How Long Does it Take to Grow Out Hair: Find it Out
Everyone wants good hair growth, and that too quickly.
So the question is, how long does it take to grow out hair?
The answer to this question is tricky, as hair regrowth depends upon your condition or problem.
However, the one certain answer is that hair growth only happens in the Anagen phase of the hair cycle.
It is one of the four hair cycle phases in which hair grows actively.
Your head has approx of 100,000 hair follicles from birth. With time, some follicles stop producing hair which results in hair loss.
However, 90% of your hair follicles are in the growing phase in a lifetime.
Your hair will grow for two to six years on average.
After a few months of relaxation, it finally falls out.
A new hair starts to grow in its place from the same hair follicle.
The hair growth cycle of resting, shedding, and replacing maintains your head’s ideal quantity of hair.
What is the Anagen phase?
The Anagen phase is one of the phases in the hair cycle in which your hair grows actively.
The other phases are Telogen, Catagen, and Exogen.
The Anagen phase is also known as the growth phase or active phase.
Normally, almost 90% of our scalp hair is in the growth phase.
The cells in the hair root divide quickly during the Anagen phase, extending the hair shaft.
In this phase, hair grows at about 0.3 mm per day (this number may vary) before turning into resting hair.
This Anagen hair stays on our heads for about two to six years.
The time in which your hair will stay in the Anagen phase will differ from the other person.
The Anagen phase also differs on the type of hair.
It is much shorter for eyebrow hair and pubic hair than the phase for your scalp hair.
Factors affecting hair growth
As mentioned before, the Anagen phase varies from person to person.
Many factors determine the rate of hair growth of a person.
Genetics
Genetics is the major factor that affects hair growth.
If anyone in your family has or has ever had hair issues, there’s a high chance that you might have difficulties in hair growth.
Due to this, you may have difficulty growing long hair.
Some people may only grow hair length up to a foot and a half.
Though Anagen is the longest phase of the hair cycle, it may last only two years for people with hair genetic issues.
For people who may not have anyone in their family with hair problems, their single hair could continue growing for seven or more years.
Age
In women, the follicle-stimulating sex hormones are reduced, and Testosterone frequently has little domination.
Due to this, some hair follicles entirely stop growing new hair as a result of aging.
Hair fibers thin out and fall over time; unfortunately, they never grow back.
Moreover, your hair’s pigment naturally changes in several ways as you age.
Pigment cells stop producing as much pigment, and eventually, your once-thick hair becomes thin, fine, and gray.
Hair conditions
There are certain hair conditions due to which you may have slow or no hair growth. These include:
- Androgenetic Alopecia
- Folliculitis
- Alopecia Areata
- Telogen Effluvium
Other factors
Some miscellaneous factors may affect your hair growth time period. They may be:
Tips to expedite hair growth
You may not be able to change certain genetic hair issues that may cause a slow rate of hair growth.
But there are some of the many tips that you may use to expedite your hair growth.
Less heat
It is one of the most important things to do to ensure hair growth.
Constantly using heat-styling products like a curler, straightener, blow dryer, etc., may cause hair breakage and a slow rate of hair growth.
You may use a blow dryer in a cool setting, air-dry your hair, don’t heat style your hair daily, etc.
Avoid chemical treatments
Bleach and hair dyes contain chemicals like Ammonia and Peroxide.
These chemicals make your hair weak and prone to breakage.
Thus, your hair will break before it grows to your longed-for length.
It is advisable to avoid these things or choose a hair dye that is closest to your original hair shade.
The reason is then you will need less damaging chemicals.
Stress less
Stress is related to hair loss. The reason is that it pushes your hair away from the growing phase to the resting phase.
The resting phase is known as Telogen.
Prolonged stress can trigger this phase and stops your hair from growing.
You may practice some meditation techniques to relieve stress.
Also, yoga and exercise may be helpful.
Minoxidil
You may use FDA-approved Minoxidil for hair growth.
It is available in medical stores as an over-the-counter medicine.
Both men and women can use it for hair growth.
It is usually used in 2% and 5% concentrations for females and males, respectively.
Takeaway
The hair grows when it is in the Anagen phase of the hair cycle.
In this phase, the hair grows actively.
This phase may last from two to seven years.
The time hair stays in this phase differs from person to person.
Several factors, like age, genes, stress, poor diet, smoking, etc., may slow down your hair growth because of the ill effects it causes to your hair.
However, you may use preventive measures that help in growing hair.
You may also use Minoxidil for hair growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I speed up hair growth?
Some measures that may help you speed up hair growth are eating a nutritious diet, using less heat-styling products, massaging your scalp, using essential oils like rosemary, etc. Using over-the-counter medicine like Minoxidil may also help.
What food makes hair grow faster?
Food can also play a crucial role in the hair growth process. It is essential to have a nutritious diet. A good hair diet can include lentils, beans, brown rice, almonds, avocados, spinach, sunflower seeds, etc.
Which oil is best for hair growth?
Essential oils may be efficient for hair growth. You may use oils like castor, peppermint, onion, coconut, jojoba, argan, amla, olive, grapeseed, rosemary, etc. You may need to dilute some of these oils before applying them to the scalp.
Why is my hair not growing?
Hair growth differs for every person. One person may have inches-long growth, while the other may only grow some centimeters of hair. However, genetics, age, hair conditions, health issues, etc., may restrict hair growth.
