It doesn’t matter if you dream of Rapunzel braids or just want to fix the consequences of a bad haircut: we found out what affects hair growth and what you can do at home.
Do you feel like your hair stops growing after a certain point or doesn’t grow at all? We understand how frustrating this can be, so we found and interviewed two people who are very knowledgeable about all things hair growth: Lulu Pierre, founder of Boho Locs, a brand specializing in curl extensions for those who are desperate to grow their hair out on their own, and Dr. Hadley King, Board Certified Dermatologist, Cornell University.
And here’s what we found out.
First, let’s start with some fundamental questions.
How fast does hair grow?
“It depends on several factors, including age, genetics, hair type, and overall health,” says Lulu Pierre. “On average, most people’s hair grows about 1 cm per month.”
Her opinion is complemented by Hadley King: “The hair growth cycle consists of three separate stages: anagen, catagen, and telogen. To put it simply, the first phase is the anagen or growth phase: it lasts an average of 3 to 5 years, and during this time the hair lengthens by 1 cm per month at least (and some lucky people may notice hair regrowth of 2 and more cm in 30 days). At the end of the anagen phase, the hair enters the catagen phase. This is a short transitional phase that lasts approximately 10 days and can be called the resting phase. It precedes the period when the hair will enter the telogen phase – the dying phase when the hair roots are released from the follicle and fall out. The follicle then remains inactive for 3 months, after which the whole process is repeated.”
What changes with age?
“Hair growth can slow down – and this is a normal part of the natural aging process. As your body as a whole age, changes in hormonal levels can lead to slower hair growth,” says Lulu Pierre. “In addition, some of the hair follicles may stop functioning altogether, leading to general hair thinning or even incipient baldness in these areas, although this is more typical for men,” adds Hadley King.
At what age does hair grow the fastest?
“Hair grows fastest between the ages of 15 and 30,” says Dr. King. This is the time when the body is in optimal shape (unless, of course, you are sick with anything), and after 30, hair growth tends to gradually slow down.
Again, your exact hair growth rate depends on a variety of other factors, including genetics, overall health, and diet. Hormonal fluctuations can also affect hair growth and hair loss. For example, in pregnant women, hair often becomes thicker and stronger, and after childbirth, “hair fall” begins: those hairs that should have done this for a long time fall out, but they stayed in place, because, in a simple way, the body was not up to them. By the way, this is completely normal, and new hair will grow back pretty quickly, just give it time. After the baby is born, normal hair growth is restored after a year or so.
I didn’t have a baby, why is my hair growing so slowly?
“In addition to age, hair can grow more slowly due to health conditions, vitamin or nutrient deficiencies caused by poor diet, stress, hormonal imbalances, certain medications, and even excessive exposure to heat from daily styling,” explains Lulu Pierre.
“If your hair is not getting the right nutrition (and protein food in the first place, since hair is made up mainly of protein – keratin), you may find that it does not grow as quickly and for as long as before. This happens because the hair is not getting what it needs to stay in the anagen phase long enough to reach its full length.”
In short, if you’ve noticed that your hair growth has slowed down lately, we suggest you try making a few lifestyle changes to see if they help. For example, switch to a more balanced diet or find ways to reduce stress. If you don’t see any improvement after a couple of months, it may be best to consult a trichologist who can offer further testing and care recommendations.
Can you make your hair grow faster?
Yes, although you shouldn’t expect hair to grow overnight. Hair growth takes time. What can really be done? Anagen is the stage at which the hair actively grows. The most important factor in helping your hair grow faster is keeping your scalp healthy during the anagen phase. One easy way to do this is to use the right shampoo.
The scalp is a sensitive environment, so it’s best to avoid using products that contain harsh ingredients (such as sulfates) that can strip the follicles of natural oils, otherwise known as sebum. Instead, look for a moisturizing shampoo that will cleanse your hair and scalp, reduce the buildup of environmental pollutants in your skin, and basically nothing will stop your hair from growing. Yes, and one more thing: your hair is (alas) genetically programmed to have a certain length (the most striking evidence of this is the length of the hair in the armpit, bikini area, or legs: you must admit, even if you do not or have not begun to remove them, they will not grow longer than a few centimeters – this is how it is programmed. And equally, it concerns the hair on the head. Alas,
I heard oils help, is that true?
Partly. Convincing clinical studies, let’s not lie – no. But trichologists believe that some vegetable oils do help accelerate hair growth by nourishing the hair follicles. This is:
Rosemary Oil: In a 2015 study, rosemary oil was compared to a hair growth chemical and after 6 months, both groups saw a significant increase in hair growth
Pumpkin Seed Oil: Pumpkin seed oil has been shown to block the action of 5-alpha reductase, an enzyme that slows hair growth with age. This is believed to be why pumpkin seed oil may help reduce hair loss in androgenetic alopecia, but research on this topic has not yet been completed.
Castor Oil: Possibly the most popular oil for hair growth. Studies have shown that castor oil increases hair shine, but there are no conclusive studies showing that castor oil accelerates hair growth.
Is there anything else I can do to encourage hair growth?
Lulu Pierre recommends regular scalp massage. “It helps blood circulation and accelerates the access of nutrients to the hair follicles, which will definitely strengthen the hair and stimulate its growth,” she says. You can try adding a few drops of one of the above oils to your shampoo before use or apply it directly to your scalp.
Another thing to keep in mind is diet and lifestyle. “Your diet should include healthy fats, proteins, iron, and vitamin A to give your body the important nutrients it needs to stimulate hair growth,” says Dr. King.
