How Fast Does Hair Grow? My Journey of Hair Health, Coverage, and the Art of Patience

It’s funny to me today that for so much of my life, I hardly gave my hair a second thought. It grew, day by day, in a quiet and unassuming manner, a relaxed release of nature’s bounty, never demanding my attention or consideration.

That is, until the day when it seemed as if it had stopped growing. Suddenly, I found myself obsessively contemplating its shortfalls. The gentle, natural progression of my hair's growth transformed into a source of anxiety and uncertainty.

It was about this time that I embarked on a journey to better understand and care for my hair and in doing so first found myself asking the question, 'How fast does hair grow, really?'. To my surprise, the answer was both reassuring and enlightening. On average, hair grows at a rate of approximately 1.3 cm or ½ an inch per month, amounting to around 15 cm or 6 inches per year.

I say reassuring because the more I learned, the more I grew to appreciate that focusing solely on the speed of growth was a narrow perspective. In fact, hair health and coverage—the amount of hair covering the scalp—were arguably more important and easier to influence in the short-term than the rate at which it grows.

With this in mind I began to try and embrace the art of patience, and I delved deeper into the nuances of hair care. I learned about the stages of hair growth: the anagen, catagen, and telogen phases, and I came to understand that I couldn't force my hair to grow faster, but I could create optimal conditions for healthy growth and improved coverage.

Perhaps the most important shift came when I stopped comparing my progress to others and embraced the process behind my unique hair journey, shifting my focus from growth alone to the overall health and coverage of my locks. My emotional path wasn't always smooth (doom scrolling, anyone?), but in time, I did learn to enjoy the process of caring for my hair and appreciate what arrived in the mirror, even on the bad days. 

So, if you find yourself wondering 'How fast does hair grow, really?', remember that the answer lies not only in the numbers but also in the intention you bring to the journey - stressing yourself about your hair will not make it grow any faster. 

My advice would be to embrace the natural pace of hair growth and care for your hair with dedication, focusing not only on growth but also on health and coverage. In doing so, you'll not only foster a healthy mane but also cultivate an appreciation for the understated beauty of nature's steady progression.

Here are six tips to help you maintain healthy hair and support its growth:

1. Practise a consistent hair care routine: Establishing a regular routine for washing, conditioning, and moisturising your hair is essential. Choose products that are suitable for your hair type and follow a schedule that works best for you.
   
   
2. Be gentle with your hair: Avoid excessive heat styling, chemical treatments, and tight hairstyles that can cause damage and breakage. Be gentle when detangling your hair, using a wide-tooth comb or a brush with soft bristles.
   
   
3. Trim regularly: Regular trims help to keep your hair healthy and free of split ends. Aim to trim your hair every 6-8 weeks to maintain its overall health and appearance.
   
   
4. Protect your hair from external factors: Environmental factors like sun exposure, pollution, and chlorinated water can damage your hair. Use protective measures like wearing a hat, using UV protection hair products, and rinsing your hair after swimming in a pool.
   
   
5. Manage stress: Stress can have a negative impact on hair growth. Incorporate stress-management techniques such as meditation, yoga, or exercise into your daily routine to promote overall well-being and support healthy hair growth.
   
   
6. Be patient and persistent: Remember that hair growth takes time, and there's no magic solution for instant results. Stay consistent with your hair care routine and remain patient as you work towards your hair growth goals.