Washing your hair may feel like a normal—sometimes even mundane— part of your beauty routine, especially when you have the wash day routine on lock. But it also might be an intentional part your hair growth routine, too.
If you’re one of those people who aspires to a mane that is as long and lustrous as possible, then no doubt you’ve contemplated different ways to encourage rapid growth—from old wives tales about cutting it during a full moon, to trend ingredients (rosemary oil! a hair growth diet!) marginally more sensible lore about brushing 100 times a day.
Experts are clear though, that washing your hair more or less than the average will not make it grown faster. But there are things that can dysregulate your scalp, making hair grow slower. “Hair can’t be made to grow quicker simply by washing it more frequently,” Akta Bavalia, trichologist and hair loss expert for Nanogen, says. “The rate our hair grows is largely determined by factors such as genetics, age and our individual hair cycle. Sometimes, if hair growth has previously been affected by things like nutritional deficiencies or illness and then returns to its normal rate, it can seem as though it’s suddenly growing faster.”
What does “normal” hair growth look like?
To understand how, and why, hair grows, it can help to understand what growth looks like for most people. On average hair grows at around half an inch per month, although it’s important to point out that this varies from person to person and is dependent on other factors. “We live in a world where we expect quick results, but there really is no overnight fix when it comes to hair growth. There isn’t a product, oil or scalp hack that can suddenly make your hair grow twice as fast,” says Bavalia.
According to Dr. Aamna Adel, consultant dermatologist and founder of hair care brand Rhute, slow growth could be down to several different things. “It can be triggered by nutritional deficiencies such as low iron (ferritin) or vitamin D, thyroid dysfunction, hormonal shifts like the postpartum period or menopause, physical or emotional stress that pushes follicles into the resting phase, rapid weight loss, and certain medical conditions,” she says.
Patience and consistency are what really matters when it comes to growing out your hair. “Patience really is essential with hair, because it grows slowly, at around a centimetre a month, and the growth cycle is slow to respond,” adds Dr. Adel. “As a general guide, you’d need to give any treatment at least three to six months of consistent use before fairly judging whether it’s working, and often longer to see the full benefit.”
Does washing matter at all?
Absolutely. Although washing it more often won’t make your hair grow any faster, not washing it properly or regularly enough can hinder growth in the long-term thanks to sweat, oil, and product build-up, which can lead to clogged follicles. “Regular washing is still important. Keeping the scalp clean and healthy helps create the best possible environment for the follicles and growing hairs, so I wouldn’t recommend avoiding washing to make your hair grow,” says Bavalia.
How often should you wash your hair?
“It depends on your scalp and hair type and any conditions you may have,” explains Bavalia. “If you have a very oily scalp or are prone to flaking, I recommend washing every one to two days depending on the severity. Someone with a drier scalp may find they need to wash less frequently.”
