Many people who were born on the shorter side always wonder: can you increase your height after 18? It turns out that there are actually some ways you can increase your height and feign the appearance of looking taller, even after you’ve crossed over your late teens when most people reach their final height. While the results from these tactics may not be drastic, it’s better than nothing and can provide you with some very useful hacks. If you’re looking for more ways to increase your height naturally, check out our must-see tips.
First things first: can you really increase your height?
After your final adult height has been reached, it’s not possible to grow taller, even with working out and nutrition. This is because the growth plates stop growing at this time. Growth plates exist at the end of long bones, and they proliferate to add cartilage which gets replaced by bone tissue to add height. Still, some people grow to be taller than the average person, and others continue to grow until the age of 20 or so.
Factors that determine height
Genes: 80% of your height is determined by DNA, based on finding from Genetic Home Research. About 50 specific genes play a role in determining your height and growth. Mutations in genes can also hinder growth.
Hormones: Hormones that affect your final height include: Growth hormone, Thyroid hormone and Sex hormones, including testosterone and estrogen.
Puberty: Although everyone hits puberty at a different age, it’s generally around 11-12 for boys and 9-10 for girls. This growth happens in two phases – first, the growth acceleration phase and then deceleration. Growth continues throughout puberty as tweens hit their Peak Height Velocity phase. For boys, the average age is 13.5 years, and for girls, it’s 11.5 years.
