Hair growth can be caused by factors such as age, genetics, hormones, and stress. Depending on the cause, there are natural remedies and medical treatments that may help.
Many people will find that their hair stops growing after a certain point. Maybe it seems to be thinning in a certain area, or it won’t grow past a certain length, or you notice that one side seems to grow more quickly than the other.
In this article, we’ll talk about the reasons hair may stop growing and what you can do to get more length.
The hair growth cycle has
Not all the individual hair follicles are in the same phase at once. It’s estimated that
- Anagen phase: This is the active growth phase of hair that generally lasts 2 to 8 years. Pregnant people’s hair typically remains in the anagen phase for the entire pregnancy, which is why it’s common for pregnant people’s hair to look thicker and shinier than normal.
- Catagen phase: This is the transition phase when hair stops actively growing but doesn’t fall out. It lasts 4 to 6 weeks
- Telegen phase: This is the “resting phase” when hair falls out. You might notice more hair coming out in the shower or on your pillow. It lasts 2 to 3 months.
- Exogen phase: This is when your hair naturally sheds from your scalp with the help of washing and brushing. This stage usually lasts 2-5 months and involves losing 50-100 hairs per day while new ones grow in the follicles.
Beyond the hair growth cycle, there are a
- Genetics: Family history and genetics play a role in hair loss for both sexes. This includes female pattern hair loss (FPHL) and male pattern hair loss (MPHL). If your parents experience thinning hair, there’s a chance you may, too.
- Age: Many postmenopausal females assigned at birth (FAABs) will experience hair loss as a result of changing hormone levels. In addition, according to the American Hair Loss Association, by age 50, 85% of males assigned at birth (FAAB) will have “significantly” thinner hair.
- Hormones: When the thyroid’s healthy functioning is impaired, it can disrupt the production of thyroid hormones, which can cause hair loss. Sometimes, dysfunction is related to androgens, which are the sex hormones responsible for typical “male” characteristics and include testosterone.
- Stress: Stress is known to cause hair loss by releasing cortisol, which stops hair growth. It can also worsen certain types of alopecia and cause inflammation around hair follicles. Stress can also put hair into telogen effluvium, a temporary state of hair loss.
- Immune system: Alopecia areata and primary cicatricial alopecia are both caused by a dysfunction in the immune system.
- Other health conditions: Problems with hair growth may also be related to certain health conditions such as liver and kidney failure, rheumatological disorders, sarcoidosis, or cancer.
Certain medications can also prevent hair growth or cause hair loss, such as, for example, chemotherapy. Talk with your doctor if you’re experiencing any other symptoms besides hair loss that might indicate an underlying cause.
Your lack of hair growth may also depend on the situation.
After a haircut
Hair grows about a
Regular haircuts should actually make your hair grow faster, as trims help remove split ends, which can break off and make hair look shorter.
You may also want to take a break from coloring your hair. The dye can be damaging to the hair, causing it to grow slowly or break.
In one spot
If hair has stopped growing in one spot or it looks patchy, it may be a sign of alopecia areata. If this is the case, your doctor can help you find the right treatment plan.
On one side
Hair can actually grow faster on one side. Each hair follicle has its own blood supply, and it’s possible that one side of the head has better circulation. Better circulation means faster hair growth.
Consistently sleeping on the same side of the head can also cause that side to grow more slowly.
After a stressful event
Particularly stressful times in your life can lead to noticeable hair loss. This can occur following a significantly stressful event, such as:
- surgery
- childbirth
- the loss of a loved one
You may notice your hair shedding after a single traumatic event or after a period of stress.
There are home remedies you can try that may help you keep the hair you have. It should be noted that it’s difficult to regrow hair that’s already been lost due to balding. Home remedies for hair growth include:
- Scalp massage: This encourages blood flow to the scalp and
may also improve hair’s thickness. - Aloe vera: Aloe vera can condition the scalp and hair. It
may strengthen the hair, making it less likely to break off. - Rosemary oil: This oil can stimulate new hair growth, especially when in the case of alopecia.
- Geranium oil: This oil
has been shown to improve circulation and promote hair growth in mice, though more research is needed on humans. - Biotin: Biotin may help with hair growth, though it’s generally only effective if there’s a biotin deficiency, which is rare.
Research in biotin and hair growth is also limited. - Saw palmetto: This is a plant-based ingredient. The
research is mixed, saw palmetto may block 5-alpha-reductase, an enzyme that converts testosterone to the hair loss-causing hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
There are prescription options available for people who are looking to prevent further hair loss or increase growth after hair loss. Clinical treatment options for hair loss include the following:
- Minoxidil: This drug is a
first-line treatment available without a prescription for male and female pattern hair loss. - Finasteride (Propecia): Thus drug
works by blocking an enzyme known as 5-alpha-reductase, which causes hair loss. - Hair transplant: This is a surgical procedure where a clinician moves hair to cover a bald spot.
- Scalp micropigmentation: This is a procedure that creates the illusion of fuller hair by essentially tattooing shadow-like dots on the scalp.
There are several other ways to achieve the appearance of fuller hair.
Hair extensions
Hair extensions are a good option if your hair won’t grow past a certain length. You can have a professional hairstylist sew or glue them into your hair, or you can opt for clip-in extensions you can do yourself at home.
Diet tweaks
Consuming the right blend of nutrients may help with hair growth.
Toupee
A toupee is a hairpiece that’s designed to match your existing hair. It can be glued over a bald spot to temporarily give the illusion of full hair.
Sprays
There are sprays, sometimes called hair concealers, that you can spray in areas where hair is thinning to make it look thicker.
If you’re feeling ill when you begin to notice hair loss or if your scalp feels painful or irritated, it’s a good idea to check in with your doctor. They’ll help you get to the root of the problem.
Before taking a prescription drug or undergoing a medical procedure, you should also consult your dermatologist or primary care physician.
Hair can stop growing or grow slowly for a variety of reasons, including age, genetics, hormones, or stress. You may notice your hair stops growing in one spot or seems to be growing slowly on one side.
There are plenty of treatment options for slow-growing hair, including:
- medication
- vitamins
- diet tweaks
- cosmetic procedures
Always check in with your doctor if you’re experiencing other symptoms in addition to hair loss or if your scalp is inflamed or irritated.