1. Average Hair Growth:
* The average hair growth is about 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) per month.
* In a year, that's roughly 6 inches (15 cm).
* In two years, that would be approximately 12 inches (30 cm).
2. The Big Caveat: Damage and Breakage from Straightening
* Heat Damage is the Key Factor: Straightening your hair every day, especially at high temperatures, causes significant heat damage. This leads to:
* Split ends: The hair shaft splits, making the hair look frizzy and thin at the ends.
* Breakage: Damaged hair is much more prone to snapping, meaning your hair will break off *at* various lengths.
* Why This Matters: If your hair is breaking off at the same rate it's growing, you won't see much length gain, even though your hair is technically growing from the roots.
3. How Much Breakage Are You Likely to Experience?
* High Breakage: If you're straightening every day without heat protection, using high heat settings, or not moisturizing and conditioning your hair well, you'll likely experience significant breakage. You might see *very little* length gain, or even hair that seems to stay the same length.
* Moderate Breakage: If you use heat protectant, use a lower heat setting, and regularly deep condition and moisturize, you'll likely still experience some breakage, but it might be manageable. You could expect to see maybe 6-8 inches of growth over two years.
* Minimal Breakage (Unlikely with Daily Straightening): If you were incredibly diligent with heat protection, used the lowest possible heat setting, were extremely careful with your technique, and took excellent care of your hair otherwise (deep conditioning, moisturizing, protective styling), you *might* be able to minimize breakage. Even then, daily straightening is very harsh.
4. Other Factors Affecting Hair Growth:
* Genetics: Your genes play a role in how fast your hair grows and how long it can grow.
* Diet: A healthy diet rich in vitamins and minerals is essential for healthy hair growth.
* Overall Health: Stress, illness, and certain medications can affect hair growth.
* Hair Type: Certain hair types are more prone to damage.
In Conclusion:
Given that you straighten your hair almost every day, it's very likely that you will not see the full potential of 12 inches of growth in two years. The amount of growth you actually see will depend almost entirely on how much damage you're causing and how well you're able to counteract that damage with proper care.
Recommendations for Better Hair Growth (While Still Straightening):
* Reduce Straightening Frequency: This is the single most important factor. Even every other day is significantly better than every day. Try to stretch it out to 2-3 times a week.
* Use a High-Quality Heat Protectant: Apply it liberally before every straightening session.
* Use a Lower Heat Setting: Start with the lowest setting and gradually increase until you achieve the desired results. The lower the heat, the better.
* Deep Condition Regularly: Deep condition your hair at least once a week to replenish moisture and protein.
* Moisturize Daily: Use a leave-in conditioner or hair oil to keep your hair hydrated.
* Trim Regularly: Trim away split ends every 6-8 weeks to prevent them from traveling up the hair shaft and causing more breakage. It seems counterintuitive, but trims promote length retention.
* Consider Alternative Straightening Methods: Explore less damaging options like blow-drying with a round brush or using large rollers to stretch your hair.
* Protein Treatments with Caution: Only use protein treatments sparingly, as overdoing it can make hair brittle. Follow product instructions carefully.
If length is your goal, reducing the frequency of heat styling is crucial.