Long Hair & Genes

[peacelove]

Hi, I am new here and in the process of growing my hair long. As a child, my hair was about one inch below my shoulders (maybe a bit more). My question is, do genetics limit how long your hair will grow? I want to grow my hair as long as possible. And my hair has been growing quickly. It is currently just above my soulders (I had a Halle Berry cut this time last year!)

Any info about this would be great. Thanks!

 

[sweetcocoa]

Welcome. I don't know if it does or not. I think it would be hard to tell since many of us are just learning that we(as black women)can grow our hair to great lengths. So looking at our mothers or grandmothers might not be an indication. For instance my neices hair is 4c and her hair is to the middle of her back...where as my sister's(her mother) hair has never been past shoulder length... but she doesn't know how to take care of her hair and does all the things I learned here are bad for your hair. So I beleive if takened care of we can grow our hair longer than our mothers and grandmothers.

 

[Paris Belle]

I personally don't think genetics limits our ability to grow our hair. I think that it determines our hair's texture and the way in which we have to take care of our hair based upon its texture. <font color="purple"> </font color>

 

[Honey Vibe]

The normal life span of a hair shaft is 2-6 years. You may never have hair down to your butt, because your hair does not have the sufficient life span. It has nothing to do with the curl: as some ladies have already mentioned, folks with 4zz hair have it all down their back, and I've seen folks with dreadlocks down to their knees.

If you're on the short end of the stick and think your hair literally cannot grow long, there are great methods to speed up growth in your 2-year window. I recommend going with a hair growth supplement regime. The results are long-lasting, healthy, and the result is absolutely gorgeous. Shop around! /images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Valerie]

SweetCoca and Carmen Rose
This is the first time, everyone has said something sensible about long hair and genes. There seems to be a school of thought, particularly among some black people that if you didn't have long hair when you were small, you probably can't grow your hair longer and taking vitamins/supplements is a waste of time, and you should accept you can't grow it, there are those who say that they would take any thing, if their hair is short, however if you go to other hair boards where which is for mostly white women, the boards longhairlovers and others now, if you have a 2 year growth cycle, they try to tell you what things to take so that you can get your maximum growth rate within the two years. Doing more massages etc and they really encourage each other. This board and a few other really encourage each other, where some are very negative. We will never know until we try and we have all our life to try and previously I have wanted to grow my hair longer, but I didn't have anyone to motivate me and I gave up and went back to bad habits like not washing regularly, not taking vitamins. Not deep conditoning. Not moisturising properly, perming, underperming, overperming, perming and colouring, within two weeks or each other, but instead of waiting at least a month doing deep conditioning treatments, I coloured regularly. I just got lazy and my hair started to break and I kept it short. It is very difficult to achieve your goals, if you don't have people to encourage you. You just don't bother anymore. Jenny Bahney the moderator of Longhairlovers, said she always wanted to grow her hair long for years, she was never able to achieve it. It was always shoulder length, so when she started her website, in May 1999, she had shoulder length hair, December 2002, her current length is tailbone, her goal is thighlength. She's takes her supplements and she goes to hairdressers, specialising in long hair and the amount of products she used, plus she is a trained trichologist and she studied her hair. I feel that black people are under the delusion that white people have no problem growing long lengths, well I saw a lot of white women, with shoulder length hair and if you see the state of the hair, one had very fine hair and it was barely touching her shoulders, the rest of them had hair which was permed, highlighted, bleached within an inch of their life. Even if some of them have long hair, there is not gloss. You can see their hair struggled to get to that length and it looks awful, some many with damaged ends. One white women was with her mixed race daughter (black father), if you see the state of their hair, it made you what to cry. But a lot of people don't know any better and living in UK, and United States are not long hair countries. We will have to deal with our hormones changing, which they do, every month, our stress levels, our pregnancies, if any of us have children etc, our changes of life and we will learn how to deal with them, improving our diet always helps. While we are focussing on our hair, we are improving on our health in the long run and I am sure that we will achieve our goals with the universe's help.

 

[Paris Belle]

You are completely correct Valerie. I always thought that white women. Asian and Latina women didn't have difficulties growing their hair, but I never once doubted that our hair couldn't grow. It was just the length of our hair that I didn't know could grow soooh long (I mean extraordinary lengths like waist-length).

Many times the reason why our hair doesn't stay long is that we put in chemicals too early. I have a relaxer but I didn't get one until I was 12. Getting a relaxer at 6-8 is wayyy to early. Yes, it's long then, but as we mature our texture changes and its definite pattern isn't until we at least reach puberty. Chemicals may stunt this growth pattern and damage it, making it difficult to make it grow or it may thin out. I know this for a fact because I've seen this with my friends. Their hair is either not long anymore or not as thick as it used to be.

Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against relaxers (because I do have one), but I think that sometimes we apply them too early in our lives.

And in addition our lack of care for our hair (especially not attempting to care for it because we think it won't grow) is what really hurts us in terms of length and health. Not knowing how to care for our hair and not willing to learn because we think it won't help is very common within our community. I'm so glad there are websites and forums now to discuss this and to help encourage us. Many people thought I was crazy or fanatical about my hair when I told them how long I wanted to grow my hair. I know that I am neither and this board has confirmed that for me. <font color="purple"> </font color>

 

[Kitkat]

Good question. I always wondered whether how long my hair will grow depended on how long it has been in the past. My hair was longest as a child, which is the case with a lot of us. I'm trying to get it back to that length (bottom of collar bone) and beyond. I think that maintaining the growth cycle so that the pattern is grow, grow, grow, instead of grow, break, grow, break, is the key. Because our hair tends to be dry, this leads to breakage. The key is to minimize the breakage. Lucia posted a thread not long ago with a link to the Wanakee site where Wanakee discusses this, and it's worth checking out. Of course, she's also hawking her products, but her methods make a lot of sense and they mirror a lot of what we have posted on this site.

 

[henrilou]

I agree with Valerie. I didn't have long hair as a kid. No one in my family knew anything about taking care of hair. But, my hair is long now. I think that we ALL can grow hair to at least b/s. (because I myself had that dried up, broken off hair )if we don't it's because we're too busy trying to have it all: gorgeous style NOW, AND long hair TOMORROW. I almost think you have to choose to have simple style now in order that you don't "wear out" your hair...

 

[pebbles]

</font><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr />
I think that we ALL can grow hair to at least b/s.

[/ QUOTE ] I agree 100% with that statement. Welcome peacelove! /images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Robin41]

Welcome, Peacelove. I'm trying like heck to prove all of your theories and see how long I can grow my hair.

At its longest, it was half-way between my shoulders and b/s length and that was probably in the third grade, some 30-something years ago! I know I can get it longer than that now and I'm having so much fun finding out how much longer.

Great question!

 

[Guest]

Hello.

I think that everyone can grow hair long. But it is a matter of how you take care of it. I remember this one girl telling me that her hair would grow long, and then it would break off. I think that is generally the case. Either it simply breaks off from not enough upkeep, or there are things that the person puts in their hair that blocks or limit the hair growth, or there are things that they do to their hair that breaks off the length, like those tight ball barrettes that kids where on their hair (know what I'm talking about? Almost everyone child had them) or keeping hair in styles for way too long, like cornrows with synthetic hair and not letting the hair breathe. And then, there's simply rough treatment. It is a must to have patience.

 

[adrienne0914]

i do think genetics play a small part, but i don't believe they determine how long our hair can be. my grandmother had waist length 2A hair. however, none of her daughters or granddaughters have achieved that length.

my hair stayed the same length for almost 20 years. as i've learned how to take care of it and changed my habits, i'm the closest to achieving that length than anyone in my family has ever been. i'm about 5" away and hope to be there by this time next year. so i think it's more important what you do (and don't do) to it than who your ancestors were... /images/graemlins/grin.gif

adrienne

 

[Honi]

As a kid I had long hair. My mom, aunts and cousins did too and they used products we wouldn't think of using today. Genetics does not determine in my opinion how long your hair will be. I think that it does determine what products you should use on your hair to keep it healthy and how to CARE for it. My hair would never grow to my bra strap but instead hovered a few inches and was definitely not healthy feeling/looking. Thanks to this board and others and the great sistahood we have it's possible for EVERYBODY to achieve length! We just all need to be consistent and diligent. &lt;singing coombayaaa.....&gt; lol

 

[Valerie]

Adrienne
You must be very proud of your hair, it is really beautiful. Today I saw a young woman with long relaxed hair, although her ends were neat, it was not like yours at all, so thick and lush. You are an example to us all, how you changed your habits and how you achieved your goals.

 

[Jade21]

The impression I've gotten from everything I've read is that genetics play a significant factor. More importantly, as someone mentioned, the impact of your hair growth cycle.

The way I would view genetics is that it, right along with things like nutrition and hormones, external care for your hair, go into your hair growth "potential."

Most of the men and women in my family could grow very long hair. As a child up until the age of around 17, my hair never grew below my shoulders.

