Hair growth is a common desire of many naturals. Some women obsessively measure their results. Many women take Biotin, expecting to see hair growth results more quickly (more about that here).
When I read other natural hair blogs, growing longer hair is constantly mentioned. When I visit other natural hair forums, hair growth is talked about ad nauseam. When I meet new naturals, 90% of them ask me about it.
Manufacturers are creating “special” hair growth products to capitalize on people’s curiosity. Authors are writing books claiming to have secret techniques that will boost your hair growth. Some ethnic groups sell their hair in order to capitalize on the never-ending desire of many people to have longer hair.
Jael and I get at least one email a day asking us to provide hair growth techniques. When we recently surveyed our readers, we asked what’s the number one thing that you want us to talk about more often.
Over 85% of our audience said that wanted more hair growth tips. I have said it many times before, but we actually write for our audience. You may have noticed recently that we are writing about hair growth more often. It’s clear that the desire to grow longer hair is a common quest for many naturals.
If growing longer hair is your goal, then you are in the right place.
The truth is that the process to grow long hair can vary for each person and it’s really about increasing the number of right things that you do for your hair and the reducing the number of wrong things that you do for your hair. Note: The key phrase in the sentence above is “for your hair”. What works for someone else, may not work well for your hair.
Hair growth does not occur immediately. Generally, hair grows at roughly ½ inch per month. This means that the typical head of hair will grow six inches per year. Depending on your personal genetics, your hair may grow more quickly or more slowly. Some ethnic groups have a tendency to be above or below the mean; but since the world has become such a melting pot and considering the theory of miscegenation, I won’t dive into norms related to various ethnic groups since the norms are so difficult to apply.
Most people ask about hair growth, but the truth is your hair is always growing (almost) if you study the hair grow cycles. Length retention could be a more important factor for many naturals and it’s often overlooked.
The amount of time required to grow your hair to your desired length can depend on many different things including your hair care regimen, your actual growth rate and your ability to retain length.
If we assume (for the sake of example) that the measurement from the top of your head to the top of your shoulders is roughly 12 inches and that you have an average growth rate of ½ inch per month, it will take two years (or more) with excellent length retention for you to achieve shoulder length hair assuming that you have recently big chopped down to a brush cut (or for your natural hair to reach shoulder length if you’re transitioning).
I hope that you are not discouraged after reading about the amount of time you have to invest to really grow long hair. It’s really important that you learn how to properly care for your hair and you will eventually achieve your goals – it may just take time.
If you decide to consistently utilize heat, hair dyes, tight styles, shady growth products, trim too aggressively or perform other activities that could affect your length retention, then you may cause a setback and quite possibly make it even more difficult to reach your hair growth goals.
Below are some of our best articles about hair growth, read through these to understand exactly what it takes to grow long hair.
- How to Create a Length Check T-shirt
- 4 Natural Hair Length Retention Tips
- Hair Growth Cycles Demystified
- Does Taking Biotin for Hair Growth Really Work?
- How to Calculate Growth Retention
Also, here are two hair growth books that provide more information on how to grow long hair.
- If You Love It, It Will Grow: A Guide To Healthy, Beautiful Natural Hair
- Grow It: How to Grow Afro-Textured Hair to Maximum Lengths in the Shortest Time
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About Kenneth Byrd
Thanks so much for this excellent article. I had started to get frustrated with my hair even though it’s growing, it just seems like it wasn’t growing as fast as others I have seen. But I now realize that the most important thing is to be patient with my hair and take good care of it in whatever stage of growth it is in.
Deborah – You’re welcome. It’s not usual to get frustrated about the growth rate. Since, on average, hair grows 1/2 inch per month, there are definitely times where it can appear that nothing is actually happening. Although, you’re right that patience and good hair care are the keys to success.
