How Long Does It Take For Hair To Grow Back?

Medically reviewed by Dr. Ahmad Chaudhry M.B.B.S.
Written by Our Editorial Team
Last updated

Hair, along with skin, are essential organs of our body that imparts beauty, self-satisfaction, and confidence.

We all, sometimes in our lives, get entangled in scenarios where we start seeing thinning hair. It can be a physiological or pathological phenomenon, and in most cases, you shouldn't worry too much about it.

It leads us to the question how long does it take for hair to grow back?. You can't stop worrying if it doesn't return soon, right?

In this article, a dermatologist will discuss the average rate of hair growth and hair growth period after various physiological and disease-related hair loss.

Summary:

  1. How long does it take for hair to grow back?
  2. How to grow hair back faster?
  3. How does hair grow?
  4. Conclusion

How long does it take for hair to grow back?

Hair can regrow with variable speed after hair loss.

They cannot grow if the hair loss is due to dead hair follicles.

Let's discuss hair regrowth after various phenomena.

After haircut

hair regrowth after haircut

According to the American Society of Dermatology, after a hair cut in an average healthy person, it is usually a month to regrow your hair back by half an inch.

If you are a female and lost inches of hair in a haircut, remember it takes almost a year to regrow about six inches of new hair.

These figures vary in both genders, and researchers have proven that males have the innate ability to regrow their hair fast and effectively.

After chemotherapy

Post-chemotherapy hair loss is common in cancer patients. It happens due to the disastrous effect of cancer treatment on hair. After three months of hair thinning, soft hairs start appearing on the scalp skin.

The speed of hair growth after chemo is initially low, and then after a couple of months, it becomes normal to six inches a year.

After pattern baldness

a guy suffering from male pattern baldness

Male pattern baldness, commonly referred to as male pattern hair loss, is a normal physiological process that results in hereditary hair loss after forty years of age. It is a permanent hair loss, and we cannot regrow the hair back after pattern baldness.

Follow our guide to discover whether you have early signs of balding.

After hormonal disturbances

Hair growth is directly dependent on hormones like testosterone, progesterone, and estrogen. Many people experience an average physiological hair loss when there's a rush of testosterone.

It is normal, and we can get our hair back once the hormone level returns to the baseline. After the hormone level reaches normal, healthy hair growth happens again at the speed of six inches per year.

Variations are there depending on the hormone level and age of the person.

After dermatological pathologies

Hair loss after dermatological pathologies is a common side effect. It happens because of the direct attack of microorganisms on the hair follicle on the scalp.

Alopecia areata, scalp psoriasis, and hair fungal infections are the most common dermatological pathologies associated with hair thinning on the scalp.

New hair starts regrowing on the scalp once we cure them promptly with the medications. However, there are chances that it can become permanent, and hair does not grow back. Don't worry, you can always check out hair transplant options.

Ideally, hair on your scalp starts growing at half inches a month after one week of recovery from the ailment.

After waxing

Waxing hair removal the visible part of the hair on your scalp. It has nothing to do with the follicle and root. It usually takes a couple of weeks to see the sprouting of hairs again on the scalp skin. It is believed that hair regrowth happens faster after waxing the scalp.

After shaving

Shaving facial hair with a razor is a common practice to get rid of unwanted hair. It removes the hair just above the roots and preserves its ability to grow back.

It usually takes two weeks to get your hair back after shaving. After then they grow at the pace of half an inch per month.

After medical conditions

Thyroid disorder and diabetes are common conditions associated with hair loss. It is a relief to know that we can get our thinning hair on scalp back after the successful treatment of thyroid disease.

It is also possible to see regrowth on the scalp after radiation therapy.

Initially, the hair growth is prolonged, but it becomes standard in about one to two weeks.

How to grow hair back faster?

Hair growth rate depends upon the person's age, medications, genetics, and other reasons behind hair loss or slow growth rate.

If you're in a rush to get your natural hair ready for an important event in your life, we've got what you need.

1. Scandinavian Biolabs Hair Growth Routine

Our Bio-Pilixin clinical study revealed astonishing results with 73% participants reported a clinically tested increase in hair density. On top of that, 97% experience less hair loss.

