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Looking to boost your hair growth? Whether you're looking to sprout new hairs or are dealing with shedding and damage, hair loss and breakage can be a totally frustrating experience.
We spoke with an expert, Dr. Mamina Turegano, MD, FAAD, a triple board-certified dermatologist, internist, dermatopathologist, to get the scoop on all things hair growth/loss, building a hair routine, and more.
Spoiler alert: there's (unfortunately) no miracle fix for growing longer and healthier hair overnight. But, there are products you can use and steps you can take to not only help with growing hair that's healthy, but strengthening your locks, too.
Keep reading to learn more about growing your healthiest hair yet, including products to try at home.
How to Build a Healthy Hair Routine
"An ideal hair-care routine for growth focuses on both the scalp and the strands," Dr. Mamina tells E! News. She recommends starting with a "gentle cleanser to keep the scalp balanced, followed by a nourishing conditioner or mask to strengthen and hydrate." Even though hair growth starts at the scalp, "caring for the lengths and ends is what keeps your hair strong enough to actually reach its full length."
Next, use a "scalp serum or treatment with clinically backed, growth-supporting ingredients like peptides, caffeine, biotin, panthenol, and arginine — similar to those in formulas like Obagi’s BioStim Scalp Serum. These help stimulate follicles, improve circulation, and create a healthier foundation for growth."
To protect your hair, she also suggests: minimizing heat damage, being gentle when detangling, and protecting hair from UV and environmental stressors. "Over time, consistency in this type of routine makes the biggest difference for promoting longer, stronger, healthier hair," Dr. Mamina says.
What about hair cuts? Dr. Mamina says "regular trims do help your hair look and feel healthier by preventing split ends from traveling up the shaft, which can lead to breakage. Think of it as maintenance that helps you retain length, not speed up growth."
All About Hair Loss
Dr. Mamina says it's normal to shed "50 to 100 hairs a day," but signs of "excessive shedding or hair loss" can include "clumps in the shower, extra hair on your pillow, or a widening part," especially if it's ongoing for 6-8 weeks or longer.
But instead of focusing on counting every strand of hair that you're losing, she says to pay attention to "patterns and changes" over time. "If your hair feels thinner overall, your ponytail is smaller, or you’re seeing visible scalp where you didn’t before, it’s worth getting evaluated by a dermatologist to identify the cause early."
To support a healthy scalp (ICYMI, your scalp is skin), Dr. Mamina recommends "avoiding harsh sulfates, which can strip natural oils and irritate the scalp" and "heavy silicones that can build up if not properly cleansed." Be mindful of using products with high alcohol content or strong fragrance, "which can dry or sensitize the scalp over time."
But don't be scared, "The goal isn’t to fear ingredients — it’s to keep your scalp balanced and your strands strong so healthy growth can happen naturally," says Dr. Mamina.
Hair Growth Ingredients to Shop For
For longer, stronger hair, Dr. Mamina suggests looking for ingredients that "support growth from the scalp and strengthen the strand," starting with scalp health, including: "peptides, caffeine, niacinamide, and arginine," plus minoxidil, which is "a well-studied, FDA-approved option that can directly extend the growth phase of the hair cycle."
Looking to focus on strengthening and reducing breakage? Look for products that feature: biotin, amino acids, keratin, and plant proteins to "reinforce the hair shaft." Hydration is also important, so shop for "ingredients like panthenol, ceramides, and nourishing oils (such as argan or castor oil) help maintain a healthy scalp barrier and smoother strands so your hair can truly reach its full-length potential."
Best Products for Growing Longer, Healthier Hair
Obagi BioStim Scalp Serum
This clinically proven Obagi scalp serum works to improve hair volume and decrease the amount of (dry and wet) shedding, while also addressing scalp dryness and damage. Key ingredients include biotin and amino acids to nourish and strengthen hair follicles. Apply it once daily and massage into damp or dry hair without rinsing.
Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Scalp & Strengthening Hair Oil
This oil is under $12 and features a nutrient-rich blend of biotin, mint, and essential oils to support your scalp and strands from root to tip. The formula infuses moisture into your scalp, encouraging natural thickness. After applying and massaging it into your scalp, leave it in or rinse it out after 10 minutes.
CÉCRED Restoring Hair & Edge Drops
Powered with a proprietary blend of peptides, this is a daily serum to improve hair density. It's a fast-absorbing formula that strengthens hair, while increasing the appearance of hair density and fullness.
Shoppers Say: "Within two weeks of using this product my hair was stronger with little to no shedding. After one month I have new growth in my problem areas where it wouldn't grow for years. I have never used a product that works this fast."
Nécessaire Rosemary Hair Duo
Strengthen and support your hair with this shampoo and conditioner duo by Nécessaire. It’s a gentle formula made with rosemary, plant proteins and ceramides to stimulate the hair shaft while reducing breakage.
hers Hair Regrowth Foam Treatment
Specifically formulated with women in mind, this 5% minoxidil foam is FDA approved to stimulate hair follicles and extend the natural growth cycle of your hair. It's a daily topical foam that can be applied with your fingers directly to your scalp, without leaving your hair feeling or looking greasy.
Virtue Flourish Hair Growth Treatment Kit
Give this 30-day minoxidil-based regimen from Virtue a try to stimulate growth. It comes with the brand’s flourish shampoo and conditioner, plus the minoxidil foam to enrich your scalp and support growth, while nourishing existing strands.
The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density
This hair serum supports denser, thicker, and fuller looking hair without breaking the bank. It’s a leave-in treatment that’s made with a blend of peptides for all hair types.
Shoppers Say: "This hair growth serum has made a visible difference. My hair feels thicker, and I've started noticing new growth around my hairline."
Nutrafol Lightweight Thickening-Hair Serum
Support hair thickness and strength with this lightweight Nutrafol serum. Highlighted ingredients include ashwagandha exosomes, Irish moss peptides, and pea sprout extract to reduce breakage and promote more voluminous hair. Plus, it’s a favorite of Paige DeSorbo!
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How We Choose
The E! Insider Shop editors and writers search the internet to find the best products out there. We interview expert sources, comb through customer reviews, and use our own personal experiences to make shopping easier for our readers.
As an editorial team, we independently create content and determine coverage based on research, reporting and what we think our readers would like to read about. The goal of our content is to provide a service and inform readers who are on the hunt for the latest products to help make their life better. Items are sold by retailer, not E!. Pricing and availability are accurate as of publish time.
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