Why Does My Hair Grow So Slow? Causes & Expert Tips to Accelerate Growth

Before answering the question, “Why is my hair not growing?,” it helps to understand the anatomy behind how it grows.

Hair growth follows a cyclical pattern called the hair growth cycle , which has four stages:

1. Anagen : the active growth period that lasts between two to six years.

2. Catagen : a brief transitional phase that lasts about two weeks, in which your hair stops growing.

3. Telogen : a resting phase, lasting around three months, during which your hair doesn’t actively grow.

4. Exogen : the shedding phase, in which old hair falls out and sets the stage for new growth.

Now let’s discuss precisely what causes slow hair growth, because there are various factors to investigate.

Keep in mind that the cause will be unique for each person, but generally, these seven reasons are worth looking into.

1. Genetics

Your genetics play a significant role in hair growth. If your family has a history of slow growth, it’s not unusual for you to experience the same.

2. Medical conditions

Certain medical conditions, like Hypothyroidism, Anemia, and Autoimmune diseases, can disrupt your body's ability to supply essential nutrients and hormones to hair follicles. This weakens hair, slows growth, and makes it more prone to shedding.

3. Environmental factors

Exposure to pollution, UV rays, and harsh weather (like intense summer heat ) can damage the hair shaft and follicles, affecting how fast your hair grows.

4. Hormonal imbalances

Thyroid issues, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), menopause, and pregnancy can alter hormones that regulate the hair growth cycle , leading to weaker and slower-growing hair.

5. Nutrition

What you put in your body can also dictate how your hair grows. If your diet lacks essential vitamins and minerals (like biotin, iron, and vitamin D), your hair could lag behind in growth.

6. Stress 

Chronic stress triggers hair follicles to enter the telogen phase prematurely, slowing growth and increasing shedding. Physical stress on the scalp, like traumatic injuries or tight hairstyles, can even hinder growth in specific areas.

7. Aging

Signs of aging don’t just grace our skin; our hair’s growth rate naturally slows due to a shorter anagen phase and reduced follicle activity.

Once you isolate the cause, you can move on to the next step: learning how to fix stunted hair growth.

Many people want to know how to grow hair fast. The truth is, better-looking and healthier hair takes time and patience.

While you won't see inches grow overnight, consistent habits will lay the groundwork for a healthy, beautiful head of hair.

1. Try home remedies for slow hair growth

Have you ever looked around your house and thought: How can I speed up hair growth at home?

There’s a lot you can do with what you already have:

• Massage your scalp to boost blood circulation to the hair follicles and promote healthy growth.
  
  

• Try natural oils like Rosemary, Geranium, and Peppermint, all of which have been shown to improve scalp health and stimulate strong, lengthy strands.
  
  

• Take hair growth supplements infused with Biotin, Aloe Vera, or Saw Palmetto to maintain scalp health, balance hormones, and promote healthy growth.
  
  

• Incorporate styling tools that aid in hair wellness. For instance, our SPA STYLER® Blow Dry + Scalp Massage uses red light and infrared tech to enhance your hair and scalp health. The best part? It’s trichologist-recommended for a healthier scalp and enviable locks.

2. Invest in professional treatments

For those significant hair loss or genetic hair loss, learning what helps slow hair growth will require using treatments proven to stimulate hair regrowth.

• Minoxidil : a topical treatment that stimulates your hair follicles and increases blood flow to the scalp, prolonging the anagen phase, and reviving dormant follicles.

• Finasteride : an oral medication that inhibits testosterone conversion to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone that shrinks hair follicles. By reducing DHT, Finasteride delays hair loss and promotes regrowth.

• Transplants : A surgeon relocates hair follicles from areas of the scalp with dense growth (usually the back or sides) to those that are thinning or balding. Afterward, the transplanted follicles grow naturally in their new locations.

• Micropigmentation : A non-surgical procedure that deposits tiny amounts of pigment into patchy or balding areas of the scalp. This pigment mimics hair follicles and gives an illusion of a denser head of hair.

• Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) : Injects concentrated platelets from your blood into the scalp. These platelets stimulate hair follicles, promoting healing and new growth.
  
  

3. Shift your lifestyle habits

Prioritizing self-care also cultivates healthier hair.

• Incorporate foods for hair growth into your diet:

• Practice stress-relief techniques like scalp massages, meditation, yoga, and regular exercise to improve mental wellness and hair health.
  
  

4. Talk to your dermatologist

Sometimes, the smartest course of action is to consult your dermatologist. If you experience pain or irritation in the scalp, excessive hair loss, or drastically stunted growth, a quick visit to your doctor could provide the answers you need.