I just checked out Igors hair. Major jealousy!!! Sorry Igor. If she can grow that long from bald, in five years, then I feel her hair grows fast! I've been growing mine for around 5yrs also. I started at around 4" and now its around 28. Is age a factor? Don't get me wrong I love my hair; but I want it to be longer. It seems like it grows at a crawl. Btw Igor your hair is awesome!

Simple answer: Yes. It's all in the genes(either that or somebody's putting RapidGro in their water :silly: ). I can think of several speed growers here, but most of us are going to average 1/2 inch per month, and if we're approaching terminal length, it's going to be less than that.

Definately. Just like with everything else, growth rate varies. I personally have a rather high growth rate, in the summer it was 1.5 inches a month, now that it's winter it's gone down to about 3/4 of an inch per month. Some people here have very low growth rates and it takes a few months to even see half an inch. It all depends on who you are, although there are some things that ::might:: increase your growth rate to your own personal maximum, such as vitamins, exercise, and scalp massage. However, for everyone there is a genetic determination of how fast your hair will grow, and you can't exede that. If you're genes say you'll grow half an inch a month, no matter how much you run, how much you rub your scalp, or what you eat, your hair will only grow half an inch a month.

Mine averages out to be about 1/2-inch per month, but I have months when it doesn't grow at all and months when it grows pretty fast. The fastest growth I've ever recorded was 1-1/4 inches in 3 weeks. If I had that as my average growth rate - wow!

Anyway, patience is the name of the long hair- growing game for most of us.

Simple answer: Yes. It's all in the genes(either that or somebody's putting RapidGro in their water :silly: ). I can think of several speed growers here, but most of us are going to average 1/2 inch per month, and if we're approaching terminal length, it's going to be less than that.

Ok, so now another variable to the original post in question... My sister's hair doesn't grow nearly as fast as mine-- is genetic simmilarity a bigger factor, or general care, or none of the above? Her hairtype is the same as mine, but she colors and services her hair often. Also, she's my older sister... does age slow hair growth too? Is it just that we're two different folks? Or is there really no simple answer...(such is life)

:flower:

joyful: I doubt it's age, unless she's 30 years older than you. And just because you come from the same set of genes doesn't mean you ::have:: the same genes, unless you're identical twins (in which case you're clones! Awesome!). It could be almost anything, it might be the genetic factor, it might be the coloring (if she's applying it to the scalp too much it could damage her hair folicles...I think), it might be her diet, it could be anything!

Ok, so now another variable to the original post in question... My sister's hair doesn't grow nearly as fast as mine-- is genetic simmilarity a bigger factor, or general care, or none of the above? Her hairtype is the same as mine, but she colors and services her hair often. Also, she's my older sister... does age slow hair growth too? Is it just that we're two different folks? Or is there really no simple answer...(such is life)

:flower:
I think the bolded part is probably the biggest factor. However, since you are siblings, there could also be similarities in your growth, so I should amend my "all in the genes" comment to just "in the genes" and mention genetic potential. *If* you both have the same genetic potential for growth rate, then hers could be slower because of age or chemical services(I wouldn't be surprised if both of those affect some people but not others). Illness or nutritional deficiencies can also reduce hair growth, so maybe you eat better than she does. Or, maybe you have different potential maximum growth rates, and you are each at them.

Yup, all hair grows at different speeds My hair grows at least an inch and a half a month, sometimes more. Everyone in my family has a really fast growth rate.

Even identical twins, who possess the exact same genes, can have very different hair growth rates. Genetics plays a role, as does diet, age, stress, health, etc. There are countless factors that play into hair growth rate. Also, for most people, growth rate is not constant. Your growth can change depending on what "cycle" your hair is in. Most people's hair goes through periods of rapid growth, average growth, and even a rest state with almost no growth.

As Flaxen wrote, maximum growth rate is what you've been programmed to have, all other things being normal (stress, nutrition, rest, illness, medications, etc.). Your maximum (terminal) length is also programmed. This is just like height, actually. Malnutrition can stunt growth. Good nutrition allows us to reach our maximum potential at the maximum rate.

It also varies, as Spidermom wrote, from time to time. I've gone two months with no growth, then grown over an inch in one month. I didn't know before I came here that was possible.

Age is definitely a factor. All of your growth rates slow down; cell turnover is slower, etc.

You know the old saying: Old age ain't for sissies.

Thanks for the responses Mrar, allege, paradoxx, zule everyone... there are 12 years difference between my sister and myself and we live pretty differently.. so it makes sense. I have noticed subtle differences over time with my own hair, if anything it leads directly to learning to love the individuality of my own timing. Thanks!

Yep, mine has grown from 17' in April to 20' present. Very slow. :boohoo:

Jami

Yes, everyone has somewhat different growth rates. Over the last year, I have averaged just over 3/4" a month. I have the fastest growth rate in our family, tho my mother runs a very close second. Her hair still grows quite rapidly and she is sixty-four. I am fourty-two and my hair grows just as fast as it ever has.

Joyful, I think a big difference between the growth rate of you and your sister is the way you both treat your hair. Damage slows growth rate because the hair is breaking at the ends, sometimes as fast as it grows at the root. (Been there, done that.)

Thanks everyone for all the replies! It makes me feel better; even though I long for faster growing. It's OK though I still consider myself a long hair at this length.

Hi Chrissy I think age is a big factor. Also if you are going threw the change of life. With me, my hair use to be so thick now it just adverage. Also Medications also play a factor.
Flax I love your saying. (either that or somebody's putting RapidGro in their water :silly: ) Laughing my a** off.

