Why Is My Hair Not Growing? Common Causes and Solutions
Whether you’re trying to grow out a not-quite-right haircut or noticing your hair won’t budge past a certain length, you may be wondering: Why is my hair not growing?
So, does your hair stop growing at a certain length?
Not everyone has the genes required to grow ultra-long hair, but hair shouldn’t just stop growing for no reason. Here, we’ll talk about factors that influence hair growth, including the hair growth cycle, certain risk factors for stunted hair growth, and what you can do about it.
The Hair Growth Cycle Explained
Before we talk about specific reasons your hair stopped growing, we need to talk about the hair growth cycle, which largely influences when and for how long hair grows.
Anagen (Growth) Phase
During this phase, hair is actively growing. The growth phase lasts between two and six years, and at any given time, 85 to 90 percent of your hair follicles are in this phase.
Some people may have longer anagen phases than others.
Catagen (Transition) Phase
This short transition phase lasts about one to two weeks. During this time, hair stops growing as the follicle shrinks, and the hair separates from its blood supply so it can no longer grow.
Telogen (Resting) Phase
The telogen phase lasts around three months. Hair is no longer connected to the follicle but remains on the scalp. During this phase, hair is not growing. At any point, about 10 to 15 percent of your hair is in this resting phase before eventually shedding.
Exogen (Shedding) Phase
This is the final phase of the cycle, and it’s sometimes considered the final part of the telogen phase. In the exogen phase, hair actively sheds. You’ll shed 50 to 100 hairs per day during this part of the cycle, which typically lasts between two and five months (but remember it’s only a small portion of your total hair in this phase of the cycle).
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Why Is My Hair Not Growing?
Hair grows an average of a half an inch per month, or six inches a year. But several factors can slow hair growth or cause hair loss.
Male Pattern Baldness
One of the most common reasons for hair to stop growing is male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia). The condition affects as many as 50 percent of men by age 50.
It’s caused by a sensitivity to a male hormone known as dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is a byproduct of testosterone. When DHT binds to receptors in hair follicles, it can cause hair follicle miniaturisation (which is just a fancy way of saying that the follicle shrinks). This leads to slower hair growth and, ultimately, hair loss.
Male pattern baldness also shortens the anagen phase of the hair growth cycle.
Genetics
Genetics play a major role in whether you develop male pattern baldness since it's a hereditary condition. If anyone in your family has male pattern baldness, you’re more likely to develop it as well (and it turns out it’s a myth that baldness only passes through the maternal side of the family).
Some older research suggests that genes also influence the length of the hair growth cycle.
Stress
Telogen effluvium is a type of hair loss caused by a “shock to the system,” like illness, injury, or a stressful life event. Typically, you’ll notice hair loss a few months after the inciting event, which could include things like:
Drastic weight loss
An illness with a high fever
Childbirth
Surgery
Thyroid disorders
Emotional stress
Even if your hair loss isn’t as severe as telogen effluvium (where as much as 70 percent of hair sheds at once), cortisol (aka the stress hormone) can also disrupt the hair growth cycle.
Age
Research shows that aged hair follicles have a shorter growth cycle. All that means is that hair growth tends to slow down with age. Male pattern baldness also gets more and more common as you get older.
Breakage
It could be that your hair actually is growing from the root but breaking at the ends, so you’re not gaining length. Things that can lead to split ends and hair breakage are:
Chemical processing (things like bleaching, perms, and relaxers)
Regular heat styling
Brushing too much or too hard
Elastic hair ties
Very dry hair
Autoimmune Conditions
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition that disrupts the hair growth cycle. It causes patchy hair loss, and in some cases, permanent hair loss. Cicatricial alopecia (also called scarring alopecia) is another autoimmune condition that can slow hair growth and cause permanent hair loss.
Lupus and other autoimmune conditions can cause scalp inflammation, which can lead to patchy or scarring hair loss. Some immunosuppressive medications may also worsen thinning. Hashimoto’s and Graves’ diseases are autoimmune thyroid disorders that disrupt hormones. They may also have a link to alopecia areata.
Thyroid Issues (Hypothyroidism & Hyperthyroidism)
Thyroid hormones are important for healthy follicle development, metabolism, and proper hair cycling. Imbalances, which can include both underactive and overactive thyroid, can lead to hair thinning across the scalp, and can even impact eyebrows or body hair. Treatments exist to normalise thyroid levels, such as levothyroxine or antithyroid medications. These can lead to regrowth over several months, but new hair may look different in texture or colour.
Hormonal Imbalances
Hormones play an important role in hair loss and hair fall. Elevated dihydrotestosterone (DHT) (androgens) shrink follicles and shorten the growth phase, contributing to patterned thinning in men.
As mentioned earlier, cortisol, the stress hormone, can trigger telogen effluvium, a temporary shedding when many hairs enter the resting phase.
