Why won't my hair grow long?

Hair won't grow long- what are the reasons?

Many individuals with hair loss claim that their hair has stopped growing and hasn't grown in months. This is actually not a possibility. Hair MUST grow and can not sit in the scalp for months and months stagnant. What is happening is either the hair is breaking off, coming off, or not growing long anymore due to shortened growth cycles. 

My hair just won't grow! A look at possible reasons.

1. Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) 

For women with AGA, the growth cycle become shorter and hairs become thinner. Hair that once grew for 3-4 years and down to the mid back now only grow for 1-2 years and down to the shoulders. The impression to the individual is that it is not growing anymore. 

2. Hair breakage from heat, dyes and chemicals

Heat, dyes, chemicals can cause hair breakage. Hair breaks from the shaft rather than the root. Small short pieces of hair are found. This cases a phenomenon called trichorrhexis nods. The impression to the individual is that it is not growing anymore. 

3. Telogen effluvium (TE)

Telogen effluvium refers to hair shedding. Stress, thyroid problems, low iron, crash diets and medications all cause shedding. Similar to AGA (above), the hair cycles are shorter and shorter hairs are produced. The impression to the individual is that it is not growing anymore. 

4.  Adult onset loose anlagen syndrome. 

This is an uncommon condition in adults where the hair does not stay rooted in the scalp properly. In essence the glue that holds hair in place in the scalp is faulty. The impression to the individual is that it is not growing anymore.