There’s a very good chance that if you’re reading this, you’ve spent your entire life maintaining a similar version of the same short haircut. Not that there’s anything wrong with consistency. But just like growing a mustache or getting abs, growing your hair out is one of those things that every guy should try at least once in their life, just to see what it’s like. For all you know, it could be the look you were destined for all along.
So what does it take to grow out your hair? Well, time, obviously—but that’s not all. As your locks reach new lengths, your hairstyle will take new and sometimes awkward forms along the way, and you’ll need to manage that. That means frequent trims to keep you on course to your intended style (yes, even when you’re growing out your hair), and unlocking a whole new category of hair products. Eventually, you may even graduate from barbershops to salons.
Read on for a comprehensive guide to help you master the art of growing out your hair on the first try—with minimal awkwardness along the way.
Stay focused
The first thing you need to accept is that it’s going to be a tedious, often awkward journey. You’re going to have a few new haircuts en route. You’re going to learn how to use new products and style your hair in different ways, only to change them out as it continues to grow. It’s kind of like losing or gaining a bunch of weight: You don’t fit in the stuff you used to, and so you have to adjust for the change and grow comfortable with constant change. Eventually, though it’s a year or more away, you will tuck that hair effortlessly behind your ear, or feel it sweep across the tippy tops of your shoulders. And it’ll all be worth it.
Speed up hair growth with supplements
One way to grow your hair out faster (and stronger) is to supplement it with the right pills and potions. Some doctors will tell you to take biotin and call it good, but there’s more out there that will expedite hair growth and strengthen it at the follicle, so that your hair stays strong for the long haul. Find vitamin-enriched serums that you can massage into the scalp, or ingest herbal supplements that thwart things like stress, hair-thinning hormones, and environmental toxins.
Consider proactive hair loss measures
While you’ve got enough hair in the first place (after all, you’re growing it out and showcasing it), it’s not a bad idea to fight hair loss simultaneously. That is, to slow down its advances, so that you can maintain your enviable hairline, or fortify the hairs you do have. This way, each follicle continues to grow strong, and you might even resuscitate some dormant follicles in the process, meaning you’ll have even more hair to show off. Visit your doctor to discuss prescriptions for finasteride (now available as a generic, though you might know it as Propecia), and minoxidil (often called Rogaine, and available over the counter). Finasteride blocks the hormones that lead to hair loss, allowing it to grow undeterred (or with slower advances of loss), while minoxidil increases blood flow and nutrient delivery to the scalp and the hair follicles, making them stronger. Your doctor will help monitor the process and will warn you of any risks involved with taking these drugs.
Some companies, like Hims and Keeps, also allow you to “meet” with a dermatologist online, and then receive these products (prescription included) via the mail. It’s fast, cheap, and easy—just don’t forget to check in with your doctor regularly.
