How to Grow Baby Hairs from Scratch FAST
Baby hairs aren’t just for laying down cute swoops—they completely transform your look. From making your forehead look smaller to adding style versatility, here’s why edges matter and how to get them.
Baby hairs can change the appearance of a large forehead and make it look smaller. If you’ve ever felt self-conscious about a big forehead, some well-placed baby hairs can be a game-changer. They act like a natural fringe, softening the hairline and creating the illusion of a smaller forehead without any drastic hairstyle changes. It’s a simple trick, but it can subtly balance your facial proportions.
They can also give the appearance of fuller hair. Thin edges or sparse hairlines can make your overall hairstyle look less voluminous. Baby hairs fill in those gaps at the perimeter, making your hairline look denser and, by extension, your entire head seem fuller. It’s like adding a feathered border to a painting — suddenly the whole picture has more depth. This effect is especially helpful if your hair is fine or if you’ve experienced some thinning around the temples.
Hairlines naturally thin with age, so growing your edges early can help maintain a fuller hairline long-term. Think of it as a preventative measure: nurturing those tiny hairs now might mean a stronger, thicker hairline as you get older. Many people (yes, even women) notice that their hairlines recede or lose density over the years , so having a reserve of healthy baby hairs can keep your hairline looking youthful. In other words, it’s not just about looking good today — it’s about future-proofing your hair.
Baby hairs give you more creative and elegant styling options. If you love experimenting with hairstyles, edges are your artistic finishing touch. You can slick them down into stylish swirls, swoops, or delicate curls that frame your face. From a sleek bun with perfectly laid edges to a romantic updo with soft tendrils, baby hairs let you add flair and personality to any look. They’re like the signature on a masterpiece — not the main attraction, but they definitely elevate the whole style.
Convinced that baby hairs are worth it? Great — now let’s get into the “how” part: how to actually grow them from scratch, and fast. I spent years trying to figure this out, and after a lot of trial and error (and a bit of patience), I found a routine that gave me visible baby hair growth in a surprisingly short time. Here’s how it went down:
My first step was turning to some science. Which is minoxidil — the well-known topical hair growth treatment. I went from the 2% to the 5% formulas and ambitiously used them twice a day on my hairline. (Yes, I was that determined!) I kept up this routine religiously for about three months. To my surprise, I started noticing tiny new baby hairs sprouting in as little as two weeks. Those initial sprouts were a sign that something was working, and it motivated me to stick with it.
To keep those new baby hairs coming in, I added rosemary oil serum to my routine. I would apply a few drops to my hairline after the minoxidil had dried, both to moisturize the area and to give another kick for growth stimulation. Rosemary oil is a beloved natural remedy in the hair care world, and there’s some science behind it too – studies have found rosemary oil can rival minoxidil in promoting hair growth over a few months . For me, it also helped soothe any dryness from the minoxidil (those alcohol-based hair tonics can be a bit drying) and made the whole process feel a bit more spa-like.
After a month or so, I noticed the growth spurt from minoxidil and rosemary started to level off. That’s when I introduced a daily scalp massage into the mix. Each night, I’d spend about five minutes gently massaging my hairline and temples, often with a little extra rosemary oil. Not only did this feel relaxing, but I figured it could help increase blood circulation in the area. There’s some evidence that regular scalp massages may lead to thicker, healthier hair over time , and at the very least, it helped me give my follicles some extra attention.
Whenever I hit a stubborn plateau in growth, I brought out these: a dermaroller (or occasionally a dermastamp). If you haven’t heard of these, they’re little handheld tools with tiny needles that you roll or stamp on your scalp — a process known as microneedling. It sounds a bit intense, but it’s actually pretty tolerable and has a purpose. The micro-injuries from microneedling stimulate the skin to heal and can boost the absorption of any products you apply afterward. In fact, research on hair loss has shown that using a dermaroller along with minoxidil can spur new hair growth faster than minoxidil alone . I used the dermaroller on my edges about once a week (sometimes every two weeks) to give my routine that extra push when I felt growth was slowing.The only thing with this method is you HAVE to do your research before you just go buying any old derma-tool. The size of the needles, the application and sterilization process is super important to ensure you don't worsen your situation.
I also experimented with using tretinoin (aka retinol) on my hairline before applying minoxidil. This one was a bit of a wildcard: tretinoin is commonly known as a skincare ingredient, but some dermatology research suggests it can improve hair regrowth when combined with minoxidil . The idea is that tretinoin helps the minoxidil penetrate better and possibly stimulates the hair follicles in its own right. In my routine, I’d apply a very thin layer of tretinoin to my edges at night, wait about 15 minutes, and then put on my minoxidil. I did this a couple of times a week (not nightly, to avoid irritating my skin). Did it help? I believe so — it seemed to give an extra boost in those areas that were stubborn, and over the long term my edges kept filling in. At the very least, I felt like I was doing everything I could, and there’s some comfort in that!
So here I am, four years after starting this baby-hair-growing journey, and I can confidently say my routine paid off. My once-sparse hairline now boasts a soft fringe of baby hairs that I can either slick down for a polished look or leave be for a naturally tousled vibe. Sticking to this regimen — minoxidil, rosemary oil, massages, the occasional microneedling, and that touch of tretinoin — has kept my edges thriving and my hairline healthier than it’s been in ages. It wasn’t always easy to be consistent (trust me, there were nights I wanted to skip it all and just sleep), but seeing those little hairs flourish has been incredibly rewarding. Not to mention, having fuller edges has given me so many more styling options and a big boost in confidence about my hair. It’s also comforting to know that by caring for my baby hairs, I’m likely keeping my hairline stronger for the long haul.
Now, if you’re reading this and feeling inspired to try growing out your own baby hairs, I say go for it! Just keep in mind that everyone’s hair is different, and individual results may vary. You might see a soft halo of new hair in a few weeks like I did, or it might take a couple of months — both scenarios are totally normal. The key is patience and consistency. And remember, growing your edges isn’t just about vanity or following a beauty trend. It’s about giving yourself options, improving the health of your hairline, and feeling more confident in your look. As always, before you dive headfirst into a new routine (especially one involving medicated products like minoxidil or strong actives like tretinoin), it’s a smart move to consult with a dermatologist. They can guide you based on your specific situation and make sure your scalp stays happy throughout the process. In the end, I’m so glad I invested the time in my hairline — it may seem like a small part of your hair, but they make a big difference!!
Here's some links to products I use and recommend if you decide you’re going on your baby hair growing journey too:
Minoxidil 5% foam: https://amzn.to/4cGcIhx
Minoxidil 2% liquid: https://amzn.to/4jAU78B
My favorite Rosemary Oil Blend: https://amzn.to/3YCzYXH
Scalp Massager I use daily: https://amzn.to/42kQoq9
Derma-roller I use: https://amzn.to/4ls0HA2
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