How Fast Does Hair Grow: Complete Guide to Hair Growth Speed
Hair growth is a mystery to many people. You might wonder why your hair takes so long to grow after a haircut.
Or maybe you want to know how to make your hair grow faster naturally.
This guide will answer all your questions about hair growth speed. You will learn the facts and myths about how fast hair grows.
Average Hair Growth Rate: The Basic Facts
Hair grows at a steady rate for most people. The average person grows about half an inch of hair per month.
This means your hair grows about 6 inches per year. Some people grow hair faster, while others grow it slower.
Your hair growth depends on many factors. These include your age, health, and genes.
How Fast Does Hair Grow in a Week?
Hair grows very slowly each week. The average person grows about 0.125 inches per week.
This is roughly 3 millimeters per week. You might not notice this small amount of growth.
Weekly hair growth is hard to see with your eyes. You need to measure it carefully to track progress.
Monthly Hair Growth: What to Expect
Most people see about half an inch of hair growth each month. This equals about 12 millimeters.
After one month, you might notice your hair feels longer. After two months, the growth becomes more obvious.
Here is what you can expect each month:
| Month | Expected Growth | Total Length |
|---|---|---|
| Month 1 | 0.5 inches | 0.5 inches |
| Month 2 | 0.5 inches | 1 inch |
| Month 3 | 0.5 inches | 1.5 inches |
| Month 6 | 0.5 inches | 3 inches |
| Month 12 | 0.5 inches | 6 inches |
Yearly Hair Growth: The Big Picture
In one year, hair grows about 6 inches on average. This is enough to grow shoulder-length hair from a short cut.
Some people grow 4 inches per year. Others grow up to 8 inches per year.
Your genes play the biggest role in your yearly hair growth rate.
Factors That Affect Hair Growth Speed
Many things control how fast your hair grows. These factors work together to set your hair growth rate.
Age and Hair Growth
Age has a big impact on hair growth speed. Young people grow hair faster than older people.
Hair growth by age:
Children: 0.6 inches per month
Teenagers: 0.5-0.7 inches per month
Adults (20-40): 0.5 inches per month
Adults (40-60): 0.4 inches per month
Seniors (60+): 0.3 inches per month
As you get older, your hair growth slows down. This is normal and happens to everyone.
Gender Differences in Hair Growth
Men and women grow hair at different speeds. Women usually grow hair slightly faster than men.
Average growth rates by gender:
Women: 0.5-0.6 inches per month
Men: 0.4-0.5 inches per month
Hormones cause this difference. Women have hormones that help hair grow faster.
Health and Hair Growth
Your overall health affects hair growth speed. Healthy people grow hair faster than sick people.
Health factors that slow hair growth:
Poor nutrition
Stress
Lack of sleep
Illness
Medications
Hormonal imbalance
Good health helps your hair grow at its best rate.
Genetics and Hair Growth
Your genes decide your maximum hair growth speed. You inherit this from your parents.
Some families have fast-growing hair. Others have slow-growing hair.
You cannot change your genetic hair growth rate. But you can help your hair reach its full potential.