But what if you're in the other 27%?

Unsuccessful cases are rare to us, however, it's not completely unheard of.

That's why our Hair Growth Routine For Men or Hair Growth Routine For Women come with a staggering 150 days money-back guarantee - one of the longest money-back guarantee in the entire industry.

In short, we guarantee it'll be effective, or we'll refund you everything.

Learn more about our guarantee.

scandinavian biolabs grow hair faster

2. Hair growth foods

You are what you eat is not wrong. Consuming foods that have been proven to increase the rate of hair growth is how you can naturally regrow your hair.

And the foods are not extravagant or exotic, most of them are available at your local supermarket.

3. Essential oils

There are trials done on essential oils to observe their effectiveness in hair growth and in combating hair loss. Some of the most well-known essential oils that help grow hair faster are:

  • Pumpkin seed oil
  • Argan oil
  • Jojoba oil
  • Coconut oil
  • Olive oil
  • Peppermint oil
  • Lavender oil
  • Tea tree oil

It's important to consult with a doctor before using these oils as they can sometimes have serious side effects.

4. Lifestyle changes

Lifestyle changes also do affect hair growth quite a bit. Stress, smoking, insomnia and nutritional deficiencies are some of the most popular causes of hair loss and/or slow hair growth.

  • Stress

Try stress relief methods such as yoga, mediation, aromatherapy, massage, etc. These can help your hair growth rate.

  • Smoking

Smoking is a risk to both your lungs and your hair. To grow hair faster, it's recommended to reduce or quit smoking.

  • Insomnia

Lack of sleep is a cause of hair loss - which can make it seem like your hair is growing slow (as more hair falls than normal).

  • Nutritional deficiencies

Lacking in vitamins and minerals vital for hair growth will make it slower to see hair growth. Consult with a nutritionist or a doctor and take supplements.

How does hair grow?

Hair growth starts from the hair follicle in the scalp and skin. They are also called hair roots. It gets its mandatory nourishment from the blood vessels and starts growing. They go through three growth stages: anagen, telogen, catagen, and exogen. During the exogen phase, you will see hair shedding - and it's completely normal.

stage of hair growth anagen, telogen, catagen, exogen

Ideally, in a healthy person, hair growth happens about half an inch in a month. It is a variable figure and changes from person to person depending on genetics, age, hair color, gender, climate, and ethnicity.

Some people can see fast hair growth using some products, while others can do it without any growth-enhancing product.

Conclusion

I believe that should answer your question "How Long Does It Take For Hair To Grow Back?".

New hair usually grows back at about half an inch per month. It is important to note that hair care is an essential practice to make it healthy, shiny, and grow fast.

About 99 percent of the time, it regrows back at the speed of half an inch per month. If it is not the case, you might want to contact your registered healthcare practitioner to treat the underlying pathology.

EDITOR'S PICK:

References

Bernard, B. A. (2016). Advances in Understanding Hair Growth. F1000Research5. https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.7520.1

Cafasso, J. (2019, February 15). How Long Does It Take for Hair to Grow Back in Various Cases? https://www.healthline.com/health/how-long-does-it-take-for-hair-to-grow-back

Miteva, M., Misciali, C., Fanti, P. A., Vincenzi, C., Romanelli, P., & Tosti, A. (2011). Permanent alopecia after systemic chemotherapy: a clinicopathological study of 10 cases. The American Journal of Dermatopathology33(4). https://doi.org/10.1097/DAD.0b013e3181fcfc25

Van Neste, D. (2004). Thickness, medullation and growth rate of female scalp hair are subject to significant variation according to pigmentation and scalp location during ageing. European Journal of Dermatology: EJD14(1). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14965792/

Dr. Ahmad Chaudhry M.B.B.S. is a House Physician in the Medical Unit 3 Allied Hospital, Faisalabad, and deals with hepatic, cardiac, neurological, and dermatological issues daily. He did his MBBS from Punjab Medical College, Faisalabad. He believes that a good haircare routine is one where you nourish it naturally. During his free time, he works as a dermatologist for Scandinavian Biolabs.