A common stereotype is that women tend to care more about their hair than men. However, this is a widely unfounded stereotype, as some surveys have shown that many men care more about their hair than women.
However, it’s no myth that the majority of men will experience evident hair loss by the time they are 35. And much of this hair loss can be attributed to genetics, changes in hormone levels related to the thyroid, stress, dieting, and even side effects of medication.
Read: Hair loss in men: Things you need to know
Despite advances in hair restoration technologies, many men who face recurrent hair loss are often left wondering how fast they can grow their hair back.
How fast does hair grow in men?
The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) authoritatively suggests that the average man’s hair grows approximately six inches a year. Ideally, this means that the average man’s hair can grow about half an inch each month.
These estimations are, of course, averages that cut across the general population.
However, everyone is different, and the growth pace might depend on one’s hair type. For example, men with curly hair might have less noticeable growth than those with straight hair due to texture.
Factors that affect hair growth
While everyone’s hair differs in textual character, the factors that affect hair growth in men are universal. For example:
- Age: Men’s hair grows fastest between the age of 15 and 30. From 30 years onwards, growth tends to slow down as some hair follicles stop working altogether as age progresses. This is the reason some ageing people get thinner hair, or go bald.
- Genetics: Some genes enable people to grow their hair faster than others.
- Sex: Generally, male hair tends to grow faster than female hair.
- Nutrition: Good nutrition can contribute to fast hair growth.
Relatedly, the main factors that can slow the rate of hair growth are:
- Eating disorders, such as anorexia or bulimia
- Crash diets
- Vitamin deficiencies
- Stress
- Smoking
- Hormonal issues causing hair loss
How long will my hair grow in 3 months?
Since hair averagely grows half an inch over a month, an unshaven head can grow about six inches over the course of a year. This means that over three months, one’s hair can reach one and a half inches in length, or even 2 inches, depending on their genes, diet and age.
How can I speed up hair growth?
While the rate of hair growth may not be in one’s control, certain factors and techniques have been known to speed up the process. These are:
Healthy diet with adequate vitamins and nutrients
Since your body requires substantial energy to promote hair growth, it is advisable to have a diet that constitutes vitamins (particularly, Vitamin C & E) and nutrients. In fact, you can consider supplement intake to balance out any vitamin and nutritional deficiencies.
Try essential oils for scalp health
Essential oils like tea tree, rosemary, or lime oil can be incorporated into shampoo to improve scalp health. In fact, some essential oils like lavender, thyme, chamomile and peppermint are also known to help prevent hair loss.
However, try to avoid applying these oils directly to your skin. Instead, always dilute them in a carrier oil.
Keratin supplements might help
Proteins are known to promote hair growth whilst protecting it from environmental and chemical damage. Since hair loss can be a symptom of a protein deficiency, consider taking protein supplements that constitute keratin to improve your hair health.
Keratin has been proven to have elements that decrease hair loss, help restore damaged hair, and increase hair diameter.
Topical ointments and serums
Topical ointments like andSons Malaysia’s Minoxidil Serum can help your hair grow and help treat alopecia (also known as male-pattern baldness), especially when used frequently for three to six months.
Other topical ointments like topical melatonin can also reduce hair loss whilst increasing anagen growth cycle.
Try edible products
You can try some edible products to get hair-promoting nutrients, for example, nuts, yoghurt, and foods like lean meat and fish.
Additionally, you can try andSons Malaysia’s collagen powder supplements made of amino acid peptides, protein keratin, and elastin elements that promote hair growth.
Gentle hair care
Lastly, employ good hair care practices like avoiding brushing wet hair (as wet hair is highly susceptible to breakage). Similarly, avoid regularly using very hot water to wash your hair as it can impede the growth of long hair due to moisture loss and heat damage.
Instead, utilise lukewarm water with shampoo and conditioner since it retains natural oils in the hair and prevents damage.
For example, products like andSons Malaysia’s ‘Thickening Shampoo’ with saw palmetto and ‘Thickening Conditioner’ with niacinamide are known to add volume to the hair and enhance hair growth.
What to do if my hair doesn’t seem to grow?
Hair loss and slow hair growth can be disconcerting and frustrating. However, there’s hope around the corner!
If your hair continually refuses to grow and is extremely damaged, consider using andSons’ hair loss non-prescription kit. However, if nothing really changes and symptoms persist, consider engaging with a specialist doctor. If your doctor cites reasons beyond nutrient deficits, we recommend trying andSons’ hair loss prescription kit to treat the suspected underlying cause and reverse hair loss.
Conclusion
All things considered, men’s hair grows at disparate rates due to factors like genetics, sex, and age. Fortunately, a good protein-filled diet, complemented by specialist shampoo, prescription kit or supplements, can help speed up hair growth rate.
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.
Book a consultation with andSons Malaysia’s medical team to learn more about hair loss conditions and available treatments here.