She also emphasizes the importance of hair protection. “Once a hair has grown beyond the surface of the scalp, it is physiologically dead. Because of this, he cannot receive any nutrients, like the tip of a nail: what has grown is lifeless, no matter how terrifying it may sound. But we can protect the top layer of the hair, the cuticle, to reduce hair breakage.” And if the hair does not break, it becomes longer, is it logical?
This means that shampoos with sulfates and gels or sprays containing alcohol should be avoided. Instead, moisturize your hair daily with conditioners, creams, or oils to reduce the risk of damage. hair care products containing glycerin are especially good.
Parting advice: Hairdryers, straighteners, or curling irons can seriously damage healthy hair. As far as possible, reduce the heat. And never neglect thermal protection!
And a few more ways to speed up hair growth
In addition to the above beauty recommendations, there are some more useful tips from trichologists, dermatologists, and hairdressers that will help you achieve luxurious hair. We have selected the most effective of them.
1. Trim your split ends regularly
Hair polishing is a procedure that you should never forget if you want to grow long and healthy hair. Its main goal is to get rid of split ends, with which you obviously will not be able to achieve your dream hair. The fact is that the split ends themselves will not go anywhere – even the most miraculous and expensive means will not help to solder them. Over time, the hair will simply split even more along the length, which over time will lead to thinning and breaking off. That is why it is important to cut off injured hair in time – this way you only help them grow long and healthy.
2. See a trichologist
If you notice that your hair is growing very, very slowly, this may be a reason to consult a doctor about this problem. You can make an initial appointment with a trichologist or dermatologist: these specialists will find out the true cause of slow hair growth or hair loss and select the appropriate treatment regimen.
3. Try Caffeinated Hair Growth Products
Caffeine is a drug that can also help you grow long hair. And it’s not about taking it in. Many caffeinated skincare and treatment products stimulate blood flow to the scalp and lower the concentration of the hormone dihydrotestosterone, which provokes hair loss.
You will not notice the effect of the use of products with caffeine immediately, but be patient. Usually, the first results become visible after 2-3 months. However, a guaranteed wow effect, in this case, is still not worth waiting for: shampoos and serums with caffeine may not work. At the same time, they obviously won’t make you worse: so why not try?
4. Focus on scalp care
If you want to grow your hair to the toes, in no case do not forget to take care of your scalp. It is in the dermis that our hair follicles, nerves, blood vessels, collagen fibers, elastin, and fat cells are contained. That is why proper and regular scalp care stimulates hair growth and improves the quality of curls.
With proper care of the scalp, blood and nutrients will easily flow into the follicles, which will minimize the risk of hair loss and breakage. For scalp care, use nourishing oils, serums, and masks with mint, tea tree, and citrus oils.
5. Plugin vitamins for hair growth
Biological supplements for hair growth are not a miracle cure, but they can be of real benefit in case of a lack of certain vitamins or minerals in your body. To understand if you have a deficiency, you need to see a doctor and pass the necessary tests. After analyzing the results, the doctor will select the appropriate therapy for you. Usually, biotin, folic acid, and vitamins D, A, C, and E are prescribed for hair growth.
6. Use hair conditioner to avoid breakage
Many people do not consider it necessary to use conditioner in the process of washing their hair – and make an unfortunate mistake! It will be very difficult to grow luxurious curls without this beauty product because it helps to strengthen the hair shaft and seal the outer cuticle. It is recommended to rinse the conditioner from the hair with cool water – this helps to avoid moisture loss and avoid heat damage.
You can use both ready-made hair conditioners, which are now widely represented in the lines of hair care brands, and homemade products.
For example, here is a simple recipe for a homemade hair conditioner. Mix a cup of unrefined coconut oil with almond oil, macadamia oil, and jooba oil (take one tablespoon of all three oils). Apply this nourishing blend to damp hair before washing and leave on for 10 minutes. Oils will saturate the hair with fatty acids and make them stronger and stronger along the length.
7. Avoid bleaching your hair
It’s no secret that the bleaching procedure is very traumatic for the hair. Therefore, if you decide to grow a luxurious mane, by all means, you, alas, will have to give up frequent dyeing in blond. This will help to avoid breakage and splitting of the hair and help them grow faster.
8. Minimize friction between hair and fabric
Sleeping on cotton pillowcases can lead to severe tangles. To prevent this, it is better to switch to silk or satin underwear. A softer and smoother surface does not provoke friction and helps our curls retain moisture better.
Experts also do not recommend using bath towels after washing your hair – this also leads to tangling curls. In addition, most people tie the towel too tightly around their heads, thereby pulling the hair too much along the growth line, which provokes breakage. To absorb moisture from the hair after washing, it is better to use a T-shirt or a thin microfiber towel – they have a more delicate effect on our hair.
9. Gently brush your hair
Too aggressive combing can cause significant damage to our hair – at such a pace, you obviously will not be able to grow luxurious hair! Therefore, be very gentle in the process of unraveling your curls. If during combing you basically hear the sound of touching the brush, then you are already doing something wrong.
You should be even more careful when combing your hair immediately after washing because in this state, the curls are even more prone to breakage. Detangling wet hair should start from the ends, gradually moving up. Combing wet curls from the roots leads to even more tangling. So we repeat: be gentler and more delicate!
10. Don’t get carried away with hair accessories and change your style often.
To accelerate hair growth, experts also advise abandoning a large number of accessories: hairpins and tight elastic bands, which only lead to tangles and brittle curls. Do not get carried away with pulling your hair into ponytails and buns – regular tight styling will definitely not make your hair healthier.
