How Much Does Hair Grow In A Month According To Experts?

Hey, Google, how much does hair grow in a month? Chances are at some point in your lifetime you've scoured the internet with this search topic in hopes of growing longer, stronger hair faster. Because, to be honest, for some reason when we have a hawk-eye on our hair growth, it's nearly impossible to see. Cue the impatience. Perhaps you're hoping to quickly grow out an impromptu haircut gone awry or you're in the mood to change your 'do. Whatever your reason, we're here to answer the age-old question and get to the bottom of monthly hair growth once and for all. Keep reading to learn more.  

Don't worry if this seems overwhelming to understand. The most important thing to note is that hair growth, like all things in life, is a process, and you should, in fact, see growth if your hair and body are healthy (more on this below).  

Of course, the overall health of your body can make a difference. Chronic illnesses, fevers, and medications can affect how the hair grows. Then, there are lifestyle factors like stress; diet and vitamin deficiency play a role in hair growth, too. "It's very important to have a balanced diet and maintain a healthy lifestyle to keep hair growth at its optimum level," Porter says. 

"The most basic step is to be great to your body," Hill says. "Invest in your health and wellness to give your scalp and hair a fighting chance." And while there's no miraculous pill or practice that will magically make your hair grow faster or longer instantly, here are some expert tips to improve your chances for better results: 

A healthy scalp is essential to growing healthy locks. Hill recommends using a scalp mask of oil that addresses the current need of your scalp and helps with cellular turnover. "I suggest that my clients sleep in their pre-scalp treatment for optimal results," Hill says. You can also activate the scalp muscles and improve circulation by massaging the scalp. In fact, in a 2016 study, a small number of men received a daily four-minute scalp massage. At the conclusion of the study, the investigators found an increase in hair thickness1. A more recent 2019 study found that of the 300 or so participants who followed a specific massage regimen, nearly 70% reported improved hair thickness in the end2.  

Let's make it clear: Cleansing the scalp is nonnegotiable. And no, dry shampoo doesn't cut it here. "Implementing a proper shampooing regimen is a game-changer for scalp and hair loss," Hill says. But cleansing the scalp and hair doesn't always have to be done with a detergent. "Simple rinsing under a showerhead can be considered a gentle cleanse, and apple cider-based rinses and co-washes are a great alternative." 

If you're concerned about hair loss or just want to inquire about the overall health of your hair and scalp, consider booking a consultation with a local trichologist. Hill says you can have your blood panel reviewed by a trichologist that specializes in scalp and hair to review your file through a "trichological" lens. This can help identify any underlying root causes that may affect your hair growth.

You may be wondering if hair care products that promise longer, stronger, faster-growing hair actually do work, and the short answer is yes. "Hair-growth products are mainly androgen blockers with active ingredients that trick the body into extending the growing phase of the hair cycle," Hill says. "There are clinical and scientific studies that show these topicals and internal dietary supplements to work." Even though they are not technically growing your hair, they are preserving the integrity of the hair follicle and encouraging it to mimic the growing phase for longer. 

Hair is made of the protein keratin3, which has an amino acid profile including cysteine, serine, glutamic acid, glycine, and proline. Both collagen and biotin supplements have high amounts of many of these amino acids, meaning the supplements provide the body with the building blocks of hair.* Research backs this up, too, as studies show taking these supplements supported hair growth4.*

If your body, hair, and scalp are healthy, you can expect to have ¼ inch to ½ inch of hair growth per month. There is an array of factors that can impact the amount of hair growth you see, but a quick visit to a trichologist can help identify any underlying issues that may be blocking you from reaching your hair goals.