How To Make Your Child’s Hair Grow Faster

Believe it or not, this is a question that I get asked all the time! There’s no magical trick to making hair grow, because mostly it’s a matter of genetics. There are, however, some things you can do to help the natural process along and you may actually see your child’s hair grow faster.

Here are some of the most common questions about growth I’ve received over the years, and my expert advice on helping hair grow and be healthy. You can call it magic, but I just call it years of experience!

Q: My eight-year-old daughter’s very fine hair grows very slowly. Is it true that cutting her hair will help it grow thicker and faster?
A: There is no scientific evidence that suggests that cutting makes hair grow faster, but I can tell you from experience that is does seem like it helps. My theory is that by trimming or cleaning up the scraggly ends and providing a shape and style to the hair, you cause it to appear thicker and consequently notice the growth more.

Q: My three-month old has lost nearly all of the hair he was born with. How can I help the new hair to grow faster?
A: Infants often lose all the hair they are born within the first six months. In many cases, the hair that grows back will be an entirely new color or texture than before. For some children, this hair grows back quickly, for others it takes several months. This is all normal, and there’s no need to worry if your once brunette baby is now blonde!

Q: My nine-year-old desperately wants to have long flowing “princess” hair. Her hair is shoulder length now—do you have any tricks to speed up hair growth?
A: The most important thing in this situation is patience! New hair grows ½ to 1 inch each month and averages about 5 to 6 inches every year. That being said, it could be several months until you start to see noticeable growth.

Eating for healthy hair

Adding certain foods to can actually promote hair growth—and give children the nourishment their bodies need.
• Peanuts, corn, and spinach contain Vitamin E, which stimulates hair growth.
• Folic acid, found in foods like asparagus, peas, citrus fruits, and turkey, will help promote hair growth by strengthening strands so they don’t break off prematurely.
• Drinking water—four to six glasses a day—will keep hair hydrated.
• Vitamin B produces keratin, a protein that strengthens strands. Found in bananas, whole-grain cereals, rice and eggs.
• Dairy products like skim milk and yogurt—as well as broccoli and strawberries–are great sources of calcium, an important mineral for hair growth.

Regular trips to the salon for routine trims are another trick that keeps hair healthy.

Have more questions for me? Ask in the comments!