Do you treat your hair too rough?

Sometimes it just seems to take too long to get scrunchies and hairbands out of my hair. I’m embarrassed to admit that I lose patience and rip them out quickly, paying no attention to the damage I’m doing to my curls. If you’re like me and treating your hair too rough, STOP. How can you expect your hair to grow longer than your shoulders if you’re not treating it with love and kindness?

Do you wash your hair enough?

We’ve gotten it into our heads that washing hair too much can cause it to dry out. But are you taking that concept too far and not washing your hair and scalp enough? If your hair follicles are even slightly clogged, that can slow down hair production. That means your hair won’t grow at an optimal pace.

Do you wear hairstyles that are too tight?

If you often wear tight styles that yank and pull at your hair, you’re causing undue stress on your follicles. Eventually, it can lead to a condition called “traction alopecia.” At first, traction alopecia looks like little pimply whiteheads on your scalp, but it can lead to hair loss and broken hair strands as it progresses. It’s the last thing you need if you’re trying to grow natural hair past your shoulders.

Are there other reasons your hair won’t grow anymore?

Other factors may be preventing you from growing hair past your shoulders to your waist. Certain medications, hormone changes, extreme weight loss, anxiety, and even your genes can make it challenging to attain long locks. If you think any of these reasons might be causing your hair growth woes, consult with a medical professional for advice, and find out what options are available to you.

There’s More to Life Than Having Long Hair

Now that I understand more about all the factors that go into growing long hair, I’ve given up stressing about why mine seems to have stopped. If my shoulder-length hair doesn’t grow any longer, I’ll have to learn how to live with it the way it is. Or maybe I’ll get some extensions.