How Much Water Should I Drink for Hair Growth?

We all know that water is essential to our survival - it powers countless body processes and keeps us going. But did you know that good old H2O also supports hair growth? The rumors you’ve heard are true - however, you’ll need to drink enough water if you want to reap all of its hair-related benefits.  

To enhance hair growth, adults should drink at least 8 glasses of water per day. Children under the age of 8 years old should drink 4 to 5 cups per day. Your water needs may differ from others’ based on several factors.

In this article, we’ll not only cover all you need to know about drinking water for hair growth, but we’ll also cover what happens to your hair if you don’t drink enough water. 

How Much Water You Need for Hair Growth

As briefly mentioned above, the average adult needs about 8 glasses of water to support healthy hair growth. Note that this is a general recommendation. Here are some cases in which you may need to drink more or less than 8 glasses of water: 

• You are a male. Males need much more water than the average woman - closer to 12 glasses. 

• You are pregnant. Pregnant women need anywhere from 8 to 12 glasses of water to support their internal processes as well as the growth of the baby. 

• You are a child. Young children need much less water than adults due to their much lower body weight. 

How you drink your water is important as well. You should sip water throughout the day so that your hydration levels will remain consistent throughout each day. Drinking it all at once could be dangerous, anyway. 

How Water Helps with Hair Growth

You don’t have to take our word for it - water’s effect on hair growth has been studied extensively by medical professionals. According to MedicineNet, dehydration can cause your hair to stop growing altogether. In addition to that, your existing hair will begin to exhibit signs of dryness - this can lead to breakage. 

Water nourishes your scalp by aiding in scalp blood circulation, which ensures that your hair follicles can work properly. It also stimulates sebum (scalp oil) production, which helps to keep your existing hair moisturized. 

Does More Water Mean More Hair Growth?

When trying to maximize hair growth, it’s wise to keep your expectations in check. No matter how much water you drink, the average hair growth rate is 6 inches per month.

If you usually don’t drink enough water on a regular basis and increase your intake to the minimum of 8 cups per day, you will likely experience more hair growth. But, if you’re already drinking enough water, drinking more may not produce any additional hair growth. 

Can Drinking Water Thicken Hair?

Drinking water can make your hair appear thicker, and here’s how. Water helps to hydrate the hair from the inside, and your strands will display this fact visually. Your hair will absorb the water and plump up. 

We’ve covered how much water you need to drink for hair growth, how water supports hair growth, and more. You’ve got all the information you need. Now, grab your water bottle and sip your way to longer, stronger hair! 

Author: Andrea Reyes

Andrea is a mother, wife, writer, and natural hair enthusiast of 15 years. Currently on her natural hair journey, she’s been trying countless products and techniques to understand and embrace her natural hair. She is the creator of NaturallyTextured.com, a new website featuring informative articles that share tips, tricks, and techniques aimed to help others learn to love their hair through proper hair care. She writes with the hope of making hair care easier to understand and implement.