Is your hair stuck at the same length no matter what you do? You’re not alone. Many people experience the frustrating feeling of having hair stop growing at a certain length. Maybe you’ve been asking yourself, “Why my hair is not growing?” or wondering if something is wrong. The truth is that hair growth plateaus are often caused by a combination of internal and external factors—but the good news is, there are solutions.
Lets run through some possible factors why your hair stopped growing, the common causes, and actionable steps you can take to get your growth back on track.
The natural hair growth cycle and how it works
Before we dive into why hair stops growing at a certain length, it’s important to understand how hair growth actually works. Unlike popular belief, hair doesn’t grow continuously—it follows a well-defined cycle consisting of four key phases. These phases regulate when your hair actively grows, rests, and sheds. When growth seems to stall, it could be that your hair is spending too much time in the resting or shedding phases, or that external factors are interfering with its progress.
1. Anagen (growth phase)
This is the phase where the magic happens—your hair actively grows from the roots. For most people, this phase lasts between 2 to 7 years, depending on genetics, lifestyle, and overall health. The longer the anagen phase, the more time your hair has to grow before it reaches its full length. This is why some people can grow their hair down to their waist, while others struggle to get past shoulder length. During this stage, cells in the hair root rapidly divide and produce the hair fiber, pushing it out through the scalp. About 85-90% of the hair on your head is in this phase at any given time.
What can shorten the anagen phase?
– Hormonal imbalances
– Poor nutrition
– Stress
– Scalp conditions (like seborrheic dermatitis or psoriasis)
If your hair stops growing, it could be because the anagen phase is too short, meaning your hair doesn’t have enough time to reach your desired length before transitioning into the next phase.
2. Catagen (transition phase)
This phase is short—lasting about 10 to 14 days—and marks the end of the active growth period. During the catagen phase, the hair follicle shrinks, and the hair strand detaches from the blood supply. Think of this as the "rest stop" before the strand completely stops growing.
3. Telogen (resting phase)
During this phase, the hair follicle rests, and no new hair growth occurs. This phase typically lasts around 3 months, during which time the hair stays in place but isn’t actively growing. Roughly 10-15% of the hair on your scalp is in the telogen phase at any given time. If you’re noticing your hair stopped growing, it could be because too much of your hair is spending time in this phase due to factors like stress or hormonal changes.
4. Exogen (shedding phase)
This is the phase where old hair is shed to make room for new growth. It’s completely normal to shed 50-100 strands a day as part of this phase. However, if excessive shedding occurs, it can lead to visible thinning and prevent you from retaining length.
Why understanding this cycle matters
If your hair growth cycle is off balance—such as an anagen phase that’s too short or an exogen phase where you’re shedding excessively—your hair will struggle to gain length. Addressing issues that disrupt this cycle, like poor scalp health or nutritional deficiencies, is key to overcoming growth plateaus.
What happens when the cycle is interrupted?
Various internal and external factors can disrupt the cycle and cause hair to stop growing at a certain length. If you’re frequently experiencing breakage during the anagen phase, it may seem like your hair isn’t growing because it’s constantly breaking off before you see length gains. If too much of your hair enters the telogen phase prematurely, you may experience thinning or stagnation in growth.
Understanding these phases helps you recognize that hair growth plateaus are often a result of lifestyle or health-related factors—not a permanent condition. When growth seems stuck, it’s usually a signal that your hair is either stuck in the wrong phase or not retaining length due to breakage.
How to optimize the growth cycle
– Extend the anagen phase. Maintain a nutrient-rich diet with iron, zinc, and protein to support sustained growth.
– Reduce time spent in the telogen phase. Address scalp issues like inflammation or product buildup, which can trigger premature shedding.
– Stimulate the scalp. Regular scalp massages with oils like peppermint or rosemary improve circulation and encourage the hair to stay in its active growth phase longer.
– Minimize shedding. Avoid rough brushing or over-washing to reduce unnecessary hair loss during the exogen phase.
Common reasons why hair stops growing at a certain length
1. Damage and breakage
One of the most common reasons hair appears to stop growing is because it’s breaking off as fast as it’s growing. Even if new hair is emerging from the scalp, damage along the length of your hair can lead to split ends and breakage, making it seem like growth is stalled.
Causes of breakage:
– Excessive heat styling (blow dryers, flat irons, curling wands)
– Harsh chemical treatments (bleaching, perming, relaxing)
– Over-washing or using shampoos with sulfates
Solution:
– Trim split ends regularly (every 8–12 weeks) to prevent further damage.
– Use heat protectant sprays and limit heat styling.
– Deep-condition your hair weekly to maintain moisture and elasticity.
2. Poor scalp health
A healthy scalp is the foundation for hair growth. If your scalp is clogged with product buildup, excessively oily, or dry and itchy, it can restrict follicle activity. This can lead to slower growth or cause hair to thin and fall out prematurely.
Signs of poor scalp health:
– Persistent itchiness or flakiness
– Scalp acne or inflammation
– Dull, thinning hair
Solution:
– Exfoliate the scalp weekly using scalp scrubs or exfoliating shampoos.
