10 Reasons Why Your Hair Won’t Grow (+ What to Do About Them)

Does it just seem like your hair won’t grow… no matter how hard you try?

No worries if your answer was yes.

An estimated 21 million women suffer from some sort of hair loss in America… and that’s not even including how many women have impeded hair growth.

But you’re here because you want a solution, right?

Well, the first step to figuring out why your hair won’t grow is to find out what’s causing the issue. The good news is that some of these issues are totally preventable.

Plus, I’m gonna share some of my favorite ways to speed up hair growth!

Needless to say, in case of any health troubles, it’s vital to seek advice from your physician. I’m not a medical professional, and some serious issues could have potential solutions.

Just promise you’ll talk to them, k?

But in the meantime, let’s get to the 10 reasons why your hair isn’t growing… and some tips on how to fix it.

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Reason #1: Genetics

I gotta get this one out of the way first.

Here’s a hard pill to swallow; your hair might not grow at the speed you desire because you’re genetically inclined not to have voluminous locks.

To further explain, I just quickly want to touch on the stages of hair growth.

At any given time, 90% of your hair is in the anagen phase, also known as the growing phase. This stage lasts 2-7 years before the hair goes into a resting phase and eventually falls out (these stages are called catagen and telogen, respectively).

There’s a threefold lifecycle for each hair fibre. It grows, rests, and ultimately falls out—an ongoing cycle of existence.

The length of hair is determined by how long it stays in the anagen phase. For example, eyebrows have a much shorter anagen phase and only grow to a certain length before shedding.

So here’s where it gets good…

How long your hair remains in the growth or anagen phase comes down to genes. Consequently, if your genetics incline towards a brief growing phase, your hair is bound to fall out after reaching a certain length.

In other words, if it seems like your hair won’t grow past a certain point, it’s because it probably can’t.

If this sounds all too familiar, I highly recommend looking into clip-in hair extensions. It’s the perfect way to add length when you need it!

Reason #2: It’s Damaged

This may sound obvious, but… if you have a lot of damage, your hair won’t grow.

To clarify, your hair will indeed grow, but it might not seem that way.

You see… if your hair breaks off faster than it grows, it may even appear to get shorter over time. In other words, breakage is the enemy when it comes to growing hair faster. It should be avoided at all costs.

So here’s what you need to do: keep your breakage in check.

Be vigilant in trimming your split ends every few months. Make sure to have a dependable hair care regimen. Consider adopting frequent deep treatments to replenish your hair.

On that note… Olaplex is an amazing hair product that actually rebuilds broken hair bonds. It’s a MUST if you want to repair damaged hair. It’s a little pricey, but I promise it’s worth every penny.

Reason #3: You Cut It Too Often

Remember how like 2 seconds ago, I said you have to cut your hair often to prevent breakage? Welllllllll, you don’t want to cut it too often.

It’s really about finding that sweet spot between eliminating split ends but still allowing it to get longer. Just remember that hair grows about 1/2 inch per month.

If you cut more than that, it will just seem like your hair isn’t growing.

I’d recommend cutting 1/4 inch every 2-3 months if you’re trying to grow your hair faster. Make sure to communicate with your stylist that you don’t want to take much off… just the split ends on the tips.

And be sure that they’re on the same page as you. 1/4 inch can look different to different people.

Reason #4: You aren’t Getting The Nutrients Your Body Needs

If you’ve been a long-time reader, you’ve heard me say this before, but… everything you put in your body comes out through your hair. This is why they can test you for drugs with a couple strands of your mane.

So, as you can imagine, if your diet is trash, your hair will be too.

Shortage in certain vitamins and minerals can hinder the speed of hair growth. Hair requires ample protein too, so ensure your intake meets the sufficient level.

If you want to take hair growth seriously, clean up your diet.

Make sure to eat a balanced diet every day, avoid crash dieting, and drink enough water to support a healthy scalp.

On top of that, supplement with a vitamin designed to promote hair growth. I take the SugarBearHair gummies every day, and they’re pretty much amazing.

They’re tasty and give you everything you need for optimal hair growth. Just be careful, because they can initially cause some breaking out when you start taking them.

Reason #5: Underlying Health Issues

Sadly, various health conditions can obstruct hair growth… and at times, there’s not much you can control.

Obviously, things like chemotherapy and blood pressure medication can cause hair loss, but there are also some not-so-obvious issues out there… particularly hormonal issues.

One of the biggest instances of hair loss happens right after having a baby. I know… having babies isn’t a health issue, but still worth mentioning. I mean, it is a pretty big hormonal change for your body.

