Human Hair Growth Rate

If you're waiting for a short hairstyle to grow into a long one, you'll need to take into account that human hair grows at a rate of about 1 cm per month. A number of factors determine how much real or perceived hair growth you'll notice, ranging from biological differences to proper hair care.

Growth Cycle

Human hair has a "terminal length" that it will reach at the end of a growth cycle. Some people may have a terminal length of a few inches, while others may grow hair a few feet long before the hair follicle dies.

Anagen

The anagen phase is the time when a hair follicle is growing hair. This period can last two to six years per hair follicle before the hair falls out naturally.

Catagen

The catagen phase happens when the hair follicle is done growing a particular hair. The hair follicle attaches itself to the hair shaft in preparation for the hair to fall out.

Telogen

The telogen phase is a short rest period before the follicle produces a new hair.

Breakage

Hair that is damaged through heat or styling may break off before reaching its terminal length.

Misconceptions

Vitamins and nutrients can only help hair while it's being produced by the scalp, as the hair you see is made of dead cells and keratin. Once hair is visible, taking supplements won't change your hair's condition or make it grow longer.