Why Does My Hair Grow So Fast? Unlocking the Secrets

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Rapid hair growth is a blessing and a curse, especially for people who want to maintain short hairstyles. Fast-growing hair means you have a quick growth cycle, but it also means you have to take regular trips to your local stylist. 

There are a few factors that affect hair growth. Diet, age, hormones, and genetics all play a huge role in how fast hair grows each month. These reasons vary from person to person, and you may never know the real cause for your unique hair growth rate. 

Nonetheless, you can still learn how each of these factors contribute to scalp health. Discover possible causes for faster hair growth and the average rate at which hair grows in most people. 

Why Does My Hair Grow So Fast? 4 Possible Reasons Behind It

Hair growth is completely unique to the person. Not everyone has strong hair genetics or a healthy diet that comprises nutrient-dense foods. However, it’s still worth learning about a few hair growth factors and how genetics, age, hormones, or food affect your healthy strands. 

Below are 4 potential reasons you experience faster hair growth: 

#1 Good diet

A healthy diet can fuel hair growth because you’re feeding the essential body nutrients. For example, vitamin B supports cell rejuvenation on your scalp, which strengthens the hair follicles. You can get this vitamin from foods like broccoli, chickpeas, cabbage, kale, and avocados. 

Protein is another important nutrient that maintains hair thickness and slows down hair loss as you age. It encourages the production of normal healthy hair and prevents malnutrition. Those who suffer from malnutrition may experience hair loss or thinning due to the lack of protein stores. 

Diets containing the minerals iron, zinc, and iodine will also promote hair growth. Iron’s main purpose is to transport oxygen and red blood cells around your body, including your scalp. Someone with a healthy scalp may suffer less breakage, hair loss, and split ends. 

#2 Age

The rate of hair growth slows the more you age. Your hair strands also become thinner and less pigmented over time. Young adults typically have faster hair growth because their bodies can better regulate the scalp than seniors with weaker immune systems and hair follicles. 

#3 Hormones

Hormones like estrogen can boost the growing hair phase. During pregnancy, women have high levels of estrogen, which may create thicker hair fibers. Progesterone is another hormone that can maintain healthy hair growth and encourage your hair follicles to replenish the cells on your scalp. 

Those on birth control or who suffer from regular hormonal changes may not notice faster hair growth. This is because their bodies are struggling to regulate the estrogen and progesterone hormones. 

#4 Genetics

Some people naturally have strong hair genetics that run in the family. Your body may replenish stem cells quickly on the scalp, meaning you exceed the normal hair growth cycle. 

Genetics are also responsible for the length, density, color, and texture of your hair. For example, one person could have thin, dry hair, while another may have thick, oily strands. This factor seems to be most common when it comes to an individual’s hair growth rate. 

How Fast Does Hair Grow on Average?

On average, the hair growth rate is 6 inches per year, which is about half an inch per month and 0.07 inches per week. Some people may experience slower or faster hair growth, depending on their current diet, age, genetics, and hormone levels. 

Those who keep their hair healthy are more likely to achieve this average growth rate. Everyone is unique, so some people may not grow much hair in one year. 

Some other factors that affect your hair include stress, medications, heat damage, and pollution. Research suggests that hot environments can dry out hair strands and increase the risk of breakage. 

If you notice hair loss or slow growth over a few months, it’s worth seeking advice from a trichologist. These experts can talk to you about hair health and how to look after your scalp properly.

Is Fast-Growing Hair a Sign of Good Health?

Yes, fast-growing hair could be a sign that you’re healthy. It also means your body is well-nourished and has the right nutrients to thrive. The foods you eat and the products you use work well to promote hair growth. If you notice an accelerated growth rate, maintain your current routine. 

Your body can affect how fast hair grows. Not following a balanced diet or being under too much stress will negatively impact your scalp and long-term hair health. Therefore, if your hair is growing fast and appears to have no breakage, you’re doing something right. 

To determine the strength of your hair, look for split ends. Brittle and frayed hair ends can suggest your hair isn’t in a top-quality state. This evaluation can help you make dietary and lifestyle changes to affect hair growth positively. 

However, people with strong genetics may experience fast hair growth anyway, even if they aren’t particularly healthy. 

Do Certain Foods Make Hair Grow Faster?

There are many foods that promote healthy hair. Some include brown rice, almonds, spinach, and sunflower seeds. You should consume more vitamins like A, B, C, and D to increase your natural hair growth rate. 

Eating food doesn’t directly make hair grow faster, but it can help your body regulate follicle replenishment. For example, vitamin C boosts collagen – a structural protein that builds keratin to maintain hair thickness. Some people also take daily collagen supplements to prevent hair shedding. 

Following a balanced diet is the best way to speed up or maintain hair growth. You should consume foods like eggs, berries, spinach, almonds, salmon, soybeans, and figs to promote healthy hair growth. 

Is It Possible to Stop Hair From Growing So Fast?

You can only slow human hair growth using doctor-recommended treatments. Most of these laser or waxing treatments apply to body hair and not your scalp. It’s better to embrace how fast your hair grows and get regular haircuts to keep it under control. 

There isn’t a way you can slow down the hair growing from your scalp. This is a natural process, so it’s worth getting more hair chopped off if you don’t want to take frequent trips to your local salon. 

Eating less nutrient-dense food or changing your current hair products is not a good idea. You could damage your body and hair, which will cause more health problems. Instead, keep following a balanced diet and use shampoos that contain biotin, salicylic acid, keratin, or coconut oil. 

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Conclusion

The rate at which your hair grows depends on factors like genetics, age, hormones, and diet. It is completely unique for everyone, meaning not one person will have the same exact hair growth rate. To maintain healthy hair, eat nutrient-dense foods and only wash your hair 1–2 times a week to keep the natural oils on your scalp.