Last Updated on January 10, 2022 by
There are various causes of hair loss, such as due to age, medications, thyroid issues, hormones, a haircut, and autoimmune diseases. The period that the hair takes to grow back depends entirely on an individual and the cause of its loss. But, on average, a healthy person will have their hair grow about half an inch every month.
The rate at which the hair grows back will also depend on genetics, gender, hair color, ethnicity, and climate. For some people, it will take hair products for their hair to grow faster, while for others, no products are needed.
This article highlights the time it takes for the hair to regrow and how to enhance its growth. Keep reading!
How Long Will Your Hair Take To Regrow?
Depending on the cause of hair loss and the individual, it takes different lengths for hair to grow back. This table summarizes the causes of hair loss and the period it takes to regrow.
Cause of hair loss | How long will it take for hair to grow back? |
A haircut | One month (to grow ½-inch) |
Chemotherapy | After 3-months of thinning (soft hair appears on the scalp) |
Pattern baldness | It doesn’t grow back. |
Hormonal imbalances | Immediately hormonal level goes back to the baseline. (average growth of 6-inches per year) |
Dermatological pathologies | Immediately the hair loss causing condition is cured, it takes one week to start growing back (at ½-inch a month). But, sometimes, the loss is permanent. |
Waxing | A couple of weeks |
Shaving | Two weeks |
Medical conditions | One to two weeks after successful treatment of the condition |
Hair Loss Due To Shaving
For an average healthy person, it takes one month for hair to grow back ½-inch. This theory is according to research by the American Society of Dermatology. But, the growth rate is different depending on whether one is male or female.
Post-Chemotherapy Loss
This type of hair loss is common in cancer patients due to treatment. The hair goes through thinning for about three months, after which some soft hair starts sprouting on the skin. Although the growth rate is low at first, it will get normal after a few months. The standard rate is 6-inches per year.
Pattern Hair Loss (Pattern Baldness)
This hair loss is common, especially in men, due to physiological processes and usually begins after forty years. Since this is a permanent process, the hair does not grow back, but it can be delayed using FDA- approved cure.
The human hair roots or follicles get damaged during pattern baldness, and hair cannot regrow.
Hair Loss Due To Hormonal Disturbances
Hormones such as progesterone, testosterone, and estrogen play a significant role in hair growth. For example, whenever there is a testosterone rush, most people experience physiological hair loss. After the hormonal levels balance, the hair starts to grow back at an average rate of 6-inches per annum. But, there may be variations depending on an individual’s age and the level of hormones.
Hair Loss As A Result Of Waxing
During waxing, the visible hair is removed from your scalp, which does not affect the hair roots or follicle. It takes only a few weeks for the hair to sprout back. Waxing the scalp is believed to help hair regrow faster.
Loss Due To Dermatological Pathologies
Dermatological problems such as scalp psoriasis, fungal infections, and alopecia are significant causes of hair thinning. These microorganisms attack the hair follicle on the scalp leading to hair loss. Once the pathologies heal after medications, the hair starts to regrow immediately, but there are chances it may fail to sprout again.
In most cases, your hair starts to grow at an average rate of ½-inch every month, one week after you recover fully from the ailment.
Growing Hair Back After Medical Conditions
Some medical conditions such as diabetes and thyroid disorder are also common causes of hair loss. But, after successful treatments of these conditions, your hair can grow back. While this growth will be prolonged initially, it regains the standard speed of growth within one or two weeks.
Shaving
It is common to shave facial hair using a razor to reduce it. This method eliminates only the hair above the follicle without interfering with its ability to grow back. After shaving, it takes a fortnight for the hair to regrow at a rate of ½-inch per month.
Nutritional Deficiency
Lack of enough nutrients such as iron and zinc could lead to hair thinning over time. To enhance hair sprouting after a deficiency, ensure that you take food rich in these nutrients. The hair may take a couple of months to grow back.
How Can You Support Your Hair To Grow Back?
Trying to grow your hair back after thinning could be pretty challenging. It is easier and more practical to prevent the loss by keeping your hair as healthy as possible. Some of the methods to maintain healthy hair include;
1. Eating healthy food with enough vitamin C, proteins, iron, and zinc. Since hair is composed mainly of proteins, it is necessary to consume it to enhance growth.
2. Taking supplements such as folic acid, biotin, iron, omega-3, zinc, and omega-6 can also help maintain and grow healthy hair. But, one needs to consult a doctor to know if it is okay.
3. Avoid excessive heat and harsh chemicals on the scalp and hair
4. Always massage your scalp after washing your hair to enhance blood circulation to the follicles.
5. Use hair products such as conditioners and shampoo with keratin or vitamin E. You could also consult a dermatologist if you have scalp psoriasis to get a prescription for a medicated shampoo.
6. You can get rid of split ends by trimming them every six to eight weeks.
7. Avoid smoking
8. Wear a hat regularly to protect your hair from exposure to excessive sun
Conclusion
It takes different durations for hair to grow back after thinning, depending on the cause. But it is possible to prevent the loss by observing proper practices such as eating a balanced diet, using hair products that contain vitamin E and keratin. You can also shield your hair from excessive heat from the sun by wearing a hat and massaging your scalp.
