There’s something to be said about a person’s relationship with their hair. In most cases, people want more of it, not less. And while a big chop can be refreshing, we often end up missing the longer length we once had. Then, comes the vicious cycle of waiting for our hair to grow back. But, sadly no matter how many times you research “how much should my hair grow in a month?”– as you take a ruler to your own strands and see if it’s accurate– you’ll find that hair grows at the same speed despite your willing it to grow faster.

To help shed some light on exactly how fast hair grows, we asked two board-certified dermatologists and a trichologist. Read on for their secrets to hair growth and all of the factors that contribute to hindering or helping lengthen our manes.

Keep reading for more on how long your hair can grow and what you can do to help it grow faster.

How Much Can Hair Grow in a Month?

“The scalp hair grows at about 1/3 to 1/2 inch per month on average, so about four to six inches per year for the hair on your head,” says dermatologist, Panos Vasiloudes, MD. So, if you’re looking to gain three inches, it’s going to take you at least six months.

Of course, there are a few factors at play that can affect your average hair growth. “There are variations depending on, for example, getting the right nutrients or stress in their life,” explains trichologist, Helen Reavey. “Things like that can slow it down.” 

That’s the deal with hair on your head—keep in mind that hair growth rates vary based on anatomic location. “Some hair follicles are dormant, meaning the hair is not dead but rather ‘asleep’ for a period ranging between two to 12 months. Others are terminal, as in actively growing, and some do not grow at all or only grow after stimulation under various conditions,” says Dr. Vasiloudes.

What Are the Factors Behind Hair Growth?

Each person’s hair growth is as complex and individual as they are. “A multitude of factors influence hair growth rate. The primary factors are genetics and hormones,” Dr. Vasiloudes explains. “In addition, nutrition, environment, and age can also impact hair growth,” along with stress, medications, hormones, diseases, and illness.

What Can Stop Hair Growth?

Your Genes

If your hair isn’t growing at the rate you’d like, it might be entirely out of your control. “Primarily the predisposition for hereditary hair loss, which happens from an interaction between genetics and hormones, [stops hair growth],” Dr. Vasiloudes says.

Your Health

Dr. Vasiloudes notes that “diseases and certain medications can cause the hair to stop growing. Sudden hair loss after major illness and surgeries is called telogen effluvium and is very well described in the medical literature, just like nail changes after such shock to the body.” Cancer treatment is another common trigger, as the medications can inhibit hair growth to the degree of complete baldness.

Your Lifestyle

While you can’t control your genes, you can control your lifestyle. “When you’re stressed, your minerals go to protect your body and your hair is the last to get anything,” Reavey says. Stress “can shift the hair cycle to move from anagen (growth phase) to telogen (shed phase)- and can impact which phase of the hair cycle the follicle sits in,” explains dermatologist, Rachel Nazarian, MD. This is why stress is often credited as the culprit of hair loss.

The Environment

The environment also takes a toll on hair growth. “I always say protect your scalp,” Reavey says. That means wearing a hat while outside since too much fun in the sun can damage strands and dry out the scalp.

Your Water

If your home has water that’s too hard or soft, it’s worth investing in a filter for your shower. Hard water can curb hair growth, since minerals in the water, such as copper, can make hair more brittle and dry, affecting hair texture and breakage. “Soft water will make it difficult to rinse out your product properly and it’ll make the hair feel flatter and greasier,” Reavey says. 

Product Buildup

Product buildup can also hinder hair growth. This is especially true of most dry shampoos: “Most have aerosol, alcohol, and talc, which can block the hair follicles,” Reavey says. “Alcohol is drying, and the dry shampoo sits on your scalp.”

Shampooing regularly is key to a healthy scalp and hair. Reavey adds that if you’re going to shower, don’t just wet your hair and skip the shampoo. “When you wet your hair, those minerals are sitting on the hair and then it becomes dry and brittle. You need to shampoo to remove minerals. I don’t think people realize how important it is to keep the scalp clean—but not too clean, like using a clarifying shampoo or something stripping,” she says.

That’s not to say that all clarifying shampoos are too harsh, points out Dr. Nazarian. In fact, she says that many people can benefit from using one, it’s just about knowing when you’re overdoing it. So, although you wouldn’t want to use a clarifying shampoo every day, it can be helpful for your scalp to incorporate one weekly or monthly depending on your hair, especially if you’re using a lot of styling products or dry shampoo.

A Nutrient Deficiency

If your hair isn’t growing as fast as it used to, it’s a good idea to see a dermatologist or trichologist for bloodwork to see if you are deficient in a particular vitamin or nutrient. “When your hair is more brittle than usual or your nails are breaking, that’s usually a sign that something’s missing, so check with your doctor,” advises Reavey. Eating enough protein is crucial since it’s the building block of hair. Many people are low in iron; in those cases, a simple dietary adjustment can help with hair growth. 

Can You Speed Up Hair Growth?

Take a Holistic Approach

“A holistic approach to wellness is paramount,” Dr. Vasiloudes says. “Good lifestyle choices and high quality, primary, unprocessed organic food can impact hair growth positively, [as can] drinking plenty of good quality spring water. These are simple ways to provide our body with micronutrients.”

Dermatologist, Candace Spann, MD, adds that any vitamin deficiencies must also be corrected, “especially vitamin D, iron, zinc, and B vitamins.” You also need to ensure that you’re incorporating enough protein into your diet.

Practice Gentle Styling

When styling your hair, avoid harsh and stressful practices such as brushing too hard or frequent heat styling. “It’s important to eliminate any causes of scalp inflammation,” says Dr. Spann, adding that fragrance is the number one irritant. “When shopping for styling products, make sure they’re fragrance-free. The ReTress product line features all-natural active ingredients that are free of parabens, sulfates, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances. It helps to accelerate the rate of hair growth.”

Try Microneedling

A go-to hair growth helper for Reavey is dermarolling, a microneedling device that can be used at home. “You want to go for the smallest needle size,” she says. “It creates micro fractures in the skin and that makes the stem cells produce more growth hormones. That’s why the cell turnover is much faster on the skin, and the same applies to the scalp.” She recommends doing it once a week on a clean scalp. Separate the hair into sections and do small movements up and down the scalp, focusing on areas in the hairline where you’re experiencing hair loss.  

Consider Hair Supplements

Hair supplements can help, but keep in mind that it takes at least three months to see results. To see if the pills you’re popping are making a difference, Reavey suggests monitoring your nails, since it’s much easier to notice when your nails are growing faster than your hair. “Supplements give you a boost and ensure that you are getting the right nutrients,” she says. 

Seek Treatment

If slow hair growth has become a struggle for you, Dr. Vasiloudes recommends seeking out treatment at a Harklinikken clinic. “Lars Skjoth has developed novel and pioneering approaches to deliver plant-based extracts coupled with proprietary natural constituents from cow’s milk, fruits, and roots, that are rich in diverse elements and natural growth factors in a preservative-free fashion, right to the root of the hair follicles. By doing so, Skjoth has delivered pioneering quantifiable results over the past three decades,” he says.

The Final Takeaway

There’s no quick fix to getting your hair to grow faster. “It’s all about that 360-degree holistic approach,” Reavey says. Living a healthy lifestyle by soothing stress and loading your plate with healthy, well-balanced meals will go a long way to helping you get long hair.