I've always been glad I started my hair growing journey back in 1997 /images/graemlins/wink.gif

Cheers,

Jade

 

[peacelove]

Thank you all for the feedback!! I just got a touch up and trim today, so my hair is looking VERY healthy!! I look forward to getting more good info from the people on this thread. /images/graemlins/smile.gif Hope everyone has a safe and growing new year!

 

[LondonDiva]

Peacelove

Welcome to the board.

Seeing as the women in my family have never grown their hair long before, it's hard to see the growth potential. But I don't think that genetics plays that much of an important role in the length our hair can finally achieve.

 

[hairfanatic]

</font><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr />
My question is, do genetics limit how long your hair will grow?

[/ QUOTE ]

Hi Peacelove,

I use to think that genetics was part of the reason some people had hair longer than others also, but that is no longer the case.

Since you said your hair is growing quickly and not the opposite, which is breaking...you are doing thing right.

I have seen too many people with long hair and have questioned many of them and they all say basically the same thing...Long hair has nothing to do with genes but has a lot to do with the products, tools and appliances you use and how you are perserving the hair everyday. I have personally seen the efects of this with people on this board, myself and those that just LEAVE THEIR HAIR ALONE. They either braid it, twist it, bun it, etc., but they do this for weeks at a time. They are not combing the hair everyday and they had to find the RIGHT products that worked with their hair.

I have personally used many of these ideas and have watched as many people tell me "YOUR HAIR GROWS SO FAST BECAUSE YOU HAVE GOOD HAIR!" If they only knew (and a lot of times I spend time explaining what I do to accumulate lenght) /images/graemlins/smile.gif

If you really want to see quick growth get on a vitamin program. I have found the following to be the right ones that are working for me.

2 Vitamin E
2 Ultra Nourish Hair
1 Silica
1 5mg Biotin

You will have to experiment because some vitamins may have a different effect on different people.

You can also grow your hair by protecting the ends of your hair and if you where it down, make sure the ends are curled under.

Find the RIGHT products that work for YOU and...STICK WITH IT! What works for one person may not work for another. I have personally made the mistake of setting myself back by using a horrible product because of a recommendation only to have to rebuild my hair all over again. But...you will have to experiment to know what works for your hair and don't feel bad when you see someone else that has beautiful hair from a product that didn't work for you.

In order to find the right products, you have to really pay attention to your hair. Ask yourself what problems you are having with your hair (if any), and what do you want to achieve for your hair? Is it length? Is it to make your hair easy to comb? Prevent my hair from breaking? To have natural ingredients?

When you learn what works and what doesn't, you'll be able to go into a store and experiment with products that will do a certain job for your hair to build your routine.

 

[leejure]

I believe genetics have something to do with it in terms of "having to be more careful and not as careful" if that makes sense.

Some people are able to grow long hair without having to wear protective styles, or having to take supplements while others have to do all some or all of the above. Some people are born with really dry hair (genetics) which means that one would have to take extra care if they are seeking growth than one who was born with ntaurally lubricated hair.

Hope that made sense!

-lee

 

[hairfanatic]

</font><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr />
Some people are able to grow long hair without having to wear protective styles, or having to take supplements while others have to do all some or all of the above.

[/ QUOTE ]

That's a very good point Leejure. My aunt has waist length hair and she wears her hair down everyday, but braids it at night, don't take vitamins and her hair still grows. Could it be that we want long hair so bad that we subconsciously believe that doing the protective styling, vitamins etc. is what causes our hair to grow? Okay, I'll stop, I'm thinking too much again. /images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[leejure]

&lt;&lt;Could it be that we want long hair so bad that we subconsciously believe that doing the protective styling, vitamins etc. is what causes our hair to grow? &gt;&gt;

See that is where I think genetics come in play. Some people do not have to do any of this and their hair will grow with no problems. While others (like me) have to protect our ends if we wnat our hair to grow longer faster.

-lee

 

[henrilou]

Yes. There is probably a limit to the length you can grow your hair. But the limit is probably somewhere about MID-BACK level. I think this because NO ONE in my family has long hair. The women in my family are hair disasters (perming every three weeks, curling iron twice a day if needed...)Well, now my hair is long. (And it wasn't easy and that's a whole other story) So I think we all have the POTENTIAL for MIDBACK, but we sort of have to lead our hair there...

 

[Supergirl]

WOW!

Jade and Adrienne, you guys are inspiring. Jade, I'm just wowed by the fact that your hair didn't go past your shoulders up until the age of 17. And now you've just cut your hair from knees to butt! No wonder they call you the Guardian Angel of Tresses

Keep helpin' us out /images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[happylocks]

What has helped most in proving that genes dont not allow detemine hair lenght or growth?