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First and foremost how long your hair can or will grow is determined genetically. For many of you this means your hair will never be long enough to sit on. But, this does not mean you hair cannot grow; it only means that your hair will only reach a certain length no matter how you care for it. This rule applies to everyone including those who typically have longer hair than the women of the Diaspora.
Second, all hair growth is determined by how well you care for it. The better the care, the better the potential for growth (within your genetic confines of course). And care is determined by two things- manipulation and protection. Less manipulation and more protection means that your hair will reach its genetically predetermined length whether that is to your shoulders or your knees.
Everyone has an Aunt Katie or Grandma Genny that kept her hair in a long braid twirled around her head. And we all know the common excuse of why her hair was that long, but the truth probably had more to do with its care than her bloodline. Most likely she did not manipulate it daily, she kept it in a protective style and she used a wash method that retained her natural scalp oils. Also, her diet was most likely higher in omega fatty acids (grandma loved sardines), iron and vegetables; all of which can contribute to a healthier head of hair.
African American hair can also appear visually shorter due to the coils and turns in each strand.
Near the second year point of my natural journey, I posted a photo of my progress on the Fotki photo sharing website. I'd styled my hair while wet, which was the easiest way to comb it, and snapped a photo from the back.
Within hours of posting that photo, I had many less than nice comments in my album asking why my hair was so long all of a sudden. Shocked, I answered each comment wondering what was so sudden about nearly two years of hair growth.
It turned out that because I'd only posted photos of my hair in a pony puff or after it had dried, they were seeing the most misunderstood aspect of natural hair - shrinkage.
While my hair when dry and in full coil, so to speak, appeared to be 3" inches long, when wet with the weight of water on it or when pulled taunt, the strands were over 6" long.
So while many of us may grow hair that is over 24" long, it may never look more than "8 long when left to bob in mid-hair, umm, air, in its naturally kinky, coily state.
Myth 5 - For hair to be healthy, it should shine, have body and feel like silk.
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