3. Understand your hair’s limitations
As sad as it sounds, just because you saw a technique work for somebody else doesn’t mean that it will work for you. Not everybody will be able to achieve length while relaxing their hair, maybe you have super fine strands that dont do well with chemicals. Or you could be coloring on top of your relaxer which is not a great idea if length retention is your goal.
I can’t tell you how many relaxed ladies that started their hair journeys around the same time that I did who are still struggling to retain decent length. That is not a dig at them or their regimens at all, it’s not even a dig at relaxed hair in general as I have seen many relaxed ladies with long thick hair. Relaxed hair can and does grow long but depending on your hair texture, it may very well end up being more challenging FOR YOU to achieve your goals than with natural hair.
This doesn’t just apply to chemical treatments though. If you are a natural who likes to wear your hair straight and you know that you won’t be able to resist whipping out that flat iron* to smooth out some minor dents every morning, then that is a limitation too. Why not install a sew in during the grow out phase so you can still enjoy the straight look without getting excessive heat your own hair.
4. Don’t get too adventurous with your hair
If the idea of a BKT aka keratin treatment, a brazilian blow out or a full head of purple hair sounds great but you are not sure you want to risk your strands, you are right! There will be plenty of time to get adventurous with your hair once you’ve achieved your goals. There is no reason to color all your hair when a few streaks of color at the top will give you the same effect. Pick your battles wisely.
5. Consider hair vitamins
Do not discount the possibility that your slow hair growth could be due to a poor diet or slow metabolism particularly if you have had faster growth in the past.
Clean up your diet by including more fruits and vegetables through juicing or by other means. Fruits and vegetables improve the nutrient density of your meals but you can always support your healthy lifestyle with supplements* targeted to faster growing hair. Hair growth aids enhance your growth rate but remember, they are no substitute for a good solid regimen.
6. Patience
There are countless examples of women who have achieved the length of their dreams and even though all you see now is that they have long hair, they all had short hair at one point. They all went through that awkward stage when no hairstyle looked quite right and they probably had more than one setback in their journeys. Armed with a good regimen, let patience be your preferred hair growth aid!
That’s it! I hope you found these tips helpful. Slow hair growth can be frustrating sometimes but at least now you know now that it will not prevent you from having long healthy hair!
Blessedfrom Above says
There are a lot of solutions…
Mary says
Hair growth rate isn’t a feeling. Either it is or isn’t. Mine grows at different rates. The looser texture grows at the average rate. As it gets kinkier, the rate slows with the kinkiest sections averaging approximately 1/4 a mo. It grows this way even while in protective styles. The only thing that speeds up the slow growth is regular scalp massages using essential oils mixed with a carrier oil. Then the rate almost evens out.
Veronica Ramos says
What are they if you do not mind telling me
Ni-Ni Henderson says
I know mine doesn’t grow at a slow rate. Other people can’t help it no matter what they do.
Joann Soldieroflove Reed says
I need to know too please
Natural Sista Katrina says
mines grow fairly decent, but my hair eats up moisture and the dryness causes breakage, this is probably the main reason I don’t see much growth.. but I’ll just be patient
Prisca Sienkiewicz says
nothing…. you cannot beat genetic. beauty is not synonym with long hair …healthy is more important
KESH says
I think proper moisturization and healthy diet is key. Black hair is the driest. Without moisture, no matter how much protective styling or exotic products we use, our hair will NOT grow.
Abby says
I think it will always be a combination of various factors – diet (most important), protective styling, use of right products and being fairly consistent with your hair care routine to encourage growth. It is not rocket science but it is something that you have to sort of play by ear to see what method works (based on your hair type and your hair styling habits).
irynne says
Nice tip…but i guess it doesn’t work for everyone. I am so frustrated with my hair 4C hair almost giving up…following tips to the core but my hair isn’t growing instead its tinting, becoming more coarse and shorter by the day. Need daily handholding..does BHI have challenge tips for a specific period.
Jason Chan says
I think that hair growth varies from person to person. It is different for every individual. I personally suggest to just eat healthy in order to feed your hair the nutrients that it needs. And do not neglect the scalp. It has a very important relationship with hair growth and will definitely affect the rate at which your hair grows.
joyce says
Finding the right balance of moisture/protein is the key. Daily or at least 3 times a week scalp massages will help hair grow longer. The problem is retention. To retain hair keep it moisturized.
