Is it just our hair?

[Poohbear]

Interesting discussion.

In my opinion, I believe ANYONE can have long hair (whether it grows to APL, BSL, or WL) regardless of the hair's state (natural or relaxed), regardless of wearing it in an out-style or protective-style, and regardless of the person's race. Proper hair care and low manipulation is key!

 

[seraphinelle]

Interesting discussion.

In my opinion, I believe ANYONE can have long hair (whether it grows to APL, BSL, or WL) regardless of the hair's state (natural or relaxed), regardless of wearing it in an out-style or protective-style, and regardless of the person's race. Proper hair care and low manipulation is key!

I love your hair poohbear!!

 

[silvergirl]

i only believe in the long hair gene applied to ppl who have midback or longer. judging from the average growth rate and life span of a single hair. it should be safe to say that the average person . relaxed or natural taking care of their hair an not abusing it should be able to get to at LEAST brastrap-midback length.

of course everyone is different and there may be people who actually cant grow hair past their shoulders. but i bet anything that those people are few and far between.

it all comes down to knowledge and care.
just look at all the ladies here who came with short damaged hair who just in a few months and years have grown to amazing lenghts!

it can be done.

 

[BrooklynSouth]

My hair is almost bra strap length..a few more months to 'grow'. I am already horrified when I hear that now unfamiliar snag sound at my nape. I believe I'll be one of those smooth haired bun ladies {Flamenco dancer style}, more often than not. Perhaps warmer weather when we are a bit more 'nekkid' I can do a trial 'wear it down'. Just bought more hair toys to encourage my updo efforts.

 

[FlowerHair]

This is a good post. I often feel kind of sad, when I think about reaching my ultimate goal (Mid-Back to WL) because I know that I'll probably still wear my hair in protective styles 95% of the time. I just feel like its better for my hair. As my hair grows longer (a couple inches shy of BSL now) it becomes more and more of a hassle to wear it down.

Take this past weekend, for instance. I decided to treat myself (and the BF, lol) to wearing my hair out Saturday at the mall. Its usually in a bun, mind you. But anyway, so I had it freshly washed on Friday, and I pin-curled it that night.... so it was full and bouncy the next day. But I kid you not, from morning to the evening, soooo many little things kept happening to my hair that, by the evening, I vowed not to wear it down again for a long time.

My hair kept catching under my purse handle, although I was making a conscious effort to lift it up before putting the purse on my shoulder.... it did this several times though. I would gently pull the hair from under my purse.... a few times I heard hairs TEAR, which made me cringe. When i got into my BF's truck as we left the mall, I closed the door.... and was stuck, because there were a few strands stuck in the closed door. Ya'all know I freaked out, and quickly opened the door and examined the strands. Dont ask me HOW that happened.... I guess a few hairs flew up when i plopped down, and got stuck in the door. Anyway, then I had to comb it once in the afternoon, because it was just getting too frizzy and wild.... and a strand or two snapped/popped. I was horrified. Then the wind kept getting it stuck to my lipstick as I walked, which was hella annoying......

Either way.... as much as I love long hair and want to grow it out..... I can see why it would be "unhealthy" for me to wear it out every single day. So many little instances happened in the course of that one day.... that i fear that wearing it down every day would damage it tremendously. KUDOS to those long-haired ladies who can wear their hair out everyday and still maintain optimal growth. But I already know that's not for me. I'll keep it for rare treats.

@ "fried, dyed, and laid to the side." That was one of my father's favorite expressions. He wasnt an advocate of relaxed hair, and that was his way of mocking those of us who chose to go this route. But it cracks me up every time I hear it.

I agree with most things you said. When I wear my hair down it always snags in my purse handle and gets stuck between the chair and my back. I have to be extra careful and push the hair in front of my body all the time so I can keep it under control.

I have to say though, that after moisturizing more diligently I can wear my hair down whenever I like without being afraid that it will dry out or anything.

Those latinas might have naturally moisturized hair because it's silky and straight. People like me have to add moisture daily in the form of hair lotions/leave ins and a little water. (I add water with my hands because it's too much work to wet my hair daily.)

 

[Blossssom]

The whole "purse snag" thing can happen to anyone.

Since our hair doesn't 'show length' as quickly as other races, we are more cognizant of certain situations where breakage may occur.

And also, if your hair is processed (color/relaxer), it is more prone to breakage. That's just a part of life... for us...

Trust me, if your hair was unprocessed and you're a 4a/b, you wouldn't have to worry about a "purse snag" anyway.

If your hair does go south as a natural 4a/b, you're not tripping on a "purse snag". It's a different way of life. Hair is stronger when it's natural! And hair GROWS faster when it's natural, so those broken hairs are not as obvious and you surely don't give any extra time to them

Heehee!

 

[InnerSoul]

I wear my hair down 90% of the time. and my hair is growing just fine. I think it's important for everyone to know that doing protective styles is not the ONLY way to grow your hair. However it probably is the way to maintain the most amount of length. But i am satisfied with my hair growth when i wear my hair down alot. It is important to moisturize daily and do deep cond treatments and to use oil and i think this is the recipe to retaining hair.

Agreeing with the bolded part...

I am also not a daily protective style wearer and still maintain my length.

 

[jaded_faerie]

Interesting discussion.

In my opinion, I believe ANYONE can have long hair (whether it grows to APL, BSL, or WL) regardless of the hair's state (natural or relaxed), regardless of wearing it in an out-style or protective-style, and regardless of the person's race. Proper hair care and low manipulation is key!

Your hair is SOOOO beautiful

 

[Wildchild453]

Texture of the hair plays a big part of it and then the condition of the hair(whether damaged,colored,etc.) to how often ppl can wear their hair flying in wind and achieve all the length they want

 

[Cayenne0622]

I'm still trying to find the perfect balance to super strong, moisturized hair. There are several women in my immediate family who have BSL hair or longer and all of them wear their hair down most of the time. It looks very healthy, shiny and break free. I think the only damage some of them experience is from wrapping.

 

[Poohbear]

Thanks seraphinelle and jaded_faerie!

 

[dlewis]

I wear my hair out often with no problems. I wet bunned for a month and had to cut .5 inches.