Why Your Hair Is Not Growing (Even If You’re Using Oils)

Millie Longworth
Jan 8
3 min read

I'm using oils to help with hair growth, but nothing is happening! I'll tell you why your hair is not growing even with a good routine.

If you feel like your hair is stuck at the same length no matter what you do, you’re not imagining it.

This is one of the most common frustrations I hear from women, especially those who are investing in oils, masks, supplements, and treatments but still seeing no real growth.

Here’s the truth: most people don’t have a hair growth problem.

They have a breakage, scalp, or routine problem.

So let’s break it down properly...

Firstly: Your Hair Is ALWAYS Growing

On average, hair grows around 1-1.5cm per month.

If your hair wasn’t growing at all, you’d notice thinning at the scalp very quickly.

What most people are experiencing is, hair growing at the root, but then the hair is snapping, thinning, or splitting at the ends.

So it feels like it's not growing; when in reality, you’re losing length as fast as you gain it.

Why Hair Oils Aren’t Fixing the Problem

Hair oils are not bad. But they are not a solution just on their own.

Oils:

Seal moisture
Add shine
Reduce friction

They do not:

Repair damage
Fix breakage
Heal an unhealthy scalp
Override poor hair habits

If oils worked alone, everyone using them would have waist-length hair.

Oils are the final step, not the foundation. 🌸

Stay with me 💭...

The Real Reasons Your Hair Isn’t Growing

1. Breakage Is Cancelling Out Your Growth

Common causes:

Over-brushing
Heat without protection
Tight hairstyles
Sleeping without protection
Old, thin ends that keep splitting

If your ends are breaking every month, you will never see length.

2. Your Scalp Isn’t Healthy

Hair grows from the scalp. If your scalp is:

Itchy
Flaky
Inflamed
Constantly oily or painfully dry

Growth will be slower and weaker. A congested scalp cannot support strong hair.

3. You’re Overdoing “Hair Care”

More is not better.

Too many treatments, too much manipulation, constant product switching, and aggressive routines are actually stressful for the hair.

Healthy hair routines are:

Simple
Consistent
Boring (but effective)

4. Stress, Hormones & Lifestyle Matter

Chronic stress, poor sleep, under-eating, and hormonal changes all impact growth cycles.

You cannot out-oil a nervous system that’s exhausted. So please consider other factors that may be happening in your life and adjust accordingly! 🫶🏼

When Oils Do Help

Oils are powerful when used correctly:

On damp hair to seal & lock in the moisture (this would be applied AFTER your leave-in conditioner)
On the scalp only if there’s no buildup
As part of a wider routine (not the routine itself)

Think of oils like lip gloss, not skincare.

Helpful, but not transformational alone.

What Actually Helps Hair Grow Longer

If you want length, focus on:

Scalp health
Moisture balance
Low manipulation
Consistent trims - I said TRIMS. not 5inches off every month because obviously!?
Protecting your ends daily
A Hair Stylist who understands and fully supports your hair growth journey.