Illness, stress, hormones, genetics, certain hairstyles and trauma can temporarily halt your hair growth, resulting in thinning hair and bald spots. Since some forms of hair loss are considered temporary, regrowth is of primary importance if you are anxiously awaiting any sign indicating a reversal of your condition. Dealing with regrowth requires patience because it usually takes a year or more for hair of average length to grow back completely.
Probability
The probability of regrowth depends primarily on the cause of your hair loss. Any type of trauma that injures or scars the sensitive structures of the hair follicles can result in permanent hair loss. Causes of permanent hair loss include cicatricial alopecia, hair loss caused by inflammation and scarring of the scalp, and traction alopecia, hair loss caused by hairstyles that are too tight. Hair loss caused by any other means leaves the possibility of regrowth open, according to Mayo Clinic.
Resting Phase
Long periods of time may pass before you see the first signs of regrowth. During this time, hair follicles are thought to be resting. As part of the natural growth cycle, hair follicles rest about every five years. The period of nongrowth lasts for three to four months, after which the hair is shed and a new one starts to grow. Generally, the rest and growth cycle is not noticeable, since 100,000 hairs camouflage new growth. In cases of extreme loss, however, the cycle is all too apparent. Trauma and illness can cause follicles to enter the resting phase prematurely, meaning that regrowth may not start immediately after such an event.
Appearance
At first, new growth looks like peach fuzz. After a few weeks, the soft, fine hairs start to show some real purpose. Individual hairs can be seen, and the color is much darker than the initial growth. Although promising, the first signs of growth indicate a long road to full recovery. It may take two months or longer before the entire area is covered with hair.
Growth Rate
According to Hairfinder.com, hair grows approximately 1/2 inch per month. Of course, many factors can influence the rate of growth, including your age, health and nutrition. If your hair growth does average 1/2 inch per month, 12 months of growth equals 6 inches of new growth.
Considerations
Regrowth is extremely fragile and should be handled with kid gloves. Avoid placing tension on the area of growth until your hair is firmly established or about 2 inches long. Do not color, perm or relax hair that is recovering from trauma. Give new hair a reprieve from chemical services for at least six months.
References
- Mayo Clinic: Hair Loss Causes
- Hairfinder: How Fast Does Hair Grow?
- "Milady's Standard Textbook of Cosmetology"; Diane Carol Bailey and Margrit Attenburg; 2008
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