How long does it take to grow long hair?

It usually takes patience to go from short to long hair.

Hair grows gradually, and the rate of growth varies from person to person. Genetics, age and the hair’s natural growth cycle are among the factors that play a role.

If your goal is longer hair, it may therefore be more beneficial to focus on:

• minimising unnecessary hair breakage
• taking care of the ends
• gentle brushing
• using heat styling tools appropriately
• a hair care routine suited to your hair type

It can also be fun to take photos of your hair every few months if you’d like to track changes in length over time.

How fast does hair grow?

Hair doesn’t grow at the same rate for everyone.

Individual growth rates depend, amongst other things, on genetic and biological factors, and it is therefore difficult to predict exactly how long your hair will be after a certain number of months.

If your hair is breaking off at the ends at the same time, it may seem as though it isn’t getting any longer, even though natural growth is taking place at the hair root.

That’s why preventing unnecessary hair breakage is an important part of a routine focused on growing long hair.

The hair’s life cycle

Hair goes through different phases as part of its natural life cycle.

The growth phase

During the anagen phase, the hair grows actively.

How long a strand of hair remains in this phase varies from person to person and determines how long the hair can naturally grow.

The transition phase

The growth phase is followed by a shorter transition phase, during which the hair shaft’s active growth stops.

The resting and shedding phase

The hair then enters a resting phase, after which the hair shaft is eventually shed.

It is normal to lose hair as part of the hair’s natural cycle.

However, if you experience sudden, significant or persistent hair loss, you should contact your doctor.

Does age affect your hair?

Hair can change over the course of your life.

For example, some people experience changes in the density, texture or thickness of individual hairs as they age.

Hormonal changes can also play a role.

If you notice significant or sudden changes in your hair, it may be worth speaking to your doctor.

Step-by-step: How to look after your hair if you want it to grow long

1. Combine a gentle hair care routine with a varied diet

A varied and balanced diet is part of a healthy lifestyle.

When it comes specifically to vitamins and minerals in relation to hair, it is important to distinguish between approved health claims and general claims about increased hair growth.

For example, the following are approved claims:

Biotin helps maintain normal hair.

Zinc helps maintain normal hair.

This is not the same as saying that biotin or zinc makes hair grow faster, reduces hair loss or results in longer hair within a specific period of time.

Hair supplements

If you’re looking for a supplement to complement your regular diet, you can choose a product containing relevant vitamins and minerals.

Our Hair Vitamins contain, amongst other things, biotin and zinc.

Biotin and zinc help maintain normal hair.

Dietary supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.

Always follow the product’s recommended daily dose.

2. Take good care of the lengths and ends

If you want long hair, it’s important to look after your existing hair.

Hair can be damaged by, amongst other things:

• rough brushing
• repeated heat styling
• chemical treatments
• friction
• very tight hairstyles

When a strand of hair breaks, you lose length.

That’s why a gentle routine can be just as important as focusing on hair growth itself.

3. Wash your hair as often as you need to

There isn’t one ‘correct’ frequency for washing your hair that suits everyone.

Some people need to wash their hair daily, whilst others are better off leaving longer between washes.

This depends, amongst other things, on:

• hair type
• scalp
• activity level
• styling products
• personal preferences

Choose a shampoo that suits your hair and scalp.

After shampooing, you can apply conditioner to the lengths and ends to make your hair more manageable and easier to detangle.

A hair mask can also be used as and when required.

When your hair is wet, pat it dry gently rather than rubbing it vigorously with a regular towel.

A microfibre hair turban can be a practical option.

4. Scalp massage as part of your routine

A scalp massage can be a pleasant part of your hair care routine.

Use your fingertips or a scalp brush and massage gently in circular motions.

A Deep Scalp Brush, for example, can be used whilst washing your hair to distribute the shampoo and massage the scalp.

However, scalp massage should not be regarded as a proven method for making hair grow faster or as a treatment for hair loss.

Two products for your scalp routine

5. Brush your hair gently

Hair can be more fragile when wet.

If you’re brushing wet hair, it’s therefore a good idea to:

• start at the ends
• work your way gradually up through the lengths
• avoid dragging the brush through tangles
• choose a brush suitable for detangling

A Detangle Brush, for example, can be used for gentle detangling.

The aim is to minimise unnecessary tugging and hair breakage.

6. Limit very high temperatures

Heat styling tools can be fantastic for styling, but frequent use at high temperatures can put a strain on the hair shaft.

If you use a hairdryer, straighteners or curling tongs:

• use an appropriate temperature
• avoid heat-styling the same section an unnecessarily large number of times
• use a heat-protection product
• if possible, let your hair air-dry completely or partially

Read more in our guide to heat protection.

Hair extensions can also put strain on your hair, depending on the type, application and use. If you use extensions, correct application and maintenance are therefore important.

7. Trim the ends as needed

A haircut does not make the hair at the scalp grow faster.

However, a haircut can remove split or damaged ends and give the hair a more well-groomed appearance.

How often a trim is needed depends on factors such as:

• hair type
• previous chemical treatments
• styling habits
• how damaged the ends are

Read our guide on split ends here.

