If I had a pound for every client who comes into the salon and says “Margaret, my hair just does not grow,” I’d probably be retired by now.

It's one of the most common things I hear in the salon, especially from clients who are desperately trying to get their hair past that certain length.

But here’s the thing — your hair probably is growing.

The average person’s hair grows roughly half an inch a month, although everyone is different. So if your roots are coming through and you’re needing your colour done, there’s your proof — it’s growing!

placeholder image — The average person’s hair grows roughly half an inch a month.

The problem is often what’s happening at the other end.

Breakage.

If your hair grows half an inch from the scalp but you’re constantly losing length from dry, damaged ends, it can feel like your hair has been the same length for years.

And blonde hair is a big one for this.

Growing long hair is really a combination of two things: Growth and retention.

I absolutely love blonde hair — I’ve built a huge part of my career around colouring blondes — but there is a limit to what hair can take. Bleaching, straighteners, curling irons, heated brushes and even constantly tying your hair up can eventually cause breakage.

Sometimes the answer isn’t another treatment or another product.

Sometimes your hair simply needs a break.

Then we have the scalp.

seeing some hair in your brush or shower is completely normal.

We spend an absolute fortune looking after the ends of our hair and sometimes completely forget where the hair actually grows from.

Keeping your scalp clean and healthy is important. Shampoo properly, don’t skip washing your hair when it needs washing, and make sure you’re rinsing products out thoroughly.

Another thing I’ve become really interested in is the hair growth cycle.

Every hair on your head isn’t doing the same thing at the same time. Some hairs are actively growing, some are transitioning and others are resting before eventually shedding.

That’s why seeing some hair in your brush or shower is completely normal.

Things happening inside the body can also affect our hair. Stress, illness, hormonal changes and nutritional deficiencies can sometimes contribute to increased shedding or changes in hair quality.

So if you suddenly notice significant hair loss, bald patches, scalp problems or a major change from what is normal for you, that’s when I’d recommend speaking to your GP rather than just buying another bottle of shampoo. And finally — get the trim.

No, cutting the ends doesn’t magically make hair grow faster from your scalp. But removing thin, splitting ends can stop that damage travelling further up the hair and help you actually retain the length you’re growing.

Growing long hair is really a combination of two things: Growth and retention.

Look after the scalp where the journey begins, and protect the ends where you’re trying to keep the length.

So the next time you look in the mirror and think, “My hair hasn’t grown in years,” have a look at your roots.

Chances are, it has.

We just need to stop it breaking before you get to enjoy it.

Love Margaret.