5 Common Reasons Your Hair Isn’t Growing – And What To Do

If your hair feels like it’s been stuck at the same length for months, you are far from alone. Many people in the UK say their hair “won’t grow”, when in reality it often is growing – it’s just breaking, snapping or being held back by routine, health, or styling habits. While there’s no single miracle product that can guarantee Rapunzel lengths, understanding the most common growth blockers is one of the most practical ways to see a real difference over time.

Below, we break down five of the most frequent reasons stylists and trichologists say hair doesn’t appear to grow – from heat habits to scalp care – and what you can realistically change in your day-to-day routine.

1. You’re Losing Length To Breakage, Not Lack Of Growth

For most people, hair grows on average around 1–1.25cm a month. The problem is that the ends are often breaking off at roughly the same pace, especially on colour-treated, relaxed, or naturally curly and coily hair. This is why your roots might show new growth while your overall length looks unchanged.

Breakage tends to show up as rough, frayed ends, a halo of short flyaways, and a feeling that your hair is thinner towards the bottom. UK stylists frequently see this in clients who use straighteners or tongs daily, tie hair tightly for work or the gym, or bleach regularly without adjusting their care routine.

To protect length, the focus needs to move from just growth promises to preservation:

• Ask your stylist for micro-dustings or mini trims to remove splits before they travel up the shaft.
• Use a heat protectant every single time you blow-dry or style with hot tools.
• Dial down the heat settings on straighteners and curling wands – many UK professionals recommend staying below 185°C for most hair types.
• Choose looser everyday styles and avoid very tight high ponytails or slick buns as your default look.

The next time you’re at the salon, ask your stylist to show you exactly where breakage is happening on your hair so you can adjust how you brush, style, and tie it day to day.

2. Your Scalp Isn’t Getting Enough Care

Healthy hair growth starts at the scalp, yet many of us treat it as an afterthought. Product build-up, excess oil, and irritation can all make hair feel limp and hinder the ideal environment for strong strands to emerge.

Dermatologists often suggest thinking of the scalp like the skin on your face – it needs gentle cleansing, occasional exfoliation, and moisture balance. Heavy silicones, dry shampoo build-up, and not rinsing conditioner properly can all contribute to a congested scalp over time.

Support a healthier scalp with habits that are simple to add into your weekly routine:

• Shampoo the scalp, not just the lengths – use your fingertips (not nails) to massage in small circles.
• Rinse thoroughly, especially if you have thick, curly, or protective styles where residue can linger.
• Many stylists recommend a gentle scalp scrub or clarifying wash every 1–4 weeks, depending on how much product you use.
• If you notice flaking, soreness, or persistent itch, a GP or dermatologist can help rule out scalp conditions such as seborrhoeic dermatitis or psoriasis.

A small but practical step you can take this week is to spend an extra minute in the shower really working shampoo into the scalp and rinsing until the water runs completely clear.

3. Your Routine Isn’t Protecting Your Hair’s Strength

Even if your scalp is in good condition, your daily and nightly habits can quietly sabotage your length goals. Over-washing, harsh towels, and the wrong brush for your hair type are often-overlooked culprits. UK professionals also see plenty of damage from sleeping with hair loose on a cotton pillowcase, which can cause friction and tangling.

Because hair is most fragile when wet, how you treat it post-wash is especially important. Tugging through tangles with a fine-tooth comb or rough towel-drying can cause mechanical breakage, leading to mid-length snaps and a frizzy, uneven look.

Building a strengthening routine doesn’t have to mean a cupboard full of products. Focus on a few protective behaviours you can stay consistent with:

• Swap rough towel rubbing for gently squeezing out water with a microfibre towel or cotton T-shirt.
• Detangle from the ends upwards with a wide-tooth comb or detangling brush, especially on curls and coils.
• Incorporate a weekly conditioner left on a little longer, or a bond-repair or protein treatment if your hair is coloured or chemically processed.
• Sleep with hair in a loose braid, pineapple, or silk/satin bonnet, and consider a silk or satin pillowcase to reduce friction.

When you next wash your hair, consciously slow down the detangling step; that extra care at this stage can preserve months of growth at the ends.

