How to Know If Your Hair Is Growing? Signs to Look For
How to know if your hair is growing in actuality or just sitting there doing nothing. You’re not alone if you’ve stared at your reflection, questioning whether those strands are making any real progress. There are clear signs that show your hair is growing healthily. You don’t need expensive tools or salon visits to figure this out. This blog post will show you the telltale signs of active hair growth. You’ll learn the science behind how hair grows and get practical tips to track your progress. How to Know If Your Hair Is Growing? 5 Clear Early Signs Not sure if your hair is actually growing? Early signs of healthy hair growth can be subtle but are easy to spot if you know what to look for. Here are five clear indicators that your hair is making real progress, even before significant length changes become apparent. 1. Hairline Baby Hairs or Fuzz People often notice tiny, soft, wispy hairs along their hairline, temples, and forehead. These hairs often stick up or look fuzzy. They are shorter than the rest of someone’s hair. This is a sign that new growth is starting its cycle. 2. Longer Time Between Trims Someone might need haircuts less often, like every 8-10 weeks instead of 6. Split ends and damage take longer to appear. This means their hair is getting longer. 3. Tight Hairstyles Feel Tighter Ponytails, braids, and headbands start to feel snug or leave marks. This happens because of increased hair length and volume. 4. Change in Length at Nape or Crown People notice shorter hairs sticking out at the back of their neck or the top of their head. These areas often show growth first. Taking photos can help track subtle changes. 5. Increased Shedding (Normal) Someone might find more hair in their brush or shower. Typically, about 50-100 hairs are lost per day. Growing hair pushes out old strands. This creates space for new, healthy hair growth. If you are looking for a hair mask that suits your hair needs, check out our other blog: Best Conditioning Hair Masks in 2025. Distinct Phases of Hair Growth Cycle The hair growth cycle consists of four distinct phases: anagen, catagen, telogen, and exogen, each playing a crucial role in how hair grows, rests, and sheds. Understanding these stages helps explain normal hair growth patterns and common causes of hair loss 1. Anagen (Growth Phase) This is when your hair actively grows from the root. Most of your hair (85-90%) stays in this phase for 2-7 years. During anagen, cells divide rapidly in the hair follicle, pushing the strand upward. Hormones like estrogen extend this phase, while stress can shorten it. Genetics determines how long your anagen lasts, affecting your maximum hair length. 2. Catagen (Transition) A brief 2-3 week phase where growth stops and the follicle shrinks. Only 1-3% of your hair is in catagen at any time. The hair detaches from its blood supply but stays in place. Age can make this phase longer, while good nutrition keeps it short. Hormonal changes during pregnancy or menopause can disrupt this transition. 3. Telogen (Resting) Hair rests for 2-4 months without growing or falling out. About 10-15% of your hair is in telogen. The follicle stays inactive while a new hair begins forming underneath. Stress, illness, and poor diet can push more hairs into this phase early. Genetics influence how many follicles rest simultaneously. 4. Exogen (Shedding/Replacement) The old hair falls out as new growth pushes it up. This happens over 2-5 months, with 50-100 hairs shed daily. Seasonal changes affect shedding patterns; many people lose more hair in the fall. Hormonal shifts, medications, and age can increase shedding. This phase overlaps with anagen as new hair replaces the old. What to Do If Growth Seems Stalled? If your hair growth seems stalled, and you want the answer to how to know if your hair is growing? A few targeted steps can help. Consistent tracking, scalp-focused care, good nutrition, and professional advice ensure you spot progress and address underlying issues for better results. Track progress with monthly photos and measurements from the same spots for accurate comparison. Switch to scalp-focused products (like those with salicylic acid, tea tree oil, or niacinamide) and use clarifying shampoos weekly to prevent buildup. Check your nutrition: get your iron levels tested, eat protein daily, and consider supplementing with biotin, zinc, vitamin D, and omega-3 fatty acids for additional support. If there’s no improvement after three months, see a trichologist to check for underlying issues and get targeted treatments. Smart Hair Habits to Promote Growth Gentle detangling, protective styles, silk or satin pillowcases, scalp massages, and limiting heat all help reduce breakage and support healthy growth. Category Best Practices Cautions Detangling Start from ends to roots; use a wide-tooth comb; apply leave-in conditioner Avoid brushing wet hair aggressively, as it’s prone to breakage Protective Styling Choose loose braids or low buns (2–3x/week); allow scalp to rest Tight styles can lead to traction alopecia and damage Night Care Use silk/satin pillowcases; tie hair loosely or with a silk scrunchie Avoid cotton pillowcases that cause friction and breakage Scalp Care Massage scalp daily for 5 mins; try rosemary or peppermint oil Skipping scalp care can reduce blood flow and slow growth Treatments Use DIY masks for strength; consider clinical treatments like minoxidil or laser therapy. DIYs reduce breakage but won’t trigger new growth Heat Styling Limit use; always apply heat protectant Daily high heat damages the cuticle, slows visible growth. To Conclude Now you know the real signs of hair growth from baby hairs at your hairline to longer intervals between trims. These indicators mean your follicles are working properly, not that you’re imagining things. Hair grows slowly, about half an inch per month, so patience matters more than quick fixes. Focus on gentle care and healthy habits rather than expecting overnight miracles. Everyone’s growth timeline is different. What matters is progress, not perfection. Have you noticed any of these growth signs? Share your hair growth story in the comments – your experience might help someone else on their hair care path.
