Tresses in Progress: How Long Does it Take for Hair to Grow Back?
Usually, you may want your hair to grow back real quick. This can be when you want long hair or facing hair loss problems.
However, there are situations where intentionally removing hair through shaving or waxing may lead to a preference for no regrowth.
Whatever the case, the prime question that strikes our mind is how long it takes for hair to grow back.
The answer to this infamous question can be a little complex, as several factors may affect your hair growth.
Your hair may grow slower or faster depending on genetics, diet, physical health, etc.
Read on to learn about various conditions that may affect your hair growth so you know how long it takes for your hair to grow back.
When does hair grow
The Anagen phase is a stage in the hair cycle characterized by active growth.
It is one of the four phases, including Telogen, Catagen, and Exogen, that make up the complete hair growth cycle.
During this phase, the cells in the hair root divide rapidly, leading to the elongation of the hair shaft.
On average, hair grows about 0.3 mm per day during the Anagen phase, although this rate can vary between individuals.
Eventually, the hair transitions into the resting phase after reaching a certain length.
This Anagen hair stays on our heads for about two to six years.
The duration of the Anagen phase differs from person to person, meaning that the time your hair spends in this phase may not be the same as someone else’s.
Additionally, it is essential to understand that the length of the Anagen phase also varies depending on the type of hair.
For instance, this phase is considerably shorter for eyebrow hair and pubic hair compared to the phase for scalp hair.
How long does it take for hair to grow back
As stated before, the time your hair takes to grow back depends on several factors.
Here are some of the crucial factors that may hinder the timing of your hair growth.
Scalp Psoriasis
It is a condition in which the scalp and hairline have fine scaling that looks like dandruff or appears as thick, crusted plaques.
According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, it can cause severe itching.
To relieve the itching, you might scratch the scalp, which may result in temporary hair loss.
Thus, when Scalp Psoriasis is controlled or treated effectively, you may stop scratching the scalp.
This will result in the beginning of the hair growth process.
Hormonal changes
Many people, especially women, go through severe hormonal changes throughout their lives.
Monthly menstrual periods, childbirth, consuming contraceptive pills, etc., can all interfere with a woman’s hormones.
These hormonal changes may cause hair loss in women.
This hair loss is temporary, and your hair may grow back after the hormones are balanced.
However, predicting when the hair will start growing back is difficult.
Haircut
How long will it take for hair to grow back after a haircut is the most common question women ask after cutting their hair shorter than they initially thought.
Several factors can be associated with your hair’s regrowth, including ethnicity.
Yes, it’s true! Your ethnicity also plays a role in deciding hair growth rate.
A study was conducted in 2016 by L’oreal Research and Innovation. Here, 2,249 young adults from different ethnic groups were assessed.
These were the following results:
| Ethnicity | Monthly hair growth (in inches) | Yearly hair growth (in inches) |
|---|---|---|
| Asian | 0.49 | Just under 6 |
| Black | 0.33 | Approximately 4 |
| White and Latino | 0.44 | 5.3 |
Thus, you may start to regrow hair within some months, depending on your ethnicity.
Folliculitis
Folliculitis is a common skin condition that usually causes hair follicle infection.
The infection is usually caused by bacteria.
This non-life-threatening condition can be treated with basic self-care. But sometimes, it may get severe and cause permanent hair loss.
You should control Folliculitis in its mild stage, and if it gets severe, avoid itching and scarring your scalp to prevent further hair loss.
Waxing or shaving
When you shave your hair, you eliminate the visible portion of the hair follicle.
As a result, hair growth resumes immediately, and you may notice stubble (short and stiff hair) appearing within a day or two.
In contrast, when you wax, the entire hair root is extracted from the follicle beneath the skin’s surface.
This process delays hair regrowth, and it may take up to approximately two weeks before you observe any stubble beginning to emerge.
Androgenetic Alopecia
If you have Androgenetic Alopecia, commonly known as pattern hair loss, your hair may not grow back.
It is a condition in which hair is lost in a well-defined pattern. This can happen to men as well as women.
If you start the treatment for Androgenetic Alopecia in the initial stages, you might slow down the hair loss process.
- Hair 4u 2% (Minoxidil)
- Finpecia 1mg (Finasteride)
Telogen Effluvium
It is a condition that is usually caused by some kind of stress.
Persistent stress can cause hair roots to be pushed prematurely into the resting state, known as the Telogen phase.
Here, you will lose more hair than grow it.
You will shed approximately 300-500 strands of hair daily, more than the average shedding of 50-100 strands.
However, this condition is entirely reversible, and hair growth may start as soon as your hair enters the Anagen phase.
Chemotherapy
How long does it take for hair to grow back after chemotherapy?— a frequently asked question by many cancer survivors.
Harsh drugs are used in chemotherapy that attacks the rapidly developing cancer cells in the body.
Chemo can also attack your hair follicles on the scalp, which results in hair loss.
Sometimes, eyelashes, eyebrows, armpits, pubic, and other body hair are also affected.
However, your hair may grow three to six months after the end of the treatment.
Thyroid issues
An imbalance in the levels of your thyroid hormones may also affect your hair.
When you have too much (Hyperthyroidism) or too little (Hypothyroidism) of these hormones, it can cause hair loss issues.
However, your hair will grow back once your thyroid disorder is successfully treated.
Nutritional deficiency
Hair loss is a common problem that may occur if you don’t consume the required nutrients for long.
Here’s a list of some of the essential nutrients for hair growth:
- Zinc
- Iron
- Fatty acids
- Selenium
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin E
- Biotin
Alopecia Areata
Alopecia Areata is an autoimmune disorder where the immune system mistakenly targets and attacks the hair follicles.
This often results in hair loss in small patches on the scalp.
Although, it can also affect other body areas, including the eyebrows, eyelashes, arms, or legs.
This condition has an unpredictable nature.
Hair regrowth can occur anytime, but subsequent hair loss is also possible.
The timing of these events cannot be determined as there is currently no way to predict when the hair might fall out or grow back.
Takeaway
The question of how long it takes for hair to grow back is multifaceted and depends on various factors.
Crucial factors such as genetics, diet, physical health, and certain conditions can influence the rate of hair growth.
Various conditions such as Scalp Psoriasis, hormonal changes, Folliculitis, and the effects of waxing or shaving can also affect the hair regrowth timeline.
Additionally, factors like Androgenetic Alopecia, Telogen Effluvium, chemotherapy, thyroid issues, and nutritional deficiencies can impact hair growth and restoration.
Alopecia areata, an autoimmune condition, adds further unpredictability to the process, as hair may grow back or fall out again without a static pattern.
Ultimately, the timing of hair regrowth remains uncertain.
Taking care of underlying conditions and adopting a healthy lifestyle are crucial for optimal hair growth.
