🌿 Why Your Hair Isn’t Growing — And What Actually Works

A grounded guide from Serena of Serene Haircare

Why Your Hair Feels Stuck at Shoulder Length

Why does it feel like your hair just stops growing once it hits your shoulders? You see regrowth at the roots, but the ends never seem to catch up. Here’s the truth: it’s not that your hair isn’t growing — it’s that it’s breaking.

This is one of the most common frustrations clients bring into my chair. After 20+ years as a colourist and stylist (including my time with L’Oréal), I’ve seen it all — the fads, the “miracle” products, the influencer hacks — and I know what actually works in the real world.

Let’s gently unravel the myths and walk through the habits that truly support longer, healthier hair.

🚫 Myth 1: “Hair Growth” Products Make Hair Grow

One of the biggest misconceptions in the industry is that a shampoo, serum, or oil can make hair grow faster.

The reality? Hair growth happens at the scalp, and no topical product can change that.

That’s why you’ll see careful wording like “strengthens to support growth” or “anti-breakage formula.” What these products really do is help reduce breakage — which is valuable, but different from stimulating new growth.

What to look for instead:
Choose products that nourish and protect the hair you already have, especially through the mid-lengths and ends. This is what allows you to retain length over time.

👉 I dive deep into this in my 90-Day Hair Growth Challenge eBook (you can grab your free copy at the end of this post).

✂️ Myth 2: Frequent Trims Make Hair Grow Faster

Trims don’t speed up growth — hair only grows from the scalp. But trims do make a difference in how long your hair appears, because they stop your ends from splitting and snapping off.

Think of it like preventative maintenance: if you let split ends travel up the hair shaft, you lose more length in the long run. A light “dusting” trim every 8–10 weeks is the sweet spot.

💡 Pro tip: always tell your stylist you’re on a hair growth journey, so you both stay aligned and avoid unnecessary big chops.

🌱 The Real Reason Your Hair “Isn’t Growing”

If you’re touching up roots, your hair is growing. The issue is usually retention — your ends are breaking at the same rate your roots are sprouting.

Here’s what I teach clients:

• Roots: fresh, new, healthy.

• Mid-lengths: beginning to weather heat, colour, sun, and daily styling.

• Ends: the oldest part of your hair, most prone to dryness, brittleness, and breakage.

If your ends keep snapping, you’ll never see the length you’re working toward.

💧 Daily Moisture: A Non-Negotiable

The simplest — and most effective — change you can make?
Apply a lightweight oil to your ends every single day.

Just a few drops is enough to seal in moisture, protect from friction, and prevent the fraying that quietly steals your length. I’ve seen clients retain inches of growth in a year with this habit alone.

👉 This is exactly why I built oils into the Serene Haircare Cornerstone Ritual — simple, effective steps you can do daily without overwhelm.

💫 Leave-In Conditioner: Your Secret Shield

A good leave-in conditioner is like a soft, breathable raincoat for your hair. It locks in hydration and reduces friction from brushing, styling, and even just sleeping on your pillow.

When paired with a lightweight oil, it creates a powerful duo: hydration + protection. This is the kind of simple layering that makes the biggest difference for long-term growth.

🔄 Breaking the “Short Hair Hamster Wheel”

Here’s the cycle I see so often:

1. Buy trendy “hair growth” products.

2. Ends keep splitting.

3. Stylist trims them off.

4. Back to step one.

Months pass, but the length never changes.

The way off the hamster wheel? Shift from reaction to prevention. Instead of constantly treating breakage after it happens, build a daily routine that protects your hair so it can actually grow past the breaking point.

🌿 Habits That Truly Help Hair Growth

Alongside trims, oils, and leave-in conditioners, here are the core habits I recommend to all clients:

✅ Scalp massage during shampoo (3–5 minutes) to boost circulation.
✅ Sleep on silk or satin to reduce overnight friction.
✅ Wash every 2–4 days (avoid over-washing).
✅ Take a good multivitamin (skip overpriced “hair gummies”).
✅ Always heat style with protection — you don’t need to avoid heat, just be smart.

⚠️ One caution: heavy oils like coconut or castor oil aren’t right for everyone. They can cause protein overload and dryness if overused, especially on finer hair types. Use them sparingly, or opt for lighter oils unless you have very coarse or textured hair.

🌸 Final Thoughts

Growing your hair doesn’t require a 12-step routine. You don’t need to give up heat, highlights, or your personal style.

You just need the right balance of intention, daily care, and smart products.

That’s why I created Serene Haircare — simple, sustainable rituals designed to work with your hair, not against it. My goal is to cut through the noise and give women like us confidence, calm, and results we can trust.

🕊️ Because beauty, like growth, starts with trust.

💻 Want More?

📌 Download your free 90-Day Hair Growth Challenge eBook — your step-by-step guide to growing stronger, healthier hair.
📌 Book your next appointment: Serena Hair 0405278520 or Hello@serenahair.com.au (txt for speedy response)
📌 Follow @serena_hair on Instagram for tips + behind-the-scenes
📌 Subscribe on YouTube: @SerenaHairEdit