Factors that promote hair growth?

My hair took forever to come in - I'm on Herceptin and I think that slowed it.  I had male pattern baldness forever - went topless at five months PFC, which was probably one month too soon.  Since then, I believe my hair has come in slightly thicker than before.  I never had particularly thick hair to begin with, so I am always interested in anything that will stimulate hair growth.

I am taking biotin, glucosamine/chondroitin with MSM (supposed to be good for hair.)

 I am using Gromedi Hair Treatment from Bioken and Hair Growth Treatment from SeaChi. (SeaChi offers monthly coupons - PM me if you want me to send you the code for the next one I get.) I wash my hair about twice a week with a sulfate-free shampoo.  Nioxin has all kinds of sulfates and parabens, so I don't use it. 

 I do yoga as many days as I can and when I don't do yoga, I make sure to do an inverted stretch - I read that increasing the blood flow to your scalp can help hair growth.

 I drink a morning smoothie with a protein mix every morning within an hour of getting up - when you don't have protein first thing in the morning, your body turns to other sources to get protein.  What does it choose?  Your hair, skin, and nails.  I am also adding (per recommendation from evebarry, 1 Tbsp of ground chia seed and 1.5 Tbsp of ground flaxseed to my  morning smoothie.  I try to get at least 60 grams of protein a day - your hair is 90% protein.  I don't eat meat or dairy, but do well with protein mixes (in the morning), wild fish, organic eggs, beans, and tempeh.  

I don't drink or smoke - both are VERY bad for your hair. 

I exercise (walking) every day and I meditate.  Reducing stress levels is important for hair growth.

OK, that's my strategy. Good luck! 

I had color treated (to cover gray) and highlighted fine, waist length hair prior to chemo.  I cut it very short (very much like Suze Orman) prior to chemo.  It did not fall out until after the 2nd TCH, my MO was quite surprised.  I buzzed it on day 24, but I never went completely bald and had to shave legs all through chemo.  At the completion of TC my hair did not grow back nearly as quickly as a couple of my friends who started TCH the same week as me, we all finished chemo in June of 2011.  I had sparse, thin and very uneven coverage for a couple of months.  My hairdresser told me to start Biotin a month after chemo ended - she said it would do no good and be a waste of money to take it any sooner as it would be counteracted by the chemo and its residue any sooner than that.  I also started using the 4-step Bosley products (shampoo, conditioner, leave in conditioner and leave in growth stimulant), I liked the ingredient list better than Nioxin.  I was continuing on Herceptin all during this time, and finished it in Jan. 2012.  My hair finally filled in, with the very front being the last for total coverage.  I went without my wig in late Sept, early Oct. of 2011.  My hair growth rate and nail growth rate have normalized and I have a full head of hair growing at the rate it did prior to chemo.  I have cut it about 6 times since it started to grow back, I have colored and highlighted again as well.  It has grown back straight and with the same basic texture it had prior to chemo.

What is Biotin?

My hair prior to BC was colored brunette (I was born blond and used to color my blond hair a lot and used to get perms in my teenage years - it was the 80's, what can I say!!). The texture was baby fine with a slight wave in my hair. I decided to cut my hair short (not a buzz cut though) to prepare myself mentally for when the time came. I began noticing it coming out steadily about 2 days before my 2nd treatment so I beat it to the punch and had my wig lady give me a buzz cut. It was very emotional but it wasn't as bad as i thought it was going to be.  I only wear my wig to work (it must be a pretty good wig b/c I got a number of compliments on my "new hairdo" from people at work who do not know my circumstances). All other times I wear headscarves when I am outside. I love the head scarves. So I finished chemo on 12/29. I did a regimen of ACT (4 AC first and then 4 T tx) and began herceptin on 12/2 (and getting it every 3 weeks). I dont do any special diets, I take iron and D3 supplements and a multivitamin but I was taking these b/f BC. By the end of January my head was completely covered with hair albeit like a buzz cut. By the end of March it was at a point where I was almost comfortable enough that I thought about going out w/o a headscarf (it was just a thought though!). I would tell you that it has gotten even longer but I ended up shaving it!!  Long story but for a good cause - St. Baldrick's (foundation raising money for childhood cancer). I've seen a number of comments where women mention that their hair has come back curly - but like kinky curly. I'm not opposed to curly hair, and no offense to anyone with kinky curls, but I hope I do not get kinky curls. I would love to get straight hair back but I'm not holding my breath.  Hope this info helps in some way.