Does Hair Stop Growing at a Certain Length?
I’m the go-to guide gal and routine queen here at Adore Beauty. I have a background in media and communications, and over 3 years experience in the beauty industry.
When I’m not answering all of your burning questions, you can find me spruiking underrated products to my co-workers and trying to figure out what our best bloody mascara is.
We can’t all be Rapunzel.
However, there are plenty of ways we can care for our hair to promote hair growth.
While ladder-length hair is out of reach for most people, there's no set point at which all hair stops growing.
Instead, hair growth is the complex product of genetics, health, care, and even seasonal changes.
So, if you’re not too focused on what you can’t change, and want some long and thick hair growth tips, we’re here to help with the hair care side of things.
Because frankly, it’s what we know best, and it’s probably what you’re here for.
How Long Does Hair Typically Grow?
So, basically, depending on the factors I listed above (genetics, health, care and seasonal changes), the average hair growth rate is still around half an inch per month, which over the course of a year is about 6 inches.
There are three stages of hair growth:
- Anagen - the growth phase (2-7 years)
- Catagen - the transition phase (4-6 weeks)
- Telogen - the resting phase (2-3 months)
Essentially, the idea behind increasing hair growth is to extend the hair growth phase, or rather stop it from prematurely moving into the resting phase before falling.
Your hair’s maximum length depends on the length of this growth cycle and that can be anywhere between 12-42 inches.
Factors Affecting Hair Growth
While there are some hair growth factors you can’t change like your age or genetics, however here are some factors you can impact:
- Scalp Health: Repeat after me - hair health starts with the scalp. Keeping your scalp balanced can help your hair from prematurely entering the resting phase. When our scalp is overly oily or dry the dead skin, sebum and other buildup can block the hair follicle and impact its ability to grow. This is why we recommend both hydrating and exfoliating hair products below. Maintaining this balance is integral to achieving long, healthy hair!
- Breakage and Damage: This is a pretty obvious one, but continuous damage from colouring, bleaching and heat styling will impact the ability of your hair to grow. Essentially, these processes damage the cuticle and can cause it to weaken to a point where it snaps, unless your hair is properly cared for.
- Physical Health and Diet: Overall health and diet both have a huge impact on your hair growth. We aren’t qualified nutritionists, and believe these things should be assessed on a personal basis, however supplements that include Iron, Zinc, Biotin and Vitamin D are often encouraged to promote hair growth.
- Stress: High stress can lead to conditions that accelerate the Anagen phase, and can even result in hair loss. When it comes to de-stressing, that’s all up to figuring out what works for you. Personally, we’re partial to a bit of a self care moment.
So then, what are the best products for hair growth?
Generally, gentle hair care that is suited to your hair type is always going to be your best bet. However, these products have been chosen to help you along with some of the factors we’ve mentioned above.
If you feel like your hair growth prospects are lacking from a dietary perspective, we strongly recommend the super-charged Apotecari Mane Event 2 Month Supply. This vegan hair supplement has been formulated by a team of nutritionists, naturopaths and trichologists (that's right, hair doctors) with hair growth in mind. Packed with Amino acids, B Vitamins and Silica, this formula improves hair health, strength and even helps hair repair. This supplement is great for those struggling with damaged hair from colouring or heat styling, but is also great for those just looking for an extra boost.
A density serum that helps with hair loss
Never scoff at a serum, because they are highly effective at delivering potent ingredients directly to your scalp. We love the Nioxin 3D Night Density Rescue because it works overnight to deliver plumping technology straight to your strands, boosting your overall hair health. This strengthening formula also helps to reduce breakage and fall out so your hair will remain in the growth cycle for longer. It also contains a blend of antioxidants, which protects your hair from the damage caused by free radicals.
The conditioner for hair that’s been ravaged by damage
If your hair growth goals are failing due to excess damage, then we recommend a reparative conditioner like the KEVIN.MURPHY Repair-Me.RINSE. This conditioner contains Bamboo and Silk Amino Acids to keep hair strengthened, protected and well hydrated. The result is soft, silky hair that is on it’s way to recovery. Over time, your hair will feel reconstructed, replenished and renewed. Think of it as a way of giving your hair the building blocks it needs to rebuild itself.
This professional 3-step system promotes hair length and strength
For a full routine targeted at length and strength, there is no going past the Evolis Professional Promote Hair Lengthening 3 Step System. This shampoo, conditioner and activated serum trio claims to increase hair growth up to 2 extra inches in 16 weeks. They are lightweight formulas that are packed with natural extracts that promote growth such as Sanguisorba Officinali, Rosa Multiflora and Swertia Chirata. Importantly, this formula is also SLS and Silicone free making it safe for Keratin treatments, which can also help to repair damage.
- Trying to fix damaged hair? This guide explores whether or not Keratin is right for you.Prevent future breakage with this restorative hair maskThe Extentioniste range is a staff-favourite when it comes to fixing broken, damaged hair. Particularly, the Kérastase Résistance Extentioniste Masque helps to lock in moisture, repair damage and prepare the hair for future growth. This restorative mask contains a wide range of nourishing ingredients, which restore and improve the hair cuticle, rebuilding damaged fibres with their Creatine R™ technology. Apply once or twice a week onto wet hair, working from your mid-length to your ends. Leave on for 5-10 minutes before rinsing.
Just about everyone who works at Adore has something to say about this scalp scrub. The Christophe Robin Cleansing Purifying Scrub with Sea Salt is an impressive detoxifying formula, which is ideal for unbalanced scalps. Using a combination of Sea Salt, Camomile and Sweet Almond oil, this formula works to exfoliate, hydrate and soothe. This is best used once a fortnight to balance oil production. Simply emulsify a (very) small amount in your hands before massaging it into your scalp. Bonus points for promoting blood circulation.
Amelia from our Customer Service Team shares her hair breakage journey and how she saved her bleached & damaged hair
Brand and product inclusions are at the sole discretion of Adore Beauty. We do not seek or accept payment from brands or individuals listed in our guides.
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