Quick answer: most men’s hair grows about 4 to 6 inches per year, so growing out hair from a buzz cut to medium flow usually takes 10 to 16 months. The best way to grow it out is to pick a goal hairstyle, clean up the neckline and sides as it grows, use lighter styling products, protect the ends, and avoid panic cuts during the awkward stage.
Table of Contents
The awkward stage is normal. Your hair will look uneven before it looks intentional. The goal is not to avoid every bad hair day. The goal is to keep enough shape that you do not quit halfway through.
This guide gives you a men’s hair grow-out timeline, stage-by-stage haircut advice, awkward-stage hairstyles, product tips, and a plan for getting from short hair to flow, curtains, long layers, or a man bun.
Want to pick the right end goal before you grow it out? RateByFresh can review your face shape, forehead, jawline, hair, and style so you can choose between flow, curtains, middle part, fringe, long hair, or a cleaner short cut.
If you want a cleaner starting point, use the rate my face app guide before you commit to months of growth.
How Long Does It Take Men To Grow Out Hair?
Most men should expect about half an inch of growth per month, but the exact rate depends on genetics, health, age, and hair care. Cleveland Clinic gives a broad average of 4 to 6 inches per year, and Johns Hopkins notes that scalp hair grows about half an inch per month.
That means your timeline depends on your starting point and end goal. A textured medium cut might take 6 to 9 months. A real flow hairstyle usually takes 10 to 16 months. Shoulder-length hair can take 18 to 30 months.
| Goal hairstyle | Approximate front length | Typical timeline from buzz cut |
|---|---|---|
| Textured crop grow-out | 2 to 3 inches | 3 to 5 months |
| Curtains or tapered middle part | 4 to 6 inches | 8 to 12 months |
| Medium flow | 5 to 8 inches | 10 to 16 months |
| Long layered hair | 8 to 12 inches | 16 to 24 months |
| Man bun | 10 to 14 inches | 20 to 30 months |
Useful references: Cleveland Clinic on hair growth, Johns Hopkins on hair loss and growth, and Mayo Clinic on hair loss treatment.
Pick Your End Goal First
Do not grow your hair with no target. The haircut you want later affects how you should trim it now.
If you want flow, keep the top and back growing while cleaning the sides. If you want curtains, keep length in the front and remove side bulk. If you want a man bun, keep more length everywhere but still shape the neckline.
Men’s Hair Grow-Out Timeline
This timeline assumes you are starting from short hair or a buzz cut. If your hair is already medium length, skip to the stage that matches your current length.
| Stage | What happens | Best move |
|---|---|---|
| 0 to 3 months | Short, fuzzy, uneven, hard to style | Keep scalp healthy and avoid overcutting |
| 3 to 6 months | Sides puff out and top starts gaining shape | Get light side and neckline cleanups |
| 6 to 9 months | Awkward stage starts to peak | Use hats, texture, and strategic trims |
| 9 to 12 months | Front reaches curtain or flow territory | Start shaping the goal hairstyle |
| 12 to 18 months | Medium flow, long layers, or tucked hair becomes possible | Trim ends and refine the silhouette |
Stage 1: 0 To 3 Months
This stage is mostly patience. The hair is short, even, and hard to style. If you started with a buzz cut, your head can look round because everything grows out at the same speed.
Do not keep cutting the top. If the neckline gets messy, clean it up. If the sideburns look rough, clean them up. Leave the length alone unless the shape becomes uneven.
Stage 2: 3 To 6 Months
This is when most men start getting annoyed. The top has enough length to move, but the sides can balloon around the ears.
Ask for a light cleanup, not a full haircut. Keep the top growing. Clean the neckline, sideburns, and bulk above the ears. This makes the grow-out look intentional without resetting progress.
Stage 3: 6 To 9 Months
The awkward stage usually hits hardest here. Your hair may be too long for a short haircut and too short for real flow.
Use texture instead of fighting the shape. Sea salt spray, light cream, and a blow dryer can make uneven length look more deliberate. Hats can help, but do not rely on them every day or you will avoid learning how your hair sits.
Stage 4: 9 To 12 Months
This is where the haircut starts turning into something. Curtains, side parts, brushed-back flow, and medium layers become realistic.
Now you can get a shaping trim. Ask the barber or stylist to keep the length while adding light layers, removing side bulk, and cleaning the ends.
Stage 5: 12 To 18 Months
At this point, medium flow and longer hairstyles are possible. The focus shifts from gaining length to keeping the ends healthy and the shape flattering.
Book trims every 8 to 12 weeks. Ask for the smallest cleanup that protects the shape. Do not let a barber take off several months of growth because the ends look imperfect.
