How Long Does It Take For Hair To Grow?

Last Updated on July 3, 2025 by Doris Jean

Patience is really a virtue when it comes to growing back your hair. Whether you have chopped off your hair post-breakup or suffering from excessive hair loss, waiting for those luscious locks to grow back is a painstakingly slow process. 

On average, your hair grows around a centimeter every month. Of course, this may vary depending on the person and the reason for hair loss. If you are trying to turn things around to boost hair growth, scroll down to learn more! 

How Long Does Hair Take To Grow?

A lot of factors come into play when it comes to growing out your hair. As mentioned, hair grows more than a centimeter or half an inch each month. There are some factors that you can control and some you cannot. 

For example, Males notice faster hair growth than females. Some other factors that affect the growth speed include genetics, age, health, and pregnancy. According to a 2009 study observed over 6 years on 823 female participants, hair growth is affected by changes in seasons. Yes, that’s correct–hair growth increases during summer and reduces in winter. 

In addition to these factors, keep in mind that as you age, your hair growth decreases. Hormonal fluctuations even alter hair growth. In a year, you can grow around 6 inches if you grow half an inch every month on average. 

What Is A Hair Growth Cycle? 

While the reasons attributed to hair growth may differ from person to person, everyone goes through the same hair growth cycle. Every hair on your body goes through its own growth cycle. The rate at which each strand develops will depend on where it is located in your body. 

Hair growth cycles for hair on your head take up to 6 years while body hair growth cycles take only a month. That is why body hair tends to be shorter than hair on the scalp. 

What Are The Three Stages? 

Each strand of hair grows out from tiny follicles. There are three stages involved for every strand: 

Stage 1: Anagen 

The anagen phase is the active phase of hair growth. This phase is active for 3 to 6 years. During this time, the cells in the follicles divide rapidly, resulting in growth in the hair shaft. At any given time, 80-90% of the hair on your head is still in the anagen phase. 

An anagen phase is determined by genetics. People with longer anagen phases tend to grow longer hair than those with short anagen phases. This means that if you have a short anagen phase, your hair will never grow more than a foot and a half.  

To ensure that your hair remains in the anagen phase, steer clear of any kind of crash diet. In general, people on calorie-restricted diets are at risk of shortening their anagen phase. 

Stage 2: Catagen 

The catagen phase is an intermediate phase between the other two phases. This occurs at the end of the anagen phase and signals the end of hair growth. At any given time, almost 1% of hair follicles are in the catagen phase. This transition lasts for a period of 4 to 6 weeks. 

Stage 3: Telogen 

The telogen phase is known as the ‘resting phase’ where the hair follicle rests for up to 3 months. This stage is juxtaposed with the exogen phase, where hair sheds and falls out considerably. A transition to the exogen phase results in the fallout of 100-150 strands per day. 

Now that we are familiar with hair growth cycles and what factors affect them, let us take a look at some ways you can boost hair growth. 

How To Boost Hair Growth 

While there isn’t any effective way to quickly boost hair, there are some factors that can promote healthy hair. The key is to consume a balanced diet replete with green leafy vegetables and nutritious proteins. Some ways to boost hair growth are listed below. 

Maintain A Balanced Diet 

There may be innumerable supplements and topical treatments aimed at boosting hair growth and decreasing hair loss, but at the end of the day, what you consume determines growth in terms of quality and quantity.

If you are eating more processed foods then it is only natural to experience poor hair growth and excessive hair fall. 

Foods that promote hair growth include: 

• Dark green vegetables: Green leafy vegetables are rich in vitamin A and B which are beneficial for improving hair texture. 
• Legumes: These have a rich protein content which helps hair growth. 
• Fish: A good source of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B-12, and iron, fish targets your hair follicles and prevents the hair from getting too dry and frizzy 
• Nuts: These are full of selenium, which is essential for a healthy scalp. 
• Biotin: This is especially good for dealing with brittle hair or excessive hair loss. There are biotin supplements available as well as biotin-rich foods such as egg yolk, yeast, whole grains, liver, and soy flour that provide the same benefits as well. 

Adopting a balanced diet not only helps in boosting hair growth but also improves the texture of your hair. So, in addition to growing your hair out, you will also be able to improve hair texture, reduce frizz and overall promote natural, healthy locks that always thrive in the harshest environmental conditions! 

Trim Your Ends Frequently 

Although trimming your split ends does not directly promote hair growth, it does help in promoting longer hair over time. Well, even if you are swayed by marketing gimmicks of different hair products and supplements, no method guarantees instant results. 

Hair growth requires patience and, there are no shortcuts to nurture it the right way. Here’s the real kick: trimming your hair from the ends every 10-12 weeks can prevent damage to your scalp and tresses but it doesn’t directly promote hair growth. 