Kenneth
Although i am not natural. I appreciate your website and twitter info. You and your wife have a Beautiful Movement going on. thank you for the info. @ShellieChelle
Hi Shelliechelle -
Thanks for the kind words. It’s probably worth pointing out that even though we’re Natural Hair Community, the hair advice we provide often times can be utilized by women with or without natural hair. So, if you have relaxed hair, there are many tips and techniques that we discuss that are universal.
Kenneth
Great info…..!!!!!
Thanks Tiffany.
Thanks for the encourageing article !! Just started a one year protective style challenge to push my hair past the 12 inches of kink where it seems to have stayed for a while. Cant wait to see my 6inch growth… hope hope.. I really think my growth is stunted from a years worth of chemotherapy I experienced about four years ago. Feburary marks four years out of treatment and my hair is growing slowly. BC didnt stand for Big Chop for me, but it started my natural hair growth journey anyway. Any thoughts??
Dava – Chemotherapy can definitely have an impact on your hair. As I’m sure you know, chemo treatments can often cause the patient’s hair to completely fall out. I can only imagine the relative changes that the body must go through during chemo treatments.
The lasting effects of chemo really aren’t my area of expertise, but it could have definitely affect your growth rate. @Jael wrote an article (it’s linked at the bottom of the article) about how to calculate length retention. Check out that article. Also, you might check with your doctor to ask about the longterm effects of chemo on your hair’s growth rate.
Yes my head was completely clean when I decided to never perm my hair. I prayed ” If you give it back to me I promise to never chemically alter my texture again. Today is my four year triple negitive breast cancer survivaversary! YIPPEE!! I do see naturals with four years of growth who have 15 and 16 inches of hair. but I do tell myself that if chemo can give me guillian barre and put me in a wheel chair for months at a time, Im sure it can change the growth pattern of my hair! Im just glad to have HAIR!! LOL!! 12 inches is better than NO INCHES ANY DAY!!!
Dava – Congrats on your four year triple negative breast cancer survivaversary! @Jael have participated in the Susan G. Komen breast cancer run for three of the last four years. I’m very happy for you and share your excitement. We’re very glad that you’re participating on this website and let us know if you ever want to share your story.
One of my friends survived breast cancer and we shared her story on the site. It was a great opportunity for her to discuss why going natural isn’t always an option. Her is a link to the article, if you want to check it out: Sonya Tells Why Going Natural Isn’t Always an Option. Again, I’m very happy for you. Take care.
Kenneth
this was good information. i big chopped to a very very short twa and i am looking forward to getting my hair back healthy again.
Londa – Congrats on going natural and big chopping. I hope we’re able to help you with your healthy hair journey.
thank you. I am glad I found this sight, there is some really good articles and information here.
@naturallylonda, I’m glad that you found us too. We’re still fairly young. Later this month, we will have been blogging for one year. The first year has gone by so fast. We need help spreading the word about the site, so please help us spread the news. Take care, Londa.
Kenneth
Do you know a good way to retain hair growth for curly/wavy hair as well? Or is it goes the same way as for all hair texture.
Becky – There are a couple of articles (linked above) that you should take a look at. One is “4 length Retention Tips” and the other is “How to Calculate Length Retention”. Regardless of your hair type, you need to increase the number of good things that you do for your hair, and decrease the number of bad things that you do to your hair. This article should provide you with a solid foundation about the basics of hair growth. You should check out some of the articles at the bottom for more specific hair growth tips.
i guess i could simpathize with the rest of the ladies about hair growth and length, but since i started loving my hair for what it is all i seem toi care about is the strength and health of my hair, i figure that’s where everthing starts from; taking care of urself and your hair. If that is achieved then eventually the length will come. As u said, your hair is always growing(majority of the time), so really all we have to do is take care of it, and try our best to retain it as best as possible by reducing breakage by bening gentle. Loved this article, and i hope that it really stuck to a lot of women who read it, and the message was brought across.
