Growing out short hair can feel frustrating for anyone. They’re stuck between styles, and nothing looks quite right.
That awkward stage of growing out short hair seems to last forever, and they might wonder if they’ll ever reach their goal length.
But there are proven strategies to make this process smoother. With the right techniques, anyone can manage those tricky in-between phases and keep their hair healthy while it grows.
This blog shares the best practices for growing hair out successfully. Readers will learn how to overcome the awkward phase, maintain hair health, and speed up the growing process.
Plus, we’ll see exactly how to grow out hair without losing our sanity along the way.
Disclaimer: This blog is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before making changes to your hair routine.
Understanding the Hair Growth Process
Understanding the hair growth path is essential to caring for your hair properly and avoiding damaging habits, especially during critical phases.
Hair grows in a cycle with three main phases:
- Anagen phase (growth phase): This is when hair actively grows from the follicle. Knowing this phase helps you avoid harsh treatments or breakage-inducing habits that can disrupt growth.
- Catagen phase (change phase): A short phase where growth slows, and the hair follicle shrinks.
- Telogen phase (resting phase): Hair stops growing and eventually sheds, making way for new growth.
In terms of timelines, hair typically grows about half an inch per month, totaling around 6 inches per year. When growing your hair out, you may encounter an awkward or challenging stage between roughly 5 to 8 months into the process.
This stage can last anywhere from 12 to 18 months, depending on your goal length, as the hair changes through growth and the natural cycles.
What Affects Hair Growth?
Many people think growing hair out is just about patience. But several factors can speed up or slow down the process.
Biological & Lifestyle Factors
Genetics largely determines hair growth speed, with age, health issues, and stress also playing major roles. Harsh treatments and poor routines can slow growth.
Diet & Supplements
Hair is mostly protein; eat foods like eggs, fish, chicken, and beans. Key nutrients include biotin, vitamin E, zinc, and iron, but supplements only help if you have a deficiency.
Scalp Health
Keep the scalp clean to avoid clogged follicles. Gentle massage boosts circulation, delivering nutrients for stronger growth; especially important during the awkward grow-out stage.
Overcoming the Awkward In-Between Phase of Hair Growth
That awkward in-between phase during growing hair out happens because your hair is changing from a shorter style to longer lengths, resulting in uneven lengths and unruly texture.
- Cherish the path: Understand this phase as a natural change from short to long hair, where uneven lengths and unruly texture are common.
- Work with your hair’s natural growth pattern: Identify your crown’s growth direction and style your hair around it for easier manageability.
- Experiment with styles: Use hats, headbands, braids, or messy looks to manage unruly lengths and maintain confidence.
- Try different partings and light styling products: Parting your hair differently, using light pomades or texturizers, can add definition and control.
- Maintain a consistent care routine: Wash your hair 2-3 times a week with sulfate-free products, moisturize thoroughly, and avoid overwashing to keep it healthy and stronger throughout the phase.
- Stay patient and motivated: Track your growth with photos and focus on the end goal, knowing this phase is temporary and part of the process.
How to Help Your Hair Grow Faster
The right care routine makes a huge difference during the growing process. Small changes in daily habits can prevent setbacks and keep hair healthy.
1. Strategic Trimming
This might sound backwards, but tiny trims actually help growth. Split ends travel up the hair shaft and cause more damage over time.
Microscopic trims every 8-10 weeks prevent this problem. The stylist only removes a quarter inch or less. This keeps ends healthy without losing real length.
Many people avoid all trims during the growing hair out process. But damaged ends break off anyway, so length gets lost either way. Strategic trimming prevents bigger problems later.
2. Use Heat Wisely
Heat styling slows down growth by damaging hair. Frequent blow drying, straightening, or curling weakens the hair structure.
If heat is necessary, always use heat protectants first. These products create a barrier that reduces damage. But even with protection, less heat is always better.
Air drying works great during the awkward stage of growing hair out from short hair. Messy, natural texture can actually hide uneven lengths better than perfect styling.
3. Moisture Preservation
Dry hair breaks more easily. Keeping hair moisturized prevents unnecessary length loss.
Avoid over-shampooing. Most people wash their hair too often, which strips natural oils. Every other day or even less frequently works better. Use conditioner every time hair gets wet. Focus on the mid-lengths and ends, not the scalp.
Using hair masks once a week provides deep moisture. Leave-ins help too, especially water-based formulas that don’t weigh hair down. Hair oils work great on ends. They seal in moisture and prevent split ends. Just use a small amount to avoid greasiness.
4. Nighttime Care
Sleep can damage hair more than people realize. Tossing and turning creates friction and tangles.
Heatless braids protect hair overnight. Loose braids prevent tangling without creating dents or waves. Never go to bed with wet hair. Wet hair is more fragile and breaks easily against pillows. Always dry hair completely before sleep.
Silk or satin pillowcases reduce friction, too. They’re gentler on hair than regular cotton cases.
5. Use Effective Topical Applications
Essential oils like rosemary, peppermint, and pumpkin seed oil have shown potential in encouraging hair regrowth when applied regularly.
Caffeine-infused hair products may stimulate follicles and reduce hair loss. Topical keratin or protein treatments can strengthen hair strands and protect against breakage.
Real Life User Experiences and Advice
User 1: “I changed my short, damaged hair over a year, from just below the shoulder to waist‑length. Hair oiling one to three times a week, scalp massages at least 10 minutes a day. I also use a silk pillow case, keep my hair braided, cutting split ends individually.”
User 2: “Shampoo is harsh and can strip your hair/scalp of nutrients and natural oils, find something natural … keep it moisturized, moroccanoil is my ride or die, apply it on the ends upward to avoid greasy roots.”
User 3: “I am in the process of growing my short hair out. It is currently in a pixie cut, with hair now going over my ears by about an inch. Any tips for styling while I go through the inevitable awkward hair phase??”
User 4: “Having a lot of protein and healthy fats in your diet can help promote hair growth. More importantly, you want to prevent damage as much as possible, so that you don’t lose much of your new hair to split ends.”
Tips to Maintain Hair After Growing Out
After months of patience and care, reaching the desired length feels amazing. But maintaining healthy, long hair requires ongoing attention and smart habits.
- Continue regular trims: Schedule maintenance cuts every 10-12 weeks to prevent split ends from traveling up the hair shaft
- Deep condition weekly: Long hair needs extra moisture, especially at the ends, which are the oldest and most fragile parts
- Sleep protection: Use silk pillowcases or loose braids to prevent tangles and breakage during sleep
- Gentle detangling: Start from the ends and work up when brushing, using a wide-tooth comb on wet hair
- Heat protection always: Apply heat protectant before any styling tools, and use the lowest effective temperature setting
- Scalp care routine: Keep the scalp clean and healthy with regular washing and occasional scalp massages for continued growth
Conclusion
Growing hair out successfully comes down to understanding the process and sticking with it. The science behind hair growth phases explains why patience matters so much.
Smart care routines, proper nutrition, and scalp health all contribute to better results.
The awkward stages feel frustrating, but they’re temporary milestones, not roadblocks. Strategic trimming, moisture preservation, and gentle handling protect length while hair reaches its goals.
Everyone’s hair grows differently. What works for others might need adjustment for individual needs.
Track progress with photos and celebrate small victories along the way.
