How fast does hair grow?
On average, hair grows 10—13 millimeters per month, which corresponds to approximately 1—1.5 centimeters per month or 12—15 centimeters per year. This means that the dream of hair growing 5 cm in a month is unfortunately not realistic — at least not naturally.
However, the growth rate varies between individuals and is influenced, among other things, by:
- genetics
- age
- Hormonal balance
- diet and nutritional status
- general health
A fascinating detail is that women and men have about the same growth rate, but women's anagen phase (the growth phase itself) tends to be longer, allowing the hair to have more time to grow before it falls off.
In addition, in summer, hair can grow a little faster, thanks to increased blood circulation and more sunlight.
How much does hair grow in a month?
Hair, as I said, normally grows about 1—1.5 cm per month. If you've seen videos of people showing “5 cm of hair growth in 30 days,” it's almost always a combination of measurement errors, clickbait — or extremely unusual exceptions.
How to measure how fast your hair grows
Do you want to follow how fast your hairs grow? Do this:
- Select a strand of hair near the scalp and measure it.
- Mark the spot with a small piece of tape.
- Measure again in the same place after 30 days.
- You can also take pictures in the same light and angle to see the difference over time.
The Three Phases of Hair Growth — Understanding the Hair Growth Cycle
Each strand of hair grows in a tubular cavity in the skin, called the hair follicle, and here the hair is formed at the hair root. Through blood vessels, the root is supplied with nutrients that act as building blocks for the hair — they contribute to its stability, color and quality. Adjacent to the root sits the sebaceous gland, which produces sebum, a natural fat that keeps both hair and scalp hydrated. Finally, we have the hairline, the visible part of the hair that extends above the skin and that is composed, for the most part, of the protein keratin. The hair shaft is on average 0.1 millimeters thick and grows about one centimeter per month.
Hair grows in three different phases:
- Anagenic phase (growth phase): Lasts for 2—7 years. This is where the hair follicle can actively produce hair.
- Catagenic phase (transitional phase): Lasts for 2—3 weeks. Hair stops growing.
- Telogenic phase (resting phase): Lasts for about 3 months. Hair smoothes and is replaced by new.
- How long the anagen phase lasts determines how long your hair can become.
What affects how fast your hair grows?
Several factors affect how fast your hair grows:
- Genetics: Determines how fast and long your hair can grow.
- Age: The rate your hair grows gets slower over the years.
- Hormonal balance: Pregnancy, menopause or hormonal disorders can affect growth rates.
- Diet and nutrition: Lack of vitamins and minerals such as biotin, zinc and vitamin D can slow growth.
- Stress and sleep: High stress and poor sleep can interfere with your hair's growth.
- Hair Care: Wear from heating tools and strong products can impair the quality of hair.
- Health and medications: Some diseases and medications can negatively affect hair growth.
- Environment: Sun, pollution and climate affect both hair and scalp.
How to make your hair grow faster
How to make hair grow fast? There are no miracle cures, but you can create good conditions for getting a longer hair through proper care. Here's how to get longer hair faster:
- Eat nutritious — biotin, zinc, vitamin D, omega-3 and protein are extra important
- Avoid heat styling — and always wear heat protection
- Massage the scalp — increases blood circulation
- Test dermaroller — mechanically stimulates the hair follicles
- Sleep on silk pillowcase — reduces friction and wear
- Cut the tops regularly — preventing damage from moving upwards
- Avoid sleeping with wet hair — then the hairs are extra brittle
Treatments that make hair grow
Can hair growth be stimulated? PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) is a natural and effective treatment that strengthens the hair from the inside and stimulates faster hair growth. By injecting blood plasma rich in growth factors directly into the scalp, the body's own healing processes are activated. It improves blood circulation, awakens dormant hair follicles and supplies essential proteins needed to strengthen the structure of the hair. The result is a healthier hair with more volume, increased elasticity and less propensity to break off. Because PRP works at the cellular level, treatment can both slow hair loss and accelerate the growth of new hair. It is perfect for those who have thin, damaged or weakened hair — whether the cause is genetics, stress or hormonal changes.
By strengthening the roots of the hair and improving the environment of the scalp, PRP give visible results already after a few treatments. Many people find that their hair feels thicker, stronger and healthier. Welcome to a consultation with us.