Olivia – There are many companies that are capitalizing on this desire that many people have to grow long hair and it’s unfortunate. It really does require patience. Thanks for your comments.
Kenneth
I was`nt worried at all about my hair growth until i joined all these natural hair web sites and then i see how ladies pet and pamper there hair and make a big fuss abouth their hair not growing and all the stuff they use and supplement that they are taking ,it have me asking my self what was i doing all this time with my hair, what we ladies need to understand is that some people hair grows faster than most and we have different genes which i beleive have a lot to do with our hair growing , but i must add that since i joined these hairsites it make me appreciate my hair a lot more because natural hair is so beautiful .Thanks alot Jael and Ken you are making the world of natural hair so happy
Sareka – Thanks for the kind words. Take care.
Kenneth
Hi Should I Be Doing A Length Check I Dont Really Care Bout Length I Just Want Healthy Hair I Did The Bc Down To A TWA My Hair Has Grown In Thick But Not Out It Is Very Thick And When I See A String Of My Hair I Exaime It and I Dont Think Its Growing Healthy On The Strand Of Hair I Can See Where It Looks Like Its Split In Two But Still Thogether Do I Recut And Start Over And it Not Just That 1 Strand A few Of Them That I Exaime Are Like That
Hi @tauntfor – length checks are great for women who believe that their hair does not or is not growing. However, if length is not a concern, then, I wouldn’t worry about it if I were you.
If you are examining a strand of hair and you see a split end, you snip above the split just removing the damaged part. You do not have to cut the entire strand unless you want to but you do not have to.
I hope this helps!
Has anyone else experience any breakage or extra dryness after having a baby or after baby transitioned to formula?
Hi @arctictamm – Can you say raging hormones! Until your hormones are back to pre-pregnancy mode you may experience a gamet of issues with your hair from dryness to excessive shedding.
Have you tried reducing the frequency in shampooing? During this time of dryness make sure that your shampoo and conditioner are moisturizing so that it counteracts the dryness you are experiencing.
Also, if you use a blow dryer to dry your hair, try allowing it to air dry.
This is a great question to post in the forum so that others can give input.
Well, reading this article actually helps me to better understand hair growth. Thanks alot!!! But, what I want to know is do various parts of your head have a different growth retention, because some parts of my hair see to be growing much faster than other parts.
Davena – 85%-90% of your hair is usually in the growth phase at any given time. Having said that, it’s not uncommon to have different grow rates and ultimately retention rates on various parts of your head (or other areas of your body that grow hair).
I’ve been growing my hair for about 5 years now & it has finally reached my shoulders!!! I thought I finally started doing something right, but now I think I’ve finally heard/read the right information
Chrissy – I’m glad that you found the article helpful. Be sure to keep us updated on your growth results.
After seeing my money fall threw holes I decided enough. If I cannot pay bills and keep hair styles affordable. I had to try some other way to obtain the look I wanted. Between getting Perms and Braids. I wanted a easier fix. Something that was easy to do and not costly. Hair extensions and gel seem to work for me. There really is no permanent fix for doing hair. Just when I think I love a hair style eventually I leave it. So I just play it by my mood and have fun.
Elaine – That’s cool. I think it’s important to have fun with your hair.
I’m a year and half and this is my second time going natural. I think if you focus on healthy hair, your hair will grow and you will retain length. It’s easy to get caught up in how long is my hair, but it will come. You have to be patient and enjoy each stage. You can do great things with short hair, med hair and long hair. And actually for me, the longer my hair grows, the harder it is to detangle, keep moist, etc.
Hi Fee,
You bring up an interesting point that’s sometimes overlooked. The longer your hair gets, it may very well offer unique challenges. For you two of those challenges are detangling and keeping your hair moisturized. For other women, it could very well be breakage or some other factor.
