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Has anyone over the age of 40 successfully grown their hair long?!

45 replies

youvegottobekidding · 18/10/2016 16:41

So, I'm nearly 44, I cut my hair the shortest it's ever been which was collar length about 4months ago. The last time I had long hair was around 10 years ago, since then I've managed to abuse my hair with too many colourings etc and have quite a few 'bob' cuts.

I came across some old photos & yes I saw myself with long hair & now I pine for it back!! I do actually suit it better, hate to admitt it but OH was right!

I did attempt to grow it a couple of years back, but it seemed to get to take ages to get to a certain length then look shit so I'd have to chop it. It's thick & fairly

I wonder if hair growth rate slows down as we age, so is it possible I can grow my hair now I'm nearly 44? I've stopped colouring it & straightening & just tying it back. I don't believe those shampoos can help speed up hair growth, i just have to be bloody patient and kick myself for cutting my hair in the first place!!

OP posts:
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Crusoe · 18/10/2016 16:47

I have been growing my hair since Jan 15. It was extremely short then i.e. Cropped & shaved at the back and is now comfortably on my shoulders / just getting past my shoulders.
I have always thought my hair grows quickly but I think as I approach 50 it is slowing up a bit.
I'm afraid you do just have to be patient and ride out the horrid bit when it looks awful.

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rightknockered · 18/10/2016 16:55

Ive grown my hair from just below shoulder length to bra strap length over the past year or so. I do think taking hair/skin/nails supplements has helped.

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rightknockered · 18/10/2016 16:56

I've

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CremeEggThief · 18/10/2016 16:58

So jealous of all of you whose hair grows quickly. Mine is extremely curly and it's grown from jaw length to top of bra length in 3 years, but it doesn't look much past my shoulders!

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MrsDmitriTippensKrushnic · 18/10/2016 16:59

I'm 45, my hair is long at the moment. I didn't notice it being particularly slow growing I have to say but my hair's natural stopping point is around bra strap length, so a lot shorter than other people's 'long'. Iirc I last had it cut short (chin length) about 3 years ago, and I've also had a couple of occasions where I've cut a couple of inches off to tidy it, so I don't think it's been too bad.

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Pisssssedofff · 18/10/2016 17:06

The grow gorgeous syrum actually works, I couldn't believe it tbh because I was fairly slack about applying it but where I have baby hair has started appearing all round my hairline

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Doobigetta · 18/10/2016 17:06

Mine was already long when I turned 40, but I haven't noticed it slowing down since.

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soyvanillalatte · 18/10/2016 17:06

I'm 51 and mine grows at a ridiculously fast rate. I like it shoulder length and within 2 weeks it appears to be a few inches longer (I know that's not actually true but that's how it feels). I need 2 inches off and my last cut was about 3 months ago.

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TheDowagerCuntess · 18/10/2016 17:28

I had my hair cut short a couple of years ago.

I'm growing it long again - not sure how long yet.

I think you need to get it trimmed reasonably regularly - even just the bear minimum - to encourage it to grow.

And you need to ride out the in between phase!

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neveradullmoment99 · 18/10/2016 17:36

Its a myth that says cutting hair makes it grow:

Cutting the ends of your hair doesn't affect the follicles in your scalp, which determine how fast and how much your hair grows, says Paradi Mirmirani, MD, assistant professor of dermatology at the University of California, San Francisco. Hair grows an average of a quarter-inch every month—whether or not you cut it.

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neveradullmoment99 · 18/10/2016 17:37

I am 48 nearly 49 eek! My hair grows quickly. I can see this because my roots need covered every 3 wks [ very often after 2 wks i have bloody regrowth] It hasn't slowed down. I only cut the ends myself and havent been to the hairdresser now for years.

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Pisssssedofff · 18/10/2016 19:11

I found staying away from hairdressers helped my hair grow miraculously

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MadisonAvenue · 18/10/2016 19:14

47 here. I'd had cropped hair for a few years until February this year, it's now an almost chin length bob.

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DancingDinosaur · 18/10/2016 19:18

Getting hair trimmed does help hair grow, not because its encouraging the hair to grow, but because it gets rid of the split ends which otherwise snap off.

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ErrolTheDragon · 18/10/2016 19:19

I'm 55, get my hair cut to shoulder length about twice a year, at which point it needs about 3" off. About the same as ever I think.

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burnishedsilver · 18/10/2016 19:23

I've grown my hair long twice in my 40s. The growth rate doesn't seem to have changed.

I take hair and nail vitamins so that might be helping.

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ijustwannadance · 18/10/2016 19:25

For me as i've got older it isn't about how fast my hair grows but more about quality of the hair. I'm late 30's with long hair but it's gone from being thick, lush surfer curls to being much thinner and dry. After having DD it turned to straw. I stopped dying it a while ago and will get it cut before xmas.

Long hair looks great ifas long as hair is in good nick.

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KatieHopkinsAteMyHamster99 · 18/10/2016 19:52

I am 43 and have grown my hair from chin length Bob to bra strap length in last 5 years. But the condition towards the ends is a bit dry. It's ok when blow dried but goes frizzy annoyingly easily

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CMOTDibbler · 18/10/2016 20:07

I'm 44 and my hair grows as fast as ever. I don't colour it, so the condition is great

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ErrolTheDragon · 18/10/2016 20:12

Yes, never having had any sort of colouring or other treatment probably helps. (I think my hair might have a picture in the attic a la Dorian Grey, unfortunately its not of the rest of meGrin)

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Adarajames · 18/10/2016 20:35

My hairs almost waisit length, am in my mid 40s, and like pp it grows too damned fast as root regrowth and the grays appear free only a couple of weeks, very annoying!

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MixedUpConfusion · 19/10/2016 00:10

I had mine cut in between shoulder and chin more a less a year ago to the date, it's now half way down my back, bra strap length. It still grows really quickly. Also when I cut a fringe in I have to trim it every few weeks or its in my eyes. I'm 46.

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BadToTheBone · 19/10/2016 00:17

Yes, I'm 49, I get it cut into a bob, hate it then grow it, then cut it, hate it grow it, cut it; you see the pattern? Showing no signs of slowing.

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BadToTheBone · 19/10/2016 00:19

Oh and although my hair is going grey, it's in good condition although I do colour it.

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Sovain · 19/10/2016 00:19

Mine still seems to grow pretty quick. Had it all chopped off 18 months ago into a pixie cut so am trying to go longer now. It's taking an age as I can't bear the mullet look- so having to keep up the trims.

If I adopted hats/scarves for 6 months and stayed away from the salon I'd have a decent bob by now

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