Hair grows roughly 1–1.5 cm per month. That rate is set by genetics, health and age, and nothing applied to the outside changes it meaningfully.

So growing long hair is not about growing faster. It is about losing less at the ends than you gain at the roots — and most people fail on that side of the equation.

The arithmetic

Twelve months of growth is about 12–15 cm. If your ends are splitting and you cut 3 cm every three months, you have gained nothing.

Reduce the damage and the same growth rate produces visible length within a year.

Months 1–3: stop the damage

The most important phase, and the one people skip in favour of buying things.

  • Cut back heat styling sharply. Air-dry where possible, and use protection every single time you do use heat
  • Stop brushing wet hair. Detangle with conditioner in, wide-toothed comb, ends upward
  • Squeeze, don't rub with the towel — or use a cotton t-shirt
  • Loosen tight styles. Constant tension causes traction loss at the hairline
  • Get one honest trim to remove existing splits, so they do not travel upward

Months 4–8: maintain

  • Trim 1 cm every 10–12 weeks. This feels counter-productive and is the reason people succeed. Untrimmed splits climb the strand and cost you more than the trim did
  • Mask weekly on lengths and ends
  • Leave-in on damp ends every wash
  • Silk or satin pillowcase, and hair tied loosely at night
  • Protect from sun and chlorine

Months 9–12: the ends need most care

By now your ends are a year older than when you started, and they need the most attention. Keep trimming, keep masking, and resist the urge to stop trimming as you approach your target length — that is when most people lose the gains.

The internal half

Growth depends on health more than products. Iron deficiency in particular slows it and is common, easily tested and treatable. If your hair growth has visibly slowed or shedding has increased, see a doctor rather than buying a growth serum.

Adequate protein, adequate calories, and sleep all matter. Restrictive dieting is one of the fastest ways to stall hair growth.

What to be sceptical of

Products promising faster growth. Scalp massage and certain oils may support a healthy scalp, which is worth doing — but the growth rate itself is not something a bottle changes.

For the weekly care step, see the hair mask guide.