By Audrey Sivasothy, author of The Science of Black Hair: A Comprehensive Guide to Textured Hair Care
“How long will it take me to grow out my hair and reach my hair length goals?”
This question, and the many variations of it, is one of the most frequently asked hair questions I get. Unfortunately, it is also one of the toughest questions to answer. Many factors determine the length of time it takes for a person to grow out their hair and reach certain hair lengths. This article will try to offer some guidance for length planning. As you read, bear in mind that the time estimates listed for growing out the hair in this article are just that-estimates. You’ll see that by the number of “typicallys and generallys” sprinkled throughout the article. There are just so many factors that influence when hair length goals are met including genetics, your anatomical structure, and the level of care and attention you give your hair. Growing out the hair takes years of consistent, diligent care. Though many folks are interested in achieving longer hair lengths, they do not realize the significant time investment that is involved in growing hair. Unrealistic goals and magical creams and potions that promise faster growth results but fall short on the promises make it easy to become discouraged. The only tried and true method for growing out the hair is good old fashioned time. Never fails!
General Considerations
Hair grows approximately ½ inch per month, for a total of six inches in one year. This rate is an average across races. Asian hair grows slightly faster than this average, Caucasian hair grows near the average,and black hair trends to grow at or just below this average each month. Genetics will also influence how close to the average ½ inch you get each month. Ultimately, the estimated time length for growing out the hair and reaching any hair length goal depends on two main factors: each individual person’s hair growth rate and their retention ability. A faster hair grower will always reach their goals sooner than a slower grower if the retention rates are the same. A slower grower will reach their goals consistently over a faster grower who poorly retains their length. Two individuals may grow their hair at the same exact rate while only one reaches her hair goals consistently, this is an instance of an ends retention problem for one of the growers. I often hear ladies say, “My hair is not growing, no matter what I do”-and for chemically relaxed ladies in particular we see that this is not true every 8-10 weeks when they are going in to have their relaxer retouched! Your hair is ALWAYS growing, retention may be the issue.
The Typical Process
Growing out the hair tends to follow a certain path. Generally changes in the look, thickness, and feel of the hair come first. Usually it is within the first 3-4 months of your hair journey that you’ll notice these improvements in thickness, and this tends to happen before you ever see any additional length. The big difference in length usually happens around 6-8 months into the journey provided you have been diligent with your hair care. For me, I started my journey in about June/July of a year, and noticed my hair getting thicker around October of the year. By December and January, I could see the length starting to come as well.
The timetable below is one that is suggested by the literature, but my personal hair growing experience has been different with personal setbacks, style changes, and trims all throughout my journey. Be forewarned, it is a very generalized timetable and not something you should feel compelled to follow to the letter. I certainly have strayed from the mark! Please note that this timetable is so open to interpretation that I almost hesitate to post it here, but some may find it useful!
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It has taken me about 3 years to get to BSL. You can check out my 3 year nappiversary pics here: bit.ly/My17Bf
I may straighten my hair in the near future–so I’ll have a better idea.
I generally wear protective styles (2strand twists) and moisturize every other day!
I dyed my hair and have experience hair loss how can i regain my loss hair
Take Biotin and Vitamin B Complex. They are essential for hair growth and help tremendously with hair loss. I have found my hair to be very long & thick after taking these for 3 months.
My hair WON’T grow, and nothing that I do is helping.
How do I know what type hair I have? I’m 1/4 korean and the rest is african american/trinidadian. My mum began perming my hair at a young age because in korea it isn’t common for kinky hair. I’m now 18 and want to be natural. Any tips or advice? :) also, how long will it take for me to get the texture of hair I had before I was started relaxing it? Or will I never get back the curls I had as Kid? It is kinda dry/brittle near the ends and a little past shoulder length when it straight. Thankyou!/gamsahabnida!
Also I just was wonderding if I just used a relaxer a few months ago, can I use the ”just for me” texturizer to start my hair to be curly again?? If no, how long do I wait to use texturizer?
easy answer, don’t use a texturizer. it will just make you start your natural process all over again from the beginning. don’t let hair stylists convince you that “it’s just like being natural”, because it’s really just a milder form of a relaxer (but still a relaxer). just be patient with your own hair, and you will notice progress if you keep it moisturized and treat it with some TLC. for me, i never comb my hair when it is dry, and that has helped me tremendously; i either comb it in the shower or i use a spray bottle to get it a little damp before styling dry hair.
i hope this helps. hang in there!
I think there’s the facts and then there’s the methods you use. The problem is that everyone uses differing methods and get different results. There’s definitely a science and to getting your hair long, not just one or two things.
Well my hair journey started in January 2012 and I must say there is significant growth in kitchen area. The right side was always shorter than the left and I did not know how to fix that. So I maintained my hair in braids since January and have seen the results. I will continue protective styles, air drying and deep conditioning well into the new year, Year two of my hair growth journey. My hair is just past my shoulders now at nine inches.
