A Trichologist’s Tips For Making Your Hair Grow Faster

“There are so many factors that can impact hair growth, but the most common that I see with clients at our Trichological clinic is breakage. This is where hair is growing from the root but snapping off at the ends. This can be caused by poor heat styling and nutritional deficiencies, but also male or female pattern hair loss. Each of these causes will require a different route of treatment to optimise hair growth. This is where most of us go wrong – often due to a lack of information, we use the wrong treatments and remedies, and expect results. It’s why, when the situation is worsening, you have to address the cause by seeing a GP or trichologist, so you can then get a proper plan in place for your individual needs.” 

“You’ve heard it before, but hair growth depends on the quality of your nutrition – that isn’t a myth. Because hair is not an essential tissue, it’s the last part of you to receive nutrients, and the first to be withheld from them. This means any nutritional deficiency – even a small one – can negatively impact your hair. Eating at least a palm-sized portion of protein (which is what your hair is made of), alongside a serving of complex carbohydrates will provide your strands with the energy it needs to grow. Focus on upping the ante at lunch and at breakfast. For instance, try having poached eggs (protein) with whole grain toast (complex carb) and avocado (healthy fats). You can also try quinoa porridge with nuts and berries, or for dinner look to steamed or grilled fish which will deliver on omega 3s as well as protein. Likewise, iron is essential, as it produces the very protein your hair is made of.” 

“Put simply, it’s your hair’s support system, so a healthy scalp will undoubtedly promote healthier growth. The key is to shampoo regularly and use a targeted scalp mask once a week to address any concerns. This doesn’t mean heavy exfoliating shampoos – these can actually damage and weaken the integrity of your hair’s outer protective layer. Instead, look for masks with gentler formulas that condition while exfoliating the scalp only – not your actual strands.” 

“The hair and scalp can present a number of concerns at once – for example, roots that feel oily yet lack density, a dandruff-prone scalp alongside dull colour, or brassy blonde seeking root lift. So, while reaching for just one shampoo may be the norm, having two or three in rotation will ensure every concern is met. While a shampoo isn’t going to make your hair grow at the root, certain formulas contain strengthening ingredients to help prevent breakage that in time can lead to loss. Shampooing regularly, however, will ensure you have a clean, healthy scalp environment for your hair follicles to flourish. Always remember a clean scalp is a healthy scalp and that provides better growth. Two I recommend are both our Moisture Balancing Shampoo and formula for flaky/itchy scalps.”  

“A good shampoo will cleanse away dead skin cells, dirt, sweat and oil to create an optimal scalp environment. Therefore, shampoos that contain exfoliating ingredients like salicylic acid can be beneficial. ‘Hair loss’ shampoos are a myth, as there are many types of hair loss to navigate. Strengthening ingredients will target hair loss in the form of breakage, but no shampoo will prevent or stop male or female pattern hair loss, or hair shedding. This needs other means of treatment. People are often wary of sulphates, but they are simply a type of cleanser – and any shampoo you use needs a cleanser (surfactant) to be included in the formula, whether that’s a sulphate or otherwise, to simply do its job and be fit for the purpose of cleaning your hair and scalp. Some sulphates can be quite harsh, like sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS), and some are milder, like sodium laureth sulphate (SLES) and sodium coco-sulphate (which is derived from coconut oil). In any event, all sulphates can be packaged nicely within a formula to balance out their effects. Keep in mind that even if a product is ‘sulphate free’ the cleansing agent may not be as widely used, tested or regulated, so could even potentially be more harmful or less effective.”

“It will take approximately three months to notice a difference – especially if loss and thinning is not due to major causes or anything genetic. If you opt to see a trichologist, most clinics will propose a follow-up at three months to see the first signs of improvement, but the most noticeable difference is usually at six to 12 months. In other words, whatever treatment plan you opt for, give it time and don’t panic if results aren’t immediate.”

“Hair is non-essential tissue and the last part of us to receive any nutrients we ingest. That’s why supplements alone aren’t going to fix your concerns. Hair cells are also the second-fastest dividing cells the body makes, making their energy requirements great. As a demanding but dispensable tissue, it can be difficult to meet your hair’s unique needs through diet and supplements alone. While it’s true supplements can help over time – alongside a good routine and diet – if you have real concerns about your hair not growing past a certain length, or hair thinning, or hair shedding, then you need to determine the type of hair loss you have to get to the root of the issue and get the right treatment plan. For example, so many people will take biotin for hair growth, however we conduct thousands of blood tests a year on our clients, and it is extremely rare that we find clients who have a biotin deficiency. So, it pays to work backwards and start slow – even if it does feel tedious.” 