I always thought that my hair hardly grew at all until I started using henna. Now I can see what's going on every month. It gets curlier the longer it gets and looks as though there is no new growth. I do only get about 1/3 to 1/2 every month. My sweet DH grows about an inch a month! He's never had to get upset over a bad haircut because he doesn't have to live with it very long. I am constantly cutting his hair to keep it in navy standards! Plus his beard grows so fast that there have been many times he has gotten yelled at in the afternoon for not shaving that day--when he does shave every morning! I am really happy that at least two of our children have inherited his hair growth genes!!!!

Yes, different people have hair that grows at different rates.

Slower hair growth is not always a disadvantage. Your hair accumulates weight at a slower rate if it is growing slowly, and that means that you have an easier time adapting to the increasing weight of your hair. You also will be able to use any given updo for a longer time, and have to spend less effort adjusting to how your hair changes as it gains length.

My hair has grown from above the shoulders all the way to mid-back but seems to have stopped there for the last two years.

Any advice on how to get it going again?

Ok, so now another variable to the original post in question... My sister's hair doesn't grow nearly as fast as mine-- is genetic simmilarity a bigger factor, or general care, or none of the above? Her hairtype is the same as mine, but she colors and services her hair often. Also, she's my older sister... does age slow hair growth too? Is it just that we're two different folks? Or is there really no simple answer...(such is life)

:flower:

I'll be 47 yo in a couple of weeks and my average growth rate is between 1" and 1.5" per month - I've always been a fast grower. My dd, who is 19, only averages about 0.5" per month. My other dd, who is 17, has a growth rate similar to mine. My mother could never grow her hair past her shoulders. Her mother had hair down to the floor. I think it is all very individual.

Slower hair growth is not always a disadvantage. Your hair accumulates weight at a slower rate if it is growing slowly, and that means that you have an easier time adapting to the increasing weight of your hair. You also will be able to use any given updo for a longer time, and have to spend less effort adjusting to how your hair changes as it gains length.

Good points - all. Thanks for that.

I use to think my hair grew fast. The strange thing is that as soon I started taking better care of it and watching it closer, it decided to slow down- A LOT. Hummm, maybe my hair is shy! It's almost time to measure again. I hope it grew a little....

My hair has grown from above the shoulders all the way to mid-back but seems to have stopped there for the last two years.

Any advice on how to get it going again?
Patience? :lol:

Okay, seriously, you must be approaching 30 inches, and more than a few people have reported stalling there for an extended time. If you're not at terminal, growth should start again on it's own, so you just have to make sure to eat right, sleep well, get exercise; etc, and also make sure you don't have breakage that is cancelling out any gain in length. You could try massages, too, or one of the oils like Meg's blend(on the Recipe Board) or Moonchaser's Oil(sold on eBay, but there's a long thread about it on the Products Board).:smile:

As far as age goes, both of my younger sisters (one 13 mos., the other 3 years my junior) have hair that grows much slower along with more grey hairs. I attribute this to the fact that I've always been more active, paid *very* close attention to my diet, and have taken a number of supplements to help with overall health, growth, etc. Believe it or not, both sisters accuse me of touching up my hair because I have virtually no grey hairs! The doesn't mean to say that everyone who does the same will get the same results. Just an observation..............


joyful: I doubt it's age, unless she's 30 years older than you. And just because you come from the same set of genes doesn't mean you ::have:: the same genes, unless you're identical twins (in which case you're clones! Awesome!). It could be almost anything, it might be the genetic factor, it might be the coloring (if she's applying it to the scalp too much it could damage her hair folicles...I think), it might be her diet, it could be anything!

Everyone have a different grow rate. My friend had chin lenght hair, and in 5 years, she had them almost to tailbone.

I didn't pay attention to the growth of my hair until I came here. And I think it grow one inch a month, I'm not sure. Will see in my next measure, wich is tomorrow.

Here's a pic where my hair had grow a LOT for me, I was :O :

http://img482.imageshack.us/img482/8857/hairgrowingch2.png

I'm totally jealous of you dcs60. My hair growth is only about 1/2 inch month which is tooo slow *sigh*

Oh, I can definitely say: yes. I can see a huge in difference in two of my daughters. My oldest (14) has very fine dark blong hair. But it grows at lightning speed compared to the other girls. Just last summer I cut it short and she is already past BSL. My 8y. was like her twin when born, then had very very fine hair and now has such thick hair that it's almost double of the oldest. But it grows extremely slow. I would dare to say only half of what the oldest has grown at the same time. The 2nd and 2th daughter have dark hair and their growth is somewhere in the middle.

Patience? :lol:

Okay, seriously, you must be approaching 30 inches, and more than a few people have reported stalling there for an extended time. If you're not at terminal, growth should start again on it's own, so you just have to make sure to eat right, sleep well, get exercise; etc, and also make sure you don't have breakage that is cancelling out any gain in length. You could try massages, too, or one of the oils like Meg's blend(on the Recipe Board) or Moonchaser's Oil(sold on eBay, but there's a long thread about it on the Products Board).:smile:

Thanks for the advice Flaxen.
I didn't know that 30 inches was a common stall zone.. I feel more hopeful now that it isn't my terminal growth point. :). I do need to eat a more balanced diet
I sleep well, get plenty of exercise. Need work on the preventing breakage part.
I don't know about oiling my hair -- I'ill have to read the thread. :)

Thanks again :)