– Incorporate products with tea tree oil, peppermint oil, or salicylic acid to cleanse and balance the scalp.
– Avoid heavy product buildup by using clarifying shampoos as needed.
3. Nutritional deficiencies
Your hair needs proper nourishment to grow. If you’re deficient in key nutrients like biotin, iron, zinc, or protein, your hair may become weak, brittle, and slow to grow.
Common deficiencies affecting hair growth:
– Biotin: Essential for keratin production
– Iron: Promotes oxygen flow to the scalp
– Zinc: Supports follicle function
– Protein: The building block of hair
Solution:
– Eat a diet rich in leafy greens, nuts, eggs, fish, and whole grains.
– Consider supplements if you suspect a deficiency, but consult a doctor first.
– Stay hydrated—dehydration can contribute to a dry scalp and fragile hair.
4. Genetics and growth limits
Genetics play a role in determining how long your hair’s anagen phase lasts, which directly affects its maximum length. For some people, this phase may be naturally shorter, making it difficult to achieve long hair.
However, genetics isn’t the only factor—many people can extend their hair’s growth potential with proper care.
Solution:
– Protect the hair you’ve grown by using low-manipulation hairstyles like buns, twists, or braids.
– Avoid tight hairstyles that cause tension on the scalp and lead to breakage.
– Extend the growth phase by keeping the scalp healthy and ensuring proper moisture levels.
Effective solutions to promote hair growth
1. Prioritize scalp care
A healthy scalp means healthy hair. Regularly exfoliate and massage the scalp to improve blood circulation, which delivers nutrients to hair follicles.
Try this: Use scalp oils containing peppermint or rosemary oil to stimulate growth. Exfoliate with a gentle scrub once a week.
2. Balance protein and moisture
Hair needs both moisture and protein to stay strong. Too much of either can lead to breakage.
Moisturize: Deep-condition weekly to maintain softness and elasticity.
Strengthen: Use protein treatments sparingly—about once a month—unless you’re repairing significant damage.
3. Protect your ends
To retain length, you need to prevent breakage at the ends. Protective hairstyles minimize damage and allow hair to grow uninterrupted.
Protective styles: Braids, buns, twists, and low-tension styles
Avoid: Overuse of elastics or styles that tug on the hairline
Additional practices to speed up hair growth
If you’ve already addressed the major causes of stalled growth, consider these additional tips to give your hair a healthy boost:
Scalp massages with oils
Massaging your scalp with nourishing oils not only stimulates circulation but also delivers moisture and nutrients directly to the follicles.
– Castor oil: Known for sealing in moisture and promoting healthy follicles
– Rosemary oil: Shown to stimulate hair growth and improve thickness
– Peppermint oil: Helps to increase blood flow to the scalp
Massage for 5–10 minutes, 2–3 times per week for noticeable results.
Avoid over-washing your hair
Washing your hair too frequently can strip it of its natural oils, leading to dryness and breakage. Instead:
– Limit washing to 2–3 times per week if possible.
– Use sulfate-free shampoos that cleanse without over-drying.
– Apply a leave-in conditioner or hair oil on non-wash days to maintain moisture.
Protect hair while sleeping
Friction between your hair and pillowcase can cause breakage. Switch to a silk or satin pillowcase to reduce damage and help retain length.
Busting myths about hair growth
Myth #1: Frequent trims make hair grow faster.
The myth: Trimming your hair every few weeks will speed up its growth.
The truth: Hair grows from the root, so trimming the ends doesn’t directly affect the growth rate. What trims do is prevent split ends from traveling up the hair shaft, causing breakage and making it seem like growth has stalled. Regular trims help maintain healthy, longer hair by preserving length.
Bottom line: Trimming prevents damage, but it won’t make your hair grow faster.
Myth #2: Expensive products guarantee faster growth.
The myth: The pricier the product, the faster your hair will grow.
The truth: While quality ingredients matter, hair growth depends more on overall health, scalp condition, and consistent care than price tags. Products can help prevent breakage and maintain moisture, but they won’t create overnight growth. Affordable products with the right ingredients can be just as effective.
Bottom line: Growth comes from consistent care, not luxury products.
Myth #3: Genetics determine everything.
The myth: If your family has a history of short or thinning hair, there’s nothing you can do to change that.
The truth: While genetics do play a role in determining the length of your growth phase and hair thickness, external factors like proper moisture, scalp care, and protection significantly impact your ability to retain length.
Bottom line: You may not be able to change your genetics, but with the right hair care practices, you can still achieve optimal growth.
Take control of your hair growth journey
If your hair stopped growing or seems to be stuck at the same length, don’t let it discourage you. Hair plateaus are often caused by fixable factors like breakage, poor scalp health, or nutritional gaps. The key to breaking through is consistency and understanding what your hair needs most—whether it’s more moisture, scalp care, or protection.
Focus on a well-rounded approach that includes regular trims, scalp massages, a nutrient-rich diet, and protective styles. While hair growth won’t happen overnight, these small steps can lead to big progress. With patience and the right care, you’ll be on your way to achieving longer, healthier hair.
Your hair’s potential is in your hands—start nurturing it today, and let the growth follow.
