How to Grow Your Natural Hair to Waist Length: A Comprehensive Guide
Can my natural hair ever get to my waist? You've probably asked yourself this question more than once, and now you're searching the internet for answers. Well, you've come to the right place.
To begin with, it's very possible to grow your natural hair to waist length and even beyond.
Understanding the Structure of Natural Afro-Textured Hair
To successfully grow your natural hair, it's important to understand its structure. Why does it frizz? Why does it curl? How does it grow?
The curly nature of afro-textured hair makes it difficult for oil from the roots to travel to the top, which makes it prone to dryness and breakage.
Dryness is one of the reasons why you may find strands of your hair on your comb after brushing.
Myths about Growing Long Natural Hair Faster
Many women have been led to believe falsehoods about growing their natural hair quickly. Here are some of the most common myths you may have heard about growing your natural hair faster:
1. Cutting your hair often guarantees longer hair
This is not true. While it's important to trim your hair at intervals to prevent hair breakage and remove split ends, cutting your hair frequently won't cause rapid hair growth.
2. Switching hair products every month promotes faster hair growth
This is a BIG lie. You should actually refrain from changing hair products frequently, as it could cause damage to your hair.
If your hair isn't responding to treatments, the last thing you want to do is change products. First, check if you are applying the product correctly. Then consider seasonal or climate changes, as well as your state of health at that time.
If none of these are the reason, then you could seek the advice of a hair specialist for new hair products.
3. Natural hair does not grow
This is by far the biggest lie about natural hair. All hair grows, regardless of the hair type.
Most people who complain about their natural hair not growing are actually struggling with length retention. What your hair needs at this point is the right product, treatment, and care.
4. Water is the enemy
This is the most damaging myth about growing natural hair. The opposite is actually true. Your hair is about 13% water and, like our body, our hair needs water to grow. Your hair needs water to keep it moisturized.
How to Grow Your Natural Hair Faster
Now that you understand your hair's structure, the next step is learning how to achieve length. Growing anything requires following rules and steps religiously.
Here's how you can grow your hair to waist length:
1. Moisturize your natural hair
Your hair needs moisture to grow, just like a plant needs water. You should have a routine where you constantly moisturize your hair on a regular basis, say three times a week. With time and observation, you can decide if your hair needs more or less water.
Watch this tutorial by KandidKinks to learn how to moisturize dry natural hair and make it last for days.
2. Trim your natural hair
Trimming is super important for hair growth, and if you've been shying away from doing so, today is the day you need to stop.
Trimming the ends of your hair helps you get rid of those parts that are liable to get damaged. We recommend that you trim your hair every three to four months to avoid split ends.
Watch this tutorial by Naptural85 to learn how to trim your natural hair.
3. Wash your natural hair with shampoo
Washing your hair on a regular basis will leave it free from product buildup, and keep your scalp clean and healthy.
There is no perfect hair wash routine to follow, but we recommend that you wash your hair every one to two weeks, and keep it moisturized in between wash days.
To ensure your hair stays moisturized after every wash, use sulfate-free shampoos, as regular ones contain chemicals that strip the hair of its natural oils.
If you're unsure about choosing the right shampoo for your hair, you can always make your own shampoo at home.
Watch this tutorial by TheChicNatural to learn how to have an easy wash day routine for your natural hair.
4. Deep conditioning
This is one secret weapon every naturalist should have. Regular deep conditioning keeps your hair hydrated and healthy. It also improves the length of your hair by providing it with the necessary nutrition to avoid hair damage and breakage.
Check out some of the best hair conditioners that can work magic for your hair.
Watch this tutorial by Shaneice Crystal to learn how to deep condition dry natural hair.
5. Wear protective styles often
The next thing you should do is try wearing protective styles often. Protective styles help you retain hair length and protect your hair from damage.
This is because they save you from the stress of over-styling and over-manipulating your hair, which can cause hair damage.
Watch this video by Naakie Nartey to learn how to grow natural hair with protective styles.
Can I still grow out my natural hair if I have heat damage?
Unfortunately, if your hair has suffered from heat damage, there is not much you can do to reverse it. Holding onto heat-damaged hair will only cause more breakage and make it harder for you to achieve longer hair.
In other words, you need to cut off your split ends and allow new growth to occur. Check out these tips for repairing heat-damaged natural hair.
How long would it take for me to achieve waist-length hair?
The answer varies from person to person, depending on hair type and maintenance. However, hair massages can stimulate blood flow under the scalp and encourage hair growth.
While practicing the steps highlighted above, be patient with your hair. A plant doesn't grow into a tree in five days. It takes time, but it is worth the wait.
If your hair is 4C, see this additional resource on how to grow and retain your hair length: How to Grow 4C Hair and Retain Length.
