Buzz
If you're unhappy with your recent haircut, you might be wondering how much time it will take for your hair to return to its former length. Andersen Ross Photography Inc/Getty ImagesYou took a chance on a fresh hairstyle, and now you're regretting it. What seemed like a good idea at the time has left you asking, 'How quickly will my hair grow back?'
Fortunately, your hair is already in the process of growing, and it might be happening faster than you realize. However, don't expect to wake up with Rapunzel-like locks overnight—that would take years. So, what determines the speed of hair growth, and what factors influence it? Let's begin by breaking down the structure of your hair.
The Anatomy of Hair
Each strand of hair consists of multiple components, such as the hair shaft and the hair root. The shaft is the visible part that extends beyond your skin, while the root penetrates deep into the dermal layers, encased within the hair follicle.
Every hair follicle is connected to tiny muscles that can cause your hair to stand on end. At the very base lies the bulb, which is responsible for generating new hair cells.
Stages of Hair Growth
Now that you understand the structure of hair, let’s explore the stages it undergoes during growth. Hair growth occurs in three distinct phases, where each phase involves either active growth or a resting period. The duration of these phases varies based on factors we’ll delve into shortly.
- anagen: the phase where hair actively grows
- catagen: the transitional phase when hair growth halts
- telogen: the resting phase during which hair falls out
The anagen phase is when cell production happens, meaning roughly 90 percent of your hair develops during this period. The duration of the anagen phase varies depending on the body part. For example, scalp hair can remain in the anagen phase for two to six years, whereas body hair, such as eyelashes and eyebrows, has a much shorter growth period.
Throughout the lengthy anagen phase, scalp hair can grow approximately a third of an inch (1 centimeter) every 28 days, equating to about 5 inches (13 centimeters) annually. However, the actual growth rate is influenced by factors like age, genetics, hair type, and overall health. A 2016 study in the European Journal of Dermatology revealed that Asian hair grows the fastest, while African hair grows the slowest.
No matter the speed of your hair growth, rest assured it will regenerate. Even following a regrettable haircut.
Hair isn't the only part of your body that operates this way. Your nails do too! Fingernails and toenails develop beneath the skin and push older nail material forward. They follow a growth cycle similar to hair, with the key difference being that nails don’t shed once they reach full length.