Theresa says
No matter the situation all hair grows even when it’s damaged, it’s the overall health of the scalp and hair that makes the difference in your length. Genetics plays a role too.
melba prevot says
I do believe moisture is the key to black hair growing long fast. When I wore a curl my hair grew extremely long.
manda says
That maybe true but everything dosent work for everyone,,,,Im gonna agree with the viewers…. my hair breaks & it become shorter by tha day instead of growing …. I NEED GREAT ADVICE !!!!!!…..WHAT SHOULD I DO????????????
Woodyni says
I’m not sure about my growth rate but all I knows is I gain 0.4 inch/month if I follow a “classic” routine: moisturize every other day – shampoo/deep conditioning once a week.
I gain 0.6 to 1.2 inch/month (depending on the area) if I follow an “extremely strict” routine : moisturize twice a day – shampoo/deep cond. once a week or every 10 days – wearing cornrows and nothing else!!! (well, i still can put a wig on top of my head but my real hair has to be cornrowed. That’s the only way i found to avoid matted hair at the roots, tangled strands and knots at the ends).
Being lazy or wearing synthetic braids/twists for a long period (eg 4 weeks) is simply suicidal for me…
@Manda: what you should do depends on your current hair routine, your life style, your overall health and of course, the current state of your hair…
Mesha Coleman says
Every protective style (braids and weaves) have damaged my hair more than help with growth. Usually it thins it and pulls it out around the edges. I’m a wash and go girl with low manipulation. Not really sure what I’m doing wrong. I rarely wear it down often mostly up in a pineapple style. Recently the texture changed after being natural over 5 years. Just lost..,
Annette Logan Heyward says
Im new to this natural hair(1yr) journey and it has been more work then my relaxer. Im going to try until my 2 yr mark and hopefully i have it down pack by then.
Cb Sampson says
MOISTURIZE AND PROTECTIVE STYLES
Estelle Holder Harildstad says
i am not sure that a slow growth can be accelerated unless you take some hair vitamins to help mother nature
Mikresha Turner says
Elisha Chevy Gal Barbee Jacqueline Doss Amy Jernigan
Ashtynne Hopkins says
Christine Pdn
Aliyah Morrison says
I Agree my front and sides goes faster and the mid and back of my hair grows slower . I have only been natural 10 months. I measured my hair after 10 months the front was over 5 inches when stretched the sides were a little longer . The back measured under 5 inches when stretched . I think another problem was that I recently got a big trim to the middle and back of my hair when I went to the salon one time to get it roller set . So some parts of my hair grows average to above average and some grows slow . Uugh hate the awkward stage length .
tO2OAmAzon says
I had trouble with moisture when I first started in February. Dry hay hair is what I called it. I discovered oil rinsing and stopped shampooing unless necessary. I used sulfate shampoo but if there was build up I use ACV with honey. I spray my hair with Infusium 23 leave in conditioner. I’m also prescribed Minoxidil for an ailment. The side effect of it is outrageous hair growth EVERYWHERE. My face gets covered lile a werewolf. The drugs side effect is why its used in topical Rogaine. People this stuff GROWS HAIR. I cut all of my perm ends off in October. My twists were to my nose and I cut them to mid forehead. They are now past my nose. Its the Minoxidil.
Madison says
Ladies, I would suggest you try the maximize hydration method. Look it up. It works.
On screen I'm Nifa Dean says
I found that taking silica topped up the vitamins I needed to grow my hair half an inch a month for 4 months. I took a 2 month break and my hair didn’t grow at all. Then I went back on silica and I got an inch a month for 2 months straight. Hair growth isn’t an exact science, and average growth rates etc don’t always apply to all people. I’ve decided to stop focusing on length so much and focus on health more. Although I will continue to take silica for 2 months and have 1 month rest until I’m ready to BC.
margaret victoria gordon says
hormonal changes hair growth . so does stress poor diet med. so each person have to see what the problem is and then address the cause .
Leigh1405 says
I’ve had slow growth since I was in elementary school. It is why I get one hairstyle for a phase and get happy with it. It ain’t gonna change for a while.