Nutritional Deficiencies
If your diet lacks vital nutrients, you may notice your hair is more brittle or growing more slowly. Be sure to eat a diet rich in iron, protein (keratin is the building block of hair and is composed of protein), zinc, biotin, and vitamin D.
You can learn more in our guide to vitamin deficiencies that cause hair loss.
Overall Scalp Health
A healthy scalp is the foundation for healthy hair growth. Things like hair product build-up and sweat can clog the hair follicle, potentially affecting the speed at which hair grows.
Certain scalp conditions, like dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, scalp psoriasis, and tinea capitis, can also cause scalp inflammation, potentially slowing growth.
How Your Doctor Might Test For Medical Conditions That Lead To Hair Loss
A dermatologist can help determine the root cause of your stunted hair growth or hair loss. To identify underlying causes, a healthcare provider may order the following tests:
Thyroid Panel: TSH, T3, T4
Hormone Levels: Testosterone, DHT, estrogen, progesterone, cortisol
Nutrient Tests: Iron (and ferritin), vitamin D, B12
Autoimmune Markers: ANA, thyroid antibodies
Inflammatory Markers: ESR, CRP
Hair/Scalp Analysis: Microscopic hair examination or scalp biopsy, if needed
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How Can I Speed Up Hair Growth?
Wondering how to fix stunted hair growth? The good news is that there are a few easy ways to speed up hair growth or slow hair loss. Let’s get into them.
Minoxidil
Minoxidil, the active component in Rogaine®, is a popular topical treatment for hair loss that has U.S. Food & Drug Administration approval — specifically to treat pattern baldness.
You apply minoxidil twice a day to areas with thinning or balding. As a vasodilator, it works by widening blood vessels, which helps lower blood pressure. This also increases the flow of blood, oxygen, and nutrients to the scalp. Additionally, it extends the anagen (growth) phase of the hair cycle.
Although oral minoxidil is approved by the FDA for high blood pressure, healthcare professionals sometimes prescribe it off-label to help manage androgenetic alopecia (AGA).
Hims offers both minoxidil foam and minoxidil solution.
Finasteride
Finasteride is another FDA-approved medication that you take once daily. It’s in a class of drugs known as 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, and it works by reducing DHT levels.
Topical finasteride is also an option, though it does not currently have FDA approval.
Minoxidil and finasteride can also be taken together, which research shows is more effective than either alone. Our topical finasteride and minoxidil spray combines the two ingredients.
If you’re curious to learn more about the (rare) side effects of hair loss medications, check out our guides on topical finasteride side effects and minoxidil side effects.
Hair Vitamins
If you suspect a nutritional deficiency is behind your stunted hair growth, it’s always a good idea to consult with a doctor who can perform a blood test to confirm.
There are biotin supplements containing other ingredients that help support hair health, like vitamins B12, B6, D, and folic acid.
Home Remedies
While hair loss medications are the most effective treatments, you can try things at home that may help speed up hair growth or slow hair loss.
Something as simple as using a heat protectant spray before styling your hair with hot tools can make a big difference.
Botanical ingredients don't have the same science behind them as hair loss medications, but they can be worth a shot.
These include:
Saw palmetto
Pumpkin seed oil
Rosemary oil
Onion water
Lavender oil
Peppermint oil
Aloe vera
Consider this the Cliff Notes, but you can learn more in our guides to the best oils for hair growth, saw palmetto for hair loss, and onion juice for hair growth.
Scalp Massage
Not only is scalp massage relaxing, but one (very) small study on nine participants who performed scalp massage daily found an increase in hair count at 24 weeks.
Microneedling
Microneedling is a procedure you can do at home using a dermaroller tool. It creates non-visible micro-injuries on the scalp, which cause blood and oxygen to rush to the scalp. This could theoretically stimulate hair follicles to produce new hair.
Most of the research on microneedling for hair loss is on using microneedling along with a topical hair loss treatment, like minoxidil. In one study, people who used a dermaroller weekly and minoxidil twice a day saw thicker hair, which lasted as long as eight months after the study (when the researchers checked back in).
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Why Is My Hair Not Growing? The Takeaway
Wondering why it seems like your hair stopped growing? Let’s recap:
The hair growth cycle sets the rate at which your hair grows, but other factors can play a role. These include genetics, stress, age, and medical conditions like male pattern baldness.
Breakage, nutritional deficiencies, and poor scalp health can all impact hair health. They can give the appearance of stunted hair growth, even if your hair is growing at the root.
The most effective treatments for hair growth and hair loss are FDA-approved medications. Minoxidil and finasteride are proven hair loss medications. But biotin supplements, scalp massage, microneedling, natural oils, and gentle hair care routines can also help support healthy hair growth.
For more tips, check out our guide on how to make hair grow faster.
Think you might be dealing with hair loss? Connect with a licensed healthcare provider online through our platform to learn more about the right treatments to set you on your path to healthy hair.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your GP about the risks and benefits of any treatment.