Why Has My Hair Stopped Growing? Causes & Solutions

Many people face slow or arrested hair growth, and this is something that leaves people feeling dissatisfied and on a hunt for a hair care solution.

Hair growth depends on genetics, diet, stress, hormonal changes, and regular hair care methods. Hair can seem to grow slowly or can even stop growing completely due to hair breakage or interruption in the hair growth cycle. In order to identify the proper treatment for stunted hair growth, finding out the causes is very crucial.

Hair Growth Cycle

My hair is not growing, why? It is rather frustrating to notice that your hair is no longer growing like before. However, it is possible to get the hair back if we understand our hair growth cycle. Hair growth is divided into three phases as follows:

1. Anagen (Growth Phase) – This is the growth phase and it takes between 2 to 7 years during hair growth.
2. Catagen (Transitional phase) – The short phase of hair growth, lasts for 2-3 weeks, where the hair follicles continue to shrink.
3. Telogen (Resting Phase) – This lasts for about three months. This is the state whereby hair rests before it sheds and is replaced by new hair.

Interference with this cycle can stop hair growth or lead to slower growth.

Why Does Hair Stop Growing? Common Causes

• Genetics: Gene determines the hair growth rate and its maximum potential length irrespective of its condition. Inherited traits are one of the reasons why your hair stops growing beyond a certain length.
• Aging: When we are older, our hair gets shorter and thinner and there will be less hair growth than before. This natural shedding process can give an illusion that your hair has stopped growing.
• Nutritional Deficiencies: A diet without protein, vitamins, and minerals like iron and zinc hinders hair growth. To avoid unhealthy hair follicles, it is important to have a well-balanced diet.
• Stress: Hair can stop growing at the roots and fall out, and even if it does continue to grow, it will be weak due to stress. You can reduce hair loss and start growing healthy hair through meditation, yoga, and exercises.
• Hormonal Imbalances: My hair has stopped growing and I’m not sure of the causes. We got it! It may be because some hormonal changes like thyroid problems or pregnancy-related hormonal problems can affect your hair growth cycle and lead to hair loss or thinning.
• Scalp Health: A healthy scalp ensures the fast growth of hair follicles in a healthy environment. An unhealthy scalp with dandruff, psoriasis, or infection can affect hair follicles and their ability to produce new hair.
• Hair extensions: Do hair extensions stop your hair from growing? Yet, hair extensions offer an instant solution to having long or thick hair, it may increase tensions in the hair that lead to traction alopecia or hair loss.
• Medications: Some diseases such as alopecia areata, lupus, or others can arrest hair growth, and certain medications like chemo drugs can also result in slower hair growth. In these cases, consulting a healthcare provider is necessary.

How to Fix Stunted Hair Growth

If you previously experienced hair loss or your hair looks thinner now, you may suffer from decreased hair density. It is crucial to learn how to increase hair density to acquire healthy hair. Here is how you can deal with both of these issues:

High Nutrient Diet

Make sure to intake supplementation and foods with vitamins and minerals for hair health. For example, citrus fruits contain Vitamin C which prevents dandruff, while tomatoes, carrots, and liver have Vitamin A for sebum secretion.

Milk contains vitamin D and oils contain vitamin E while eggs, tofu, and fish are good sources of protein that helps in the production of keratin – a protein for hair strength. You can also include vegetables like Beans, spinach, and broccoli.

Foods containing omega-3 fatty acids such as fatty fish and iron-rich foods like red meat, can improve hair health. On the other hand, foods that contain refined sugars and trans fats should be minimised since they may promote hair thinning and loss. However, the above-mentioned foods should be consumed in moderation to maintain hair’s overall health.

Stress Management

Yoga, meditation, jogging, or walking can help manage stress, hence promoting a healthy hair growth cycle.

Scalp Care

To preserve the health of the scalp, avoid using rigorous shampoos that contain sulphate-based chemicals. Massaging the scalp often helps improve circulation in hair follicles and get the sufficient nutrients they need to grow hair.

Medical Help

If you observe any hormonal or medical issues that affect the hair-growing process, you are advised to seek medical advice for examination and proper treatment.

Limited Hair Extensions

To avoid traction alopecia, limit the number of hair extensions. Properly install the extensions with the help of professionals to ensure that less stress is put on the hair follicles.

Hair Brushing

Does brushing hair stimulate growth? While brushing hair does not directly increase the rate of hair growth, it can help to maintain healthy hair and blood circulation to the roots.

Regular Trims

Some people may think it strange, but it is mandatory to trim hair often to reduce the chances of having split ends and facilitate hair growth.

Stop Over-Styling

Avoid using hair dryers, straighteners, curling irons, and chemical products more often as they hinder hair growth and damage.

Conclusion

Hair growth is somewhat momentous and may slow down for several causes including heredity, dietary patterns, stress, or even health status. Thus, by familiarising yourself with these causes and using relevant approaches, you can facilitate hair growth and avoid hair loss issues. Remember, do not rush the process, also do not give up in between – it takes time to grow healthy hair.