My Hair Growth Journey & What Actually Worked
For most of my life, I thought I just had “bad hair.”
My hair was fine, easily broken, and always looked straggly no matter what I did. I hated wearing it up because my ponytail felt sad and thin, and my hairline started to look like it was receding. I admired slick backs and polished hairstyles, but I knew I couldn’t pull them off — my hair just didn’t have the density.
At the beginning of 2025, during one of those classic New Year’s resolution moments, I decided to actually commit to understanding my hair instead of fighting it. I stuck with it, and a year later, I can confidently say I’ve seen a huge transformation — not overnight, not magically, but slowly and consistently.
This is my honest hair growth journey and what actually worked for me.
Understanding My Hair Type Changed Everything
Fine Hair vs Thin Hair: Why the Difference Matters
One of the most important things I learned early on was the difference between fine hair and thin hair — something that’s often confused online.
Fine hair refers to the thickness of each individual strand of hair. Thin hair refers to the overall amount of hair on your head. You can have fine hair and still have a lot of it — that was my goal.
My strands are very fine (you can barely see a single strand if you hold it up), which makes my hair much more prone to dryness, breakage, and damage from heat. However, I wasn’t experiencing true thinning or hair loss.
That distinction matters, because thinning hair can sometimes be related to hormones, stress, or health issues — and in those cases, it’s important to talk to a doctor. My goal wasn’t to stop hair loss; it was to grow more hair and protect what I already had.
What Didn’t Work for Me
Before I found what worked, I tried everything. Over the years, I bought countless products promising thicker, fuller hair — and most of them did nothing.
Many “thickening” shampoos and conditioners actually dried my hair out, leaving it more brittle and damaged. For example, the Living Proof Full shampoo and conditioner didn’t work for me at all. My hair felt dry and weak, which only led to more breakage.
I also tried cutting out heat completely, and for my fine hair, that was a mistake. Air-drying made my hair greasy faster and left it flat and lifeless. What I learned is that heat itself isn’t the enemy — it can actually help fine hair look healthier, fuller, and shinier by allowing you to shape and smooth it. The key is using heat responsibly: always protecting your hair and avoiding the highest heat settings, especially since fine hair doesn’t need intense heat to get good results.
Heatless curlers and overnight rods also weren’t realistic for my lifestyle. They took forever to put in and never stayed put overnight. I needed something sustainable that worked with a 9–5 schedule.
What Actually Gave Me Noticeable Results
The real growth came from two consistent habits, supported by the right products — not hundreds of steps.
Consistent Scalp Oiling with Botana Oil
Before every wash day, I massage Botana oil into my scalp and hair and leave it on for a few hours before washing it out. Consistency is key here. I use a small amount, warm it between my fingertips, massage it in, and let it sit while I work out, clean the house, or even wear my hair in a slick back.
What makes this oil different from so many others I’ve tried is the texture and how wearable it is. It doesn’t look overly greasy once applied — it actually mimics the look of hair gel — which means I can wear my hair slicked back all day and no one would ever guess there’s oil in it. The formula has a coconut-oil–like texture, so it’s incredibly easy to control and apply directly to the scalp. You simply warm it up in your hands and massage it in, without dealing with droppers, dripping oil, or product running down your forehead. It’s also very travel-friendly since it’s not a liquid, and there’s no worry about glass bottles breaking or leaking in your bag.
This step made the biggest difference in actual hair growth for me — not just how my hair looked, but how much new growth I saw over time.
Daily Hair, Skin & Nails Vitamins
I take the Nature’s Bounty Hair, Skin & Nails capsules every morning, and they played a real role in supporting my hair growth over time. While no supplement works overnight, staying consistent with these made a noticeable difference not only in my hair, but also in my nails and skin. My nails became stronger and stopped breaking as easily, and my skin looked healthier overall — which was an added bonus I didn’t expect.
I prefer the capsules over gummies and also appreciate that this supplement is affordable compared to many trendy hair growth products on the market. While the brand notes that these vitamins are primarily formulated for women, they can also be taken by men, which makes this a flexible option for anyone looking to support hair, skin, and nail health from the inside out.
Professional Feedback That Confirmed It Was Working
The results became noticeable enough that both my hairdresser and dermatologist commented on it. When I went in for a haircut, my hairdresser was genuinely impressed by how much new growth she saw. She could immediately tell it was growth and not breakage because of the different lengths of new hairs around my hairline and throughout my head. After seeing my results, she even started oiling her own hair consistently and has since noticed a difference herself.
At a separate appointment, my dermatologist also pointed out how much new growth she was seeing while checking my scalp. When I explained my routine, she was excited by the results and interested in learning more about why it was working. Hearing that feedback from two professionals was incredibly encouraging and confirmed that what I was doing was actually making a real difference.
Supporting Products That Helped (But Didn’t Do the Heavy Lifting)
While the oil and vitamins drove growth, the right supporting products helped protect and maintain it.
Shampoo & Conditioner for Fine Hair
I realized that thickening shampoos alone weren’t meeting my hair’s needs. I switched to the Kerastase Resistance Force Architecte shampoo and conditioner, which strengthened my fine hair, added shine, and protected it from heat damage without weighing it down.
Hair Masks for Thickness & Shine
When my hair needs extra softness and fullness, I use the Bumble and Bumble Thickening Plumping Mask once a week. It gives instant results and always leaves my hair soft, shiny, and full.
Styling Products That Don’t Weigh Hair Down
For heat protection and softness, I’ve consistently loved the Kerastase Resistance Serum. It leaves my hair smooth and glossy and gives me my best hair days. I typically pair a heat protectant with a volumizing product — protection first, fullness second.
Accessories That Accelerated My Hair Growth
One of the biggest shifts I made was focusing on reducing everyday breakage, especially while I slept. I switched to sleeping on silk pillowcases and tying my hair back in a loose, protective ponytail using a silk hair scrunchie. These small changes made a noticeable difference over time. Silk reduces friction on the hair, which means less tugging, tangling, and breakage — especially important for fine hair that’s more prone to damage.
I also love that silk hair ties help preserve my hairstyle overnight. I wake up without a tangled mess or harsh creases in my hair, and they don’t leave dents or pull at my strands the way traditional elastics do. It’s a simple habit, but one that made my routine feel more intentional and gentle.
Another accessory I added was a microfiber hair towel, and this was a game changer for wash days. Hair is at its most vulnerable when it’s wet, and microfiber is much more forgiving than regular towels. It absorbs excess water without roughing up the hair cuticle, which helps reduce breakage and frizz. It’s also incredibly easy to use — I just twist it up and leave it on while I get ready, letting it gently soak up moisture before styling.
I’ve linked the specific brands I’ve personally liked and used, including the Kitsch silk pillowcase and silk hair ties, so you can easily find the exact products that worked well for me.
None of these accessories grow hair on their own, but they played a big role in protecting the growth I was working so hard to achieve.
Habits That Made a Difference
- Daily vitamins
- Consistent oiling before wash days
- Investing in supporting products
- Patience and consistency
I started noticing changes around three months, and by six months, others noticed too. Now, a year in, my hairline is visibly fuller — and I’m still growing.
The Biggest Lesson I Learned About Hair Growth
Hair growth takes time. Sometimes others will notice a difference before you do because you see yourself every day. I highly recommend taking starting photos and progress photos along the way.
I also learned that not every product works for everyone — and that’s okay. You can change shampoos or styling products if something doesn’t work for you. But for me, the Botana oil and vitamins were non-negotiable.
This journey is still ongoing. My hair isn’t perfect, but it’s healthier, fuller, and stronger than it’s ever been — and that’s worth it.
This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you