At our Manchester hair extension salon, we’ve spent over 20 years helping clients transform their hair. One of the most common frustrations we hear from new clients is, “Why won’t my hair grow?”
If you’re patiently waiting for longer locks but seeing little progress, this article will explain exactly what could be holding your hair back—and how hair extensions could be the perfect solution.
Why Won’t My Hair Grow?
You’ve been growing your hair for months—maybe even years—and it still won’t get past your collarbone, chin, or chest. If your hair is coloured, you know it’s growing (hello, root touch-ups!), so why isn’t it getting longer?
We hate to break it to you, but your hair could be growing but not retaining length—and there are several reasons for that.
Let’s break them down.
1. Lightened or Over-Processed Hair
If you regularly bleach or lighten your hair, even with care, it can affect the hair’s porosity and strength. Damaged, porous hair may absorb conditioner quickly—but it also loses moisture just as fast, leading to dryness, breakage, and split ends, especially at the tips.
Having a root shadow or darker tint between highlights can worsen the issue, as tint often needs to be stripped or bleached again, compounding damage. Over time, this cycle of colour and bleach can break even the healthiest strands.
⚠️ Pro tip: Always work with a stylist who cares about both the result and the long-term condition of your hair. At our salon, quality comes before quantity.
💡 Bonus tip: Hair extensions can help reduce how much of your natural hair you lighten, while still achieving those bright tones. They can also protect and support damaged hair while it recovers.
2. Poor Hair Washing Habits
Washing your hair the wrong way? It could be sabotaging your hair growth.
- Brush before washing – it’s less damaging to detangle dry hair than wet
- Double shampoo – using a small amount each time
- Rinse thoroughly – product build-up = dry, heavy, brittle hair
- Condition properly – rinse it out; don’t leave it in (unless it’s a leave-in product)
- Avoid towel rubbing – blot gently instead to protect the cuticle layer
Bad habits = breakage, and breakage = no length retention.
3. Heat Damage from Styling Tools
Love your straighteners or curling wand? So do we. But heat damage is real.
Set styling tools to no more than 185°C—any higher and you risk permanently damaging your hair fibres. We exclusively use GHD tools in our salon for their consistent, safe heat settings.
🔒 Heat protectants we love:
- L’Oréal Colour 10-in-1 – ideal for coloured hair
- Mythic Oil + Constructor – great for natural hair
- All of them smell amazing too (bonus!).
Even the best tools won’t save your hair if you use them too often or without protection.
4. Over-Styling and Handling
Your hair endures daily wear and tear from brushing, tying up, sleeping, sun, pollution—the list goes on. Unlike other fibres, your hair doesn’t get to “rest.”
Here’s what helps:
- Minimise wet brushing
- Use silk pillowcases – we recommend these to all our hair extension clients
- Be gentle with hair ties – avoid rubber bands or anything that tugs
- Brush from ends up to avoid unnecessary stress
Small changes = less breakage = better growth.
5. Your Hair Growth Cycle
Let’s get a little science-y…
Your hair grows in 3 main phases:
- Anagen – the growing phase (2–6 years)
- Catagen – the transition phase
- Telogen – the resting/shedding phase
The anagen phase is what determines how long your hair can grow. If yours is on the shorter side genetically, your hair might shed before it ever reaches long lengths—even if it’s growing healthily.
💡 Hair grows about 1cm a month. So even with a 4-year anagen phase, that gives you 48cm of growth before natural shedding occurs.
If your growth cycle is short, it doesn’t matter how well you care for your hair—you may never get ultra-long locks without help.
So, What’s the Solution?
Hair extensions are the best shortcut to long, full, healthy-looking hair.
Whether your hair is damaged, naturally fine, or just stuck at one length, hair extensions let you enjoy the style you want right now, while your natural hair continues to grow safely underneath.
At our Manchester hair extensions salon, we’ve helped countless clients achieve their dream hair—whether for volume, length, or both.
Ready for the Hair You Deserve?
Let’s help you grow your confidence—no more waiting years for results that never come. Our expert team is here to guide you through the best extension options for your hair type and condition.
📍 Visit us at our Manchester hair extension studio
📞 Book your consultation today
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