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How can I make hair grow?

26 replies

DiscoDancer · 14/06/2014 21:33

I have a fairly good diet, lots of protein etc. I would just like my hair to grow two or three inches. Since having children, my hair doesn't seem to grow past my shoulders Hmm

Any ideas?

OP posts:
PolyesterBride · 14/06/2014 21:47

Chemo girls recommend Lush products eg www.lush.co.uk/products/new for stimulating hair growth

DiscoDancer · 15/06/2014 00:29

Thanks. Any other suggestions? Am willing to try them all at once

OP posts:
MinnesotaNice · 15/06/2014 00:32

I've heard prenatal vitamins will make hair and nails grow faster.

babymouse · 15/06/2014 00:52

Do you use heat to style your hair? Sometimes that can damage hair to the point where it will break at a certain point of its growth. Also, shampoos and conditioners with silicone in it can cause a lot of damage.

The key to growing hair out is treating it gently with lots of care - especially if you don't have fast growing hair to begin with. Summer is a good time to experiment though hair grows faster now than in the winter.

Skinheadmermaid · 15/06/2014 01:14

Try almond oil, you can get it in the supermarket. My dp is indian and all his family use it and have very, very long hair.

PinklePurr · 15/06/2014 01:17

Absolutely nothing will make hair or nails grow faster.

zeddybrek · 15/06/2014 07:46

I had the same problem. I swear by Alpecin, a caffeine shampoo from Boots. The trick is to leave it on for as long as possible.

BigRedBall · 15/06/2014 07:53

Head massage every night with some some oil. It will promote blood circulation to the follicles and help regrowth.

specialsubject · 15/06/2014 11:25

you can't. Hair is dead, hair length is part genetics and part the activity cycle of your follicles. This may change after pregnancy.

poor nutrition, stress or illness may reduce hair growth. Nothing can improve it beyond your natural capability. As noted you can damage hair.

any creams, potions, shampoo or magic spells promising to improve hair growth are cons for the gullible.

specialsubject · 15/06/2014 11:26

ps the lovely long, thick shining hair of some of those with Indian ancestry is just that, ancestry. The oil makes no difference.

BumWad · 15/06/2014 11:30

Sorry but I don't think anything will make hair grow quicker or faster. All you can do is look after it and eat a healthy diet.

dexter73 · 15/06/2014 11:31

Absolutely nothing will make hair or nails grow faster.

I disagree with the nails bit. My nails always grow a lot faster while I am on holiday somewhere hot and sunny.

Nothing much you can do to make your hair grow faster though.

Scarletohello · 15/06/2014 12:12

Stand on your head. ( it's the increased blood flow). Honestly.

specialsubject · 15/06/2014 12:24

dexter your nails don't grow faster on holiday, but you probably aren't typing/gardening/DIYing etc so they break less.

scarlet - there are things called valves in your circulation.

BumWad · 15/06/2014 13:07

Grin special

dexter73 · 15/06/2014 14:58

special - they do grow faster in the sun/summer. Google it if you don't believe me!

evelynj · 15/06/2014 21:13

My nails have grown more in the last 2 weeks in Spain than since Christmas, and I thought my hair too but not sure on that, so get on holiday!

DiscoDancer · 15/06/2014 21:43

I'm Indian and still have crap short hair! Have tried all the Indian oils and no joy. Will try to remember to massage scalp more though.....

OP posts:
Kittykat7 · 16/06/2014 10:17

Biotin & Silica supplement are supposed to help hair growth. Usually found in skin, hair & nails vitamins.
Hair & nails do grow faster in the sun. Ultra violet light stimulates growth. I am a beauty therapist & we learnt that at college. I live in Australia & my DH & DS have to get their hair cut every 4-5 weeks as it grows so fast.
I unfortunately suffer with Androgenic Alopecia. I lost a lot of my hair post partum. I have tried everything but as mine is hormonal I lose a lot of hair every time I wash it & it had gone very thin on top. My hair hadn't been the same for 10 years now. I wear clip in extensions around the hair line to thicken it up.

NuzzleandScratch · 17/06/2014 16:22

Rate of growth is largely genetically determined, with some seasonal variation. Massage and standing on your head will not increase growth, sorry! If you had a lack of blood to the head, you would have big problems! I would suggest getting your GP to run a blood test to check your iron stores (ferritin), as if you don't have enough (well up within the 'normal' range) the life span of a hair can be cut short, meaning it falls out too soon and therefore you struggle to grow it longer. If you are a meat eater, try to eat red meat once or twice a week, as this is an excellent source of readily absorbable iron (the iron in foods such as spinach isn't all readily accessible by the body).

The advice about maintaining the condition is important too, as hair in poor condition will struggle to grow long before breaking off.

specialsubject · 17/06/2014 16:29

dexter - can't find any believable websites about this but retaining an open mind!

not an effect I've noticed, but I am a very small statistical sample. Smile

Suzannewithaplan · 17/06/2014 16:35

have it cut when the moon is full Wink :o
thats what grandma told me

dexter73 · 17/06/2014 16:42

specialsubject - Clinical dermatology page 173. It's quite a reliable source of info Wink!

'The rate at which nails grow varies from person to
person: ?ngernails average between 0.5 and 1.2 mm
per week, while toenails grow more slowly. Nails grow
faster in the summer, if they are bitten, and in youth.'

Nells77 · 17/06/2014 16:57

I had been taking kelp tablets for a few months and my hairdresser was Shock at how quickly it's been growing. I've stopped taking it now so it'll be interesting if she thinks the grow rate has slowed since

Scarletohello · 17/06/2014 18:23

Ok this might seem weird and probably isn't that helpful but really wanted to share this. When I was 19 I had a slipped disc and was in traction in hospital for 3 weeks. This meant that I was lying in a bed that was elevated so that my feet were higher than my head. Sometimes they had to lower the bed as the increased pressure/ blood flow to my head gave me headaches. So, after 3 weeks if this, when they released me, I remember walking rather unsteadily to the toilet, looked in the mirror and my hair was about 2 and a half inches longer! I know it sounds strange but I promise you it happened! Not recommending this as a solution but just wanted to share it...