4. Heat, Colour And Chemical Services Are Outpacing Your Care

Bleach, permanent colour, relaxers, and texture treatments are all part of many people’s style identity – but they are also some of the strongest stressors on the hair fibre. In the UK salon chair, one of the most common growth complaints comes from those who love bright blondes, fashion colours, or frequent silk presses but haven’t yet fully adjusted their aftercare.

Processed hair can still grow long, but it usually needs more moisture, more protein balance, and more time between aggressive services. Skipping strengthening treatments, having overlapping bleach applications, or repeatedly straightening already-delicate ends can make hair snap before it reaches your desired length.

To balance style with length retention, consider:

• Spacing out bleach or full-head colour sessions where possible and booking regular consultations to assess condition, not just regrowth.
• Asking your colourist about gentler techniques such as balayage or root melts that leave more of your natural hair untouched.
• Limiting full heat styling to a few times a week, with air-drying or low-heat routines in between.
• Adding a nourishing mask, bond-builder, or intense conditioner into your routine after every chemical service.

A realistic starting point is to pick just one thing to reduce – for example, dropping from daily straightening to two or three times a week – and track how your ends look and feel over the next two months.

5. Genetics, Health And Expectations All Play A Role

Finally, it’s important to acknowledge that not all hair grows at the same rate, and not all scalps have the same density. Genetics strongly influence the length of your hair growth cycle (how long each strand grows before naturally shedding), overall thickness, and the shape and texture of your strands. Some people’s hair naturally sheds sooner, meaning it’s harder to achieve very long lengths even with excellent care.

General health and lifestyle also matter. Factors such as significant stress, restrictive dieting, hormonal shifts (including pregnancy and menopause), and certain medications can affect shedding and growth. If you notice sudden, dramatic thinning, wider parting, or more hair in the shower than usual, many dermatologists advise seeking professional medical advice rather than self-diagnosing or relying on supplements alone.

What you can do is focus on what’s within your control:

• Try to maintain a balanced diet with enough protein, iron, and healthy fats, as advised by UK nutritional guidelines.
• Be wary of bold claims from supplements or topical products; evidence for many over-the-counter solutions is mixed.
• Set realistic length goals that work with your hair’s natural density and curl pattern rather than against it.
• Consider regular photos of your hair (front, side, and back) every two months to track genuine progress.

If your instincts tell you something has changed with your hair or scalp, booking an appointment with your GP, a trichologist, or a dermatologist is a practical next step.

Key Takeaways

• Most people’s hair is growing, but breakage at the ends can cancel out visible length gains.
• Looking after your scalp – cleansing properly and managing build-up – supports a healthier environment for growth.
• Gentle detangling, reduced friction, and targeted treatments help protect the strength of your hair fibres.
• Heat, colour, and chemical services need to be balanced with extra care and realistic spacing between appointments.
• Genetics and health set the framework for your growth potential, so work with your natural pattern and seek professional advice if you notice sudden changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should it take to notice hair growth?
On average, hair grows around 1–1.25cm per month. With good care and minimal breakage, many people notice a visible difference in photos after 8–12 weeks rather than week to week.

Do hair growth shampoos and serums really work?
Some ingredients, such as certain peptides, caffeine, or gentle exfoliants, are used in products designed to support a healthy scalp. However, evidence for dramatic growth from over-the-counter products is limited, and results can vary widely. It’s usually more effective to focus on overall scalp health and breakage prevention than to rely on a single “miracle” shampoo.

How often should I trim if I want to grow my hair?
Many UK stylists suggest a light trim or dusting every 8–12 weeks, particularly if you use heat or colour. The goal is to remove split or frayed ends before they travel further up the hair shaft, not to cut off large amounts of length each visit.

Can protective styles help my hair grow faster?
Protective styles such as braids, twists, or wigs can help with length retention by reducing daily manipulation and friction. However, they need to be installed carefully, not too tight, and the scalp still requires cleansing and moisturising. They won’t change your actual growth rate but can help you keep more of what you grow.

When should I see a professional about hair loss or slow growth?
If you notice sudden shedding, bald patches, a noticeably wider parting, or scalp symptoms such as burning or pain, it’s sensible to speak to your GP, a dermatologist, or a qualified trichologist. Early advice can be helpful in identifying potential underlying causes, from iron deficiency to hormonal shifts.