How Fast Does Hair Grow?

If you've ever made a big chop to your hair, you might recall wondering how long, exactly, it will take for your hair to grow back. That's especially front of mind when you're not enamored with your new hair style. Fortunately, hair can grow out at about 6 inches a year—or a half inch a month—but there are factors that can stymie how quickly hair grows. Below, a hair and scalp expert shares everything you need to know about how fast hair grows and how to support healthy hair growth so you can enjoy long, luscious locks in no time.

How Fast Does Hair Grow?

First, it's important to note that everyone's hair growth rate will vary due to many factors—think genes, hormone levels, age, and more. But your hair is growing every week, even if it doesn't seem like it.

"Although it may be hard to believe, most people's hair grows at the rate of half an inch per month," explains Shab Caspara, a trichologist (an expert in hair and scalp health), podcaster of Hair Like Hers, and founder of personalized haircare company Leona.co. "This means you will grow about 6 inches over an entire year." Because it's not very much, it's important to take the best care of your ends every step of the way to keep every little bit of it if you're trying to grow or maintain your hair.

What Can Prevent You From Growing Longer Hair?

If your hair is weaker and more brittle than in the past, there might be an imbalance or deficiency in your body resulting in malnourished hair, according to Caspara. "Reasons behind such effects include hormonal and thyroid imbalances, medications, diet, and inflammation from stress," she says. "It's important to look at your hair in a holistic manner, meaning a full 360 perspective involving your health, wellbeing, and daily hair routine."

How To Reduce Damage And Grow Healthy Hair

There is no easy and fast way to make hair grow faster, but there are best practices to follow that can help you grow healthier hair. And healthy hair grows faster than damaged hair.

Follow these expert tips to improve the hair's condition and make it stronger and longer:

• Hydrate dry, brittle hair by using conditioner, including deep conditioners, masks, and hair oils. Hydrated hair is less prone to breakage.
• Heat can wreak havoc on hair when used on a regular basis. Start by using cooler water when washing your hair, which helps seal the cuticles.
• When styling, apply a heat protectant when using hair tools. Try styling techniques that use the cool setting, embrace air drying your hair, and be cautious with over-processing hair techniques, like going platinum blonde.
• Maintain a healthy scalp by removing build-up and stimulating the roots. Once a week, clean your roots with a scalp scrub and massage your scalp to stimulate circulation and growth. Build-up from hair products can clog your hair follicles, keeping hair from growing at its optimal rate.
• Prevent split ends by getting regular trims, which stop damage from moving up your hair shaft.

How To Heal Hair From Within

Other healthy hair basics include eating a balanced, healthy diet.

"Diets should contain protein, fruits, vegetables, grains, and an appropriate amount of fat," cites the Trichological Society in a report on hair health and nutrition. "Deficiency will typically show in the hair."

For healthy hair from the inside out, The Institute of Trichologists recommends having a balanced breakfast every day, staying hydrated, reducing sodium intake, consuming enough lean protein, getting enough iron and vitamin C, and eating a varied diet so that your body can absorb a wide range of nutrients.

Trichologist-Approved Hair Growth Products

With so many hair growth products on the market, it is difficult to discern which pick is best for your hair. "I suggest a regimen that includes the right shampoo, conditioner, and topical treatment," says Caspara. "I recommend the EXT Stimul8 Shampoo and Conditioner set, as well as the EXT Acceler8 Booster. This trifecta will ensure that you're cleansing the scalp sufficiently in order for the topical to penetrate post-shower, plus conditioning your ends to help protect and strengthen your hair."