How Fast Does It Take Hair To Grow An Inch?

We've all been there before. You've gotten a haircut that turned out way shorter than you wanted it to be or you chopped off your lovely locks on an impulse. Maybe, you're growing out your dyed color and eagerly awaiting your natural hair to grow back in, or you're embarking on a journey to grow out your newfound grays and transform your hair with gray blending. No matter the when or why, waiting for your hair to grow in can seem painstakingly slow.

If you're waiting out a bad haircut, there are many ways to conceal it using styling techniques or hair products (via Allure). You can swoop over hair to one side or add some mousse or gel to make it appear less choppy while growing it out.  getIf you get desperate and have an important event to attend, you can grab a wig or extensions (via The Cut).

Still, nothing replaces having your hair the length you want it. The first thing to do while growing out your hair is to have reasonable expectations. How fast will your strands get to the length you want? 

The rate at which hair grows is complex and it's very individualized. According to Healthline, hair growth is affected by factors such as age, the type of hair you have, and your overall health. Live Science notes that it's often reported that hair grows at the rate of 6 inches per year, but that statistic doesn't take race into account.

Your hair may grow faster or slower depending on your face. A study done by the International Journal of Dermatology finds that those of Asian heritage tend to grow six inches of hair each year, while people of African descent average about four inches. White people fall somewhere in the middle, with their hair growing about five inches a year.

When the math is done, that comes out to an average of a half inch a month at best, surely not a great number for anyone growing out their hair. Yet there are simple daily lifestyle tips that may help get the process moving along faster.

You've no doubt seen hair and nail vitamins on pharmacy shelves and with good reason. Helen Reavey, a trichologist who studies diseases or problems related to the hair and scalp, told Byrdie, "When your hair is more brittle than usual or your nails are breaking, that's usually a sign that something's missing, so check with your doctor."

If your hair won't grow, it can be a sign of a vitamin deficiency, notes WebMD. You may be lacking iron, Vitamin D, zinc, or selenium. It can also result from not eating enough protein so a balanced diet is key.

Stress can play a big part in hair growth. "When you're stressed, your minerals go to protect your body and your hair is the last to get anything," explained Reavey. "The nutrients and vitamins go to protect all the other organs and it can stop blood supply from going into the hair, and then that can lead to hair loss. Stress can really cause a lot of hair loss."

Finally, simple life adjustments like protecting your hair from too much sun, product build-up, or minerals in hard water can also help restore optimal hair growth.