That being said, it is a proven fact that hair gets longer if it is not breaking from the ends so cross your fingers and wait for visible results over some time. 

Create A Haircare Routine 

Just like your skin requires care and love, your tresses are no stranger to the same therapeutic benefits! Developing a simple, effective hair care routine helps in reducing damage and frizz which inadvertently stimulates your hair follicles. 

Remember to always invest in products that help your follicles stay clean and free from oils, greasiness, and toxins. Washing your hair 2-3 times a week with a sulfate-free nourishing shampoo keeps your scalp clean and healthy. There is no magical technique that works wonders on your hair. 

It all comes down to one thing: taking better care of your hair. You do not need to indulge in glamorous styling products or the most expensive hair supplements–what really matters is what works for your hair and how well it is retained. 

When choosing hair products to treat your scalp, consider stimulating ingredients like peppermint or green tea for best results.

Opt for Heatless Styles 

We are all aware of how much damage heat-styling does to our hair as compared to heatless alternatives. Generally, excessive heat causes irreversible damage not only to your strands but also to your hair follicles which are primarily responsible for hair growth.

Straightening and curling your hair subjects it to a lot of strain, thereby inflicting irreparable damage and stunting hair growth. 

If you are keen on experimenting with different styles, consider opting for heatless alternatives like braiding, plopping, and even jumbo rollers if straightening is more your forte. 

Avoiding heat even includes skipping the notorious hot showers which are responsible for stripping hair of moisture. Instead, wash your tresses with cool room temperature water to retain their natural oils. 

Skimp Down On Shampoo Usage

While the benefits of using shampoo for specific hair concerns are endless–too much of it can do more harm than good. Adequate usage of shampoo leads to healthy, shiny locks that are bound to grow into a full, lustrous mane over time.

Using too much is a catastrophic mess, stripping the hair of all its oils and leading to frizzy, dry tresses. 

Avoid over-shampooing depending on your hair type. If your hair tends to become oilier than usual, limit your usage to 3 times a week, while people with dry hair should strictly stick to washing their hair two times per week. 

In case you have oily hair that is submerged in a heap of oil only after a day, skip the shampoo and go for a dry shampoo that soaks in excess grease without stripping your natural oils. Remember: A healthy balance is key! 

Avoid Tight Hairstyles 

Did you know that enclosing your hair in tight, sleek ponytails and buns is not as good as Hollywood makes it out to be? Yes, you look ready to walk down a red carpet and can slap your hair back like a model, but is it really worth the cost to your hair? 

You should avoid tight hairstyles to prevent hair loss and opt for flowy, loose styles that help your scalp breathe. Frequent pulling at hair strands directly leads to hair loss so if you want to wear your hair tight for a special occasion, follow with a loose, airy alternative. Remember to wear your hair in loose braids before and after so that your scalp can relax after being exposed to extreme strain. 

Go Easy On Wet Hair 

Wet hair is more prone to breakage than freshly dried hair. Detangling hair is an important step in every haircare routine. While it may be tempting to brush your hair quickly when you’re running late, sparing an extra few minutes can add up in the long run.

If you tend to haphazardly comb through your wet hair, it might be time to call it quits as this causes extreme damage. When it comes to brushing your hair, thread your finger through the strands first to detangle knots. Then when you need to brush your hair, you won’t need to apply as much force.

If you want to reduce damage completely, consider skipping the post-shower brush altogether and brush it before you shower. 

Get A Silk Pillowcase 

A silk or satin pillowcase is better for your hair than a cotton one that absorbs all the oils and moisture, leading to frizzy hair. Sleeping on a silk pillowcase will not generate hair growth but it reduces friction and gives hair a softer surface to sleep on. 

Silk pillowcases keep the hair hydrated and help with brittle hair. Who knew that the path to smoother hair was within our reach? Literally! 

Ditch The Dyes 

The urge to dye your hair for a new look is truly hard to resist. But if you are conscious about growing out your hair or improving its texture, it might be a good idea to ditch the dyes altogether! 

Subjecting your hair to harmful chemicals and dyes can put a lot of stress and cause it to break. Obviously, if you were to do the same with your body or face, it would purge in one way or another. 

If you really must dye your hair, consider a shade that is close to your natural color so you do not need to rush to the salon every month. Your best bet is saving a ton of money in return. 

Conclusion

Implementing these simple hair care tips into your routine can make a big difference. The bottom line is focusing on how you can improve the hair that you are already blessed with instead of resorting to stressful treatments that end up doing more damage than good. 

If you are still on the fence or are going through extreme hair loss, we highly recommend consulting a doctor to target the root of the problem. We hope you found this helpful and easy to read. Get going and growing right away!