The Hair Growth Stages

You'll experience a few different stages as you progress through the gruelling grow out and unfortunately, the majority of them are bound to do your head in. Sometimes just knowing what to expect and how to deal with it can determine whether or not you reach your goal.

From my own experience, it takes around 10/12 months for hair to start falling nicely, meaning you need to be prepared to look daft for at least this long. That rough time period applies from a starting point of short sides with a few inches of hair on top.

Before I get on to describing the stages, I'll let you in on a few tips for before you set off:

• Firstly, go for one final haircut. Seems counterintuitive, but trust me, you're going to want to begin from a cut that will grow out nicely. I recommend a low taper, starting short at the bottom and gradually getting longer, blending nicely into slightly longer hair on top. This gives the hair on top a head-start on catching up with the sides.

• Secondly, make sure you're serious and ready to deal with months of looking unkempt and all the teasing comments that come with it. Choosing a good time period to begin also matters more than you'd think, although, to be honest, now is probably the best chance you'll get, given that the circumstances of the pandemic make it acceptable to go into hiding for months.

• Finally, and most importantly, choose a goal. Assess your hair type and set a realistic and reachable target for YOUR hair, whether this is a specific length or a certain style (like being able to tie it up). The best way of staying on track is to find someone with the style you want and use them as a target.

The Stages of hair growth

Stage 1 (month 1/2)

If you've started from a fresh trim, all is fine at this stage. You're getting used to the sides being slightly longer and you're cruising with no idea what you're in for.

Enjoy this stage, filled with the excitement of what's to come, but use it wisely and brace yourself for the months ahead.

Stage 2 (months 3/4)

Welcome to the awkward stage.

The sides are sticking out, it's both too short and too long to do anything. If your hair is straight, you now have a 70s style bowl cut. If it's curly, well congratulations if your goal was Will Ferrell.

Stage 3 (months 5/6)

If you made it this far you're quite the trooper. It's now perfectly clear (to the savvy ones) that you are, in fact, growing your hair. You'll notice you can at the very least... style it?

However, don't get too excited, this is still only the beginning.

Stage one 4 (months 7/8) 

Thought you were in the clear there did you? Welcome to awkward stage number two. 

To be truthful, those with straight hair might actually be in the clear from here on out, lucky for them eh...

But, my sincerest apologies go out to my fellow curlies, who have now taken the form of Krusty the Clown.

The most painful stage for sure, and the most popular point for giving up. You're almost there, keep growing.

Stage 5 (months 9/10) 

Things are ok, it might still be sticking out slightly but your hair is now starting to weigh itself down and it actually looks long. 

Despite not personally believing it to be necessary (if you're taking good care of your hair), now is a good time to trim off any damaged ends and get your hair shaped up. Make sure to go to a stylist that knows what they're doing and make it clear to your barber/stylist that you're growing your hair!

Stage 6 (months 11/12)

Looks like you were serious after all. You should be good from here on out. I hope you reach your goal.

Kyle x