Thread: Growing your hair LOOOOOONG

Ok friends-let's talk hair. Mine is past my shoulders, but I want it to be almost to my waist. Got any products/treatments that really speed up hair growth? Or is this just impossible?

I think there are a couple of ways. I'm still working on mine also. It is at my bra band but I want it to go to my waist, but here are some things that have really made it grow fast.(about 10 inches in a year)
I had keratin bonded hair extensions put in at one point and took good care of them. When I got them taken out 6 months later, my hair was significantly longer due to my real hair not being styled every day.
Don't wash your hair every day.... wash it every 2-3 days and use dry shampoo in between.On the night before you are going to wash your hair, put jojoba oil or an oil on your roots such as do gro from sally's. I put a fekkai treatment on the ends. or some times i put fekkai shea butter conditioner on at night and wash in the morning. I always get compliments on my hair when I do this and it makes it smooth and strong.
I take biotin, flaxseed oil and a multivitamin.
It also helps if you drink plenty of water and eat fruits and veggies.
I stopped dying my hair with dye and use henna or henna and indigo now. It seems to make it a lot healthier!
Don't EVER get a razor cut..makes the hairs split and keep splitting. Don't use tight elastic bands or wear your hair the same way all of the time. It causes traction damage.
These are just some of the things that work for me....
Go to Hairboutique.com. They have a lot of helpful threads about growing long hair.

I think a lot of it depends on how fast your hair just naturally grows. My hair and nails grow really fast, and I was able to grow mine from a short pixie cut to below my bra strap in about 2 1/2 years.

I did find this article, though: How to Make Your Hair Grow Faster - wikiHow

Mine has gone from chin length to shoulder length since late January. Some people just have fast growing hair and some don't. In the meantime, consider hair falls--I suck with any kind of hair help, but others have had good luck with them. (Lauren has said a lot about the wonders of hair falls.)

good vitimins, antioxidants...feed hair from inside.
what works here ?
no blow dryer, no "product".a clear fluid shanpoo, 1 good lather, condition for at least 1 min.
STRAIGHT COLD RINCE..all this done flipped over in the kitchen sink - VOLUME !
run a wide tooth coomb through, dont touch till dry.use vent brush ,head hanging upside down, throw back, smooth from underside.
repeat once a week.get a good trim with sharp tool every other month.
i only dye outgroth too....
anyway, works for me.

sorry, typo..."in the kitchen sink = VOLUME"

Originally Posted by zamora

good vitimins, antioxidants...feed hair from inside.
what works here ?
no blow dryer, no "product".a clear fluid shanpoo, 1 good lather, condition for at least 1 min.
STRAIGHT COLD RINCE..all this done flipped over in the kitchen sink - VOLUME !
run a wide tooth coomb through, dont touch till dry.use vent brush ,head hanging upside down, throw back, smooth from underside.
repeat once a week.get a good trim with sharp tool every other month.
i only dye outgroth too....
anyway, works for me.

This is pretty much how I care for my hair. I rarely use any hot tools and I do use a cool rinse (unless it's freezing out because I hate ending my shower like that). I only brush my hair when it's dry--when wet I use a wide tooth comb.

Thanks ladies-I was trying to avoid the extension route-too much $$$. You know how some shampoos/products claim to accelerate hair growth? (I think I've seen those)...I was wondering if anyone had good results with that too....

My hair has brown from just below shoulder length to just below bra strap length over the course of the last 8 months or so. My tips:

• Wash it only twice a week. The oil in your scalp responds to frequency of washing - the more frequently you wash, the more oil it generates. If you wash less frequently, your scalp will adapt to the less frequent washing and generate less oil, so it'll still look clean even if washed less often. I don't bother with dry shampoo in between - no need to, really.
• Avoid hair dryers.
• Avoid curling irons or hot rollers.
• Perms and color are both hard on the hair. I imagine chemical straightening is too, though I've never had that done.
• If you choose to get it colored or permed, go a professional hair dresser with a lot of experience in working with chemicals. The worst condition my hair was ever in resulted from using home perming and coloring products.
• Choose your hair products carefully, selecting ones that are gentle on the hair. Many years ago, I used Prell shampoo - and then a hairdresser told me that's really harsh on the hair, and it's what many hairdressers use to strip color. So I changed to something else. I personally like Lanza products, though I imagine there are some more affordable ones that are also good. Just do some research and make sure that what you're using is friendly to your hair.
• Avoid getting trims too often. I go for a bangs trim about every 5 weeks, but I don't let my hairdresser trim the ends of the long part that often. I only allow trimming the length about 3 times a year. Even if you tell them "just a tiny bit", you can bet that in reality a whole inch will come off.

Originally Posted by JasmineRose

Thanks ladies-I was trying to avoid the extension route-too much $$$. You know how some shampoos/products claim to accelerate hair growth? (I think I've seen those)...I was wondering if anyone had good results with that too....

The nioxin shampoo and conditoner are pretty good. I don't know if they help it grow any faster, but less seems to fall out when I use them.

Originally Posted by *Shira*

[list][*]Wash it only twice a week. The oil in your scalp responds to frequency of washing - the more frequently you wash, the more oil it generates. If you wash less frequently, your scalp will adapt to the less frequent washing and generate less oil, so it'll still look clean even if washed less often. I don't bother with dry shampoo in between - no need to, really.
list]

I wish that were true for me. I sweat so much when I sleep that I HAVE to either wash my hair or use dry shampoo at least underneath and around the edges. This is supposed to happen less as you age though because your skin doesn't produce so much oil. ..c::

I do have my hair partially highlighted-I am not willing to give it up-my hair isn't severely damaged as I have a very good experienced hairdresser.

Shira-I heard about Lanza. I'm gonna check them out again. Oh and I have certainly become firmer about the trimming-they ALWAYS take off more than you tell them-learned the hard way!

As far as only washing my hair a few times a week-I have baby fine hair. It gets disgusting and oily if I let it go more than a day. It is just one of those things I get obsessive about-can't stand some greasy hair!!! Also, I go to the gym almost everyday and I get really, really sweaty. Plus, I live in south Louisiana=humidity=hair gets nasty quick. Does yall's hair get icky that quick? How do you deal with that? Do you wear a hat or a scarf? Sorry for being difficult lol-I really appreciate the tips!

Originally Posted by JasmineRose

As far as only washing my hair a few times a week-I have baby fine hair. It gets disgusting and oily if I let it go more than a day. It is just one of those things I get obsessive about-can't stand some greasy hair!!! Also, I go to the gym almost everyday and I get really, really sweaty. Plus, I live in south Louisiana=humidity=hair gets nasty quick. Does yall's hair get icky that quick? How do you deal with that? Do you wear a hat or a scarf? Sorry for being difficult lol-I really appreciate the tips!

Yes, mine does. I have to wash it every day if I don't use dry shampoo or baby powder. Otherwise I look like a skank.

I think a hat or scarf might just make it flat and stringy? Maybe if you put it in a bun before going outside for long periods? or a braid or something like that..

My hair is down my back. I have thin, wavy/curly hair. I would say it took me three years to get it this long.

I stopped coloring my hair.

A wide tooth comb and detangler spray to comb my hair when it is damp.

I use a conditioning treatment once a week.

I don't use blow dryers, curling irons, or straighteners often. For the most part I let my hair air dry. If I am feeling fun, I will use the heating products, with a styling spray meant to protect hair.

Also, I don't cut my hair often. Futhermore, I haven't been to a hair salon in the three years that my hair as grown out. I have someone just trim my ends, like four times a year. It is contrary belief to go 6 to 8 weeks, but people comment on how my hair is beautiful and healthy it is. I am not spending extra money because of the length of my hair.

I haven't used salon hair products either. I change up my shampoo and conditioner everytime I run out. My favorites are John Frieda's products for brunettes, Tresemme, and Loreal.

