People have been asking how fast does hair grow? For years—and the answer is that hair growth varies from person to person. Hair grows at an average rate of 1 to 2 inches per month, although this rate can slow to 0.5 inches per month as you age. That means it can take up to 10 years to grow your hair from shoulder-length to shoulder-length or in the time it takes you to reach adulthood.

The rate at which your hair grows depends on age, ethnicity, weight, and hair care routine. According to HairNet.com, hair grows faster in warmer climates, and hair that grows in low light grows faster than hair that grows under good lighting conditions.

The stages of hair growth

Hair growth varies for men and women and depends on a number of factors, including hair type, age, and scalp health. Hair follicle cycles (the growth cycle) last anywhere from 2 to 4 years, so your hair can grow in 2 years, then fall out and grow back 2 years later. This process can be repeated several times, so you could lose and gain the same number of hairs several times over your life.

Hair growth begins in the hair follicle, and this tiny tube of hair cells gradually grows outwards. The telogen phase is the easiest phase to see—the hair literally falls out. The anagen phase is the hair growth phase, and it’s where the hair shaft grows. The hair grows about 1/2 to 1 inch per month; on average, a healthy head of hair grows about 1.5 inches yearly. The hair cycle can be as short as 3 months or as long as 6 months, depending on the person. Several factors can influence the cycle, including genetics, medication, hormones, diet, exercise, and environmental factors.

How to make your hair grow stronger

Keep up with vitamins and nutrients

Want to make your hair grow faster? Just like with many other aspects of your health, good nutrition is key. A variety of vitamins are known to be essential to hair growth. Some of these vitamins include zinc, Vitamin B, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin D3, Vitamin E, and Vitamin A. However, not all vitamins are created equal; some may not be as beneficial as others.

Apply essential oils/carrier oils

Hair grows about one-third of an inch per month. Growing your hair out, then cutting it off, and letting it grow again can take years, so it’s important to have a healthy, strong head of hair to help speed up the process. This is where essential oils and carrier oils come in. They work great on your hair because they do not strip the hair of its natural oils but can dramatically improve the overall quality of your hair while also aiding in hair growth.

Take keratin supplements

When hair starts to thin, many of us become increasingly concerned. While hair loss is a natural part of aging, it’s not something we need to accept. Fortunately, there are ways to fight back against thinning hair. Adding keratin supplements to your diet can help strengthen your hair from the inside out, and as a bonus, they can help strengthen nails, skin, and muscles and prevent further thinning.

Caffeinating your follicles

Hair care is one of those things that many people don’t think twice about until something goes wrong. Of course, taking care of your hair from the start is always best since that eliminates many potential problems. But even if you take good care of your hair, sometimes it just needs a boost—and that’s where caffeine comes in. Caffeine is a natural stimulant, so it’s only natural that it can help your hair grow stronger.