How to Get Over a Friendship Breakup?
Friendship breakups hurt more than romantic ones, yet nobody talks about them. While society offers countless resources for getting over ex-partners, the end of a close friendship leaves people feeling lost and unsupported. This article shows how to get over a friendship breakup with practical tools for healing from friendship loss, rediscovering personal worth, and building new, meaningful connections. Anyone struggling with the pain of a broken friendship will find clear steps to move forward and create healthier relationships. The process isn’t easy, but it’s absolutely possible to heal and grow stronger. Is It Really Over? Recognizing the Signs of a Friendship Breakup Friendship endings aren’t always dramatic. Sometimes they fade slowly, leaving people wondering if the connection is truly over. Learning how to get over a friendship breakup starts with recognizing the signs, which can be subtle but telling. Warning Signs What It Looks Like Forced Conversations Talks feel one-sided or awkward. Natural flow is gone. Dreading Plans Making arrangements feels like a chore instead of excitement. Emotional Distance Unresolved hurt lingers. Warmth has disappeared from interactions. Different Paths Values or life directions have shifted significantly. Common ground is lost. Broken Trust They’ve crossed important boundaries or betrayed confidence. Recognizing these patterns helps people understand when a friendship has run its course. Sometimes acceptance is the first step toward healing. How to Emotionally Recover from A Friendship Breakup? This section forms the emotional heart of how to get over a friendship breakup. Learning how to process pain correctly determines whether someone moves forward or stays stuck in hurt. 1. Allow Yourself to Grieve the Bond Validate your emotions without guilt. The loss of a close friendship deserves real mourning. People often minimize this pain, thinking they should “get over it” quickly. But genuine grief takes time, and that’s completely normal. Honor the sadness instead of rushing past it. 2. Practice Mindfulness Meditation Sit with the pain instead of pushing it away. Spending 10-15 minutes daily acknowledging and processing complicated feelings helps them naturally. This doesn’t mean wallowing, but rather observing emotions without judgment. Simple breathing exercises can provide immediate relief during overwhelming moments. 3. Talk With Someone You Trust Vent, share, reflect with someone safe. Bottling up emotions only makes them stronger. Finding a trusted friend, family member, or counselor creates space for honest expression. Sometimes, simply saying the words out loud can significantly reduce their power. 4. Stop Revisiting Memories Too Often Remove triggers from your daily routine. Photos, texts, and shared locations can reopen wounds repeatedly. Temporarily removing these reminders isn’t avoidance; it’s a smart way to manage your emotions. The goal is healing, not constant reopening of fresh cuts. 5. Write Your Way Through the Pain Journal to understand your thoughts. Putting feelings on paper helps sort through emotional confusion. This practice reveals patterns, clarifies thoughts, and tracks progress over time. Even five minutes of daily writing can provide surprising insights. 6. Forgive Yourself for Your Role Shift your mindset without self-blame. Most friendship endings involve mistakes from both people. Acknowledging personal responsibility matters, but endless self-criticism blocks healing. Learn from errors without drowning in guilt or shame. 7. Take a Social Media Pause Reduce emotional comparison or stalking loop. Watching an ex-friend’s posts creates false intimacy and prevents moving forward. Unfollowing or muting their accounts protects emotional well-being. This boundary isn’t petty; it’s necessary for mental health. 8. Prioritize Gentle Self-Care Physically soothe your body to calm your mind. Emotional pain shows up physically through tension, fatigue, and stress. Warm baths, gentle walks, or favorite comfort foods help regulate the nervous system. Treating the body kindly supports emotional recovery. Rebuilding and Reimagining Your Life After Loss Once the initial shock fades and emotions settle, the real work begins. This phase isn’t about replacing what was lost; it’s about creating something entirely new. Here’s how to get over a friendship breakup by transitioning from surviving to thriving. Create Fresh Habits and Rituals Reclaim joy with new solo routines. Building new daily practices helps fill the space left behind. Try Simple Daily Rituals: Morning coffee ceremonies, evening walks, or weekly favorite meal prep. Create