Plus, I don't wash my hair everyday. I will if I am working out, dancing, etc. But, for the most part, I have to wear my hair up at work so I usually wash every other day. The next day is the best time for updos. When I do wash I wear a braid and the next day it looks great

Waist-length hair here! Thick and curly. My hair grows like a weed and is 100% virgin; I have never had any color or any other chemical treatment. I gently use a very wide-toothed comb in the shower after I have applied conditioner. I wear it up most of the time, twisted in a bun and held with sticks, or back in a ponytail when I go to the gym. I sleep with it in a braid, always! I only get my hair cut twice a year, periodically lopping off curls around my face between cuts. Just be very gentle to it while it is growing out and remember that hair often has a predetermined length it will grow before it starts breaking.

Yasmin could offer lots more advice as to growing hair really long as her hair is ankle length!!

For those of you who wash your hair daily, I'd say go ahead and try switching to every other day for a month, and see what happens. You say it gets greasy if you go more than 24 hours without washing, but that's because your scalp is trying to compensate for all that washing by replacing the oil you washed away. If you reduce the frequency and stick with it for a few weeks, your scalp will adapt and start generating less oil.

If you do stuff that makes you sweaty, try wearing your hair up in a bun, off your sweaty neck and back, while doing it.

The people I know who have butt-length hair typically wear it in a braid, except for when they want to let it loose for effect. Sometimes they curl the braid up in a bun at the base of the neck (which is what Aunt Rocky does), and sometimes they let the braid just hang down the back. A hat or scarf does help protect it. I don't personally don't braid mine, and probably never will, but I've been told by a friend who does it that part of what damages hair is letting it fly free in the wind.

By the way, here's a tip I forgot to mention in my earlier message: avoid excessive exposure to the sun, which damages hair.

With regard to washing, I think it really depends on the kind of hair you have and the type of skin you have.

If you have fine, straight hair and oily skin you will need to wash it more because of the way the hair already just sits on the head, absorbing oil. I don't agree that the skin is compensating for the lack of oil on the scalp.

I wash every other day (unless I've been doing something super sweaty or dirty like gardening or my allergies are actin' up) and sometimes every day near my period when my skin is more oily.

In the main I am very very lucky with my hair. It's thick, strong and has a good natural colour (I do touch up the grey of course).

It blow-waves very well and responds well to all sorts of things, but it does have a tendency to be on the dry side and will frizz in humid settings such as after doing an intenstive routine in a sweaty restaurant. Not a good look. Kind of Brian May from Queen.

But over the last 7 years I have gone from a very short crop to somewhere between shoulder blade and bra strap length. I'm aiming for the waist, but have no idea how long it can actually grow. In between I went shortish again a couple of times because I wasn't sure that long suited me but I like it now.

This is how I look after it:

I only wash it once a week. It is dry-ish so never gets oily.

I tie it back most of the time or twist it and clamp it up the back. It's easier in the mornings, and has the great benefit of keeping your hair cleaner / in better condition and not letting the elements blast it about the place.

When I wash it I rough dry it to about 80% dry with a hairdryer, then I use baked-bean-can sized velcro rollers that I got off ebay. My hair is very heavy so I have to clip them into place but then I just get on with things round the house for a few hours and then take them out. It stays in deep waves pretty much until the next wash, even with tying it back.

I use a heavy serum after the wash/condition to coat and protect the hair. If your hair is oily then you will have to get a specialised serum for oily hair. It coats the shaft and stops moisture getting in so easily.

I use straighteners on the long fringy bit at the front (bangy bit?) about three times a week because it goes curly overnight sometimes. I figure that it gets cut more often at that point and make sure I use GHD hair oil or similar to protect it first. I occasionally use heated rollers, but now that I have the velcros I tend to rely on them. It's so easy.

Good luck with the growth - I read somewhere that you should expect half an inch per month. According to my grey roots that's about right for me lol!
xxx

...

