How Fast Does Your Hair Grow? A Breakdown of the Hair Growth Cycle

Hair is one of our most defining physical characteristics—visually, culturally, mentally and emotionally. It also protects the scalp from UV light and is important for your body’s internal temperature controls. And here’s a fun fact: Every person is born with about five million hair follicles on their body, with around one million of them located on the scalp. Each hair follicle is an active and energy consuming hair production factory that’s regulated by a series of complex biological processes.

Here’s how it works. Rather than producing the hair continuously, the follicle alternates period of activities with period of rest, when the hair is shed and is replaced by a new one. This is why shedding is a normal part of the hair growth cycle; the average person typically loses between 50 and 100 hairs each day. However, when shedding is excessive or the new hair grows back thinner than before there’s cause for concern. Hair thinning and/or receding hairlines require a closer look at underlying health, hormones, stress, and nutrition.  

How Fast Does Hair Normally Grow?

On average, human hair grows about 0.2 to 0.7 inches per month (0.5 to 1.7 centimeters).This is a slow but constant and steady process, and each follicle’s grow cycle (anagen phase) lasts between three and seven years, depending on genetic factors, but also on age, possible hair disorders and overall health. At the end of anagen the follicle shrinks and moves up in the skin (this short phase is called catagen phase), then enters its resting phase (telogen) that lasts for about three months. At the end of telogen, the follicle restarts its activity and produces a new hair that pushes out the old one. Each follicle on your scalp is always in a different phase of the hair growth cycle, which is why we don’t shed all our hair at once (as most mammals do).

Although you can’t drastically change the rate at which your hair grows, there are ways to create optimal growth conditions. Encouraging healthy follicle function, maintaining a balanced diet, and protecting the scalp can improve how much hair you retain and the quality of that growth. 

The Role of Nutrition in Hair Growth 

What you eat directly affects the health of your hair. While the hair shaft itself is technically “dead” (meaning it’s made of dead keratinized cells), hair production requires a lot of energy and nutrient delivery via blood flow. If your body lacks essential nutrients or is under physical stress, hair production can take a hit.

Protein, the primary building block of hair, is essential for maintaining structure and strength. A diet rich in protein, including chicken, fish, eggs, legumes, and low-fat dairy supports the development of resilient hair shafts. Omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin B12 also play key roles in scalp hydration and cellular energy production. Iron supports oxygen delivery to follicles, and iron deficiency is a common cause of shedding. Biotin (vitamin B7) aids keratin synthesis, and vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that’s important for scalp health and iron absorption. 

Zinc, selenium, and calcium contribute to follicle maintenance and protect against environmental damage. A balanced diet rich in these nutrients won’t necessarily speed up growth, but it ensures that your body has the tools it needs to grow strong, healthy hair and avoid unnecessary breakage.

Factors Affecting Hair Growth

Genetics set the stage for your hair’s baseline traits, including growth rate, thickness, curl pattern, and maximum length. These inherited features are non-negotiable, but understanding them can help manage expectations and inform smart hair care. 

As we age, hair growth slows. Hair shafts thin, pigment production decreases, and the growth phase shortens. Hormonal fluctuations also heavily influence hair growth. For women, perimenopause and menopause cause estrogen and progesterone to decline, and this affects the length of the natural cycle.

Life events like pregnancy and childbirth as well as thyroid imbalances or certain medications can affect the hair cycle and induce the follicles to prematurely enter the telogen phase. This type of hair loss, known as telogen effluvium, typically occurs postpartum (about three months after giving birth). Thyroid disease, certain infections, weight loss, stress and certain medications including antidepressants and blood pressure drugs can also force the follicles into the telogen phase.

The environment also plays an important role. UV rays, air pollution, and infrequent washing can cause oxidative stress, which can inflame the tissue that surrounds the follicles and inhibit healthy function. Smoking and exposure to certain chemicals may also restrict blood flow to the scalp, reducing nutrient availability. 

Styling practices can also influence how well your hair grows. Excessive heat, chemical treatments, and tight hairstyles all put stress on the shaft and root. Over time, these behaviors can cause breakage, thinning, and even permanent damage to the follicles.

Scalp Health: The Soil for Hair Growth

A healthy scalp provides the foundation for strong, resilient hair. Think of it as the soil in which hair grows. If it’s dry, inflamed, or nutrient-deficient, growth will be stunted. Each follicle needs oxygen and nutrients to function, and these are delivered via the scalp’s vascular network.