The truth spoken! I knew how long it would take to grow hair, and I also knew that with it natural that shrinkage would prevent me from seeing results as quickly as with relaxed hair. I know my hair has grown. It’s also fuller, thicker, and more “alive”. So far, I believe I’m right on track as far as growth, and I believe it will be quite a bit longer than it has ever been in a while by the end of the year. Length retention is my main concern. Once it has grown out, I want to maintain that length. Of course, since I honestly don’t remember what it’s like to have hair past my shoulders, I may decide I don’t like long hair. I have been a bit concerned about the lengthened time of hair care, maintenance, and careful procedures when I do have long hair. It might be too much for me, and I might opt for a shorter style by choice this time. I think I’ll like it though, and what better way to find out than to have it natural while figuring out (less stress when trying to get it to grow!)
You bring up a good point that I didn’t touch on in the article. Shrinkage can definitely cause some people to believe that they’re not getting results, when their hair could be getting thicker and fuller.
I am so glad you posted this article. I was just thinking about asking someone what i was doing wrong because i was not really seeing in hair growth. But this article answered my questions. Thanks so much i am just going to have patience and continue to take care of my hair.
Elisa – You’re welcome. You might notice quite a bit of hyperbole online with respect to growing long hair. I’m glad that you the article helpful.
Thanks so much for writing this article. Immediately after going natural I dyed my hair, which I think traumatized it…(LOL). I think my hair was wondering what in the world is going on! Now I mostly use Carol’s Daughter products or my own home-made products and they seem to work. My hair is growing… however… no one can tell because my curl pattern is soooooooo tight.My hair is at least 5 inches long on top and to the bottom of my ear on the side, BUT you would never know. It looks like it is maybe 1.5 inches. When I twist it out… initially maybe about 3.5 inches, but at the end of the day, the same 1.5. I’m learning to just let it “do what it do”, but I must admit there are days when I want to blow it out, put on my big earrings and let it blow in the wind! Any advice for prevention of shrinkage?
@Jael wrote an article on Shrinkage a few months ago. Her article is written from the perspective of shrinkage being a positive thing. So far, I haven’t found any methods of reducing shrinkage that I currently endorse. Once (and if) I find something that I believe works well (consistently), I will write an article about the method.
This article hits the nail on the head. Every naturals hair does grow at different rates.
Many naturals take vitamins, biotin, and other supplements for faster grow. The only
Reason women see grow so fast is because their bodies are deficient in those areas.
That’s why its also important to eat healthy as well as the important hair tips that were
Mentioned . Wonder article!!!!
Rachel – Thanks. Appreciate the kind words.
Kenneth
I absolutely love the picture you attached with this article! It highlights the insanity attached to worrying about/focusing on hair growth and length. What’s most is important is hair health! Healthy hair at any length is beautiful hair, in my opinion.
Zina – I completely agree that “healthy hair at any length is beautiful hair”.
Kenneth, I have problems with thinning hair. I have a short natural fro, and have been told that certain medications will thin your hair. What can I do to help thicken it, any suggestions. HELP!!
Ernestine – It’s important to be sure that you’re taking good care of yourself. Your thought process is accurate; there are medications that can impact your hair and cause thinning (and etc.). The key is making sure that you do what’s best for your overall health. In additional to taking your meds, that means eating right, exercising and finally taking good care of your hair. One thing that you might try is to build more overall protection into your natural hair regimen which should encourage additional thickness and overall length retention.
I started last year October going natural. I’ve done allot of research and still learning!lol I wanted to know does using tablets with MSG increase the hair`s growth phase? In the end resulting in longer hair?
I haven’t seen anything that supports this from a research perspective.
@zenobia…i believe what u r referring to is MSM. Not MSG..am i correct? If so i take msm daily and i must say that i have noticed changes in how my hair grows..i also take biotin supplements.
I don’t really have a comment. I have a question. What is the best way to naturally color natural hair? I am young but I grayed early. I do not want to have gray hair at my age. I think I am too young. Help! Is henna o.k. to use? I do not want to lose the hair I have grown so far. I did the BC about 2 months ago and it is just starting to grow back.