8. Ensure proper care and moisture

Conditioner, hair masks and leave-in products can help make your hair softer, more manageable and easier to detangle.

This can be particularly relevant if your hair is:

• dry
• curly
• coloured
• bleached
• subjected to frequent heat styling

Moisture and care do not make the hair follicles produce hair any faster, but can help protect the existing length from unnecessary damage.

Why isn’t my hair getting any longer?

If your hair feels as though it’s not growing any longer, there may be various explanations.

One possibility is quite simply that your hair is growing whilst the ends are splitting.

Genetics also play a significant role in how long the hair’s growth phase lasts, and thus how long your hair can naturally grow.

Other people may experience actual hair loss or changes in hair density.

If you experience:

• sudden hair loss
• patches of baldness
• significant thinning
• persistent changes in your hair

you should speak to your doctor.

It is not possible to determine with certainty, based on the appearance of the hair alone, whether the cause is, for example, a deficiency in a specific vitamin or mineral.

What about vitamins and minerals?

There are many claims about vitamins and hair growth online.

When discussing authorised health claims, it is important to stick to the specific wording.

For example:

Biotin contributes to the maintenance of normal hair.

Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal hair.

Selenium contributes to the maintenance of normal hair.

Other vitamins may have important functions in the body, but this does not automatically mean that they can be marketed as ingredients that promote hair growth.

A function such as cell division or energy metabolism should therefore not automatically be linked to a claim of longer or faster hair growth.

Ingredients in hair care products

If you want long hair, it may be worth focusing on products that suit your hair’s specific needs.

For dry or damaged lengths, for example, you might look for nourishing ingredients such as:

• various plant oils
• moisturising ingredients
• proteins in cosmetic hair care products
• ingredients that make the hair more manageable

The most important factor is the product’s overall formulation and the effect for which it has been developed.

Frequently asked questions about long hair

How much does hair grow in three months?

The rate of hair growth varies from person to person.

Therefore, it is not possible to give a precise answer as to how many centimetres your hair will grow in three months.

If you are also experiencing split ends, the visible change in length may also be less.

How much does hair grow in 14 days?

Over such a short period, the change will typically be minimal and may be difficult to see with the naked eye.

The rate of hair growth varies from person to person.

Can hair grow faster in the summer?

There may be individual and seasonal variations in the hair growth cycle, but one should be cautious about promising a specific increase in growth rate based solely on the time of year.

Your natural hair growth is influenced by several biological factors.

Can a good hair care routine make your hair grow faster?

A hair care routine primarily affects existing strands of hair and the scalp.

Gentle care can help minimise unnecessary hair breakage, allowing you to better maintain your hair length.

This is not the same as increasing the biological growth rate from the hair follicle.

Does biotin make hair longer?

Biotin has the following authorised health claim:

Biotin contributes to the maintenance of normal hair.

This is not the same as a claim that biotin makes hair grow faster or makes it longer.

Can zinc help your hair?

Zinc helps to maintain normal hair.

That is the relevant authorised health claim.

How long is ‘long hair’?

There is no official length at which hair is suddenly classified as long.

It depends, amongst other things, on body height, hairstyle and personal perception.

Can everyone grow very long hair?

No, not necessarily.

How long hair can naturally grow is influenced, amongst other things, by the length of the hair’s growth phase and individual genetic factors.

Product recommendations for a routine focused on long hair

If your goal is to maintain length, you can choose products based on different parts of your routine.

Hair Vitamins

Yuaia Hair Vitamins is a dietary supplement containing, amongst other things, biotin and zinc.

Biotin and zinc help to maintain healthy hair.

The product is designed to form part of your daily routine and is free from gluten, lactose, gelatine and sugar.

Always follow the recommended daily dose.

Dietary supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.

Grow & Glow Serum Formula+

Grow & Glow Serum Formula+ is a cosmetic serum designed for application directly to the scalp.

The serum contains, amongst other ingredients, Capilia Longa® and can be used as part of your regular scalp care routine.

Follow the product’s instructions for use.

Grow & Glow Hair Mask

Grow & Glow Hair Mask is designed to nourish the lengths and contains, amongst other ingredients, biotin, hydrolysed wheat protein and keratin.

The hair mask can be used when your hair needs extra care, moisture and a more well-groomed appearance.

Deep Scalp Brush

The Deep Scalp Brush can be used to massage the scalp and to distribute shampoo or scalp products.

The flexible silicone bristles make it easy to massage the scalp as part of your hair wash routine.

The brush should not be regarded as a product that, in itself, promotes hair growth.

Brief summary

If you want long hair, patience is a big part of the process.

You cannot necessarily control your hair’s natural growth rate, but you can take good care of the length you already have.

Focus, amongst other things, on:

• gentle hair washing
• conditioner and hair masks as needed
• gentle brushing
• appropriate use of heat styling tools
• heat protection
• minimising unnecessary hair breakage
• a varied and balanced diet

When it comes to vitamins and minerals, it is important to stick to the specific approved health claims.

Biotin, zinc and selenium help to maintain normal hair.

This is not the same as promising faster hair growth, longer hair or reduced hair loss.