I remember back in the 90s, after one horrible haircut, I was desperate for rapid regrowth. Hearing some sort of wives’ tale about horse shampoo helping hair grow faster, I begged my mother to buy good old Mane & Tail. She did, but it didn’t give me the long or luscious locks I had hoped for.
Things have advanced a bit more here in the 21st century, and it’s not only about growing hair longer but also promoting healthy hair. It’s still no easy feat to have a full head of hair, and there’s no one-size-fits-all solution or quick fix, as everyone’s hair has specific needs. Here’s a rundown of tips if you’re in the market for longer, stronger, and healthier strands.
First, if you are growing out your hair, you need to start taking care of it and have patience. Growing long hair is a process; if done correctly and diligently, it will deliver results. Hair grows in stages at about half an inch a month on average. And while it may seem counterintuitive to the process, regular micro-trims keep growth on track.
Taking off less than an inch to clear off split ends will keep new growth healthy and avoid those splits from working up higher on the hair’s shaft. Three trims a year, along with split-end treatment products like Amika’s The Closer Split-end Seal, will set you up for success on your longer hair journey.
From your ends to your scalp, a well-cared-for melon sets up the environment to support healthy hair. For oily scalps, keep them clean with washes like Better Not Younger New Dan Activate Charcoal Scalp Cleaners to prevent build-up. For a normal-to-dry scalp, nourish and hydrate with a scalp serum like Dove’s Scalp + Hair Therapy to promote density as well as a healthy scalp. I prefer this step after an evening shower, giving myself a bit of head massage to unwind, and then leave in overnight.
Speaking of showers, washing is the foundation of any hair-care regimen. While most are happy to simply wash and condition, if you’re on a mission to regrow fuller hair, washing it starts before you set foot in the tub. Give your hair a 10-minute soak with a protective pre-wash tonic/mask like Briogo’s Scalp Revival Rosemary Pre-Wash Scalp and Hair Oil, available at Ulta. This does double duty as both a serum for your head and a pre-wash protector so that your shampoo won’t strip out moisture from your strands.
When selecting a shampoo and conditioner, look to sulfate-free formulas and product duos from brands like Prose, Oribe, and Vegamour, which offer customized products for your hair and scalp type. Of course, Pantene, Dove, and standard drugstore brands also offered paired products.
For coarse, curly, or color-treated hair, consider using only conditioner on its own to clean hair. Not with every shower, mind you, but every other or twice a week.
Whatever shampoo and conditioner you use, definitely do weekly conditioning treatments, paying special attention to the tips that are the oldest and dryest part of your strands. You can use oils and serums like Redken’s All Soft Argan 6 Multi-Care Oil on dry or damp hair. I prefer hair masks to treat specific hair types and conditions. For my fine, flat hair, I like Eva Nyc’s Lift off Volumizing Hair Mask. If you have damaged or dull hair, you may find Sexyhair’s Healthy Imperfect Fruit Moisturizing Mask best suits your hair needs. No matter your hair type, there’s a mask out there for you to keep your locks soft and conditioned to support longer hair growth.
Beyond treatments and trims, you can look to your diet as a means of boosting longer hair. It shouldn’t be much of a surprise to read that the best diet for your hair is a generally healthy diet based on real whole foods rich in iron, zinc, vitamins C and B, etc. Drinking enough water to keep your inside hydrated is also generally good health practice. You can also add supplements to your routine. I’ve been taking a HERS daily hair growth pill here in 2025 and am fairly pleased with the results.
Another trick to growing longer hair is switching out your pillowcase. Cotton is going to suck all of the moisture out of your hair overnight, and of course, static cling makes for an unflattering bedhead. You can retain more moisture and reduce damage with a silk or satin pillowcase. You can also avoid damage by limiting your use of hot tools and using protectant products like IGK’s Good Behavior 4-in-1 Prep Spray for when you do style with heat.
Lastly, be gentle with your hair when brushing. You don’t want to pull or rip through tangles. I like the line of detangling brushes from Wet Brush at Target, but a tender hand is key. All in all, several factors affect hair health, such as diet, age, and genetics. But if you are patient and follow healthy hair habits, hopefully, you’ll be swinging long strands after some time.