Thank you!
Hi Vikki – You have to be careful when you add color to natural hair because of potential curl pattern changes, changes in the porosity of your hair, and elasticity issues. However, there are many women who use henna and it is generally okay to use for most people. Check out the recipes page for a few henna recipes.
There is no miracle product and no miracle supplement to make hair grow. We are
The MIRACLE. For instance BIOTIN is in the foods we eat but by the prepare and
Cook the food the majority of the biotin has deplenished. If your body is deficient in
Biotin then YES this supplement will help. Ourr scalp creates its own oil but the kinky
Coily hair prevents it from gliding down the hair strand. Therefore we use natural oils
To help our hair stay moist. The love, dedication, and work we put into our hair is
The MIRACLE. I’m happy I took this journey 1 year and 1/2 mths going strong.
Hello… I really love your articles and I just did the big shop Nov 1,2012
8 months of no relaxer. I love it,my concerns are moisturizer & shampoo/conditioner
I need more info about ” real” products that are for natural hair!!! I want something to put in my
Hair everyday
Hi Holidsy!
Congrats on your big chop! Our resource page offer great suggestions for products. When you say you want to put something in your everyday, are you referring to moisturizers? If so, you can try a water/extra virgin olive oil mixture.
Ok wow!!! I can make that at home??? I have those
Things in my home.
Yes, you can! Play with the ratio of oil to water to see what your hair likes.
After four years and two big chops I finally developed a proper routine. Patience and education is a virtue. Your articles are so helpful.
Thank Rogernelle! Having a proper routine, keeps you on track. I have found that my hair routine changes when my hair changes or behaves differently than expected.
Jael
I love this article! I know that summer is the time my hair really grows (quicker than usual) so I wear braids and more natural styles to let it flourish without me getting into to it too often. People really just need to be patient and observe their hair. It took me two years to transition, I’m actually not completely done. But my hair is thicker, longer and healthier.
Samantha, I totally agree. When I let my hair be and do the least to it, it does feel thicker and I am able to retain length.
Jael
note taken interesting article
Hi Shadders,
Please let us know if you have any questions.
Jael
I would love to know of great products to help with thinning edges PLEASE PLEASE HELP
Hi Drica,
Why are your edges thinning? What type of styles are you wearing?
Jael
i think that i was grooming my locs too often listen to who i thought was a good loc stylist then i went to a dermatologist i dont think the meds are working with me cause it seems to be getting even worse so please help i gave great length but me sides are awful
As you say….everyone s hair is different….It annoys me when people give the average of 1/2 inch per month with good retention, because mine grows 2 1/2 to 3 inches per month….It is annoying that their is a stigma that Black peoples hair has to grow slow because mine doesn’t I have mostly 4a hair with a tiny bit of 3c dotted about
Hi Afra,
The statment, “Hair grows an average of 1/2 inch per month,” is not about race, it’s about hair, nor is it a blanketed statement but it’s an average. Believe it or not, there are people who grow less than 1/2 inch per month and per your personal testimony, there are some that grow more than 1/2 an inch per month. The 1/2 of an inch should be used as generally gauge but not a personal attest to your growth per se’.
The myth that black women can’t grow long hair is just that a myth. Depending on your definition of long, there are many examples of natural beauties with adorable manes that stretch beyond shoulder, armpit, middle back and their natural waits. Heck, there are some that are even stretched to hip. I personally fall into between middle back and waist.
Understanding that it is an average regardless of race is really important to note. Being able to retain length goes back to understanding your hair’s needs and being able to provide them.
To be honest, we have to learn how to take care of our hair and learn what our personal hair needs are and understand what our hair can handle for it to reach its optimal length.
Please keep in mind that the 1/2 of an inch statment is an average and it is placed on hair and not black people hair but just hair.
Thank you for your dialogue!