How to Grow & Maintain Long Hair: A Guide for Modern Men

You’ve probably noticed the trend of men growing out their hair. #longhair is trending on TikTok, and there are plenty of style leaders rocking this look on the red carpet and beyond. But what’s the best way to grow out your hair, and how do you maintain it once you achieve the perfect length?

In this post, we've pulled together some key tips and tricks to help you through the journey of growing out your hair and debunked some common myths along the way.

It’s worth noting that it's certainly not going to happen overnight or within a few weeks, but you can start to see some good results from around the 3-month mark. To give your hair the best chance of reaching the length you want, you'll need to keep it healthy and well-maintained along the way with effective haircare products that use high-quality ingredients.

Men’s hair grows at about half an inch a month, and each strand of your hair is at a different stage of growth at any one time. So, while some are growing, others will be resting and even falling out (which is perfectly normal).

The long and short of it is you'll need to be patient when growing out long hair. And, of course, the longer you want your hair to be, the longer it will take. That's without taking into consideration factors such as your genetics and lifestyle and the length you’re starting with.

Typically, though, you can expect good results after about 3 months of growth, and it can take a couple of years to grow shoulder-length hair.

In all honesty, there's not much you can do to accelerate the natural process of growing your hair out. At least not dramatically.

However, there are certain things you can do to help your hair grow at its healthiest and strongest.

These include:

Let’s dive into each of these points in more detail to help you put together a perfect hair routine that nourishes and encourages healthy hair growth.

Using heat styling tools such as hairdryers or straighteners can cause significant damage to your hair, especially when used frequently. This damage can lead to breakage and slow down the growth process.

To minimise this damage, limit how often you use heat on your hair. If you do need to use a hairdryer, make sure to use it on a low heat setting (nothing above 180 degrees C) and apply a heat protectant product beforehand.

Instead of styling with heat, try using hair products and techniques that don't require heat tools. Our Marine Mist sea salt spray is perfect for creating textured, wavy hair without using heat. But, if heat is absolutely necessary for you to achieve your desired style, the patented formula also includes a heat protectant.

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When growing out your hair, it's important to use hair products that are suitable for your hair type and don't contain harsh chemicals. The less you irritate and damage your hair, the more likely it is to grow healthily.

We've spent years developing and formulating our men's haircare collection, using premium natural ingredients and actives that work to improve the overall health and appearance of your hair.

For example, our shampoo and conditioner are suitable for all hair types and are enriched with hair-strengthening proteins, which can help promote healthy hair growth – a must-have pairing for your long hair journey.

Overwashing your hair can cause it to become dry and brittle, which can lead to breakage and slow down the growth process. We recommend washing your trim no more than three times a week, as this will allow your scalp to produce natural oils that nourish and protect the hair.

When you do wash your hair, make sure to use a gentle shampoo like our Thickening Shampoo that won't strip away essential oils or irritate your scalp. And finish with a conditioner to hydrate and strengthen your hair follicles.

What you put into your body is just as important as what you put on your hair. Eating a balanced and nutritious diet that includes plenty of protein, vitamins, and minerals is crucial for healthy hair growth.

Key foods like salmon, eggs, spinach, and avocados all contain nutrients that can help improve hair strength and growth.

Caffeine is a well-known wonder product in the haircare world, and you should take full advantage when trying to grow your hair long. This ingredient is proven to speed up the regular hair growth cycle by improving blood flow to the scalp, which in turn increases the rate at which your hair grows.

We use caffeine in both our Thickening Shampoo and Conditioner, and they’ve been proven to be highly effective with our customers. They’re definite long haircare essentials.

There’s a fair share of myths and misconceptions regarding hair growth. With the haircare industry always inventing new solutions, it can be hard to distinguish fact from fiction.

So, we've taken the time to debunk some common myths and set the record straight.

This is a common belief, but unfortunately, not true. Your hair grows from your scalp, so cutting the ends of your hair won't have any effort on the rate at which it grows.

But it does make your hair healthier. Regularly trimming your hair can help prevent split ends and breakage, meaning your hair will be able to retain more length over time.

So, while this technically is a myth, that doesn't mean you should neglect regular trims.

Washing your hair every day may make it feel clean, but it can strip your hair of its natural oils and cause dryness. This, in turn, can lead to breakage and slow down the growth process.

As mentioned earlier, try limiting washing your hair to 3 times a week and using gentle shampoos that won't irritate or dry out your scalp.

This is a common myth amongst men, but it couldn't be further from the truth. Conditioning your hair after washing can help hydrate and strengthen your hair follicles, promoting healthy growth.

If you're not currently conditioning your hair, start incorporating it into your hair care routine and see the difference it can make.

While taking hair growth vitamins may help improve the health of your hair, they won't magically make your hair grow longer. The rate at which your hair grows is largely determined by genetics and external factors.

The vitamins and minerals found in these hair supplements can help support healthy hair growth, but they are not a miracle solution.

Fast forward a few months or years, and you've finally reached your desired hair length. But the journey doesn't end there.

Maintaining and caring for your long hair is just as important as growing hair out. With the extra inches comes extra responsibility. These include:

Just like your skincare routine, having a consistent haircare routine can help keep your hair healthy. This should include regular washing, conditioning, and using products that nourish your hair.

Leave-in conditioners and hair masks will really benefit longer hair, as they provide deep hydration and nourishment to keep your hair strong and looking its best.

When it comes to drying your hair, use a microfibre towel or let it air dry rather than rubbing it with a regular towel, as this can cause damage and frizz.

Longer hair is more prone to split ends, so it's important that you continue to get regular trims every 6-8 weeks. Making sure your hair is free from split ends will prevent further breakage and prevent frizziness.

Cotton pillowcases can cause friction and tangles in your hair, leading to breakage and split ends. Sleeping on a silk or satin pillowcase can minimise this friction and help your hair maintain its smoothness and shine.

If you have hair that reaches your shoulders or longer, it's best to tie it up in a loose bun or ponytail while you sleep. A classic pineapple bun is the best preventative measure to prevent tangles and keep your hair smooth.

Long hair gives you the opportunity to experiment with different styles, but make sure you're using gentle products that won't cause damage or drying.

Low-quality hairsprays and gels can cause your hair to become stiff and brittle, making it prone to breakage. Instead, be willing to invest a little more into high-quality styling products that’ll nourish and protect your hair.

Our Marine Mist sea salt spray and Hybrid Hair styling compound are perfect examples of high-quality products that help keep your hair in top condition. Powered by natural ingredients and years of research, these products will make styling your long hair a breeze while nourishing and protecting it.

Growing your hair out won't happen quickly, but with patience and the right approach, you can achieve your desired length. Limiting heat styling, using gentle hair products, and maintaining a healthy diet are all key factors in promoting healthy hair growth.

Once you've reached your desired length, don't forget to maintain your locks with regular trims and use gentle styling products.

Here at Salt Grooming, we pride ourselves on creating premium haircare products that combine innovative formulations and natural ingredients that are easy to use and effective. Check out our full men's haircare range.