How to Grow Your Hair Super Long

Co-authored by Jenny Tran

Last Updated: March 19, 2021 References Approved

Long hair is a great, classic, and versatile look. Getting super long hair isn't always doable and depends on the length of your hair growth cycle, which has 3 phases: growing, resting, and shedding. If you have a short growth phase, you may not be able to grow your hair longer than 6–12 inches (15–30 cm). With a little care, however, you can encourage your hair to grow longer. Seek out salon-quality products to strengthen your hair and make small tweaks to your eating and exercise routine to promote hair growth. With a little time and elbow grease, you can have the beautiful, long hair you desire.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Changing Your Hair Care Routine

1
Brush your hair gently. Use a brush with natural boar bristles. Brush your hair from the tips and move upward to de-tangle your dry hair. Work out tangles slowly and never tear or pull at your hair when brushing.^{[1]
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- If you have it on hand, apply some kind of hair protectant prior to brushing to minimize split ends.
- Don't brush wet hair, or you may cause hair strands to break.
2
Massage your scalp daily. Use the tips of your fingers to make gentle, circular motions to give your scalp a soothing massage. This increases blood flow to the scalp, resulting in hair follicles growing faster.^{[2]
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- A good time to do a scalp massage is in the shower while you are shampooing your hair.
- If you are working with dry hair, apply a few drops of hair oil to your scalp to prevent too much tugging on your hair.
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3
Shampoo only one or two times a week. Shampooing every day can dry out your hair, which can slow down hair growth. Shampooing once or twice a week should be adequate to keep your hair clean. On other days, simply rinse your hair with water and then apply conditioner. If your hair feels dirty during the week, use a dry shampoo instead of shampooing your hair when it's wet.^{[3]
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Expert Source

Jenny Tran
Professional Hair Stylist
Expert Interview. 19 May 2020.}
4
Condition your hair each time you shampoo it. Conditioner replenishes oils and moisture lost during the shampooing process. Never neglect applying a quality conditioner to your hair the days you shampoo. It's vital to replenish your hair to keep it strong, which promotes growth.^{[4]
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Expert Source

Jenny Tran
Professional Hair Stylist
Expert Interview. 19 May 2020.}
- In addition to your normal conditioning, try doing a deep conditioning treatment or hair mask once a week. This will add extra shine and strength to your hair.^{[5]
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  Expert Source
  
  Jenny Tran
  Professional Hair Stylist
  Expert Interview. 19 May 2020.}
5
Rotate the placement of your ponytail. If you pull your hair back daily, do not place your ponytail in the same spot each day. This can wear down the strands, slowing the growth of your hair. Pull your hair back in a slightly different spot each day by shifting it up or down on your head.^{[6]
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- To prevent breakage, only use cloth-covered elastic bands and scrunchies. Don't use a rubber band.
- Avoid putting your hair up while it is still wet.
6
Dry your hair with a microfiber cloth instead of a towel. Using a towel to dry your hair causes breakage as your hair gets caught in the towel's woven strands. Instead, use a microfiber cloth specifically designed for drying hair or even an old T-shirt. This minimizes breakage and split ends.^{[7]
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7
Trim your hair half an inch every two to three months. Neglecting the tips of your hair for too long will cause split ends. These can ride up towards the roots of your hair, causing damage and slowing growth. Periodically trimming your hair will actually help it grow faster.^{[8]
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Expert Source

Jenny Tran
Professional Hair Stylist
Expert Interview. 19 May 2020.}
8
Use a silk pillowcase. Pillowcases made from cotton or linen, although they may feel soft, are rough enough to grab strands of hair and cause breakage. Switch to a silk pillowcase. It will stop unwanted friction while you sleep.^{[9]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using Products that Promote Hair Growth

