Many men desire to have long hair, but growing hair to a significant length can be a lengthy process. According to Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard University hair will grow an average of 1/2 inch every 30 days. If you are trying to increase this rate of growth or if your hair grows slower than average, you should be familiar with the lifestyle changes that can make your hair grower longer and faster. Understand that these techniques are simply to increase the rate at which your hair grows so you can achieve longer hair faster. These steps will not stop male pattern baldness.
Step 1
Include a multivitamin into your diet. While hair growth dietary supplements are not recommended, a multivitamin can supplement for any nutritional deficiencies that you may have. Malnutrition, particularly a lack of biotin according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, can hinder your hair growth.
Step 2
Quit smoking. Nicotine whether through directly smoking or secondhand smoke can deplete nutrients that your body needs for optimal function. Smoking also reduces circulation and constricts blood vessels, which can hinder hair growth. The University of Michigan also notes that smoking is linked to premature hair loss.
Step 3
Consume at least 10 percent of your calories from protein. Hair is made of protein and your body needs it to make your hair grow. The Mayo Clinic recommends that 10 percent to 35 percent of your daily calories come from dietary protein. You will want to aim for the higher percentage if you want to maximize your hair growth. Vanderbilt University notes that a protein deficiency can cause hair loss and poor hair growth.
Step 4
Drink a lot of water. Water is vital to life. Water cleanses your body and transports nutrients to cells. If you are constantly dehydrated, your hair growth will never be optimal. The Mayo Clinic suggests at least 8 cups of water each day.
Step 5
Combat stress with exercise or other natural remedies. Exercise improves circulation and stimulates growth hormone production, and both can improve your hair growth rate. Excess stress, according to Columbia University, also can lead to temporary hair loss. In periods of intense emotional stress, the body shifts hair follicles into their resting phase and sheds them prematurely.
Tips and Warnings
- Sources of lean protein include egg whites, whey protein, nonfat milk, chicken, fat-free ham and fish. Consider jogging, running, lifting weights, yoga or other forms of exercise to combat stress.
- If you are experiencing hair loss or thinning hair please consult your doctor. Treatments for androgenic alopecia are different than the techniques that increase hair growth.
Things You'll Need
- Multivitamin
References
- University of Michigan: Quit Smoking, and Your Whole Body Will Thank You
- Journal of Dermatology: Association Between Smoking and Hair Loss; 2003
- Mayo Clinic: Water: How Much Should You Drink Every Day?
- Columbia University: Stress Leads to Hair Loss?
- Massachusetts General Hospital: Hair Loss
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Vitamin H (Biotin)
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