Hair growth at 40+? Has anyone grown their hair long?

[HaveAGoodDay]

My hair is long-ish, just pass my shoulders, but I want it longer, like down my back!!! It seems to of been this length for ages now & it's not like I have frequent trims!

I do colour my hair a lot so I see root growth. But I'm wondering if anyone has successfully grown their hair long after reaching 40?

depends on your follicles. They may not have a long enough cycle length to let it grow longer. This may or may not be related to age.

The longest I have ever been able to grow my hair is shoulder length even when quite young. Have you ever been able to grow it long when you were younger?

Yes. I did. It was quite flat on my head when it was longer and there was a lot of work in styling it. I've cut it back near shoulder length again.

What's condition like? It's not breakage at the ends is it? That could be another reason for apparent lack of growth

I'm back! Thanks for your replies!

When I was younger like little my hair was quite long. The last time my hair was at its longest was in 2006-2007 I got it to about mid back length, at the time I guess I thought it wasn't that long but looking back on photos - it was! Then foolishly I got it cut up to my shoulders! Too many hair colours/highlights & hair cuts & another baby over the years (who's now 5 yrs old so know its not that) and my hair just won't seem to grow back down!

I do colour it more than I should. I can't see much, if any grey that comes through. It's always been mega thick, I suppose it's become more 'wiry-like' as I've become older.

I do lose a bit of hair when washing & conditioning & I'm on everyday medication for migraine - when I first started that, I noticed a lot of hair fall, my hair went very thin. I don't think there's a great deal of breakage. It's been 6 months since my last trim. I may give it another 6 -8 weeks before I get a tiny bit trimmed off.

Yes I did, it's been long for about 5 years now (I'm 49) and it's around bra strap level, occasionally I'm tempted to get it cut, but feel that once I do, I won't be able to have it this long again

I have, having had it shorter for several years. It did take longer than it would have done ten years ago.

I wanted my hair longer and have been taking MSM tablets (google it)... has made my hair and nails grow significantly longer.

Apparently it extends the growth phase of natural growth cycles.

What happens to my hair at 40!?! I am stressed enough with this 40 business

my hair is just shoulder length but is the longest its ever been in my life and i am 51.wanted to go for longer than 6 weeks without hitting the hairdresser but too much root growth

Oh don't tell me this! Am 40 next year and after years of having a neat jaw length bob, I've decided to grow my hair. Is it too late?!

I am over 50 and hair is just past shoulders but I have had it longer . My hair is thinner but still grows fast. I have it trimmed regularly to maintain condition and keeping up to my roots is a pain . Not ready to go short yet but often ask hairdresser her opinion as don't want the old witch look !

I'm in my mid 40s and my hair growth hasnt changed. It's currently past my bra strap level I really must get it trimmed.

I know there's going to come a point where I need to get it chopped but not yet

I also had a short graduated bob and grew it (am 40). It is just past my shoulders now. I am trying to give it another year. Problem is I just tie it up all the time. It took 1.5 years from jaw length to shoulder length.

I lost a tonne of hair over about 12 months stress/illness/medication related. It made me miserable so I have a good Google and started using a caffeine shampoo and taking supplements (Boots Skin/hair/nails). Lots of nice oils in my scalp every so often (coconut smells lush and castor oil apparently manna for heads). My hair is growing back now and it it so thick and growing at a great rate. I have decided to keep up with the regime and see if I can get it down my back like some kind of Disney princess . Anyway, to cut the waffle, if you are going for it try supplements and shampoo for hair loss and you'll be a goddess in no time! (I am 40 btw, best age I have ever been, ditch those 20's and 30's they're rubbish )

I've heard about this caffeine shampoo, is it really that good? I cut my long hair (down to ribs) to shoulder length and I'm already considering growing it back! The endless cycle of hair choice..

I've just started to take Nourkin and use caffeine shampoo, I hoep it works!

I'm in my 40s and my hair is pretty long, still seems to grow really fast, quite often gets to waist length before I have it trimmed, then usually my sister gets carried away with the 'trimming' and it ends up around bra strap level before I grie it out again

I'm 65 and have never ever had my hair longer than 1" below ear length.
It is still really really thick and has to be trimmed, cut into, thinned, every 6 weeks to keep it's shape which is tousled and messed up. After about 5 weeks it starts to look like a sprouting mushroom.. Blonde with meshes/foils and the condition is great. I use Asda Dandruff shampoo and whatever conditioner is on offer, VO hair gel and Elnett hairspray. Sort it in the morning and never look near it till I brush out the hairspray at bedtime.

I hope my hair is always as easily kept as it has ever been.

Often I have wondered what it would like to have the versitality of longer hair, the hair half up will casual stray bits ..... I'll never know.

I'm trying - but can't get it past collarbone length. I've always fancied long hair, but usually cut it short as I get fed up faffing about with long, thick frizzy, wavy hair. This time I'm determined - but it's not getting any longer

Joey8, sorry been out all day, I've been using Plantur 39 which I found in boots (wanted to use minoxidil, I was desperate but I have trouble with high blood pressure so it was a no no) and I don't know if my hair would have suddenly grown back anyway but I can see and feel a big difference now. Just had to get over the slogan on the bottle 'for hair over 40' pffft!

When you massage oil into your scalp how long do you leave it before washing it out?

I will be 50 in May and just cut my thick ,blonde half way down my back, hair to shoulder length this past week. I have not had short hair for thirty years. I take Biotin and a tablespoon of coconut oil a day to help with my hair health.

It depends upon the person. My hair would just keep growing. I am 47 and it is currently a couple of inches above my bra strap. Im not fussed to have it really long. Think it looks just right the length it is. My brother has long hair and never has it cut.....its stayed the same length [ mid back] for years. It just never grows any longer. Its strange.

At 47 mines kind of between shoulder to bra strap length- too long and it drags my face down, but too short above shoulders makes my face look round! Im always wanting to go shorter/even fancy a crop sometimes, but know I'll regret it- mine does grow fast, and I home dye mine- roots only and trim it myself, go to salon maybe once in two years!!