When it comes to growing longer hair, the struggle is real. Correction! The struggle is real until you unlock the secret to caring for your hair and retaining your length.
If you have mastered your hair, this post is NOT for you because you already know what it takes to grow your hair and retain your length. Keep doing what you’re doing, and you will reach your hair goal in no time.
However, if you are a newbie to the hair growth game or you are stuck at a particular length, this post is just for you! I’m going to pinpoint 20 reasons your hair isn’t “growing” so you can achieve your length goals.
Want an abbreviated version of this list? Check out the video below.
One more thing. This post isn’t a deep dive into each reason your hair isn’t growing. I’m just flagging a few reasons your hair isn’t growing. If you want me to elaborate on anything, feel free to drop a line in the comment section, and I will tell you everything I know.
Okay, let’s dive into 20 reasons your hair isn’t growing!
No. 1: Protein/Moisture Imbalance.
In other words, you aren’t maintaining a proper moisture-protein balance.
In order to protect and repair our hair from daily styling, we need to use products that contain protein (or protein-like ingredients). Our hair strands are made of keratin, which is a form of protein. So, we need protein (or protein-like ingredients) to help strengthen and preserve the overall structure of our hair.
At the same time, our hair requires a healthy amount of moisture to preserve its elasticity. Failing to maintain a balance between moisture and protein will result in over moisturized hair or severe breakage, which will keep you from reaching your length goals.
My recommendation: Use protein treatments, like ApHogee’s Intensive Two Minute Keratin Reconstructor. If your hair is protein sensitive, I recommend using natural strengtheners like henna treatments or rice water treatments. ALWAYS follow up with an intense hydrating deep conditioner to infuse moisture into your hair strands.
As for maintaining the right moisture levels, deep conditioning with an intense moisturizing deep condition like the SheaMoisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration Hair Masque is a great start for any hair type or porosity level.
No. 2: Lack of sleep.
Your body goes to work at night when you are asleep. In Teen Vogue’s article 7 Ways Not Sleeping Affects Your Health and Appearance, Dr. Francesca Fusco stated: “sleep is important for protein synthesis of your hair, as well as proper release of growth hormone and other hormones”.
The bottom line is you need between 6-8 hours of sleep. It’s necessary for hair growth!
No. 3: You are not stimulating your scalp regularly.
Blood circulation to the scalp is essential for hair growth. That’s how nutrients get transported to your hair follicles. If you aren’t doing anything to stimulate your scalp, you aren’t helping blood flow to your scalp, which may be the reason your hair isn’t growing as fast as you want it to grow.
My recommendation: Give yourself scalp massages daily. Use the beds of your fingers, get some peppermint oil (or a hair growth oil), exercise, or invest in a scalp massager. All of these tools and methods help promote blood circulation to your scalp.
No. 4: You aren’t deep conditioning your hair regularly.
If you aren’t deep conditioning, you aren’t giving your hair the TLC it needs to thrive. Deep conditioners are essential because they penetrate your hair strands to either strengthen or moisturize your hair from within. Furthermore, deep conditioners help impart shine, reduce breakage, strengthen your hair strands, minimize split ends and fairy knots, and improve the overall health of your hair.
Failure to deep condition regularly = breakage/no length retention!
No. 5: You aren’t trimming or dusting your ends.
If you have split ends, they will continue to split up your hair shaft resulting in breakage and damaged hair. Cut them off to preserve your length. It’s better to cut off a tiny bit now than to chop off a lot later.
Oh yeah, don’t be fooled by these split end menders. The only way to get rid of split ends is to cut them off. The end!
No. 6: You are trimming or cutting your hair too much.
If you want to reach longer lengths, you should only cut or trim your hair when you need to remove split ends or single strand knots. Any other trim or cut is a setback to achieving your length goals.
Stay away from scheduled cuts/trims, and cut/trim your hair as needed.
No. 7: You are over-manipulating your hair.
This is pretty self-explanatory. Constant manipulation increases your chances of breaking off your hair. Putting your hair in low tension and low maintenance styles make a world of a difference when it comes to retaining length. So, leave your hair alone!
No. 8: Your hair follicles are clogged.
If you aren’t clarifying or cleaning your scalp regularly, your scalp will suffocate. Blood can’t flow freely to your follicles and buildup will hinder your growth potential. Keep a clean scalp, period!
No. 9: Heat is your best friend and you don’t use heat protectants.
In other words, you are using too much direct heat (i.e., flat irons, blow dryers, etc.). Try to stay away from heat for long stretches of time or eliminate it altogether.
If you can’t stay away from heat, stock up on the heat protectants because they actually shield your hair from heat damage.
No. 10: You are detangling or styling your hair when you are mad or don’t have time.
Rushing through your hair care process can result in breakage. If you don’t have time to do your hair or you are angry, don’t touch your hair. Why? Because you won’t handle it gently or give it the TLC it needs, which will lead to damage.
No. 11: You aren’t feeding your follicles from within.
Your body needs certain nutrients to function properly and promote cell generation. If you fail to eat the right foods or take high-quality vitamins to supplement your diet, your follicles will not receive the nutrients it needs to grow healthy hair.
Remember your body services your vital organs before delivering nutrients to your scalp for hair growth. You want to make sure you are eating an adequate amount of fruits and veggies to ensure your hair is not left behind.
If you can’t eat the recommended daily servings for each food group, I recommend adding a high-quality vitamin to your diet. Check out my post about vitamins because all vitamins are not made equally.
No. 12: You aren’t drinking enough water.
You need to drink water to flush out toxins, transport nutrients, and so much more. Without water, you can kiss healthy hair growth and your hair goals good-bye.
No. 13: You aren’t using the right products or methods to properly care for your hair.
A lot of people focus on hair type, but porosity is key. Knowing your hair porosity empowers you to build a solid hair care regimen and select products that actually work for your hair.
For example, I have low porosity hair, which means:
- My hair is moisture resistant (i.e. moisture doesn’t enter my hair easily because my hair cuticles are closed);
- Products tend to sit on top of my hair instead of penetrating the strands;
- It takes a while for my hair to dry, and the list goes on.
Because I know I have low porosity hair, I know to use products that have a lower viscosity (runnier). I know to use indirect heat to help with opening my hair cuticles and product absorption. Without using the right products or techniques, products would sit on top of my strands instead of penetrating my hair strands to strengthen and hydrate my hair. Ultimately, stunting my length retention potential.
No. 14: You aren’t using the right temperatures when you wash and condition your hair.
Shampoo with hot/warmer water to clean your hair. Rinse your hair with cool/cold water to close your hair cuticles, which helps lock in moisture and impart shine.
No. 15: Your hair care regimen is too complicated and involves too many products.
When it comes to hair growth less is more. You don’t need a million products you just need to identify the products that work for your hair and stick to them until they no longer work.