How Often Does Hair Grow?

Average Hair Growth

Human hair grows, on average, between half an inch to one inch per month, for an average of about six inches per year. The absolute length hair will grow to is determined by genetics, and we seemingly have no control over this. Absolute length, however, is quite long. Hair can grow to waist length with care and attention.

Variables to Hair Growth

Taking good care of your hair will help it stay healthy, not break, and hence grow longer. If you have hair to your waist, for example, that hair is up to six years old, and it needs extra care. Not using harsh products on your hair, for example, and not using heat, will help to keep it healthy longer.

Diet also is important. A protein-rich diet can help to make hair grow longer, faster. And, of course, being generally healthy will help you to have healthy hair.

Longest Hair

Xie Quiping of China has the world's longest documented hair. She's been growing her hair since she was 13 years old, and in 2004, when she was 44 years old, her hair measured 18 feet 5.54 inches. That's 372 months and 221 inches, or an average of a little more than half an inch per month (.59 inches per month).

Factors Affecting Hair Growth

Other things that come into play in regulating hair growth are hormones, smoking, depression and your immune system. Basically, the healthier you are, the healthier your hair is and the faster it will grow.

References

• basic answer
• reasons for hair loss
• world record for longest hair