Tracking hair growth properly is genuinely useful, because hair grows slowly (about 1 cm or half an inch a month), so day-to-day it feels like nothing is happening. A simple monthly record of length and photos reveals the real trend, tells you whether a routine is working, and keeps you motivated through the slow bits. Here is an easy, reliable method and honest expectations to measure against.

Why track at all?

Because growth is too slow to judge by feel. A structured record lets you spot genuine patterns, see whether a product or habit actually helps (rather than guessing), and stay motivated when progress is invisible week to week. It is also the honest way to test any product claim, including ours.

What you need

• A ruler or soft tape measure for length.
• A phone or camera for consistent monthly photos.
• A journal or notes app (or a hair-tracking app) for measurements and routine changes.

A simple method that works

1. Set a baseline

Measure a consistent section, most people use from the crown or a specific point to the tip, and record it. Note the date.

2. Pick one section to measure every time

Hair grows at slightly different rates around the head, so always measure the same strand or section for a fair comparison. A tiny, discreet thread tie can mark it.

3. Photograph consistently

Same spot, same distance, same lighting (natural daylight is best), same hairstyle (ideally dry and pulled the same way). Consistency is what makes photos comparable.

4. Measure monthly, not weekly

Monthly intervals match hair's real pace and avoid frustration. Expect around 1 cm per month; a bit more or less is normal.

5. Log routine changes

Whenever you change shampoo, diet, supplements or heat habits, write it down with the date, so you can connect changes to results (or rule them out).

6. Review every few months

Trends only show over time. Compare month three to month one, not week to week.

Hair-growth myths worth knowing

• Myth: trimming makes hair grow faster. It does not, growth happens at the root. Trimming removes split ends so hair breaks less, keeping length and fullness.
• Myth: a product can change your hair's structure permanently. Products can temporarily alter feel and look, but not the hair's built-in structure.
• Myth: washing slows growth. It does not, though harsh, stripping shampoos can cause breakage that costs you length.

Grow Me Shampoo

A gentle, sulphate-free cleanser with biotin, caffeine, argan oil and rosemary. If you are trialling it, track before and after with photos, that is the honest way to judge any product. A cosmetic support, not a medical treatment.

View Grow Me

Watermans is a UK family business that has sold over 5 million bottles since 2012. The range is vegan and cruelty-free.

Frequently asked questions

How fast does hair grow on average?

About 1 cm (half an inch) a month, roughly 6 inches a year, though genetics, age and health shift the pace.

How often should I measure?

Monthly. Weekly checks are too frequent to show meaningful change and tend to cause frustration.

Why measure the same section every time?

Hair grows at slightly different rates around the head, so tracking one consistent section gives a fair comparison.

Does diet affect how fast hair grows?

A balanced diet with protein, iron, zinc and vitamins supports healthy growth; deficiencies can slow it. Biotin and zinc contribute to the maintenance of normal hair.

What if I am tracking loss rather than growth?

Photos are useful for that too. If thinning is worsening or patchy, see a GP or dermatologist rather than tracking indefinitely.

Tracking hair growth is simply consistent measuring and photographing, monthly, same section, same light, plus a log of what you change. Do that and the slow, invisible progress becomes clear, and you can tell what genuinely works. For making the most of what you grow, see our guide to fuller-looking hair.