Faster hair growth? Isn’t that what everyone wishes for? Long voluminous hair that grows fast! While faster hair growth may be a dream come true, such growth can also be an indication that something is not normal with your body.

Table of Contents:

• Why Does My Hair Grow Faster Than Normal?
• An Imbalance of Male Hormones
• Pregnancy
• Thicker Hair Strands
• Gentle and Regular Brushing
• How to Maintain Faster Hair Growth?
• Consume a Well-Balanced Diet
• Include Essential Oils
• Follow a Healthy Haircare Routine

Why Does My Hair Grow Faster Than Normal?

Faster hair growth depends on your age, diet, lifestyle, as well as your roots. Studies show that hair of Asian women grows at the fastest rate while that of African women grows at the slowest rate.

This difference is believed to be due to a variance in the syntax of hair formation among women of these ethnicities. Factors such as hair density and hair growth angles differ among women of different racial roots, which leads to a difference in strand formation and growth.

Research shows that hair of Asian women grows at an average rate of 6 inches per year. Caucasian women witness a growth rate that is slightly over 5 inches. In African women, the growth rate is 4 inches. Men’s hair growth is similar to women’s, also depending on their race.

Experts also believe that hair growth may be different in different seasons. For example, in summer, hair growth may be faster. Intake of more vegetables and fruits during the season could be a possible reason. Any such growth, though, would be so slight that it is unnoticeable.

Apart from ethnicity, there are several reasons for faster hair growth. If you notice hair growth that is faster than normal, then the following factors could be the reason. Visit a dermatologist or doctor for an accurate diagnosis.

• An Imbalance of Male Hormones

Male hormones or androgens are not limited to men alone. Women have them too. The quantity of androgens is different in men and women. If you are a woman, and your hair is growing faster than normal, then an excess of androgens could be a reason.

• Pregnancy

During pregnancy, hair is in its growth stage, which can cause faster hair growth. The normal hair growth cycle consists of:

1. Anagen — Phase where hair grows. This stage lasts for 2 to 7 years.
2. Catagen – Phase of regression in which the lower portion of hair follicles undergoes regression and hair growth stops. This phase lasts for about 10 to 20 days.
3. Telogen – Phase in which hair follicles rests. It lasts for about four months.
4. Exogen – Phase of hair shedding. Hair shedding can occur during any stage of the hair growth cycle. But most of the hair undergoes shedding in the Exogen stage.

After Exogen, a new Anagen phase begins and hair regrowth starts again.

After childbirth, the hair growth cycle moves into the resting phase, following which you may witness hair loss. You usually witness hair loss 2 to 4 months after childbirth.

Another reason for faster hair growth during pregnancy is the changes in reproductive hormones.

These changes increase blood flow to your hair and enhance metabolism. As a result, you may witness faster hair growth.

• Thicker Hair Strands

Thicker hair strands tend to grow faster than their counterparts, reveals a study that examined over 56.000 anagen hairs. Feel a strand in between your fingers. If the strand feels like a thick sewing thread, then you have thicker strands. If you do not feel anything between the fingers, then you are a thinner-strand person.

• Gentle and Regular Brushing

If you are among those that brush their hair regularly, then you are more likely to experience faster hair growth. Brushing your hair daily delivers multiple benefits:

1. Helps distribute the body’s natural oils throughout hair, from roots to ends. Hair follicles have sebaceous glands, which secrete natural oils. These oils are essential to keep the scalp moisturized.
2. Daily brushing ensures that all parts of the hair receive natural oils. This even distribution keeps hair healthy and shiny.
3. Daily brushing delivers a massage-like effect to the scalp. Brushing improves blood flow to the hair and keeps the scalp active and healthy. These factors contribute to faster hair growth. 
4. Brushing removes loose hair without any damage. It also helps de-tangle hair smoothly. Brush your hair gently. Vigorous and rough brushing causes more damage than benefits.

How to Maintain Faster Hair Growth?

Unless faster hair growth is associated with an abnormality in your body, such as hormonal imbalance, you can maintain steady growth of strands.

• Consume a Well-Balanced Diet

Diets that restrict the consumption of certain nutrients can be damaging to hair. Hair needs all essential nutrients to grow healthy. Pay attention to your protein intake. Aim at consuming at least 50 grams of protein every day.

• Include Essential Oils

Essential oils such as tea tree oil and castor oil have excellent benefits for hair. You may want to explore the benefits of these oils in your haircare routine.

Tea tree oil removes and prevents dandruff. It unclogs hair follicles and soothes an itchy scalp. This oil is also a powerful solution for head lice. It prevents the growth of lice by stopping the hatching process of nits. It also destroys lice completely.

Tea tree oil also helps by removing build-up caused by hair products with silicones, dirt, and environmental pollutants. The build-up can clog hair follicles and affect hair growth. Tea tree oil promotes hair growth by preventing such build-up.

Castor oil has omega-6 fatty acids and ricinoleic acid, which nourish the scalp. Massaging your scalp with castor oil enriches the scalp with the essential nutrients and improves blood flow.

Castor oil is also a natural moisturizer, which keeps hair well-hydrated. Regular use of castor oil makes hair roots stronger.

• Follow a Healthy Haircare Routine

A haircare routine is a must if you want to maintain faster and healthier growth and prevent major hair issues. A routine need not be an elaborate process with plenty of haircare products. A simple routine consisting of a clarifying shampoo and conditioner can do wonders for your hair.

Look for natural ingredients in your haircare products. The presence of harsh chemicals such as sulfates and parabens, and mineral oils, is bad for your health and hair.

You may want to consider haircare products by WOW Skin Science. These products use only plant actives as ingredients. All products are not only effective but also dermatologically tested and 100% vegan.

There are stand-alone shampoos and conditioners. Formulations contain ingredients such as apple cider vinegar, tea tree oil, onion oil, green tea extracts, sweet almond oil, argan oil, and jojoba oil. These ingredients are known for their potent hair-benefitting properties.

There are also shampoo-conditioner sets based on natural ingredients. They make your search for the best shampoos and conditioners easier and more affordable. From Himalayan Rose shampoo and conditioner to Red Onion Black Seed Oil variants, find a comprehensive range of natural products here.

Faster hair growth can be a result of many factors, from genetics to the environment. Talk to your doctor and find out if an underlying condition is accelerating your hair growth.

You can always maintain healthy hair growth with balanced nutrition, hair hygiene, good haircare habits, and the right products.