We reached out to our experts to find out how we can help speed up the process.
West Hollywood, CA, hair restoration specialist Craig Ziering, MD, says it’s best to avoid chemical straightening treatments and heat styling as much as possible since they can cause serious damage to the hair. He also recommends Viviscal Professional Hair Growth supplements. “Viviscal strengthens and replenishes vital nutrients in thinning hair. It is a natural dietary supplement, safe for both men and woman, with clinical studies that support its use for promoting existing growth.”
He also suggests eating a diet rich in proteins and amino acids to help support healthy hair growth, while salmon and other fish are rich in essential omega-3 fatty acids that help support scalp health. Spinach is another great option because it’s an excellent source of vitamin A and C. These nutrients help your body produce sebum—the body’s natural hair conditioner. It’s also important to choose whole grains when given the option they contain vitamin B, iron and zinc. Zinc is especially important for healthy hair growth because it helps to regulate hormones that affect the thickness and growth of your hair.
Plano, TX, facial plastic surgeon Samuel Lam, MD agrees, saying, “The healthier you are, the better the hair will grow.” He also cautions against buying hair growth medications that aren’t approved by the FDA at a high cost with no proven benefits.
“The average person’s hair grows about 3/4th to one inch every month,” says celebrity hairstylist and owner of The Private Room in Beverly Hills, CA, Tina Dizon. That’s why it’s important to keep your hair as healthy as possible so it can look it’s best and grow faster. She agrees that you should avoid heat styling as much as possible and adds that you should also never tie your hair up when it’s wet. Regular trims are also a must to get rid of damaged hair to prevent further breakage. She recommends Unite Moisturizing Shampoo ($28) and Unite Moisturizing Conditioner ($30) to keep your hair healthy and hydrated.
And since blood circulation is important to hair growth, regular scalp massages and exercise can help increase the blood flow to the scalp. While supplements and a healthy diet can help your hair grow, Dizon says that patience is a virtue when it comes to waiting out the growth process. “As long as you are aware of what you do and have the patience and dedication to do the right things, your hair will grow faster than you realize.”