Pregnant women don’t typically shed as much hair as they usually would. Sounds great, right? Well… after delivery, they tend to lose most of the hair they would have lost during the past 9 months.

And on the other hand, pregnancy can even cause hair loss in some individuals.

Additionally, things like thyroid disorders, anemia, and polycystic ovary disorder (PCOD) can all make it so your hair won’t grow.

The best way to fight these issues is to get your health in check. Talk to a doctor about treatment options, clean up your diet, and find ways to optimize hair growth.

Reason #6: Your Scalp Isn’t Optimal For Hair Growth

A clean scalp is a happy scalp. And happy scalps like to make hair.

If your scalp isn’t in good shape, it will definitely affect your hair growth. So the goal should be to create an optimal environment for hair to thrive in.

First things first, if you have scalp fungus, extreme dandruff or psoriasis, you should discuss treatment options with your doctor.

Next, you should use a treatment system like Nioxin to clean the excess buildup and sebum from the scalp. This product was specifically designed to optimize scalp health… you can even feel it working when you use it.

Last, but not least, medical studies have proven that 4 minutes of daily scalp massage increases blood flow to the scalp and stimulates hair growth. There are some pretty cheap scalp massagers to make the process more enjoyable… or you can just use your fingers to massage your scalp in the shower.

…or if you feel like spending $500, check this bad boy out.

Reason #7: Age

As if aging doesn’t already do a number on .us…

Regrettably, the growth velocity of our hair decelerates as we age.

Almost everyone experiences some degree of hair loss as they age. Every time a hair sheds, the hair follicle gets smaller, and the next hair will be slightly thinner. Eventually, the follicle stops producing hair altogether.

Hair also sheds more often and spends more time in the resting phase as we get older.

Again, to combat these consequences of time, make sure you’re giving your scalp everything it needs to grow hair. Nutrients, scalp stimulation, and a good scalp environment are all key to faster-growing hair.

Reason #8: Stress

You probably already know this, but stress is SO bad for your body.

It can cause health problems, premature aging, weight gain, and more. So, as you can imagine, it’s not good for your hair either.

In fact, it pushes your hair into the resting phase, which eventually leads to premature shedding of that follicle. Plus, resting follicles don’t produce new hair strands.

In simpler terms, elevated stress levels will stall your hair’s growth.

Believe me, managing stress is no easy task, but it’s crucial for your overall wellbeing and hair health.

Take a few minutes to enjoy nature every day. Go for walks on your breaks. Exercise. Do 5 minutes of deep breathing or meditation before getting out of bed. Make self-care a priority. Listen to positive self-talk.

Just promise me that you’ll do whatever it takes to get those stress levels down. Your hair will thank you, and your life will be so much better.

Reason #9: You’re Too Rough With It

As earlier stated, if your hair breaks at a faster pace than it grows, it will give the illusion of non-growth.

Hair is pretty fragile, and you need to handle it with care.

Due to its vulnerability to damage, wet hair should be cautiously detangled using a wide-tooth comb post washing. Actually, gentle handling during every brush session is highly recommended.

Oh, and whatever you do, don’t vigorously rub it with a towel after the shower.

Don’t braid it too tightly or wear it in a tight ponytail every day. You could even swap out your pillowcase for the satin variety to prevent damage while you sleep.

Prioritize being gentle with your hair. If your goal is longer hair, avoid causing it to break.

Reason #10: Alopecia Areata

Alopecia Areata is an autoimmune disorder that affects 6.8 million people in the United States.

Unfortunately, there’s a disorder that results in quarter-sized patches of hair loss. This happens when white blood cells wage war on hair follicles, substantially slowing hair growth.

The good news is that the hair follicles are not damaged, and the hair can regrow when the inflammation subsides.

While there is no cure for alopecia areata, corticosteroids can be used to suppress the immune system, and prescription medications can be used to encourage faster hair growth.

It’s important to understand that this condition is not a life-ender. Although not ideal, it is treatable.

General FAQ

Final Thoughts

If you feel your hair has stopped growing, remember, you’re not alone. Numerous people worldwide face comparable issues, and many reasons for hair loss can be prevented.

Just remember to provide your hair follicles with optimal conditions, and the rest is up to fate. Take your vitamins, eat clean, lower your stress, and keep your hair healthy.

Stay strong and be patient, friend. You’ll have longer hair in no time.

Until next time,

YOUR TURN: Do you ever feel like your hair won’t grow? Do you have any hair growth tips you can add to this list? Drop them in the comments section below!

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