There are many factors that potentially affect how much your hair grows over the course of one week. The most essential factor in determining the rate at which your hair will grow is your genetic makeup. Some people simply have a genetic profile that makes their hair grow more rapidly than others. Diet and nutrition also play a large role. Without proper nutrition, the body isn't able to create all of the proteins needed to grow hair. So nutritional deficiencies can slow your hair growth, stop it altogether, or even cause hair loss. The last major factor that affects your rate of hair growth is your age. As we grow older our bodies begin to function less effectively. One way that this can manifest itself is through an impaired rate of hair growth. This is particularly pronounced in old age, with the elderly often having a much lessened rate of hair growth.
How Much Does the Average Person's Hair Grow in a Week?
The average person's hair grows about 1/2 of an inch per month. If you break this down it means that the average person's hair will grow approximately 3/26 of an inch each week, or roughly 0.115 inches per week. Most people, of course, vary from this average to one degree or another. The vast majority of the population, however, have hair that grows within 1/10 of an inch of the average per week. In other words, it's very likely that your hair will grow between roughly 0.015 inches and 0.215 inches over the course of the next week.
How Can I Calculate My Personal Rate of Hair Growth?
Luckily, it's relatively easy to calculate your own approximate rate of hair growth. After your next hair cut, pluck 10 hairs from the top of your head, making sure to remember where you plucked. Try to get the hair without breaking it, plucking right down fro the root. Measure each strand of hair to within 1/100 of an inch. Average the 10 measurements together to get your starting average hair length. Then, wait one week (168 hours for a more precise measurement) and repeat the process, making sure to pluck 10 new hairs from the same area of your head. Measure the hairs as before, and then average the measurements to get your ending average hair length. Then, simply subtract your ending average hair length from your starting average hair length. Whatever number you're left with is a good ballpark estimate of how much your hair grows each week.
