Does Hair Really Grow Faster With Certain Styles? Let’s Clear This Up.

If I had a dollar for every time I heard one of these comments, I’d be retired on a beach somewhere:

• “My hair grows so fast when I have braids.”

• “Ever since I added beads, my hair just started taking off.”

• “Locs really make your hair grow.”

I get why it feels that way. Truly. But today, with a big smile on my face, I want to gently clear this up — because understanding this can completely change how you care for your hair.

Here’s the short truth:

Styles don’t make your hair grow faster. What they often do is help you keep more of the length you’re already growing.

And that difference matters.

How Hair Growth Actually Works (The Simple Science)

Hair growth happens at the follicle, underneath the scalp — not at the ends, not in the style, and not because of accessories.

On average:

• Hair grows about ½ inch per month

• Growth rate is influenced by genetics, health, hormones, and scalp condition

• Styles do not change how fast follicles produce hair

So, if growth speed isn’t changing… why does it look like it is?

Why Certain Styles Make Hair Appear to Grow Faster

This is where the confusion comes in — and where most myths are born.

1. Less manipulation

When hair is braided, loc’d, or tucked away:

• You’re not combing it daily

• You’re not heat styling

• You’re not constantly re-detangling

Less manipulation = less breakage.

2. Better length retention

Hair is always growing — but many people never see length because it breaks at the same rate it grows.

When breakage slows down:

• Length becomes visible

• Hair feels “longer”

• Growth appears faster

Nothing sped up. You just stopped losing progress.

3. Visual tricks (yes, beads count)

Beads, wraps, and accessories:

• Add visual length

• Draw the eye downward

• Make styles feel fuller and longer

They don’t change growth — they change perception.

(And side note: heavy or unbalanced accessories can cause breakage if not placed intentionally.)

Do Protective Styles Help Growth at All?

Yes — but not the way people think.

Styles can support growth when they:

• Reduce daily stress on the hair

• Protect the ends

• Allow the scalp to stay calm and balanced

But styles alone are not enough.

If the scalp is inflamed… If the hair is dry and brittle… If tension is too high… If maintenance is painful…

No style can out-perform poor care.

How you remove your protective styles matters just as much as the install

What Actually Supports Healthy Length Over Time

This is where real growth support lives:

• A healthy, calm scalp

• Proper hydration (water first, oil second)

• Gentle, thorough cleansing

• Techniques that don’t cause pain or tension

• Maintenance intervals that respect the hair

• Routines that fit your lifestyle — not trends

Whether your hair is loose, braided, loc’d, or in micro locs, care between styles is what determines how much length you keep.

Consultations are the key to achieving the locs you’ve always wanted.

The Reframe I Want You to Remember

Here it is — the part I want to gently replace the myth with:

Healthy hair growth isn’t about the style. It’s about how your hair is treated while it’s in that style.

Styles can support growth. They don’t replace care.

If your hair seems to “grow faster” in certain styles, that’s not magic — that’s information.

It’s telling you:

• Less manipulation helps

• Gentler routines matter

• Your hair thrives when it’s not under constant stress

And once you understand that you can grow your hair with intention — in any style you choose.

Curious about what’s actually helping or hurting your growth? That’s a care conversation — and it starts with understanding your hair, not chasing the next style.