The Long Hair Community - Does everyones hair grow at a different rate?

Chrissy · December 26th, 2006, 06:38 AM

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!

**Flaxen** · December 26th, 2006, 10:23 AM

Simple answer: Yes. It's all in the genes(either that or somebody's putting RapidGro in their water

). 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.

Mrar34 · December 26th, 2006, 11:46 AM

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.

spidermom · December 26th, 2006, 01:04 PM

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.

joyful373 · December 26th, 2006, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flaxen

Simple answer: Yes. It's all in the genes(either that or somebody's putting RapidGro in their water

). 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)

Mrar34 · December 26th, 2006, 02:26 PM

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!

**Flaxen** · December 26th, 2006, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joyful373

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)

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.

allege · December 26th, 2006, 04:21 PM

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.

paradoxx · December 26th, 2006, 09:36 PM

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.

zule · December 26th, 2006, 09:54 PM

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.

joyful373 · December 27th, 2006, 10:44 AM

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!

southerngurl · December 27th, 2006, 10:47 AM

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

Jami

Shermie Girl · December 27th, 2006, 10:52 AM

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.)

Chrissy · December 27th, 2006, 11:56 AM

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.

Catladyintown · December 27th, 2006, 02:03 PM

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

) Laughing my a** off.