I am trying to grow out my perm and I have not had a perm in about 6 months. My roots Iknow are no longer relaxed but my ends on the other hand is unpredictable because I rarely relax my ends but my ends have always been straight never curly so it is hard trying to figure out if there is any relaxer left in my hair. What should I do anyone?
is that your hair in the article picture, how long did it take to grow out
Question: Why do you keep using natural hair for coloured skin people? What,since I have wavy hair or someone else has straight ones they are artificial?? -.- I don’t want to offend anyone and everyone is the same to me but why call it like that?
Gia – the reference to natural hair has to do with people who have not altered the texture of their hair with a chemical such as a relaxer (to straighten) or permanent (to curl)…and where are you from that you reference people as colored…if you have straight hair and you have not use a chemical to alter the state of your hair… You are natural…. The reason this discussion is geared toward black women is because a large percentage of black women who have altered their hair texture with a relaxer have decided to go their natural kinky/curly/ wavy hair texture..
Hey everybody. I have had a relaxer all my life just about since 6th grade. My hair grows pretty fast and my length tops out at about 6 inches above my waist. I decided November ’12 that I didn’t want to relax anymore and have been growing it unaltered since. I have about 3 inches of new growth an it is hard for me to keep my hair wrapped now lol. I want to just chop it off and start over but I have had long hair for so many years I just can’t do it. Can anyone tell me what can I do to my hair as far as styles while I am growing it out? Also how much new growth should I grow in before I cut off the relaxed hair? I noticed on some sites people talk about what type of hair they have, how do you know what type of hair you have I get confused reading all of the different sites. Like I said I just started to grow my hair out natural and my front is growing in soft curls but the top and back are deep waves. Is that normal to have 2 different textures? I am sorry I’m rattling on but I have so many questions.
Sandrea, I was in your shoes a little while ago. I grew out my hair for 18 months before cutting it. There are plenty youtube tutorials on styles that will blend the 2 textures without damaging your transitioning hair: 2 strand twist outs, braid outs, roller sets.
Cut your hair when you feel ready. I waited a long time to cut mine because I wanted time to figure it out slowly and I was used to somewhat long hair. I was ready to cut it once I started loving my bouncy, thick curls more than my limp, weak relaxed ends.
Many people have 2 or 3 or more curl patterns in their head. Most women doing tutorial vids use the styles I listed to make the different patterns look more uniform. Take your time. Enjoy the learning process on your healthy hair journey.
One more quick question, am I suppose to put hair grease on my scalp or some type of moisturizer?
I’ve been trying to grow my hair for quite some time now but for me it takes forever and just feels like my hair grows till a certain point(till my shoulders) and then stops. I’ve also tried to like use hair products but it doesn’t seem to work. What should I do?
I would use jojoba oil or olive for the scalp and massage them in
I am going for a long transition. So Far I grew 2.3 inches in 4 months which gives me hope. I plan to do a mini chop at my one year mark which is in November 2013. I have forgo any heat in my hair and only do protective styles.
Has anyone tried HF37 vitamins for hair growth? If so I would like to hear about your experience. I am considering getting them.
i take biotin, vitamin c and msm. msm keeps your hair in the active growing stages and its only 8-10 dollars at walmart. It’s has really made a difference for me. You can find articles on it online.
Thanks I will try it.
I am at APL and I have been natural for 2 years and 4 months.
I’ve been natural since june 2005 and have experienced many setbacks along the way. Years of colouring and other funny experiments caused all my hair to fall of in 2010 and I had to start fresh. No chemicals have touched my hair since, but I seem to get a lot of breakage. My hair won’t grow past 3 inches. Can anyone tell me why? I have very very coarse hair. And I need some styling ideas for short natural hair that don’t involve heat.
Hi
I just wanted to ask if anyone could tell me (in their experience) how long their hair got before it started to fall. By this I mean not standing upwards.
I’m currently trying (again) to go natural and I am doing better than I have previously but I am getting bored of rocking a TWA. I have two textures in my hair and none of them stay in twists without holding products and I would like to style my hair without hair spray, gel or heavy products as my hair doesn’t absorb product easily.
If anyone has any tips I would be extremely greatly.
Kind regards
The TWA can last up to a year maybe longer. It depends on your rate of growth. My experience is that when I got well beyond a year my hair started to hang lower or grow down a bit. I would say about 1.5 years into it since my BC. You have to be patient. I would say that 3-4 years is when you will have some significant length for more styling options. Then there’s that awkward stage in which your hair is too long for a TWA but too short to do alot of the longer hair styles. That’s where I’m at right now. I don’t have any desire to go back to a relaxer but I do get frustrated at times because I really want to be able to have more styling options. However, I’m too far into this journey to go back and the amount of time and growth of my hair has been pretty great. I’ll be 2 years this August/13 and close to the 12 inch mark in certain sections of my hair, and maybe anywhere from 6-9 inches in other parts of my hair. The article above didn’t mention it, but, your hair does not grow uniformly. For instance, my hair grows longer at the top, front, and sides. The nape of my hair grows the slowest.
What you might want to consider is monitoring your hair growth. Just measure it every month or every other month. Consider taking biotin or a good multi-vitamin. Exercise and drink plenty of water and eat a healthy clean diet. Since I started that regimen, I’ve seen greater length from just a half an inch grower to a little closer to a full inch in 1 months time. Hang in there….with each passing day you are closer to your goal. Good luck!