How Fast Does Hair Grow?

What Science and Dr. Ali Syed Say

If you’ve ever found yourself Googling how fast does hair grow, you’re not alone. From growth oils to vitamins, everyone’s chasing longer, stronger hair, but the real answer lies deeper in science. Dr. Ali Syed, cosmetic chemist and founder of As I Am, answered common hair misconceptions to separate fact from fiction and explore what truly influences hair growth rates, including ethnicity, scalp health, and the hair growth cycle.

And yes, your products do matter.

So, How Fast Does Hair Grow?

While it’s often said that hair grows about half an inch per month, research shows that growth rates can vary based on genetic background and individual biology. According to Dr. Syed, studies from leading institutions have found differences in average annual hair growth across populations. However, there is currently limited research on how factors like hair texture (such as curly or straight) affect growth. No matter your hair type, focusing on scalp health, moisture retention, and the right hair growth products can help support stronger, longer hair over time.

The Hair Growth Cycle: What’s Happening Beneath the Surface?

Hair doesn’t grow continuously, it goes through four main stages:

 

• Anagen (growth phase)
  
  
• Catagen (transition phase)
  
  
• Telogen (resting phase)
  
  
• Exogen (shedding phase)
  
  

Each follicle can produce up to 20 hairs in your lifetime. But hormones, especially DHT (dihydrotestosterone), can disrupt this rhythm.

Dr. Syed explains, “It continues to grow for anywhere from two to eight years but normally for three to four years, and then it starts to go into a small rest period, which is called the catagen phase.”

The enzyme 5-alpha reductase converts testosterone to DHT, but natural blockers like saw palmetto, beta-sitosterol, and antioxidants have shown promise in clinical studies.

Try: the As I Am Rice Water Collection, which features saw palmetto to help support healthy scalp function and promote fuller-looking hair.

The Role of Diet & Scalp Health in Hair Growth

Wondering how to grow hair faster? Don’t overlook what’s happening inside your body. Vitamin deficiencies: particularly iron, zinc, selenium, and vitamins D, A, and E can stall hair growth. But be careful: too much of certain nutrients (like iron) can do more harm than good.

As Dr. Syed explains, “If our diet is deficient or overloaded with certain things, that can impact hair growth.”

Scalp health is just as critical. According to Dr. Syed:

 

• Over 50% of people suffer from dandruff, often caused by the Malassezia furfur fungus
  
  
• Moisture retention supports stronger strands
  
  
• Anti-inflammatory ingredients improve follicle health
  
  

Try:

As I Am Rosemary Water – Naturally boosts follicle strength and helps create an optimal scalp environment.

As I Am Dry & Itchy Scalp Care – Helps manage flakes while maintaining moisture.

Debunking Hair Growth Myths

Let’s clear up some common misconceptions:

Myth: Trimming your hair makes it grow faster

 

Fact: Trimming helps reduce split ends, preventing breakage—but it doesn’t affect root-level hair growth

Fact: Regular hair oiling has now been proven to promote growth. Oils like almond oil and pumpkin seed oil contain phytosterols, which naturally support healthy follicles. As Dr. Syed explains, “The cycle still is the same… hair is growing in anagen, then telogen, and back again into anagen.” The key is keeping follicles healthy and active during that growth cycle.

Try: As I Am Moisture Milk, which contains sweet almond oil to help hydrate and softens curls while nourishing follicles for healthier hair over time

Protective Styling: Help or Harm?

We often think of protective styles like braids and twists as growth-friendly, but Dr. Syed warns that tension damage is a real threat.

“When you are doing the protective styles, let’s say you are braiding the hair, you’re putting some tension on the hair,” he explains. 

• Just one month of braiding can cause 14-16% strength loss.
  
  
• The weight from extensions can accelerate follicle damage
  
  
• Ongoing use may result in traction alopecia or even bald spots by age 40
  
  

That’s why post-style recovery is key. We recommend:

As I Am Bond Water – Proven to boost hair elasticity by 35% and repair structural damage.

As I Am Bond Oil – With cedarwood extract, it accelerates follicle regeneration and seals in shine.

As I Am Bond Shampoo & Conditioner – Strengthens strands from the inside out.

Can Products Really Help Hair Grow?

According to Dr. Syed, yes—but only if they support scalp health, strand strength, and moisture retention. These are the three pillars of healthy, consistent hair growth.

“Natural ingredients provide antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits, both of which play a key role in supporting scalp health and reducing breakage,” he explains.

His top picks include:

• As I Am Rosemary Oil & Water – Shown to strengthen strands by 130% and enhance circulation
  
  
• As I Am Bond Collection – Rebuilds inner hair structure and protects against breakage
  
  
• As I Am Rice Water Spray – Excellent for heat protection, detangling, and growth support during styling
  
  

Bonus Tip: Peptides like biotinyl tripeptide-1 and copper tripeptides have been clinically shown to support stronger, thicker, and fuller-looking hair by extending the anagen (growth) phase and energizing the hair follicle.

Try:

• As I Am Rosemary Wax Stick – Infused with biotinyl tripeptide-1, this styling essential not only smooths edges but also delivers targeted growth-supporting benefits right where you need them.
• As I Am Rice Water Conditioner – Formulated with copper tripeptides, this fortifying treatment helps rejuvenate the scalp and promote resilient, thriving strands.
  
  

These peptide-rich picks are easy to incorporate into any routine and work especially well when paired with the full Bond Collection for a complete growth-supportive system.

Final Thoughts: How Fast Does Hair Grow, Really?

On average, hair grows 0.3 to 0.5 inches per month, but that number means little without the right conditions. Factors like DHT, scalp inflammation, protective style damage, and nutrient levels all impact how much of that growth you actually retain. 

According to Dr. Syed, “Hair grows about an inch every two months—six inches in a year—when it’s healthy and cared for.” In other words, growth isn’t just about time; it’s about maintaining the scalp and strand environment that allows your hair to reach its full potential.

Support your growth goals with science-backed formulas.

Shop As I Am for products made to nourish your scalp, strengthen your strands, and help your hair thrive.