I've been asking colorists and hairstylists for their best hair growth secrets ever since I started highlighting, heat-torching, and administering overall havoc on my hair back in elementary school. (Yep, I was the girl sporting zebra highlights, temporary spray color, and tinsel-sprinkled fake hair clips in her fifth-grade yearbook picture.) Considering my natural hair is already finely textured and blonde, you'd think I'd take it easy with damage-invoking things like color, heat tools, extensions, etc., but apparently, it's just in my DNA to ignore my lofty length goals by pushing my hair's buttons and putting it through an undeserved ringer. (I've dabbled in extensions, I love my flat iron, and I once had almost all my hair bleached off my head.)
Suffice to say, my strands and I have been through a lot over the years, and even though I would say my hair is probably in the healthiest state it's been in a long time, I'm always curious to know what I could be doing better. Not to mention my friends, family, and co-workers are constantly asking what they can do to make their hair grow faster. (Apparently, when your head is the comeback kid of the century, you become an unofficial expert in hair growth.)
Since I'm not actually an expert, I decided to ask celebrity stylist and colorist Anthony Holguin at West Hollywood's Nine Zero One Salon how I can continue to make my hair grow faster despite my still-strong highlight habit. Holguin was the last person to color my fragile strands, and considering my hair has never looked or felt healthier post-color, he was pretty much the perfect person to compare notes with. Ahead, eight expert-approved tips to expedite hair growth. Keep scrolling!
1. Try Hair Growth Topicals
While I was sitting in Holguin's styling chair, I was lamenting over the inevitable ring of broken blonde baby hairs circling my hairline. Even though this type of breakage is incredibly common in those who color their hair—especially if you lighten—it's an annoying telltale sign of damage. Plus, due to fragility, they seem to perpetually break over and over, never reaching past a half or full inch in length.
Therefore, you can imagine my interest when Holguin told me I should start applying Latisse (or really any topical hair growth formula) directly onto my hairline where I've lost some thickness over the years.
"One thing I love and actually do myself to encourage hair growth is to apply Rogaine's Foam for Hair Loss and Hair Regrowth ($24) on my hairline every morning and every night," he tells me. "It can definitely help with receding hairlines or boosting any areas where you'd experienced hair loss or breakage."
I don't use Latisse (and don't feel like getting a prescription), so I've been reaching for the miracle serum below, which has majorly beefed up my brows (Joey Healy, you're an angel!) over the past couple of months. I apply it every morning and night after I brush it on my brows.
2. Pop a Gummy or Vitamin
"I also LOVE SugarBearHair gummies," swears Holguin. "They are so yummy and are easy to take—which is important since consistency is key with supplements! They basically taste like gummy bears but are loaded with hair-growth boosting biotin—more than some other gummies on the market."
Personally, I haven't tried the iconic turquoise bears yet, but about a year and a half ago, I made Hum's Hair Sweet Hair gummies a daily routine, and my hair has since been growing like a weed. A coincidence? I think not! (They're not gummies, but Nutrafol also has some amazing, high-quality options.)
3. Consider Supplementing With Collagen
Collagen has also been a major buzzword in the beauty and wellness industries the past few years and is often attributed to healthier hair, skin, nails, digestion, joints… Need we go on? The jury is still out among the medical set whether or not collagen is actually effective, but I've been taking a daily dose of Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides for a few years now and have considered it a pivotal player in my recent hair overhaul. If you like to snack, the below protein bars from Kalumi are packed with hydrolyzed marine collagen.
Holguin agrees and tells me it's actually one of his top three suggestions when discussing hair, skin, and nail health with his clients.
4. Give Your Scalp a Scrub
According to Holguin, scalp scrubs are one of the best ways to get pokey strands to grow faster. Not only will the actual massage help stimulate circulation (a key for hair growth), but incorporating a product that's formulated to nix buildup and other pore-clogging debris will help clear the way for long and lustrous strands. This cult classic from Christophe Robin is a beauty-editor standby.
5. Oil Up
Another luxurious and feel-good way to encourage hair growth? Hot-oil treatments. In addition to the aforementioned scrub, opting for hot oil at least once a week is one of Holguin's top tips for those seeking longer length fast.
6. Brush Daily
In an age (and season!) when bedhead and mermaid waves are encouraged, it's relatively easy to adopt an IDGAF attitude when it comes to styling our hair. But neglecting your brush or comb for days on end isn't doing your strands any favors, especially if you've been trying to get your hair to grow faster.
According to Holguin, brushing your hair every day (but gently!) will help. Just make sure you pick the right brush and don't overdo it. (Overworking your strands could lead to hair injury and fallout.) Mason Pearson's brush is the obvious choice—it's the Tesla of all hairbrushes—but if you're looking for a shine-inducing dupe that won't tear your hair, I've been equally obsessed with the below pick from WetBrush. It's lightweight and features a strategic combo of natural boar bristles and plush IntelliFlex bristles for easy detangling.
7. Mind Your Shampoo Habits
You've probably heard by now that washing your hair daily has become the ultimate faux pas within the beauty realm. Your hair is more prone to breakage and fallout whilst shampooing, so it didn't come as any huge surprise when Holguin told me to avoid daily shampoos at all costs. Instead, we recommend using a high-quality sulfate-free shampoo to ensure you get your hair really nice and clean when you do suds up, and then make it work in between with a no-nonsense dry shampoo.
This pick from Olaplex is one of the best I've tried and has helped me limit my washes to only once or twice per week (depending on what I have going on, of course). Plus, it's equally effective on all hair types.
8. Snip Less—But More Often
Holguin tells me that one of the worst pieces of advice he hears regarding hair growth is forgoing your haircuts altogether. In his book, you'll actually be doing your length goals more harm than good by ghosting your stylist.
"It's very important to get your hair cut every three months or so, even if it's just for a light dusting," he iterates. Essentially, this keeps your ends in line and will help splits and tears from going rogue and destroying your hair's length potential.
Another idea? Try adding a split-end remedy like the above to your haircare routine.
Next up, this secret ingredient is the fashion industry's best-kept hair industry.
This piece was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.