Best Hairstyles While Growing Out Hair
You need transition hairstyles. These keep your hair looking styled while you wait for the final length.
| Current length | Best hairstyle | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Short | Textured crop, messy fringe, short taper | Uses limited length well |
| Short-medium | Side part, loose fringe, brushed-up texture | Controls the awkward stage |
| Medium | Curtains, tapered middle part, flow | Starts using face-framing length |
| Medium-long | Layered flow, wolf cut, tucked hair | Adds shape and movement |
| Long | Long layers, half-up hair, man bun | Keeps length manageable |
How To Trim Hair While Growing It Out
The right trim helps the grow-out. The wrong trim resets it.
Ask for maintenance, not length removal. Use phrases like:
I am growing my hair out. Please clean the neckline, sideburns, and heavy side bulk, but keep as much top and back length as possible.
If you are growing curtains or flow, say this:
I want to keep the front long enough for curtains or flow. Please shape the ends and remove bulk without cutting the front short.
How To Get Through The Awkward Stage
The awkward stage is mostly a shape problem. Your hair is long enough to misbehave but too short to fall into place.
- Use sea salt spray for grit and movement.
- Blow dry the roots instead of letting hair air dry flat.
- Use a light styling cream instead of heavy wax.
- Clean up the neckline every few weeks.
- Keep sideburns controlled.
- Use hats on bad days, but still style your hair often.
- Take monthly progress photos so you can see change.
Track the grow-out: use RateByFresh progress photos to see whether your growing hair is improving your look or if you should switch to a different style.
Best Products For Growing Out Hair
- Gentle shampoo: cleans without drying out the scalp.
- Conditioner: keeps longer hair softer and easier to style.
- Leave-in conditioner: helps with frizz and dryness.
- Sea salt spray: gives texture during awkward stages.
- Styling cream: shapes medium hair without stiffness.
- Matte paste: controls shorter awkward-stage hair.
- Heat protectant: helps if you blow dry often.
- Wide-tooth comb: helps detangle longer hair with less breakage.
For styling products, see the best sea salt spray for men and the best hair products for men.
Hair Health While Growing It Out
You cannot force hair to grow inches overnight, but you can reduce breakage and support healthier hair.
- Eat enough protein and total calories.
- Sleep enough to support recovery.
- Be gentle with brushing and towel drying.
- Avoid bleaching damaged hair.
- Limit high heat and use heat protectant.
- Use conditioner as your hair gets longer.
- See a dermatologist if you notice thinning, patchy loss, or sudden shedding.
If hair loss is part of the problem, do not treat it like a normal grow-out issue. Mayo Clinic notes that options such as minoxidil can help some people with hair loss, but the right treatment depends on the cause.
Best Long Hair Goals For Men
Pick a goal that suits your face shape and hair type.
- Medium flow: best for thick or wavy hair and balanced face shapes.
- Curtains: best for straight, wavy, or fluffy hair with enough front length.
- Tapered middle part: best if the sides get bulky.
- Long layered hair: best for thick hair that needs movement.
- Wolf cut: best for wavy hair and stronger style.
- Man bun: best if you are willing to grow through a long awkward period.
Related Guides
- How to grow a flow hairstyle
- Tapered middle part haircut
- Best hairstyles for men
- K-pop hairstyles for men
- Messy hairstyles for men
- Modern mullet hairstyles
- Hair loss prevention for men
- Looksmaxxing guide for men
FAQ
How long does it take men to grow out hair?
Most men need 10 to 16 months to grow from a buzz cut to medium flow, based on average growth of about 4 to 6 inches per year. Longer styles can take 18 to 30 months.
How often should men trim hair while growing it out?
Most men should get light maintenance trims every 8 to 12 weeks while growing hair out. Clean the neckline, sideburns, and heavy side bulk, but keep the main length.
What is the awkward stage of growing out hair?
The awkward stage is the period when hair is too long to behave like a short cut but too short to fall into a longer style. It often happens around 4 to 9 months.
Should men cut the sides while growing out hair?
Yes, many men should clean up the sides while growing out hair, especially if the sides puff out. The key is to remove bulk without cutting the top and front too short.
What products help when growing out hair?
Sea salt spray, styling cream, conditioner, leave-in conditioner, heat protectant, and a wide-tooth comb help make growing hair out easier. They do not override genetics, but they can reduce breakage and improve styling.
What should I do if my hair is thinning while growing it out?
If your hair is thinning, shedding suddenly, or forming patches, see a dermatologist. Hair loss can have different causes, and normal grow-out advice may not be enough.