Hair growth is largely a factor of health and genetics, although a few steps can be taken to promote strong, healthy hair that may also grow a little bit faster. There is not, however, a magic bullet that will cause your hair to grow more quickly, so avoid products that make this claim. When growing hair out, your focus should be on growing healthy hair, rather than trying to grow it out quickly, and while it may take time, your patience will be rewarded.
Under normal conditions, hair grows at a rate of 6 inches (15 cm) each year. In old age, the rate of growth will be a little bit slower, while among some individuals who are genetically predisposed, the hair will grow more quickly. Hair usually does not grow faster than 1 inch (2.5 cm) a month, however. Most individuals also have limits on hair growth, meaning that their hair will only grow out so far before it begins to break and split.
Hair grows by pushing out from the follicle, where the actual living part of your hair is located. When hair is actively growing, it is called the anagen phase, and the majority of your hair will be in this phase at any given time. During the catagen phase, the follicle starts to detach and the whole hair dies, moving into the telogen phase, where it waits to be shed. All of the head is in different stages of hair growth, and you can expect to shed approximately 100 hairs every day as your head makes room for new hair.
While you cannot make hair grow more quickly, you can make it stronger, healthier, and more attractive to look at it by eating a balanced diet and adding supplements designed for hair. Like nails, hair is made from keratin, a type of protein, so increasing the protein in your diet will help make your hair stronger. In addition, you can take kelp tablets and gelatin to promote hair growth and strength. Use hair products balanced for your hair, and oil it periodically to keep it moist, flexible, and shiny. A hair stylist can give you additional suggestions for encouraging healthy growth for your hair type.
You can also take steps to reduce split ends, which will impede growth. Always wash the hair with lukewarm water, and finish with a cool rinse to close the follicle and smooth down the outside of the hair. Never brush your hair while it is wet, and always brush from the bottom to remove tangles. Use a towel to gently blot your hair dry after bathing, and avoid the use of excessive styling products, hair dryers, or the same hair style day after day. If you style your hair in the same way, you put repeated stress on the hair, which may result in bald spots. By feeding your hair and caring well for it, you will end up with strong, healthy, growing hair.