The Science, the Myths, and How to Care for Your Hair During Every Stage

In hair care, myths and misconceptions about hair growth are as common as new products hitting the shelves. One of the most persistent myths is the idea that you can grow your hair fast—1-2 inches in a week or more—simply by using a miracle product or following a quick regimen. Unfortunately, this simply isn't true for 99.9% of people and understanding the science of hair growth is crucial to setting realistic expectations and achieving long-term healthy hair.

In this blog, we’ll break down the stages of hair growth, explain the factors that influence how fast your hair grows, and share essential tips for maintaining moisture and healthy hair. Plus, we’ll introduce you to our Strands of Faith products, designed specifically to nourish and protect your hair at every stage of its growth journey.

The Science of Hair Growth: Understanding the Stages

Hair grows in cycles and understanding these cycles is key to taking care of your hair effectively. On average, hair grows about half an inch per month. This rate can vary depending on genetics, hair type, and overall health. However, expecting rapid growth like 2 inches a week is not scientifically feasible. 

Here’s why:

1. Anagen (Growth) Phase

The anagen phase is the active growth stage, lasting anywhere from 2 to 7 years, depending on genetics. During this phase, hair follicles are actively producing new cells, and your hair is growing longer. The longer your anagen phase, the more length your hair can achieve. However, this growth is gradual, with most people seeing an increase of about half an inch per month.

Factors like stress, poor nutrition, or harsh hair care practices can shorten this phase, leading to thinner, less vibrant hair.

Pro Tip: If you want to extend your anagen phase and promote healthy hair growth, focus on keeping your scalp clean, healthy, and moisturized. Our Miracle 3-n-1 Clay Mask is infused with natural herbs and botanicals that provide the moisture your scalp needs to encourage prolonged growth.

2. Catagen (Transitional) Phase

After the anagen phase, your hair enters the catagen phase, which lasts about 2-3 weeks. This is a short transitional phase where hair growth stops, and the hair follicle prepares for the next stage.

Although the catagen phase doesn’t last long, it’s still a critical time for your hair. You don’t want to disrupt this phase with harsh chemicals or excessive heat styling, which could damage the follicle and lead to hair breakage or thinning.

Pro Tip: During this transitional stage, it’s important to protect your strands. Use our Supple Twisting Butter, a deeply moisturizing product that helps lock in moisture and protect your hair from damage, keeping your strands healthy even when they aren’t actively growing.

3. Telogen (Resting) Phase

The telogen phase is the resting stage of hair growth, lasting 3-4 months. During this time, your hair stops growing and rests. Typically, 10-15% of your hair is in the telogen phase at any given moment.

This is also the stage where you may notice more shedding. While some shedding is normal, excessive shedding could be a sign of stress, hormonal imbalances, or inadequate nutrition.

Pro Tip: To maintain your hair’s health during this phase, focus on nourishing both your scalp and strands. Our Blessed Strands Herbal Elixir is packed with nourishing oils that protect your hair and scalp, reducing shedding and promoting a healthy environment for new growth.

4. Exogen (Shedding) Phase

The exogen phase is an extension of the telogen phase and refers to the shedding of old hair as new hair begins to grow in its place. You may see this as hair fall, but it’s a normal and natural part of the hair growth cycle. On average, it’s normal to lose 50-100 hairs a day, but if you’re noticing more significant shedding, it could be due to underlying issues such as stress or nutritional deficiencies.

Pro Tip: To minimize breakage and protect your scalp during this shedding phase, treat your hair with care. Avoid rough handling, and ensure you’re using moisturizing, strengthening products like our Renew Protein Deep Treatment, which deeply nourishes and strengthens your hair to prevent breakage while restoring essential moisture and protein balance to your strands.

Factors That Influence Hair Growth

While the hair growth cycle remains fairly constant for most people, there are several factors that can influence how fast or slow your hair grows:

1. Genetics: Your genes play a significant role in determining the length of your anagen phase and how fast your hair grows.
2. Age: As we age, the rate of hair growth slows down, and the anagen phase shortens.
3. Diet and Nutrition: A balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals like biotin, zinc, and iron is crucial for healthy hair growth.
4. Hormonal Changes: Pregnancy, menopause, or conditions like thyroid imbalances can affect hair growth.
5. Hair Care Practices: Heat styling, harsh chemicals, and poor moisture retention can weaken the hair and slow down growth.

Debunking the Myth of Fast Hair Growth

It’s important to set realistic expectations for your hair growth journey. On average, hair grows half an inch per month, which equals about 6 inches per year. Despite what many “miracle” products might claim, consistently growing inches of hair in a short period isn’t scientifically possible. Instead of focusing on speed, focus on the health of your hair and scalp. Healthy hair is the foundation for achieving long-term length.

Pro Tip: Using high-quality, moisture-rich products can ensure that every inch of growth you achieve stays healthy and strong. At Strands of Faith, we believe in providing clean, non-toxic products designed to help you maintain moisture, reduce breakage, and promote a healthy scalp environment for growth.

How to Maintain Healthy Hair Throughout Your Hair Growth Journey

No matter what stage of hair growth you’re in, moisture is key. Dryness is one of the most common causes of breakage, particularly for textured hair. Here’s how to maintain healthy, moisturized hair:

1. Hydration is Key: Moisturizing your hair should be a daily or weekly part of your routine depending on your hairstyle. Use our Nourish Moisturizing Cream to seal in moisture after washing and conditioning. The combination of natural oils and butters in our formula provides deep hydration, leaving your hair soft and manageable.
2. Scalp Care Matters: A healthy scalp is essential for hair growth. Regularly cleanse your scalp to remove buildup and promote circulation. Our Stimulating Sealing Oil not only nourishes the scalp but also stimulates the hair follicles for optimal growth.
3. Protect Your Ends: The ends of your hair are the oldest and most prone to breakage. Keep them hydrated and protected with our Enrich Leave-In Conditioner, which is designed to prevent dryness and breakage while keeping your strands moisturized and soft.
4. Avoid Heat and Harsh Chemicals: Excessive heat styling and chemical treatments can weaken your hair, leading to breakage. Opt for gentle styling methods and use protective products to shield your hair from environmental damage.

Keep the Faith: Trust the Process

As you continue your hair growth journey, it’s crucial to keep realistic expectations. Hair growth takes time, and the key to success is consistency, patience, and a well-rounded hair care routine that prioritizes moisture and health over speed.

If you’re feeling discouraged by slow growth, remember that healthy hair is always the ultimate goal. By nourishing your strands with moisture-rich products and caring for your scalp, you’re setting the foundation for beautiful, long-lasting hair growth.

At Strands of Faith, we believe that confidence begins at the roots, and with our line of products, we’re here to support you every step of the way. From our Nourish Moisturizing Cream to our Blessed Strands Herbal Elixir, we’ve formulated everything with one goal in mind: helping you achieve and maintain healthy, strong, and hydrated hair.

So, keep the faith, trust the process and remember that healthy hair is the best kind of hair growth.