- Black hair, like any other type of hair, grows an average of half an inch per month. However, it may not seem like it's growing if you're experiencing a lot of breakage due to improper care. Everyone's hair has a predetermined maximum length, no matter their ethnicity or hair type. Black hair can and does grow very long if it's in your genetics to have back-length hair.
-
The reason 12 inches of natural black hair may not look as long as 12 inches of naturally straight hair is because the curls and coils that make up black hair draw up. In essence, they shrink. To see the true length of natural black hair, you have to pull a strand straight.
Many black women prefer to relax their hair with chemicals. A hair relaxer makes curly hair straight. It may make the hair more manageable for them (although relaxers are not a necessity), but it also allows them to see how long their hair is without having to stretch it out. -
If you want to enjoy the maximum amount of growth with the least amount of breakage, keep chemical styling to a minimum. Hair color, relaxers and other perms all pull moisture from the hair. Black hair already has a tendency to be dry, so adding chemicals doesn't help. If you relax your hair, you should get touch-ups every eight weeks or so. Hair color that's more than two shades lighter than your natural tone is best done by a professional.
Use natural oils and light products on your hair. Avoid heavy, petroleum-based greases and pomades.
Sleep in a silk or satin cap, or replace a cotton pillowcase with a satin one. Your hair will experience less breakage if it rests on silky materials that it can glide over, instead of rougher materials that it can "catch" on.
Do not style your hair too tightly. Although a braided style may look good for a longer period of time, if it's styled tightly, it can lead to permanent damage and hair loss.
