How Fast Does Hair Grow
How fast does hair grow? As a cosmetologist, I get asked this question almost daily. Usually it comes from those wishing for longer hair and hoping I can sell them something to speed it up. The truth is, I can't.
Hair grows at about the same speed all over your head. Usually this is about a half inch per month. Cell division is responsible for the 3 cycles of hair growth which are the anagen, telogen and catagen. The anagen is the first phase with new hair growing in the hair bulb. The catagen is the following phase when hair stops growing because the cell division stopped. The telogen is the final phase. New hair starts growing in the papilla and finally the old hair falls out.
You will find vitamins, shampoos, serums, and even mechanical devices designed to speed up the rate of hair growth. None of them will do that - but what they CAN do is make your hair healthier so that it stays on your head longer. Breakage can be a result of hair damage from chemicals, environment, or daily stress.
Hair growth vitamins can be helpful by replenishing what your diet is lacking in. Some nutrients affect the health of external organs including the hair. By helping your inside to be healthier, it makes sense that your outside will show improvement as well. Hair growth shampoos treat the hair that is already on your head by helping to stop breakage.
Over the years, old wives tales abound on how to increase hair length. Don't fall for them. Scientists know enough about hair to be quite certain at this point that washing it more often, massaging it, and eating more protein isn't going to work for you.
My best advice is to get trims every 3 months. By taking off those raggedy ends your hair will look healthier and have less chance of breakage. Less breakage means more hair on your head for a longer period of time. Maybe even long enough to get some length on it!
Sue Phillips is a freelance writer from South Dakota.