How long is your hair Sylvia?

I have fine straight oily hair, too. My hair looks best if I wash it every day, but I try not to waste water so I try to stick to every other day--by the "other" day, it looks yucky. :(

Fine long hair works even better with the velcros. Roll it up while it's wet, it'll still dry relatively quickly if it's fine. Ah but then could you handle velcro-ing eery day? Would add volume for special occasions very well.

...

Went from top of shoulders to mid-thigh in 4 1/2 years. I donated 30 inches 2 years ago that was healthy all the way to the ends with minimal breakage. Here's what I do (it's more of what I don't do, actually)

NO chemicals of any kind, including store-bought shampoo.

I wash my hair with a natural shampoo bar 1-2 times a week (it's homemade soap specially formulated for hair).

I rinse after washing with 1/4 cup cider vinegar in a quart of tepid water (a sports bottle works great for this) sometimes along with a couple of drops of lavender or tea tree essential oil.

De-tangle very gently with a wide tooth comb. Never brush wet hair. Do not touch until dry. Air dry only. If I need a little styling help, I use a little natural aloe gel.

I mix jojoba oil with essential oils and use as a weekly scalp pretreatment before washing. After washing, I apply 1 drop of jojoba oil blend to the ends of my hair. I rub it between my hands and then rub the ends of my hair gently to distribute.

I slept with my hair in a loose braid (secured with the silicon no-break elastics), and during the day wore it wound up with a stick poked through it. I found that was the most efficient way to contain it while causing the least amount of damage.

Doing the above makes the hair cuticle so strong and shiny, that your hair will be amazingly soft and healthy. Homemade soap and vinegar rinse (along with no heat or chemicals) was why so many women of the last century had such gorgeous hair.

Halima-vinegar is acidic-did you find that it lightened your hair over time?

Great tips ladies, great tips!

Well, the research may have changed but back in the day when I was hairdressing, the official word was this: hair grows at the rate of about half an inch a month. It will keep growing for between seven and 12 years, depending on the individual person. So how long your hair *can* get is largely dependent on how many years your own hair grows, how tall you are/aren't (if you're 4ft 11 it's going to look longer than if you're six foot) and how much damage occurs to the ends. The ends of course are always going to be fragile because they're old.

When my hair was long I always let it dry naturally, seldom if ever brushed it, combed when wet and washed about once a week. It was in pretty good nick.

I will TRY the every other day-it is a very scary thought. My hair gets so gross :( . Maybe if I put it up as suggested. But if I go for an outside run or have a vigorous workout I will have to give in :(

I also need to divorce my daily blowdrying. Guilty! I have this annoying part/cowlick on the back of my head that I am always trying to reshape. I need to ignore that sucker!

Originally Posted by JasmineRose

Halima-vinegar is acidic-did you find that it lightened your hair over time?

Great tips ladies, great tips!

I did not notice any lightening from the rinse. I did get a little lightening from being outside over time during the summer. Skin and scalp are normally on the acidic side of the pH scale. That's why a very diluted acidic rinse after using an alkaline shampoo bar normalizes things and makes it healthier. I have heard of people using a vitamin C tablet dissolved in the rinse water as well, but I prefer the vinegar. Especially if I use a lavender-infused or other herbally infused vinegar.

The vinegar rinse is really the key for me. Since I use a true soap instead of a synthetic detergent based shampoo, any minerals in my water can create a slight soap residue which can make the hair feel a bit gummy. The acidic rinse gets rid of the soap residue and re-balances the pH leaving everything squeaky clean and shiny, flake-free and healthy. Kind of like putting vinegar in the rinse cycle in the washing machine or through your coffee pot to get rid of build-up. Except, of course, very diluted.

Hi everyone! My hair is pretty long (past my butt). Comb it carefully, wear it up whenever possible. Check out this forum, it's got a lot of great advice and encouragement for growing your hair. The Long Hair Community Discussion Boards - Powered by vBulletin