Washing your hair may feel like a normal—sometimes even mundane— part of your beauty routine, especially when you have the wash day routine on lock, but it also might be an intentional part your hair growth routine, too.
If you’re one of those people who aspires to a mane that is as long and lustrous as possible, then no doubt you’ve contemplated different ways to encourage rapid growth from old wives tales about cutting it during a full moon to trends (rosemary oil! a hair growth diet!) marginally more sensible than lore about brushing 100 times a day.
Experts are clear though that washing your hair more or less than the average will not make it grow faster, but there are things that can dysregulate your scalp, making hair grow slower. “Hair can’t be made to grow quicker simply by washing it more frequently,” Akta Bavalia, trichologist and hair loss expert for Nanogen, says.
“The rate our hair grows is largely determined by factors such as genetics, age, and our individual hair cycle. Sometimes, if hair growth has previously been affected by things like nutritional deficiencies or illness and then returns to its normal rate, it can seem as though it’s suddenly growing faster.”
What does “normal” hair growth look like?
To understand how and why hair grows, it can help to understand what growth looks like for most people. On average, hair grows at around 0.5 inch per month, although it’s important to point out that this varies from person to person and is dependent on other factors.
“We live in a world where we expect quick results, but there really is no overnight fix when it comes to hair growth. There isn’t a product, oil, or scalp hack that can suddenly make your hair grow twice as fast,” says Bavalia.
According to Dr. Aamna Adel, consultant dermatologist and founder of hair-care brand Rhute, slow growth could be down to several different things. “It can be triggered by nutritional deficiencies such as low iron (ferritin) or vitamin D, thyroid dysfunction, hormonal shifts like the postpartum period or menopause, physical or emotional stress that pushes follicles into the resting phase, rapid weight loss, and certain medical conditions,” she says.
Patience and consistency are what really matters when it comes to growing out your hair. “Patience really is essential with hair, because it grows slowly, at around a centimeter a month, and the growth cycle is slow to respond,” adds Dr.
Adel. “As a general guide, you’d need to give any treatment at least three to six months of consistent use before fairly judging whether it’s working, and often longer to see the full benefit.”
Does washing matter at all?
Absolutely. Although washing it more often won’t make your hair grow any faster, not washing it properly or regularly enough can hinder growth in the long-term thanks to sweat, oil, and product build-up, which can lead to clogged follicles.
“Regular washing is still important. Keeping the scalp clean and healthy helps create the best possible environment for the follicles and growing hairs, so I wouldn’t recommend avoiding washing to make your hair grow,” says Bavalia.
How often should you wash your hair?
“It depends on your scalp and hair type and any conditions you may have,” explains Bavalia. “If you have a very oily scalp or are prone to flaking, I recommend washing every one to two days, depending on the severity. Someone with a drier scalp may find they need to wash less frequently.”
That said, Bavalia is keen to point out that hair and lifestyle also matter. If you have bleached or color-treated hair, you may choose not to wash your hair as often to prevent color fading. Likewise, if you have naturally textured curly or coily hair and are wearing protective styles, your hair washing days might be spaced further apart.
Can shampoo actually impact hair growth?
While shampoo alone won’t promote hair growth, it is an important part of a good hair-care and scalp-care routine. “Shampoo has a relatively short contact time with the scalp, so its primary role is to cleanse the scalp and help maintain a healthy environment for the hair and follicles,” says Bavalia.
Dr. Adel agrees: “I’d see it as a useful, supportive step within a wider hair-care routine, rather than something expected to stimulate hair growth, reduce hair loss, or directly treat thinning on its own.” That doesn’t mean that formulation doesn’t come into it.
Rather than grab whatever is on hand, treat your hair-washing regimen like your skin care and assess what your hair really needs. Whether that’s more moisture, volume, or shine, finding the right shampoo for you will keep your scalp healthy and ultimately lead to improved health and growth. “The best approach is usually pairing a supportive shampoo with a leave-on treatment that stays on the scalp and does more,” adds Dr. Adel.
What will make hair grow faster?
As boring as it might sound, get the basics right and the rest will follow. Eating a balanced diet of whole foods and ensuring you get enough protein and key nutrients like iron, zinc, B vitamins, and vitamin D is key. Certain supplements like biotin can be useful if you’re looking for a more intensive approach, but diet should always come first.
Keeping your scalp in good condition is another essential element of hair growth. “We spend so much time looking after the hair fiber, but often completely neglect the skin it grows from,” says Bavalia.
“Regular cleansing and managing persistent flaking, inflammation, itching, or other scalp conditions helps to maintain a healthy environment for the hair follicles. I’d also encourage people to start thinking about scalp care preventatively, rather than only paying attention to it once a problem develops.”
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