“There are a lot of factors that impact hair growth, thinning and loss. You can be genetically blessed with the most amazing hair, but if you aren’t caring for it properly or you’re regularly colouring, heat styling or tangling it, then it will become dry, lack-lustre, split and break, causing thinner, shorter strands. I always say to treat your hair like a cashmere sweater, so the more you can consciously care for your hair through the things you can change such as lifestyle, nutrition and styling habits, the better. This is where you should start before seeing a trichologist – unless things feel really extreme for you. Hair loss is stress-related too. When we are under stress our bodies may not absorb nutrients as well as they should, made worse by perhaps not taking care of ourselves and having a poor diet. With high levels of stress, this can put pressure on the adrenal glands increasing the body’s products of the stress hormone cortisol. The effect on your hormones can also make your scalp produce more oil. This may disrupt your scalp's microflora balance, which often causes flaking and itching. This can all lead to the form of hair loss known as telogen effluvium (hair shedding). Big hormonal shifts such as menopause and post-partum can also impact hair growth and shedding. Often, it’s minor and temporary, but it can become a real concern for some.” 

“We don’t offer PRP (platelet-rich plasma) treatments at our clinic. However, when administered by a medical professional, they can be effective at treating loss and boosting regrowth. PRP is a relatively new form of treatment being used for hair loss, although its use in other fields of medicine dates back many years. It involves blood being taken from the patient and then spun in a special machine called a centrifuge, which separates the blood into its component parts. The platelet-rich layer is then extracted and injected into the scalp where required. It is thought to work by increasing the supply of growth factors to the hair follicle, which may activate hair follicle stem cells and hence help increase hair diameter and density in male and female pattern hair loss. It may also hasten the transition of hair follicles from a resting (telogen) to growing (anagen) phase. Injections are usually given every three months, then at longer intervals as a maintenance. I would say it’s best suited to those with extreme cases of loss or thinning, however – trialling the other things first is crucial.” 

“You don’t need to invest in endless tools – your fingers are still the best way to stimulate your scalp and boost blood flow. This is because they are soft and padded – you can also actually feel what you’re doing, whereas a scalp massager can be abrasive and cause unnecessary tangling and breakage of hair. From what I’ve seen, microneedling has some encouraging results, but only when done in a professional setting. Otherwise you risk injury, infection and scarring.” 

“People often ask me if a regular trim will help hair to grow faster – the answer is no. Growth comes from the root, so think of it in that sense. However, trims will snip split, dead ends that travel further up your hair shaft and cause breakage. So, with that in mind, a little cut can’t hurt, but don’t expect the world from that alone. Another misconception is that hair loss around the frame of the face is irreparable. This type of loss is usually affected by two things – firstly, breakage from frequent styling and from pulling hair back too tightly. The second issue is likely an iron deficiency. This is common in those with thinning around their temples. The good news is, it’s easier to fix and regrow than hair on the scalp. Look to heat protection, deep conditioning and bond building treatments. All three will help strands become more resilient and stretchier. I also advise keeping your hair as loose as possible – if it feels too tightly pulled, it’s because it is.” 

“Hair shedding known as ‘telogen effluvium’ is different to thinning and breakage – it is important to note the difference. It can occur for many difference reasons, and it is essential to pinpoint the cause to find the solution. Telogen effluvium can occur due to hormonal or nutritional changes, illness and medication. The best thing to do if you are experiencing more than your normal rate of shedding is to visit your GP or, better, a trichologist to discover the cause. It is important to note that hair shedding also doesn’t happen overnight. It occurs six to twelve weeks after the event that triggered it. Therefore, if you are noticing an increased amount of hair shedding than normal, always looks back around three months to see if you can identify any changes which may have had an impact such as high stress, change or diet or illness.”

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DISCLAIMER: Features published by SheerLuxe are not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any disease. Always seek the advice of your GP or another qualified healthcare provider for any questions you have regarding a medical condition, and before undertaking any diet, exercise or other health-related programme.