Anchors of Stability: These small acts become reliable sources of self-care and comfort. Choose Genuine Pleasure over Distraction: Pick activities that truly bring joy, not just busy work. Build Personal Rhythm: Develop routines that belong entirely to you, independent of past friendships. Start Small and Consistent: Focus on manageable habits that can become natural parts of daily life. Join Interest-Based Communities Replace voids with shared energy. Shared hobbies naturally connect people with similar values and interests. Book clubs, hiking groups, art classes, or volunteer organizations offer built-in conversation starters and common ground. These settings remove pressure while creating opportunities for organic connections. Reach Out to Existing Acquaintances Rekindle overlooked or dormant bonds. Lost friendships often make people realize they’ve neglected other relationships. Reaching out to coworkers, neighbors, or old friends can reignite connections that have simply faded due to a lack of attention. A simple text or coffee invitation might surprise someone who’s been hoping for more contact. These relationships already have a history and foundation, making them easier to rebuild than starting from scratch. Volunteer or Contribute Shift focus from self-loss to shared value. Helping others naturally shifts perspective from personal pain to community impact. Whether it’s animal shelters, food banks, or mentoring programs, volunteer work creates purpose beyond individual struggles. This outward focus reduces rumination while building connections with like-minded people. Celebrate Small Wins Track personal milestones, not social replacements. Recovery happens in tiny steps that deserve recognition. This might mean going a full day without checking an ex-friend’s social media, trying a new restaurant alone, or having a good conversation with someone new. Writing down these moments helps track real progress. The goal isn’t replacing the lost friendship but building a fuller, more independent life that can handle future relationship changes. Book Recommendations to Guide Your Growth Books can be powerful companions during emotional recovery. Whether someone needs practical guidance or heart-healing stories, the right pages can help them feel seen and supported. 1. “The Gifts of Imperfection” by Brené Brown (Self-Help) A gentle, research-backed guide to embracing vulnerability, letting go of shame, and stepping into wholehearted living. Brown’s warm approach helps readers understand that imperfection isn’t something to fix but something to accept. Her practical exercises make complex emotional concepts feel manageable and real. 2. “Tiny Beautiful Things” by Cheryl Strayed (Hybrid Memoir/Self-Help) A deeply human collection of letters and advice that meets readers exactly where their hearts hurt and helps them grow. Strayed’s honest responses to real people’s struggles offer both comfort and challenge. Each letter feels like receiving wisdom from a trusted friend who truly understands pain. 3. “Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine” by Gail Honeyman (Fiction) This emotionally rich novel follows Eleanor’s quirky yet meaningful path through loneliness, trauma, and connection. Honeyman creates a character who feels isolated yet relatable, showing how small changes can lead to big healing. The story proves that finding belonging is possible even after deep hurt. 4. “Maybe You Should Talk to Someone” by Lori Gottlieb (Memoir/Self-Help) A therapist’s candid look at her own therapy sessions, revealing how everyone needs help unraveling life’s pain. Gottlieb shows both sides of the therapeutic relationship with humor and honesty. Readers find that seeking help isn’t weakness, it’s wisdom. 5. “The Midnight Library” by Matt Haig (Fiction) A reflective, imaginative story that explores regret, healing, and the infinite possibilities of rebuilding a life. Haig’s creative approach to examining life choices offers hope for anyone feeling stuck. The book reminds readers that every ending can become a new beginning. To Conclude Learning how to get over a friendship breakup requires patience, self-compassion, and time. Moving forward doesn’t mean forgetting the good memories or pretending the relationship never mattered. Instead, it means choosing personal peace over prolonged pain. Healing isn’t a straight line; some days feel harder than others, and that’s completely normal. The goal isn’t to replace what was lost but to build something new and meaningful. Everyone deserves friendships that bring joy, support, and genuine connection. Take these steps one day at a time. Growth happens gradually, but it absolutely happens.