Shine bright! The ultimate guide to achieving smooth, silky and shiny hair

Waiting for your own hair to grow can feel arduous. For most people, hair typically grows half an inch a month, reaching six inches of growth over the course of a year. Unfortunately, despite what social media and its endless content on the best hair growth products might have you believe, the truth is there’s not much you can do to actually speed up the rate of growth. That said, you absolutely can maximize your hair’s growth potential by supporting healthy growth at the roots to prevent breakage and premature shedding. And the first step is to care for your scalp. So, if you have often found yourself asking how to make your hair grow faster, this is everything you need to know… 

How to care for your scalp
Often overlooked in most beauty routines, the scalp is really the star of the show when it comes to thicker hair. The scalp provides 99% of your hair’s natural nourishment and it houses the follicles that produce strands. Taking care of your scalp by ensuring it’s nourished, hydrated, and free of dead skin cells and product build up can help provide an optimal environment for growth. Scalp cleansing and gentle exfoliation is key because it buffs away dead skin and excess oils, helping to keep follicles free to produce thick strands of hair.

Exfoliation should be consistent and gentle in order to care for your scalp. Once a week (or as needed) before scalp cleansing, dampen your scalp and massage in a generous dose of Dove Scalp + Hair Therapy Clarifying Foaming Scrub. It contains micro-exfoliating sugar crystals that buff the scalp without damaging the skin. After spending some time massaging this invigorating scrub into your scalp, rinse to remove and then shampoo as normal.

Make scalp massage a part of your routine
A good scalp massage not only feels incredible but is thought to support blood circulation. Some studies also suggest that regular scalp massages help to improve hair thickness. Make it a part of your daily routine, either at the start or the end of your day.

You can use a scalp massager tool if you wish, but you can achieve fantastic relaxation and scalp stimulation with just your fingertips. How and when you massage your scalp will depend on your routine:

While shampooing, you can take a few moments in the shower to massage your scalp by applying firm pressure in circular motions with your fingertips from your front hair line all the way back to the nape of your neck.

For a dry hair massage, sit down and rest your elbows on a table. Tip your head forward and allow your hands to form a cradle. Spread your fingers on either side of your head and move them in firm, broad circles over your scalp.

Another great opportunity for massage is while you are applying a scalp serum such as Dove Scalp + Hair Therapy Fullness Restore Scalp Serum. Once the product has been applied to your scalp, use your fingertips to gently massage in the lightweight formula with small circular motions, over your entire head.

Oils vs. serums for your scalp
There is much conflicting information online and on social media around scalp oils and scalp serums, with one often confused for the other. In fact, from ingredients to texture, a scalp serum is very different to a scalp oil.

A scalp oil is something you might want to apply once or twice a week to help balance the scalp and facilitate scalp massage. On the other hand, a scalp serum is much like a facial serum in that it contains concentrated skincare ingredients and should be used daily or at least three times a week, as part of a consistent care routine.

Take the new Dove Scalp + Hair Therapy Fullness Restore Scalp Serum, for example. It contains Active B3 to moisturize scalp and strengthen the scalp’s barrier, plus the pre-biotic Glycerin to hydrate and boost density, and Zinc + Peptides to nourish follicles and fortify roots. In studies carried out over a period of three months, consumers perceived an increase in thickness and fullness of hair and improved scalp condition and comfort*. Apply one to three droppers of serum directly to your damp or dry scalp in sections, gently massage in, and style as usual.

Help prevent breakage
While you can’t make your hair grow faster, you can maximize its growth potential by strengthening it to avoid breakage. Chemical treatments such as permanent blow-dries, perms, and coloring contribute to damage, so it’s important to double-down on hair masks before and after your salon appointments.

To minimize damage further, change-up your styling routine. Your hair is at its weakest while wet so use a gentle detangling comb before drying, turn the temperature setting down on your hairdryer and hot iron, and always use heat protection. If you wear your hair up a lot, ensure your chosen elastics are coated to avoid snagging or, better yet, switch them out for a soft scrunchie.

Lastly, overhaul your in-shower products. Opt for a gently clarifying shampoo such as Dove Scalp + Hair Therapy Clarifying Shampoo, or for drier hair types, use the Dove Scalp + Hair Therapy Hydrating Shampoo to cleanse without stripping moisture. Follow with a strengthening conditioning formula such as Dove Scalp + Hair Therapy Strengthening Conditioner, or a restoring conditioning formula such as Dove Scalp + Hair Therapy Hydrating Conditioner, infused with Vitamin B3 and Zinc.

Tweak your diet and lifestyle
Healthy fats like Omega-3s are essential for healthy hair as they nourish the follicles, improving the quality of hair that emerges. Foods that are rich in omega-3s include oily fish such as salmon and tuna, plus plant oils, nuts, and seeds.

As for lifestyle adjustments, if you do just one thing, make it stress reduction. Chronic stress has been linked to poor hair quality and even hair loss, so bringing your own stress levels under control will push you one step closer to the hair you have always dreamed of. Reducing stress is often easier said than done, but small positive habits, such as forcing yourself to take time away from your desk to get outside for a walk, turning off notifications on your devices an hour before bed, and carving out time in your week to be around people who make you feel good, soon mount up to something significant.

* Dove R&D experts ran 4 independent clinical studies (with over 300 panelists) to share results of the Scalp Serum boosting hair density. Testing took place in 3 different countries with mix of female and male participants. Results from a study show statistically significant improvements vs. placebo in the panelists’ perception of thicker, fuller hair. Edinburgh, UK. 132 Females (23-60) over 16 weeks. Beijing, China. 60 Females & Males (18-60) over 12 weeks. Guangzhou, China. 71 Males (18-60) over 12 weeks. Campinas, Brazil. 91 Female (18-40) 78 panelists after 90 days.