How long is the hair growth cycle?

The active growth phase can last several years per follicle, followed by a short transition and a resting/shedding phase - the whole cycle is measured in years, not weeks.

Why does hair seem to grow slowly for some people?

Differences in growth-phase length and breakage rates both play a role - reducing breakage is often the more practical thing to address, since the growth-phase length itself is mostly genetic.

Hair Growth

How Does Hair Grow? The Hair Growth Cycle Explained

A plain-language explanation of the hair growth cycle - and why no product can override it, only support it.

By Selvea Team · 30 Sept 2026 · Hair Growth guide

Three phases, one follicle

Each hair follicle moves through three stages: a growth phase that can last several years, a brief transitional phase where growth slows and stops, and a resting phase before the hair sheds and the follicle restarts the cycle. Because follicles aren't synchronised with each other, hair grows and sheds continuously rather than all at once.

Why growth rate is mostly fixed

The length of the growth phase, and therefore how long hair can naturally get, is largely determined by genetics. This is exactly why no topical product - however well-formulated - can make hair grow meaningfully faster than your body's own pace; what a routine actually influences is the health of the hair growing during that phase.

What you can actually influence

Supporting the scalp environment (through gentle cleansing and regular oiling), minimising breakage through the lengths, and avoiding habits that damage hair before it reaches its full potential length are the realistic, evidence-aligned levers. Reduced breakage often reads as "faster growth" simply because more hair is being retained rather than lost along the way.

Results may vary. Not intended to treat medical conditions. HerbGlam products are cosmetic.

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Frequently asked questions

The underlying growth rate is governed by genetics and biology - no topical product can override it. Reducing breakage and supporting scalp health can help hair reach and keep its natural length.

Not sure where to start?

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