8 Reasons Why Your Hair Won't Grow & How To Fix

Medically reviewedby Dr. Ahmad Chaudhry M.B.B.S.
WrittenbyLuat Duong
Last updated

According to the latest research carried out by the American College of Dermatology, about one in a hundred can suffer from this problem of no hair growth. It makes you really wonder what can possibly have caused it.

In this article, we will discuss why won't your hair grow and the best remedies to cope with this situation.

    Why won't my hair grow?

    hair growth cycle

    Hair may not grow due to genetics, stress, poor nutrition, damage from styling, medical conditions, medications, and aging. Seeing a doctor can help diagnose the cause. Reduce stress, eat a balanced diet, use gentle hair products, and get checkups to support healthy hair growth.

    Stress

    Almost every second person in our society is suffering from stress. It can be in the form of anxiety, depression, psychosis, and work. Stress increases steroids, testosterone, and other hormones, which decreases hair growth eventually; our hair won't grow.

    It is also a temporary hair growth stoppage and can be restored once the hormonal rush settles.

    Age

    Hairs grow best in the adult age before forty years of age. After forty years, hair starts shedding, and we may encounter pattern baldness. It is a permanent form of hair loss and one of the leading causes our hair won't grow.

    Genetics

    Genetics is something that runs in families. Some people inherit such genes which inhibit the growth of hair follicles. It is an unstoppable phenomenon, and there are a few agents that diagnose and prevent genetic hair follicle growth inhibition.

    Poor diet

    Diet has a pivotal role in the growth of hair. It is believed that people who eat food rich in proteins seldom face hair growth restrictions.

    Many people with a poor diet can meet the poor or no hair growth. It is a reversible phenomenon and can be treated easily by good diet intake.

    Medications

    Many medications have a direct impact on hair follicles. These include testosterone, finasteride, and other anti-cancer drugs. They are the sole culprits in people who complain that their hair is not growing.

    Thyroid hormone and hair growth

    The thyroid hormone is growth-promoting and regulates the metabolism of our body. Its deficiency inhibits the growth of hair. This is the reason that many hypothyroid patients often complain of decreased or no hair growth.

    PTSD

    Post-traumatic stress order has a tremendous negative impact on our body hormones. It results in decreased or no growth of hairs. It is a temporary inhibition, and hair starts growing once PTSD gets settled.

    Pregnancy and childbirth

    Excessive hormonal rush due to childbirth, pregnancy, and labor results in the shedding of normal hair. The hairs enter into the telogen phase, which is a resting phase in the hair growth cycle. They start growing again once the body gets out of the stress period.

    Read how to prevent hair loss during pregnancy here.

    Post-surgery

    Many people have faced the stoppage of hair growth after surgery due to extreme stress conditions that we have to face after surgery. It is due to increased nutrient demand and less nutrient intake.

    Poor hygiene

    People who have poor hygiene often complain that their hair stops growing or is growing very slowly. It is due to disturbances in the body that ultimately results in this condition.

    Significant hair modification

    After having a significant hair modification, hair usually takes time to grow back. There is a temporary stop in the growth, but they grow back soon.

    Radiotherapy

    Many cancer patients complain that after the radiotherapy sessions, their hair starts thinning and not growing well. It is a normal process, and they will start growing again soon once the effect of radio waves on the hair starts getting off.

    Male pattern baldness

    Male pattern baldness is associated with hair loss in a particular pattern. The hairs that shed will never grow back unless we apply some dermatologist's approved product to get them back.

    Find out early signs of balding to stop it in its track.

    Estrogen pills

    Estrogen is an active constituent of combined oral contraceptive pills. They inhibit hair regrowth and promote hair fall. That is the common reason why every middle-aged female is complaining that hair is not growing back.

    Medical conditions

    Many people, although they look fit but deep inside, they suffer from many dermatological diseases. These diseases are common in our society due to the prevalence of fungi and bacteria. If you are suffering from any of such conditions, your hair stops growing due to the ongoing inflammatory process.

    Diabetes can also cause the stoppage of hair growth and, in worse cases, hair loss itself.

    Environmental conditions

    Due to excessive exposure to sun and ultraviolet rays, many factors are produced in the hair, stopping hair growth. Furthermore, people who live in extreme environments also experienced that they tend to lose their hair more and cannot regrow them.

    Poor sleeping posture

    Poor sleeping posture is associated with the stoppage of hair growth. It is because the blood supply to your hair becomes compromised, and the hair stops growing. Lack of sleep and staying up late might also cause hair loss.

    Harmful products

    People who use substandard products face more such problems. These products damage your hair right from the root and don't allow them to grow back. There are also certain ingredients you'd want to avoid to save your hair from further damages.

    This is the most dangerous situation as, at times, it progresses to permanent hair loss.

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    How can you grow your hair back?

    woman with long hair

    Before discussing the various options to grow your hair back, it is essential to understand that we have to evaluate the root cause of why our hair is not growing back.

    Most of the time, it is due to disease conditions. At times it is expected to be environmental damages or nutrient deficiency. So ruling out the cause and treat it wisely using the below-mentioned treatments.

    Scandinavian Biolabs Hair Growth Routine

    Our hair growth routine is designed to help grow hair naturally without any harmful side effects.

    Hair Growth Routine | For Men
    Hair Growth Routine | For Men
    3-step growth system to combat shedding
    Hair Growth Routine | For Women
    Hair Growth Routine | For Women
    3-step growth system to combat thinning

    Hair massage

    Hair massage increases the blood flow to your scalp; eventually, your hair gets the desired amount of nutrients, and they start growing back.

    Natural plants

    Many natural plants are hair growth boosters. These include aloe vera, rosemary, peppermint and others. Aloe vera is an antioxidant and hair growth booster. It can be used in the form of gel over the hair.

    Regular oiling of hairs

     Regular oiling provides the hair with essential nutrients required for its growth. Commonly recommended oils are rosemary oil and geranium oil. It is necessary to properly smear your hair in oil until it enters the roots.(Patel et al., 2017; Schwalfenberg, 2006)

    Biotin and saw palmetto

    These are the natural ingredients from plants. Their deficiency in the body doesn't allow the hairs to grow. Hence, taking the biotin in an appropriate amount prevents your hair growth inhibition. (Patel et al., 2017)

    Omega-3 fatty acids

    These are the natural source of energy for our body and accelerate hair growth. If you are suffering from any fatty acid deficiency, it is depicted in the form of hair growth stoppage.

    Reference

    Patel, D. P., Swink, S. M., & Castelo-Soccio, L. (2017). A Review of the Use of Biotin for Hair Loss. Skin Appendage Disorders, 3(3). https://doi.org/10.1159/000462981

    Schwalfenberg, G. (2006). Omega-3 fatty acids: Their beneficial role in cardiovascular health. Canadian Family Physician Medecin de Famille Canadien, 52(6), 734.

    Suchonwanit, P., Thammarucha, S., & Leerunyakul, K. (2019). Minoxidil and its use in hair disorders: a review. Drug Design, Development and Therapy, 13, 2777.

    Luat Duong

    Luat Duong is a Copenhagen-based writer and content strategist specializing in hair loss and health. His work has been featured in MyHealthGuide, The Right Hairstyles, and Woman's Era. He is a graduate of Vaasa University. You can connect with him on LinkedIn.