ok before the flaming begins let my explain

im a black girl and my own hair is short and its pretty much been the same length as it was when i was a young girl and i have noticed this with some other black females whom i grew up with and their hair is pretty much the same length its always been which is short

so for a long time i have had the impression that black womens hair doesnt grow or it grows but it just doesnt grow as long as other womens hair and when a black woman does have long hair other black women want to claim that its not real or its a weave

someone care to clarify this? can black women grow their hair just as long as other womens hair or what?

and if your hair is long can you give me some tips because ive been trying to get my hair to grow for a long time

this is weird...but just to let you know black woman can grow there hair long just like any other race...

my mothers side of my family is black and I have many aunts and cousins who have long hair...there are different hair shampoos and conditioners that are made specificaly that is for your type of hair, that will help aid the growth of yor hair....

much luv
[Edited 10/27/09 22:25pm]

Our hair is quite delicate and tends to break. Our hair needs a ton of moisture. My hair is at this point about 2 inches down my back and growing the same 1/2 inch per month as everyone else's. My hair grows quite rapidly and I'm sure if I can maintain the breakage my hair would be Aaliyah length in a few years. There are a bunch of websites dedicated to Black women growing their hair long and how to maintain. Really all it takes is some babying and tons of conditioning and moisturizing. Also we tend to cut our hair more into styles. I get tired of my hair when it is longer, with maintaining upkeep and I cut my hair short every few years (or sometimes just out of depression LOL) otherwise I do believe at this point I would have hair halfway down my back. My hair frizzes at the ends and that irritates and then I just want to cut it off. Now that I flat iron it I am much more happy to keep the length. Otherwise I have long hair but it looks like shit.

here are my tips...

1/ take phyto hair growth capsules at sephora or nordstroms (I know $50 for 2 month treatment but it really works!)

2/ people think to grow your hair you need not to cut it.. False.. the more you cut it the faster and stronger it grows, so make sure to trim it (just a 1/4 of an inch every 2/3 month)

3/ Lastly avoid heavy relaxers or hair colors, those will damage your hair and make it break.. If you really need relaxer make sure to only use it on the new growth and leave it only 10-15 mn max.

hope this helps

PurpleDiamond2009 said:

I'm sorry, but this question is just so bizarre to me... I'm curious as to how young you are, because it sounds to me that you may have come of age after the uprise of the weave in the 1980's. Have you never seen the natrually large afros and pressed long tresses black women wore in the 1970's? I'm just stunned.. sounds as if you are saying you've never seen anyone within our race with long hair...in your life...?

Have you talked to your mother about this? Or any of the ladies in your family to seek hair care tips? Also, I'm curious what city you live in...just trying to think of what resources could be available in your area for you to find more information.

Do you see a hairstylist? Or, are there any black salons in your vicinity?
Depending on your budgetary concerns, perhaps you can find a black salon, or for a fraction of the cost- a black flea market where they have a salon section to get someone to assist you with hair care. Until then, try consulting the following sites:


http://www.sophisticatesb...a-stylist/

http://www.essence.com/fa...auty/hair/

http://www.growafrohairlo.../tips.html

and keep searching for tutorials on youtube to help you out:










if you need more, maybe try looking for more tutorials by typing "black hair growth" into the youtube search engine. Good luck!

Ottensen said:

I had some more websites in mind,but I need to get the address right first...will add more if I can
[Edited 10/27/09 23:48pm]

yes

My hair is almost halfway down my back, never worn a weave. It's always been long and grows fast, as well as a bunch of crazy colors naturally. Sometimes I feel like an anomaly with my hair color and texture. It's relaxed, though I'm lazy and don't blowdry/flat iron it often. I don't take perfect care of it as I should, so I deal with dryness, breakage, and lots of split ends, but it's manageable (I'm the ponytail and go type) and works for me.

Hair grows at different rates. Moisturizing and maintenance are key. I've realized that a lot of people I grew up around deal with hair issues because of abuse of relaxers, product (gunky gels), heat, and weaves.


Dominican salons also do black hair VERY well, I actually prefer them to the black salons even though I can't understand what they're saying half of the time lol.

My hair grows pretty well... it's past my shoulders. Vitamins help.

Also:
- Sleeping with a silk scarf or bonnet, or on a silk pillowcase to avoid breakage is a good idea.

- Wool coat collars in the winter cause breakage- again, a silk scarf around the collar.

My sister bought this oil called "Wild Growth" that made her hair grow thicker and "edges" grow in...

chocolate1 said:

I don't understand how you're Black yet asking this question? Yes, we can. Before I locked mine was always several inches past my shoulders

Of course black women can grow their hair long

Most of the women I see with locs and natural styles have very long and healthy hair

I just want to add that you have genetic markers for "hair growth"- some people will never have loooong hair. And black people have different "wave" or "kink" patterns. If you are wearing your hair naturally and comb it with the incorrect comb you will continually break it off.

though ive tried several times- ive never been able to tolerate perms- although as a child my mom did the "curl" perm and my hair grew grew grew because of the moisturizer - but then broke of because of the chemical.