Sebum, the scalp’s natural oil, helps condition both skin and strands. But imbalance—whether overproduction leading to build up or underproduction causing dryness—can impair follicular health. Proper scalp care includes gentle cleansing, regular exfoliation, and treatments to maintain balance and circulation.

Conditions like seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, and fungal infections can lead to inflammation, flaking, or even scarring if left untreated. Simple practices like daily scalp massage can stimulate blood flow and support the follicular environment. These methods don’t just improve how fast hair grows, but also how shiny, and strong it becomes.

The Everyday Habits That Support Your Hair

Stress, sleep, hydration, and exercise also contribute to hair health.

Chronic stress raises cortisol levels, which can prematurely shift hair into the telogen phase, triggering increased shedding. This can follow major life events or periods of emotional upheaval.

Sleep is vital for cellular repair and when it’s disrupted, your body lacks the energy necessary for hair growth. Aerobic exercise, on the other hand, boosts circulation and helps deliver nutrients to the scalp more efficiently. 

Hydration is also essential for the health of the hair fibers. Dehydrated strands are more likely to break or split, making it harder to retain length. Meanwhile, smoking restricts blood vessels and reduces nutrient delivery, and alcohol can deplete key vitamins needed for follicular support.

By adopting habits that promote whole-body wellness, you help preserve your hair’s strength and longevity. These include getting enough sleep, managing stress, staying hydrated, eating a nutrient-dense diet, and minimizing exposure to damaging substances.

OMI Hair Growth Peptides: Nutritional Support

To make it easier to meet your nutritional needs, OMI created OMI Hair Growth Peptides, a supplement formulated to nourish hair from within. Its unique ingredients are Intermediate Filament Proteins (IFPs), a hydrolyzed keratin source rich in sulfur-containing amino acids that prevent hair loss by anchoring the follicle to the scalp.

OMI Hair Growth Peptides also includes a blend of B-vitamins, biotin, antioxidants and minerals like zinc and selenium. These nutrients support production of strong and healthy hair and help reduce shedding; OMI’s formula provides targeted support for anyone looking to improve hair resilience and vitality.

Hair Growth Peptides

The main innovation from OMI is its patented Hair Growth Peptides. These peptides are short chains of amino acids designed to signal and stimulate follicular activity. The formula includes keratin intermediate filament peptides, sulfur-rich peptides, and S-sulfonated peptides that work synergistically to repair follicle structure, enhance absorption, and support nutrient absorption.

In clinical studies, OMI Hair Growth Peptides were shown to increase collagen IV production in as little as six days, reinforcing the follicle’s structure and reducing the risk of early shedding. They also improved cortex integrity and keratin alignment, while increasing cystine levels by over 8 percent. This results in stronger, more elastic hair that’s less prone to breakage.

By targeting hair at the molecular level, these peptides support lasting improvements in hair strength, density, and anchoring.

Can You Actually Make Hair Grow Faster?

Despite the promises of many over-the-counter products, the core pace of hair growth is biologically fixed. You can’t dramatically increase how fast your hair grows, but you can influence how well it grows and to reduce hair loss. A healthy lifestyle, a balanced diet, and a healthy scalp all contributes to optimal hair growth.

The Takeaway

Hair growth is a complex biological process influenced by genetics, nutrition, lifestyle, and scalp health. While you may not be able to double your hair’s growth rate, you can absolutely help your hair to grow healthier and prevent premature loss. Through consistent care, balanced nutrition, and targeted products like OMI Hair Growth Peptides and OMI Hair Growth Peptides, it’s possible to grow hair that is not just longer, but better in every way.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How fast does hair grow per month?

On average, hair grows between 0.2 to 0.7 inches (0.5 to 1.7 centimeters) per month.

2. Can I speed up my hair growth rate naturally?

While you can’t change your biological growth rate, you can optimize thickness, strength and texture.

3. What nutrients are most important for hair health?

Protein, biotin, iron, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids are key for supporting strong, resilient hair.

4. Do OMI Hair Growth Peptides really work?

Yes, clinical studies show that OMI Hair Growth Peptides help strengthen hair, reduce shedding, and support follicle function.

5. Does stress really cause hair loss?

Chronic stress can disrupt the hair cycle, leading to increased shedding through a condition called telogen effluvium.