Hair growth should never hit a standstill. For most of us, the desire for longer, stronger, and healthier hair transcends hair type or curl pattern. Yet, if you’re finding that your hair growth has plateaued, it’s a cause for concern. In reality, hair tends to grow at a fairly consistent rate for everyone, with an average of a few centimetres per month. This means that over the course of a year, your strands will grow a considerable amount, even if it doesn’t seem like it.
While numerous factors influence hair length, nurturing healthy hair should be a universal goal. If your hair isn’t making the progress you’d like, you might be contending with stunted hair growth. Here are several reasons why your hair might not be reaching its desired length and what you can do to encourage longer locks.
1. Dietary Choices: The foundation of healthy hair (and skin) originates from within. A balanced diet filled with fruits and vegetables ensures that your body receives the vital vitamins and minerals required for optimal function. Some of these nutrients, such as iron, antioxidants, protein, biotin, fatty acids, and various vitamins, are particularly crucial for hair health. If your diet lacks these essentials, it’s worth considering dietary supplements to support overall well-being and, of course, hair health.
2. Hair Breakage: Breakage ranks among the primary culprits for stunted hair growth. In such cases, your hair is indeed growing, but it fails to maintain its length due to frequent breakage. The outcome is that your hair appears to stay the same length or even shorten over time because it breaks at a rate equivalent to its growth. Factors contributing to breakage include excessive use of hot styling tools, split ends, aggressive brushing, and chemical treatments. To mitigate breakage and enhance hair strength, consider incorporating deep hair treatments like into your routine, ideally on a weekly basis.
3. Overprocessing: As previously mentioned, excessive reliance on heat styling and chemical treatments like hair dyes, bleaches, and straightening procedures can wreak havoc on your hair, hindering its potential for lengthening. This is particularly true when these processes are carried out excessively or improperly. To safeguard your hair’s health and promote growth, it’s essential to consult a professional when opting for coloring, bleaching, or any chemical treatments. Additionally, use a reparative hair care system, such as Carol’s Daughter Goddess Strength Fortifying Shampoo, Carol’s Daughter Goddess Strength Castor Oil Conditioner and Carol’s Daughter Goddess Strength Castor Oil Leave In Cream.
4. Genetic Factors: Although it may not be the answer you want to hear, genetics can play a significant role in determining your hair’s growth potential. Your genetic background sets the pace for your hair cycle, including its growth phase, known as anagen. The length of this anagen phase is determined by your genetic makeup. If your parents have a history of rapidly growing long hair, the odds are greater that your hair will grow quickly as well. Conversely, if your family tends to have slower hair growth, your anagen cycle may be shorter.
5. Health-Related Concerns: If you’re leading a healthy lifestyle, taking good care of your hair, and maintaining a proper diet, yet still experiencing sluggish hair growth, it’s advisable to explore potential underlying health issues. In such cases, consulting with a medical professional and undergoing relevant tests can help identify any root causes.
If you’re still aspiring to achieve longer hair, don’t lose hope. Take on our five valuable tips that can aid you in attaining longer, naturally beautiful locks.
Bonus tip: Curls’ Blueberry Mint Treatment is made for hair growth. Massage it into your scalp every night for stunning results!