekly pre-shampoo conditioning treatment,” she says. “These plump the hair shaft with moisture, improving elasticity and strength.”

Does diet affect your hair growth?

A healthy diet is as vital to the health and appearance of your hair as it is to your skin’s. “Protein and complex carbohydrates are key to maintaining a good hair growth cycle,” says Kingsley, “so make sure you are including both of these at breakfast and lunch. These are the most important meals of the day for your hair as that is when energy expenditure is greatest.”

Hairstylist Luke Hersheson tells Vogue a good diet "massively" impacts the overall health of hair – as does drinking enough water – and will help ensure your efforts to grow it out are worthwhile.

"If you drink too much alcohol and smoke you're likely to be affecting your vitamin C levels," says Hersheson, who points out that it helps the body absorb iron, which is necessary for hair growth. He recommends taking it in supplement form, or incorporating kiwis, oranges, broccoli and Brussels sprouts into your diet.

Vitamins D (found in leafy greens and kale) and E (found in almonds, sweet potato and avocado), will also promote healthy hair, Hersheson says.

How should you brush your hair to promote hair growth?

Ensure you choose a brush that doesn’t damage your hair’s outer cuticle, which will leave strands vulnerable to damage. Opt for rounded, plastic prongs and a cushioned base and avoid boar bristle brushes. Plus, never brush your hair from the roots as this can cause friction on the hair shaft and damage it: start at the ends and gradually work your way up.

How often should you cut your hair if you want it grow out?

Hairstylist George Northwood, who styles the Duchess of Sussex’s hair, says, “have an invisible trim every three months - this is where we skim the ends without taking off length. Follow this with regular strengthening treatments to prevent it breaking and always use a thermal heat protection product on your hair when using hot tools. I also love a keratin blow dry as it adds protein to the hair.”

Hersheson agrees that while frequent trims aren't vital, it's important not to swerve the salon altogether. "What tends to happen when you don't cut hair at all is you get these really nice, soft, buttery ends and it looks boho and great," he says. "But then it gets to the point where it snaps. I'm not one of those hairdressers who thinks you have to have a cut every six weeks, but even just getting the ends snipped every three months will prevent it breaking off."