3 Ways to Make Dreads Grow Faster

This article was co-authored by Courtney Foster. Courtney Foster is a Licensed Cosmetologist, Certified Hair Loss Practitioner, and Cosmetology Educator based out of New York City. Courtney runs Courtney Foster Beauty, LLC and her work has been featured on The Wendy Williams Show, Good Morning America, The Today Show, The Late Show with David Letterman, and in East/West Magazine. She received her Cosmetology License from the State of New York after training at the Empire Beauty School – Manhattan.

There are 11 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
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Dreadlocks can make for a fun look, but people worry about their hair growing when it’s knotted. Dreadlocks can actually grow as fast as regular hair, but require some special care. If you want your hair to grow faster, opt for a healthier diet. Upping your intake of the right vitamins and minerals will help your hair grow. You should also wash your hair regularly to keep it healthy. In some cases, special supplements may help hair grow faster.

Steps

Changing Your Diet

1. 1Get more vitamin A. Vitamin A can help make hair grow faster. If you’re looking to grow out your dreads, find ways to add more vitamin A to your diet each day.[1] X Research source
   • Liver, fish oils, milk, and eggs are good sources of vitamin A.[2] X Research source
   • Vitamin A is found in fruits and vegetables such as leafy greens, sweet potatoes, cantaloupe, carrots, squash, apricot, and broccoli.
2. 2Up your vitamin E intake. Vitamin E can also aid with hair growth. Try adding extra vitamin E to your diet and see if your dreads grow faster.[3] X Research source
   • Nuts, seeds, and vegetable oils are the best sources of vitamin E. It is also found in leafy green vegetables and fortified cereals.[4] X Research source
   • Sunflower seeds, almonds, hazelnuts, corn oil, peanut butter, and peanuts are good sources of vitamin E.
   • Vitamin E is also found in spinach, kiwi, tomato, and mango.

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3. 3Add flaxseed oil to your diet. A small amount of flaxseed oil can help your hair grow faster. Try picking up some flaxseed oil at a local grocery store and adding it to your diet.
   • Try sprinkling ground flaxseed over various foods throughout the day. You can sprinkle it over fruits, vegetables, yogurts, and cereals. Try adding it to hummus and butters.[5] X Research source
   • Look for things like breads, muffins, and other wheat items that are supplemented with flaxseed oil at your local supermarket.
4. 4Increase your protein intake. Protein promotes hair health. If you want to grow out your dreads, look for protein-rich foods and incorporate them into your diet.[6] X Research source
   • Fish, whole grains, nuts, and beans are excellent sources of protein.
5. 5Take a biotin supplement.[7] X Expert SourceCourtney FosterLicensed Cosmetologist Expert Interview. 9 December 2019. Biotin and other B vitamins help improve the overall look of both your hair and skin and can help stimulate new growth. Add more biotin to your diet by eating more nuts, eggs, and cauliflower, or take a biotin supplement once a day with one of your meals.[8] X Research source

Caring for Your Hair

1. 1Wash your hair once a week. Many people believe dreads should not be washed. However, this is not true. Dreads need regular washing starting two weeks after being created. Do not wash your dreads every day, as this can adversely affect their growth, but make a point of washing them once a week.[9] X Research source
   • For the best results, look for shampoos specifically designed to wash dreads.
   • Be sure to rinse thoroughly for 2-5 minutes to make sure there is no shampoo residue left in your dreads. Shampoo that is not properly washed out can cause flaking and drying.
2. 2Care for your hair at night. Protecting your scalp at night can help your dreads grow faster. Wrap a scarf, blanket, or hair cap over your head at night. Silk caps work particularly well. Do this each night to keep your dreads safe and promote growth.[10] X Research source
   • If shedding is an issue, wrapping your hair before bed can also help catch stray hairs.
3. 3Massage your scalp. Gently massaging your scalp once a day helps keep your hair healthy, prevent dead skin cells from building up, stimulate blood flow, and promote growth. This will also help you relax. Once a day, gently massage your scalp for about 5 minutes.[11] X Research source
4. 4Use castor oil or coconut oil in your hair.[12] X Expert SourceCourtney FosterLicensed Cosmetologist Expert Interview. 9 December 2019. Once a week, before shampooing, mix castor oil and coconut oil together and apply the mixture to your hair. Let it sit in for about 30 minutes and then wash it out. This may result in your dreads growing faster in a couple of weeks.