I moisturize and oil frequently and my hair is thick and healthy.

Evvy said:

I "rake" thru my curls with my fingers most of the time, and only use a very wide-toothed comb when I need to go all the way thru. That has made a difference- not constantly combing and combing.

An interesting topic I've never really thought about, been some interesting reading. I'm terrible with my hair I don't give it nearly enough care really. Don't get me wrong I do obviously shampoo, condition and comb it, but I also dye it (used to monthly :S ) and pretty much rip at it with brushes because it can get very knotty because my hair is long (reaches the top of my bum now). Reading all your comments and tips has given me something to think about... maybe I should give my hair a lil TLC!

Repeated Post... DELETE
[Edited 10/28/09 7:00am]

It's all in the GENES.
Period.

Graycap23 said:

And how you take care of your hair. It is not just genetics.

Delicate, damaged hair will break once it gets to the shoulders. Strong, healthy, nourished hair is less likely to break off at the shoulders, especially if it is protected at night by a silk scarf to minimize pulling and tugging by sheets and pillowcases. Healthy, nourished hair means not putting damaging chemicals in it, not abusing it, moisturizing it properly (with proper, natural moisturizers) and a balanced, nourishing diet.

PunkMistress said:

True but I'm referring length of hair.

PurpleDiamond2009 said:

Not laughing at you, just the question. The answer is 'YES" My mom has had hair down to her ass forever. She's much older now and now it has thinned, but still grows long. There seems to be this stereotype that Black women can't grow long hair. Look at Oprah, that is all her hair. All it takes is taking care of your hair Constant curling and flat irons can damage the hair and cause breakage. Perming, if not done right, can also damage the hair, and that's not limited to just Black women. You need to get orger "Paintedlady" in on this conversation, as she is a hairdresser..

Years ago many Black women wore their hair in a natural state, no chemicals, and the hair was much more healthier and grew longer. There really wasn't any hair products for Blacks on store shelves. Then when there were, they weren't the best products to be honest. In my opinion, it really wasn't until the mid 80s that you started seeing better hair care products on the shelves, for women of colors.

Secondly, Black people have various textures of hair, so you cannot lump them in one pot. You have Blacks with coarse/very tight, what is often referred to as nappy hair, wavy, curly hair and even straight textures. It's all about how you take care of your hair.
[Edited 10/28/09 7:37am]

chocolate1 said:

You are so right about the wool coats. It will pull on the hair and break it. A silk scarf around the neck/shoulder area of the coat, can be used to protect if from the wool.

Yes U can, grow long hair..... I make my own hair products & I sale them for women that have these type of concerns.... can they grow long hair or thicker hair.
U maybe one those people that have to invest in ur hair with the right kind of products procedures and timeeeee.
But not everyone is born just growinggggg long hair so i understand. Just like some have thick hair or curly, or certain colors, hair or soft or coarse hair, but for each state of hair there is a way to either get it to a place that u like with time products and effort. And I sure U will and can.
keeping it healthy and finding out do i need relax, or dominican blow out so heat won't tare it up, does my hair grow better with moisture and oil, or do it grow better with lite oil..... some people need products with water and botanical based oil, to lock in moisture to grow their hair, thats why when (curls) were out u seen lots thick long hair. some need messaging and lite oil, so their hair can grow.

1. get nice cut
2. good shampoo (nexus)
3.Good conditioner (nexus)
4.balm african pride.
5.lite/ heavy oil with herbs in it
6. shea butter base products.

wash once (WEEK) or every other week....Hot oil treatment put oil in hair, let oil sit in hair mix with with a (stimulating) hair care product. oil mint oil
1 hour, then wash out with good conditioner.
let it air dry.
then blow it out with a nice lite oil (note not much oil)
and apply leave in conditioner, this will coat the hair and lock in all the good
stuff ur hair needs to grow.
style it.
( get a (Wrap) hair style this will grow ur hair and wrap it everynight with a little conditioner, and warping product.


I understand ur ? Just like some people R born lean and slim and some have to work for it. Email if u want help.

http://viewmorepics.myspa...D=59648031


http://viewmorepics.myspa...ID=1564479

[Edited 10/28/09 9:05am]

You just have to know how to take care of it. The edges of my head are short. I have no idea how to grow it. Back, front and sides....everything else is long.

BklynBabe said:

Girl, you can have Aaliyah length at any time considering she wore a weave and her real hair was only shoulder length.

2elijah said:

Also, various hairstylists have been telling me for years that the chemicals in perms have changed drastically in the last 10 years which is leading to more damage than they've ever seen.

Yessum.

SCNDLS said:

I have to agree with you.

sammij said:

but it's easier to grow it if you have dreads....My uncle is tall and his is past his behind.

peacenlovealways said:

That "Wild Growth" stuff my sister uses really works. Her hair was so thin on the sides, she looked like she had a mohawk. Now she has edges.


spelling edit
[Edited 10/28/09 10:04am]