Tips on how to make hair thicker and grow faster

Hello basically I have really fine, short hair. I think it is mostly a genetic thing as i've always had fine hair and just doesn't seem to grow. The longest its grown was to my bust and that was around 5 years ago and then a hairdresser cut it all off as I had alot of dead ends. I was devasted as it was now only shoulder length and since then its only grew around 2 inches if that.

I do have the ends trimmed every 3 months or so but only around 1/2 inch. However trimming the ends doesn't make it grow any faster my hairdresser told me as the hair grows from the scalp so the ends make no difference it just makes your hair look healthier. She told me that my hair is actually growing but because I dye it (at home most of the time as salon is expensive) the ends of the hair are snapping, as the ends will have been dyed over and over again, in comparison to the root which will have only been dyed once and this cycle carries on and on. So her suggestion was to just touch up the roots and leave the rest alone and it shouldn't snap.

I have been doing that for a year or so and its grown slightly but only about 1/2 inch in a year and I haven't had it cut for about 6 months but must say the condition of my hair is 100x better than before.

Anyway I was wondering does anyone have any tips for how to make your hair grow faster. I've researched into different things and some people say pregnancy tablets like pre-natal ones make your hair grow faster and then others recommend horse shampoo 'mane and tail' but I dunno if these would work or not has anyone tried those methods. I have used every shampoo and conditioner you can think of and doesnt make a difference. I have very greasy roots and dry ends so its hard to use the likes of coconut oil conditioners. Also some tips on making hair thicker be great as well. I have some different styling products but I don't like the build up in my hair and once again makes my hair really greasy at the roots but dry at the ends.

I also already use clip in hair extensions but its a pain putting them in all the time and then because my hair is so fine its very hard to cover the clips. I had them sewn in a few months back but they only lasted 3 months and itched like crazy and I just couldn't afford the maintence. So am not really interested in having them put in my hair permant as I just don't have the money for the up keep.

Comments

  • Kazipoo
    Kazipoo Posts: 806 Forumite
    Have you tried head massage?

    My daughter is convinced that since she has been having head massages her hair has grown much quicker.
    Starting weight 17st 4lb - weight now 15st 2lbs

    30lb lost of 30lb by June 2012 :j:j:j (80lb overall goal)

  • Try "EQyss Mega-tek" - don't be put off by the packaging talking about blanket rubs and hoof growth - it was originally invented to help people suffering hair loss through/post cancer treatment but I believe also a lot of women with afro hair swear by it to condition and relax the hair cuticle.

    Apparently I can't post a link as a new user, there are some people selling it on eBay but google for a website called "tailgator" which is the best price around.

    I use it on the horses but also on my own hair, for many years bleached to within an inch of its life finally gave up, despite using every fancy salon brand out there, it went very dry, brittle and falling out in handfuls through snapping, breaking etc- I ended up with a few straw link strands barely touching my shoulders - just through damage. Picked up the horses megatek and started using that as a daily conditioner, one year later its thick and healthy and grown back to mid-back length again. (and I've given up the bleach for good!!).
  • Skymist
    Skymist Posts: 406 Forumite
    It's also about what you put INTO your body! I take...and have been for many of years..... a lot of supplements, but recently added a 1000 microgram Biotin (from Holland and Barrets) capsule per/day, and have noticed a big difference in the speed of my hair growth and it's condition! I've since found an online source...there are many....and have ordered some 5000 microgram ones, which are cheaper and have more capsules for my money.

    S
  • Treed
    Treed Posts: 92 Forumite
    I would stop using hair extensions too as they damage your hair.
  • glowgirl_2
    glowgirl_2 Posts: 4,591 Forumite
    Treed wrote: »
    I would stop using hair extensions too as they damage your hair.

    The clip in ones don't, Ive been using them for a couple of years now daily and have no problems:)
    Thank you for this site Martin
    The time for change has come
    Good luck for the future
  • Skymist wrote: »
    It's also about what you put INTO your body! I take...and have been for many of years..... a lot of supplements, but recently added a 1000 microgram Biotin (from Holland and Barrets) capsule per/day, and have noticed a big difference in the speed of my hair growth and it's condition! I've since found an online source...there are many....and have ordered some 5000 microgram ones, which are cheaper and have more capsules for my money.

    S

    Do the supplement make facial hair grow thicker and longer though.?
  • Skymist
    Skymist Posts: 406 Forumite
    Smilyface wrote: »
    Do the supplement make facial hair grow thicker and longer though.?

    Not that I've noticed....but then I'm at that wonderful stage of being post-menopausal and a few chin strays are part of Mother Nature's glorious gifts to us ladies!!! :eek: :D :rotfl:

    S
  • McKneff
    McKneff Posts: 38,857 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    If its fine and doesnt grow well, stop dyeing it. You are adding chemical after chemical after chemical.

    I grew my dye out last year when I finished work and have a lovely head of grey hair that people actually compliment me on. Even to the point I look younger. My hair has never looked and felt so healthy since I stopped dyeing it.
    make the most of it, we are only here for the weekend.
    and we will never, ever return.
  • tyllwyd
    tyllwyd Posts: 5,496 Forumite
    My daughter is nine and she's always had very fine short hair - it's only just grown long enough to put into a little pony tail, and in her whole life it's only been trimmed about three or four times (and even then just only taking the ends off). I think with her the problem is that her hair has a very short cycle before it falls out and starts regrowing, because she always has a noticable mini-fringe of short new growing hair (the kind of thing women often get as their hair readjusts after pregnancy and childbirth). I did wonder if she might be pulling out her hair, but I've never seen anything to make me think she might be doing it. I guess it's probably a genetic thing, but any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated!
  • Fire_Fox
    Fire_Fox Posts: 26,026 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    edited 17 November 2012 at 10:23PM
    tyllwyd wrote: »
    My daughter is nine and she's always had very fine short hair - it's only just grown long enough to put into a little pony tail, and in her whole life it's only been trimmed about three or four times (and even then just only taking the ends off). I think with her the problem is that her hair has a very short cycle before it falls out and starts regrowing, because she always has a noticable mini-fringe of short new growing hair (the kind of thing women often get as their hair readjusts after pregnancy and childbirth). I did wonder if she might be pulling out her hair, but I've never seen anything to make me think she might be doing it. I guess it's probably a genetic thing, but any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated!

    Might be worth getting a medical check up, best to rule out some sort of undiagnosed health issue. Does your daughter consistently meet or exceed all the government's recommendations for healthy eating for her age?

    Be careful how you style hair, I am in the process of growing out damage. I had a lot of breaks around the hairline and a load at the back where my ponytail sat even tho I used 'no snag' bands. I think I was also pulling out more hair than I realised with styling, as there is a whole crop of hairs all the same length in one spot. :eek: If you use plastic or metal pins and clips consider switching to fabric Alice bands.

    You might also consider being gentler with washing - extra gentle sulphate free shampoo/ conditioner only washing, leave on conditioner, microfibre rather than terry cotton towel, very wide tooth comb. Don't wash too often, water actually stresses the hair. Lastly you might try a cheap satin pillowcase, cotton pillowcases are quite tough on fine hair especially if we toss and turn at all.

    Do get hair trimmed a couple of times a year even if just a 'dusting', leaving it a couple of years could mean splits travel up the shaft, the hair snaps off and you never manage to cut off the full break. Don't underestimate UV (sun) damage, it really does weaken the structure in much the same way bleach does. :(

    HTH.
    Declutterbug-in-progress.⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️
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