Trying Other Means

1. 1Talk to a hairdresser. If your hair isn’t growing as fast as you want despite your efforts, see a hairdresser. Go over your hair care routine to see if you’re doing anything wrong. A qualified hairdresser should be able to help you manage your dreads to keep them healthy and growing.[13] X Research source
2. 2Try a supplement. You can buy supplements online designed to help dreads grow faster. However, you should always talk to a doctor before trying any dietary supplement. They should only be used as a last resort when other means are not working.[14] X Research source
3. 3Get more sleep. Make sure you’re getting enough sleep. Poor sleep habits can affect your health, including your rate of hair growth. Also, make sure you’re using the right pillow. A silk pillow helps prevent hair from tangling and breaking.[15] X Research source

Expert Q&A
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• QuestionHow fast will my hair grow?Courtney FosterCourtney Foster is a Licensed Cosmetologist, Certified Hair Loss Practitioner, and Cosmetology Educator based out of New York City. Courtney runs Courtney Foster Beauty, LLC and her work has been featured on The Wendy Williams Show, Good Morning America, The Today Show, The Late Show with David Letterman, and in East/West Magazine. She received her Cosmetology License from the State of New York after training at the Empire Beauty School – Manhattan.
  Licensed CosmetologistLicensed CosmetologistExpert Answer
• QuestionHow do you make your dreads lock faster?Laura MartinLaura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.
  Licensed CosmetologistLicensed CosmetologistExpert Answer
• QuestionHow long does it take to grow your dreads?Laura MartinLaura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.
  Licensed CosmetologistLicensed CosmetologistExpert Answer

Tips

• Ultimately, you cannot make your hair grow faster. You can only provide a healthy environment that promotes and protects new growth. Hair generally grows at a rate of about 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) per month.[16] X Expert SourceCourtney FosterLicensed Cosmetologist Expert Interview. 9 December 2019. It may take some time to notice real progress.⧼thumbs_response⧽
• Hair goes through a biological cycle of growth, dormancy, and shedding. Depending on the rhythm of your hair cycle, you may only be able to grow your hair to a certain length before it sheds. This is completely normal, so don’t worry if your hair won’t grow past your shoulders.[17] X Research source⧼thumbs_response⧽

References

1. ↑ https://www.dreadheadhq.com/pages/how-do-i-make-my-hair-dreads-grow-faster
2. ↑ https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminA-HealthProfessional/
3. ↑ https://www.dreadheadhq.com/pages/how-do-i-make-my-hair-dreads-grow-faster
4. ↑ https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminE-HealthProfessional/
5. ↑ http://www.precisionnutrition.com/incorporating-flax-into-diet
6. ↑ http://www.cheatsheet.com/gear-style/how-to-get-longer-locks-make-your-hair-grow-faster.html/?a=viewall
7. ↑ Courtney Foster. Licensed Cosmetologist. Expert Interview. 9 December 2019.
8. ↑ https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319427.php
9. ↑ https://www.knottyboy.com/learn/tutorials/how-to-maintain-dreadlocks/

1. ↑ http://www.ebony.com/style/5-basic-tips-for-healthy-dreadlocks-123#axzz4bSGBTpYn
2. ↑ https://www.knottyboy.com/learn/tutorials/how-to-maintain-dreadlocks/
3. ↑ Courtney Foster. Licensed Cosmetologist. Expert Interview. 9 December 2019.
4. ↑ https://www.knottyboy.com/learn/tutorials/how-to-maintain-dreadlocks/
5. ↑ http://www.dreadlocks.com/facts_rumors.html
6. ↑ http://www.cheatsheet.com/gear-style/how-to-get-longer-locks-make-your-hair-grow-faster.html/?a=viewall
7. ↑ Courtney Foster. Licensed Cosmetologist. Expert Interview. 9 December 2019.
8. ↑ http://jcs.biologists.org/content/119/3/391

About This Article

If you want your dreads to grow faster, try washing them less frequently. Washing your dreads once a week will promote growth. Additionally, Vitamin A helps hair grow faster, so add eggs, leafy greens, and milk to your daily intake. Vitamin E also aids in hair growth and can be found in nuts, seeds, and fortified cereals. If your dreads still aren’t growing as quickly as you’d like, visit a hairdresser to discuss your hair-care routine. To learn more from our Cosmetologist co-author, like how to take care of your hair at night, keep reading the article!

Reader Success Stories

• “Your hair is somehow the mirror of your internal health, since healthy hair is achieved through healthy nutrition and lifestyle in general. This is what this article sums up to me. Also, the type of oil to use and the care tips. Thank you very much.”…” more