1
Apply a hydrating hair mask once a week. Stop by a salon or a local beauty supply store and invest in a hydrating hair mask. Apply the mask onto the ends of your hair, and work it up your hair towards the roots. Leave the mask in for the required time period and then rinse it out. This will keep your hair strong and hydrated, encouraging growth.^{[10]
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2
Apply a heat protectant when blow drying or straightening your hair. Heat can cause serious damage to hair if you don't take proper precautions. A quality heat protectant should be applied all over your hair prior to blow drying or straightening. You should also limit heat treatments in general as this helps hair grow faster.^{[11]
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- Heat treat your hair for special occasions only. For example, skip the heat treatment until a date night or night out with friends.
3
Choose shampoos with natural ingredients. Always check the ingredient label before buying a shampoo. Shampoos that minimize use of chemicals and are stocked with natural products are the best option for your hair.^{[12]
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- Avoid shampoos with the ingredients sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate, as they're generally bad for your hair. You should also look out for ingredients like parabens, fragrances, benzoyl alcohol, and sodium benzoate.^{[13]
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- In general, opt for a shampoo with a small amount of ingredients. Look for natural ingredients, such as oils and foods, over chemical additives.
4
Use leave-in conditioner. Leave-in conditioners lock in moisture and keep your hair protected all day. Even when you use a regular conditioner, apply a leave-in conditioner afterwards to protect your hair from breakage.^{[14]
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5
Do a deep protein conditioning treatment once a month. You can book a protein conditioning treatment at a local salon or buy a kit yourself. Deep protein treatments involve deep conditioning your hair with a mask with added protein. This strengthens your hair and promote growth.^{[15]
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6
Use essential oils before bed. To apply essential oils, gently massage them into your scalp. Essential oils that are good for hair include lavender, rosemary, thyme, grapeseed, palm oil, Moroccan oil, and argan oil.^{[16]
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- It is dangerous to apply essential oils directly to the scalp. Use a carrier oil, such as olive oil, to dilute essential oils. Only use a few drops of any essential oil in a tablespoon or two of a carrier oil.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Adjusting Your Lifestyle

1
Eat healthy. Healthy eating gives your hair the nourishment it needs to grow. Foods that help with hair growth include salmon, walnuts, spinach, blueberries, sweet potatoes, and greek yogurt.^{[17]
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- In addition to eating healthy foods, work on cutting back on unhealthy foods such as processed foods, sweets, and junk food.
2
Hydrate yourself. Strive to drink water with every meal, carry a water bottle with you throughout the day, and stop by water fountains whenever you see them. Avoid drinking other beverages, like juice or soda, with meals. The more water you drink, the faster your hair will grow.^{[18]
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3
Minimize your stress. High stress levels harm your overall health. This can result in slower hair growth, or even hair loss.^{[19]
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Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source} Find ways to reduce stress in your life.
- Try stress reduction techniques such as yoga, deep breathing, and meditation. You can join a class or find guided routines online.
- Try taking up an exercise routine. Endorphins can help you manage stress and have additional health benefits.
- Reach out to others when you're feeling stressed. Venting to friends and family members can help reduce your overall stress levels.
4
Take a daily biotin supplement. Biotin is a supplement that greatly increases the growth of proteins in your hair and nails. You can purchase biotin supplements in health food stores or drug stores. Taken on a daily basis, your hair will grow in faster and stronger.^{[20]
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- Always talk to your doctor before introducing any new supplements into your diet.
5
Take your vitamins. Most of the vitamins necessary for healthy hair come in the fruits and vegetables you eat each day. To get an extra punch from these vitamins, take a bit extra on a daily basis. Choose a multivitamin, or try taking supplements for vitamins A, B2, and E which all benefit hair growth.^{[21]
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- Talk to your doctor before introducing vitamins into your diet.

What Can I Do To Encourage My Hair To Grow Thicker And Longer Naturally?

Expert Q&A
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Question

How fast does hair grow?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Hair grows about 1/2 inch per month. This rate increases slightly in the summer and decreases slightly in the winter.
Question

What oil makes your hair grow faster?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Argan, coconut, and olive oil are just a few of the types of oils that benefit your hair. Keeping the strands smooth and hydrated reduces the chance of breakage, making it easier to attain more length.
Question

How can I increase my hair growth?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

You can take biotin supplements to strengthen and elongate the hair follicles, which maximizes growth. Scalp massage is also effective at encouraging growth.