How to Grow Long Hair: 9 Practical Steps for Men

Product update: By Vilain Powermade has been improved and reformulated as By Vilain Flow Pomade. The original images have been retained and may show the former Powermade product.

Growing long hair takes time. The useful part of a grow-out routine is protecting the length you already have and keeping the changing shape manageable. Shampoo, conditioner and styling products can help with care and appearance; they are not shortcuts to instant growth.

Start with the style you want to reach, then work backwards with your barber. A loose middle part, shoulder-length waves and hair long enough to tie back each have different stages along the way.

How long does it take to grow long hair?

Cleveland Clinic describes hair growth at about 1 centimetre per month. Use that as a rough planning figure, not a personal deadline. Starting length, trims, breakage and the way curls sit all affect when you reach the look you want.

For example, if you need another 6 centimetres of length, a simple estimate at that rate is around six months before allowing for trims or breakage. That is an illustration of the calculation, not a promised result. Ask your barber how much extra length the target shape needs; “long enough for a bun” is not the same measurement for every starting cut.

Plan the grow-out by what your hair can do

Stage	Styling approach	What to discuss at a trim
The top is long but the sides are short	Keep a side sweep or textured shape while the sides catch up	Which outline details can be tidied without restarting the short sides?
The fringe reaches the eyes	Experiment with a loose part or sweep back	How can we keep useful front length while making the shape wearable?
Hair reaches around the ears and neck	Work with the natural bend; test how the sides sit tucked back or left loose	Where does the outline need balancing?
Some hair can be gathered	Use a loose tie only when there is enough length; leave short pieces out	Do the remaining shorter sections need more time rather than another cut?

These are practical milestones, not a month-by-month schedule. Wavy and curly hair may show less visible length than the same strands stretched straight. Compare your progress with your own earlier photographs taken in a similar dry state.

1. Set a target and plan the in-between cuts

Bring a reference photo and explain that you are keeping length. Ask which areas need to grow and which can be tidied without setting back the overall shape. If you are starting with very short sides and a long top, discuss how to bring those lengths together.

Take occasional photos from the same angles so you can compare the shape. Small changes are easier to notice across photos than in the mirror every morning.

2. Clean the scalp without fighting the lengths

Adjust washing to oil, sweat and product buildup. When you shampoo, concentrate on the scalp and rinse well rather than scrubbing the longer ends together. Choose a product you can use comfortably and consistently.

By Vilain Rush Shampoo is a current option for cleansing. Its role here is washing the hair, not accelerating growth.

3. Condition after washing

As your hair gets longer, pay attention to ends that tangle or feel rough. Apply conditioner to the lengths as directed and give yourself time to distribute it before rinsing.

By Vilain Rush Conditioner can be used for this step. If you add a leave-in product, choose one designed to stay in rather than leaving a rinse-out conditioner on overnight.

4. Detangle in small sections

Begin near the ends, release each knot gently and work upwards. Pulling from the roots through a knot does not make the job easier. Stop if the tool catches and separate the section with your fingers.

The By Vilain XL Comb is a wide-tooth option for longer hair. Use it gently; a comb’s job is to organise the hair, not to stimulate faster growth.

5. Reduce rough handling and repeated heat

Blot excess water instead of scrubbing with a towel. If you dry with heat, use a low setting and keep the airflow moving. By Vilain Sidekick provides a pre-styling option with heat protection; follow its directions.

The AAD’s styling guidance recommends limiting heat and handling hair gently. Aim for a repeatable routine, not a long sequence of treatments you cannot maintain.

6. Trim to manage the ends and shape

Trimming removes length; it does not increase the speed at which hair grows. It can still be useful when the ends or outline need attention. Discuss how much will be removed and why before each appointment.

You do not need to follow a fixed four-week trim rule throughout a grow-out. Ask your barber to plan maintenance around the condition of your ends and the style you are working towards.

7. Make the awkward stage wearable

When the front starts falling into your eyes, experiment with a side part or a loose sweep back. As the sides gain length, guide them in the same direction rather than repeatedly cutting them short.

For softer control, try a small amount of By Vilain Flow Pomade. Its light hold and natural shine suit movement; use a different hold level if you want a more fixed result. Ask your barber to demonstrate the intermediate style before you leave.

8. Keep tied styles comfortable

Once your hair reaches far enough to gather, avoid pulling it tightly just to capture the shortest pieces. A looser style, with those pieces left out, is a better starting point.

Repeated tension can damage hair: the AAD explains the risks of tightly pulled hairstyles. If a bun or ponytail hurts, loosen it.

9. Keep growth claims in perspective

Do not build the routine around cold-rinse challenges, homemade growth oils or a stack of supplements. Get advice if you notice unexpected shedding, patches of loss or a persistent scalp problem. Those need a different conversation from choosing a hairstyle.

The AAD notes that supplements may be recommended when a deficiency is identified. That is different from recommending them to everyone who wants longer hair.

Can I grow my hair long faster?

You can make the process easier to live with: retain useful length, manage tangles and plan the next shape. Be cautious about any routine promising rapid growth from ordinary grooming products. For help choosing the destination, compare the longer looks in our men’s hairstyle guide.

Related guides

• 10 Long Hairstyles for Men: Compare Shape and Styling
• How to Tie a Man Bun Without Pulling Your Hair