How Long Does It Take to Grow Hair 12 Inches? The Timeline to Expect

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You might get frustrated waiting for slow-growing hair, whether you want to grow out your bob or achieve flowing tresses in time for summer.

A level of responsibility is involved when trying to attain long and healthy hair. You must care for your locks to ensure new hair growth and prevent breakage. With an idea of how quickly hair grows, you can better prepare for the journey to growing 12 inches.

Keep reading to uncover the time it takes to grow 12 inches of hair and how you can speed up the cycle.

For reference, shoulder-length hair is about 12–14 inches long.

While there is an average growth rate, the exact time can vary from person to person, with some people naturally growing hair more quickly or slowly than others.

We all follow the same hair growth cycles, which include four stages: anagen, catagen, telogen, and exogen. But the duration of each phase differs between hair types and is influenced by age, genetics, nutrition, and general health.

How Fast Does Hair Typically Grow?

If kept in decent condition, the average person’s hair grows about half an inch every month. It is possible for hair to grow more than half an inch during this time, but it depends on multiple factors. For some people, it’s less – you might only see one-quarter or one-third of an inch’s growth.

What Can Affect Hair Growth Rate? 4 Main Factors

Hair grows at different speeds, but there are some things you can change to boost your hair growth cycle. Here are four factors that can leave you with slow or quick hair growth.

#1 Diet

Your hair suffers if you are not getting adequate nutrition. Hair thinning, hair loss, dry, brittle strands, and restricted hair growth might happen because of a poor diet.

The good news is that you can transform it with new habits. Switch a poor diet to one rich in nutrients that strengthen hair follicles and encourage hair to grow. Consuming more foods high in omega-3 fatty acids is a good place to start – think herring, haddock, salmon, and mackerel.

A diet missing nutrients such as vitamin B12, biotin, vitamin D, and iron can also affect hair follicle development and is linked to hair loss.

#2 Age

As you age, hormonal changes occur that naturally slow down the time it takes to grow hair. The hair strands become smaller, and some follicles stop making new hair entirely. For some people, hair aging results in age-related thinning and hair loss from androgenetic alopecia.

#3 Genetics

Genetics are responsible for the color, density, length, and texture of hair. They influence your hormone levels and determine how quickly or slowly your hair grows. Your genes can also be responsible for hair loss, particularly in those with androgenetic alopecia.

#4 Stress

Stress can have a considerable impact on your health, including your hair. Studies show the stress hormone cortisol alters the function and cycle of the hair follicle, causing hair to grow slowly. So, managing your stress levels will resume your cycle and help you grow hair 12 inches.

5 Tips to Help Your Hair Grow Faster: Did You Know Them All?

There is no magic potion you can drink to make your hair grow faster, but there are some ways to encourage healthy growth. 

The five following tips are simple and easy to include in your day-to-day routine. They will also help to mitigate common problems that can stall hair growth.

#1 Maintain a healthy scalp

Taking care of your hair begins with your scalp, as this is where your hair follicles live. Hair follicles are small hole-like openings in the outer layer of your skin (the epidermis) and are responsible for growing hair.

The state of your scalp can impact hair growth and even contribute to premature hair loss. Therefore, keeping this environment clean and healthy will ensure your scalp hair grows at a good rate. Additionally, a well-maintained scalp will keep the hair shaft in good condition.

Using gentle products, washing hair in moderation, and massaging the scalp to stimulate blood circulation are key ways to maintain it healthy.

#2 Eat nutritious food

Did you know you can nourish your hair from the inside? Good nutrition is a vital way to import the nutrients needed to support hair growth and inhibit hair loss. Deficiencies in certain nutrients can hinder your efforts and slow the hair growth process.

Hair is mainly made up of a hair protein called keratin, which gives your hair its elasticity and strength. Thus, dietary protein is critical for hair health to stop it from becoming weak and brittle. Poultry, fish, dairy items, and eggs are supreme sources of protein to include in your diet.

You should also eat foods rich in B vitamins, Vitamins A, C, and E, biotin, iron, and zinc, as these contribute to hair health.

#3 Get regular hair trims

While frequently trimming your hair doesn’t accelerate growth, it does promote healthier hair. Trimming removes the split ends that cause damage to the hair strands when left too long. They also cause your hair to break off, which makes growing long hair more challenging.

Aim to schedule a haircut every three to four months for maximum hair growth potential.

#4 Try oil treatments

Hair oils provide moisture, nourishment, and protection to improve your hair’s condition. They also support your scalp, creating a healthier environment for new hair to grow.

Applying the oil directly to the scalp and performing a gentle massage encourages blood circulation, and this could increase hair growth and hair thickness. Just remember to wash your hair afterward to prevent the build-up of residue.

#5 Take supplements

If you are not getting enough nutrients from your diet alone, taking dietary supplements can help. You can ensure you get the correct amounts of hair-boosting vitamins and minerals.

Talk to your doctor before using supplementation to help your hair grow, as there is a risk of toxicities when over-supplementing with certain nutrients.

FAQs

Conclusion

Human hair grows at a different pace for everybody. For the most part, you can expect to grow 12 inches of hair in approximately two years. It sounds like a long time, but you can still say goodbye to that bad haircut or awkward hair length with just a few inches of hair growth.