How to Grow Long African American Hair

January 13th, 2011 - By Veronica Wells

Earlier this month in my Biggest Myths about African American Hair piece I mentioned that African American hair has the ability to grow as long as other races or ethnicities. Several disagreed, some rather rudely. (Never underestimate the fervor, passion or vigor black women have about their hair!) Either way I still stand by the statement.  You don’t have to be of multiracial origin to achieve the hair so many of us covet.  Honestly, you’d be hard pressed to find many African Americans who don’t have a little or a lotta bit of “something else” in their blood.

But that’s beside the point, African American hair can grow if properly maintained and that’s the key. The natural, coily texture of our hair is fragile and frankly many of us are very ignorant about what it takes for it to thrive. (Hence the YouTube tutorials.) So if you’re interested in tresses that graze the top of your booty, here are some tips to grow long, luscious African American hair.

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  • preea

    Ok I am 15 I am black and white my mom use to do my hair and it was almost to my butt, now that I have been doing it the length is at my shoulders in less than a year. I realize NO HEAT anymore, but what else? I have a very good diet no sweet fruits and veggies and drink a lot of water, but what else? Can someone please help me!? Very sad about the tramendious hair loss and really want it back!

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  • Alicia

    I didn't see anything about protein but there was a lot of really good info here! Thanks!

  • OLIVIA

    LEISURE CURL " FAST SUPER GRO " IS THE ONLY PRODUCT THAT GROWS AFRICAN AMERICAN HAIR. GOOGLE " LEISURE CURL" AND ORDER A BOTTLE OF THEIR " FAST SUPER GRO " YOU WOULD BE AMAZED AT HOW FAST IT GROWS AFRICAN AMERICAN HAIR.

  • Guest

    Hi, I take Bioten 5,000 mcg three times a day with a meal and I've seen wonderful results with my hair and nails. I haven't permed in almost two years and my hair is past my shoulders and I'm in my early 50's.

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  • nikkislim

    What has worked for me is the following:
    I co-wash once a week, using coconut oil, saturating root to ends. I then put a good conditioner in my hair and massage thru out to loosen the debris from my scalp. I then wear a plastic cap for about an hour so the mixture can moisterize the hair and scalp.
    When I rinse, its with cool water. I then put hair into for large braids and let it air dry. When its dry, I use Motions hair cream and work it through my hair before I flat iron it.
    Then I use a mixture of coconut oil, and whatever essential oil I feel like using and oil my scalp, then wrap my hair using a wide tooth comb. Always wrap/tie hair down with a satin scarf.
    My hair looks and feels great. Its healthy and happy. At the nail shop today, another lady asked if I get my hair done at the shop and if so which one. When I told her I do my own hair, she was truly surprised!
    Stop wasting money on hair products sold in stores. They are a waste of your money. Check out Amazon’s essential oils. They are inexpensive and they will make your hair and scalp very healthy. Also remember to drink lots of water, and keep those ends moisterized. Moisterized ends mean no split ends

  • habeeba

    it took me years to find what would work for me. I had dreads for over 10 years and took them out. i lost a lot of hair from taking them out but maintained alot. after research and an awful summer of trying different products, i was instroduced to my stylist and mazanis product line. my hair is beautiful. its healthy, shoulder length, and i get a perm every 12 weeks.

    you have to do your research. all products are not the same. the basic formula for me is sulfate free conditioner, co washes, no grease, no heat, no bobby pins (use plastic clips to wrap hair), plenty of water and vitamins, roller sets, and dailys use of cocunut souffle by mizani on ends and roots. oh, and sating head wraps and pillow covers. nothing hard but just being aware of what my hair needs to keep growing. feel free to email me at habeebap@yahoo.com or habeeba pasha on facebook.

    • Dawn

      outta curiosity, what made you decide to not go with dreads anymore?

  • EVE

    THIS IS EXCELLENT ADVICE THANK YOU SO AT TIMES IT LIKE THE BEAUTY INDUSTRY LEFT US OUT OF THE TREATMENT OF OUR HAIR . THANK YOU ALL THE SISTER NEEDED TO HEAR THIS

  • chevey

    Why in the world women spend so much money and time on their hair is beyond me. If one could total up the money a woman spend on her hair in a life time i am sure you could buy a home with cash money.

    • Dawn

      i actually couldn't agree more. many women spend thousands of dollars on their hair a year. poor women too, by the way. this is why i don't use product other than shampoo and conditioner, no grease or oil except what my husband bought for himself…i don't have money but i think my hair is better off without all that extra anyway. that's the problem is women do too much to their hair instead of letting it be.

  • Veronica

    I am in the process of growing my hair out without relaxers and after reading this article, i was concerned. I live in an area where the Black race is minimal, as is the black haircare stores. I do not know the whole curl number of my hair texture thingy I've been reading. I've been relaxes since six. Should I cut off the relaxer and leave the new growth or should i keep braiding and doing sew-ins until it grows out?

    • Veronica

      I meant to say i've been getting relaxers since i was six.

      • Dawn

        i know this is late. several months late in fact. but when i was 12 or so i grew out a perm that i'd kept in my hair for all of about 6 months. maybe less. before i'd gotten the perm i had hair down to what would have been my bra strap if i'd been wearing bras at the time lol. after the perm my hair was so badly damaged and short (a little past my shoulders) that i hacked it off myself, little by little, until eventually my new growth reached my ears and i cut the rest of the perm off. in the meantime i'd gone back to wearing my hair in little girl styles, plaits, pig tails, twists, etc. so my experience has been that it's totally up to you. it depends on how manageable you find your hair with the two textures. a lot of people do the BC because it's hard for them to deal with their hair and its dualism. but if you are able to wear it just fine then by all means, keep the relaxed bits of your hair. i'd recommend doing braids (i have no experience with sew-in weave or weave of any kind except where braiding and senegalese twists are concerned), remembering to space them out a 3-4wks at a time b/t braids, and making sure the braids aren't done too tightly and that they last for no longer than 2 months. the weight on your hair as your new growth grows out can be stifling to your scalp, and your hair needs some breathing room after a while. it all has to do with your comfort level of wearing your hair short with just the new growth. keep in mind that the relaxed portion will be considerably more prone to breakage where it meets with the new growth, and that you must handle it with added care. good luck!

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