Many men would love to rock longer hairstyles like locs, buns, or a flow, but aren’t sure how to recreate the look for their own hair. Are you wondering how to grow out your hair? Change is good, and if you’re ready for it, you should try a longer hairstyle.

Once you’ve decided to transition from a short haircut to a longer style, there are a few things to keep in mind:

• Hair type: Not every style is suitable for every hair type. Many people struggle going from a low-maintenance buzz cut to a longer style that may need styling every day. Choose your ideal style with your natural hair texture in mind to cut down on styling time.
• Style goals: Choose a goal hairstyle that you and your barber can work toward. This way, you can strategize your hairstyle at each growth phase before your final long haircut.
• Maintenance preferences: Long hair generally takes more work to style than short hair. If you choose a high-maintenance cut but don’t have the time to properly style it, you won’t be happy with the results.

We’ll cover our top recommendations for men who are interested in growing their hair longer, so you know what to expect along your hair journey. When you’re ready to start growing out your hair, get in touch with a barber near you for expert help.

Talk with a stylist to determine your hair goals

Short cuts tend to look similar across hair textures. As your hair grows, your texture will be more apparent. Not every long haircut will work for your hair texture, so it’s important to look at lots of inspiration photos to get an idea of what might work for you.

Bring these photos to your barber for their expert opinion. They’ll have a better idea if your hair goals are realistic and can offer you suggestions for similar hairstyles that might work better for you. 

Your barber can also help you come up with a plan for your in-between styles. Especially if you’re going for a drastically different look, you’ll probably make a couple of pit stops at different looks along the way.

Cut your hair

Start your hair growth journey with a trim. It might seem counterintuitive, but certain styles grow out more flattering if they’re trimmed first, and you’re more likely to get to your end goal if you enjoy the journey along the way.

In many cases, this means cutting your hair to a uniform length. In other cases, it looks better to let the top grow out a bit longer and trim the sides and back a bit. Lucky for you, mullets are in right now, so you have more freedom to let your sides grow out.

Go for regular trims

Many of us want to skip out on trims when we’re growing out our hair, but regular trims are an important step to maintaining a longer haircut for men. 

You probably didn’t notice it with shorter hair, but medium and longer lengths will start having visible split ends. The result? The ends of your hair might look damaged or thinner than the rest of your hair. The longer you leave those split ends without trimming them, the more noticeable they’ll be.

Schedule a trim every six to eight weeks. During these appointments your barber can tweak your look so you’re happy throughout the process of growing out your hair.

Switch up your wash regimen

When, how, and what you use to wash your hair can make a big difference in how your hair looks, especially as you’re trying out a new length. Your current routine might keep your buzz cut in line but leave your hair looking flat once it grows out.

Mix it up as your hair grows longer. You might find that you need to wash your hair more often or use a gentler shampoo to guarantee a good hair day. Pick up a variety of travel size shampoos to experiment with your wash routine. When in doubt, ask your barber if they have any recommendations they think would work for you.

Consider supplements

There’s no quick fix to hair growth, but it doesn’t hurt to build healthier habits. Though it may take a while to see results, your hair will thank you.

Foods such as fish, nuts, and eggs have essential nutrients that are important for a healthy hair cycle. Consult your doctor before taking any supplements, but vitamins B12 and D, biotin, riboflavin, and iron supplements might help your hair grow. However, it’s most important to have a balanced diet to promote healthy hair growth.

If you’re experiencing some thinning, over-the-counter or prescribed topical medications can help. Minoxidil, the active ingredient in Rogaine, is a common topical medication people use to counteract hair loss. Scientists don’t know exactly why minoxidil works, but they believe it might kick-start hair growth cycles.

Experiment with styling

When you’re rocking a new hair length, your first time styling it is when things get interesting. Depending on how much time you’d like to invest in styling your hair, experiment with air drying, blow-drying, and different styling techniques to see what works for you. Unsure of where to start? Try these tips to handle common hair concerns:

• Frizz: Finish off your hair routine with a drop or two of hair oil to reduce flyaways and smooth frizz.
• Heat damage: Use a heat protectant on damp hair before heat styling. These products usually come in a spray or leave-in lotion formula.
• Lack of volume: Use texturizing spray or volumizing mousse and blow dry your hair with your head hanging upside down to maximize volume at the root.
• Hair tangles: Gently comb through your hair while it’s still damp with a wide tooth comb or your fingers. Start at the ends of your hair and slowly work your way to the root. Leave-in conditioner can help this process if needed.
• Dull hair: Leave the conditioner in your hair for as long as possible in the shower. Try tying it up and rinsing it out with cold water at the end of your shower routine to maximize hair shine.
• Dandruff: Try an over-the-counter dandruff-fighting shampoo and use a silicone tool to gently exfoliate your scalp while shampooing. Consider seeing a dermatologist if the problem persists.
• Oily roots: Touch up your hair in between washes with a dry shampoo to mattify and revitalize your hair.

Getting your hair braided can also ease you into new lengths. Because braids generally keep your hair out of your face, you’ll be less tempted to chop it before you reach your final hair goal. Give cornrows a try to help protect your hair while you grow it out. 

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Try hair accessories

Once you start growing out your hair, you can start playing around with different styles. Hats and headbands can help keep your hair off your face when you’re in between lengths, but it’s also the perfect time to try out new styles like locs, braids, buns, and more.

It takes some time practicing with new hairstyles and accessories to figure out how to get your style to hold all day long. Pick up some of these basics to start experimenting:

• Headbands
• Bobby pins
• Hair ties
• Hats

Tips to avoid the awkward phase

It can be tempting to stop growing out your hair once you reach the dreaded “awkward phase.” This is a different length for everyone, but is usually just any point where you’re not happy with how your hair looks. 

If you find yourself in the awkward phase, it’s time to head to your barber to problem-solve. Talking it through with your barber can help you come up with a solution so you can rock your long hair. In the meantime, try these tips to ensure you love your hair at every stage in your growth journey:

• Consider getting sections of your hair thinned by your barber to balance your cut.
• Trim the sides and back of your hair while keeping the top longer to prevent a mullet-like effect.
• Use a hair pomade at medium lengths to create volume and shine.
• Use a salt spray to add effortless texture. 
• Part your hair differently to find your favorite look.
• Experiment with long hairstyles like buns or locs.

How to grow out hair FAQs

There can be a bit of a learning curve when you’re figuring out how to grow out your hair, but with a little bit of care, you can transition to a new style in a breeze. A long hairstyle isn’t for everyone, but you should feel empowered to give it a try if you’re curious. Book an appointment with a barber near you today to get your hair growth journey started.