Growing out curly hair: a month-by-month guide to the awkward stage
Somewhere around month three, everyone wants to quit. Here’s what to expect, and how to get through it.
The short version
- Hair grows about half an inch a month on average — roughly six inches a year.
- Shrinkage hides a lot of it. Curly hair can look half its real length.
- The awkward stage usually hits around months 2–5. Shape trims help.
- Photos beat mirrors. Take one a week in the same spot.
A realistic timeline
These are rough numbers for someone starting from a short cut, growing about half an inch a month. Your mileage will vary.
| Month | Stretched length gained | What it feels like |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ~½ inch | Nothing’s happening |
| 2–3 | 1–1½ inches | Curls start appearing. Sides puff out. |
| 3–5 | 1½–2½ inches | The awkward stage. Triangle shape, nothing sits right. |
| 6–8 | 3–4 inches | Curls get weight and start hanging. It gets fun. |
| 9–12 | 4½–6 inches | Real length. Chin-ish once it springs up. |
Surviving the awkward stage
- Get shape trims, not length trims. Ask for the sides and back to be tidied while the top grows. This kills the triangle.
- Lean on product. A curl cream plus gel gives curls weight so they hang instead of puffing.
- Accessories. Headbands, a cap, a clip — no shame.
- Moisture. New length is older hair at the ends. Condition every wash.
Why it feels like nothing is happening
Shrinkage. Curly hair can shrink to half its stretched length — more for tight coils. You might have grown two inches, but in the mirror it looks like one. Stretch a curl and measure it once a month to see the real number.
There’s also a reason curly hair seems to break more easily as it gets longer. Research from L’Oréal published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found that while the internal structure of hair is the same across hair types, its geometry, water swelling and mechanical properties differ. In practice, the bends and twists in tightly curled hair are where tangles form and breakage tends to start. Gentle detangling and fewer heat sessions protect the length you’re growing.
Track it with photos — the honest way
A weekly photo in the same spot, same light, is the best motivation there is. Week over week looks like nothing; month over month is a revelation. Coil’s photo timeline keeps your check-in selfies in order so you can see past the stretch where nothing seems to be happening, and put any two side by side.
Questions people ask
How long does it take to grow out curly hair?
At around half an inch a month, expect six months for curls to start hanging and a year to reach chin length from a short cut — longer once you account for shrinkage.
Should I cut my hair while growing it out?
Yes, but small. Shape trims every 8–12 weeks and removing split ends help you keep the length you grow.
How do men grow out curly hair without looking messy?
Keep the neckline and sides tidy with regular shape-ups, use a curl cream and gel so curls hang, and push through months 3–5.
Sources
- Franbourg A, Hallegot P, Baltenneck F, et al. Current research on ethnic hair. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2003;48(6 Suppl):S115–9. PubMed 12789163