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Waist-Length Hair: How to Get It and How to Care For It

 

So, you want longer hair. And not just longer hair—you've got mermaid dreams. You want waist-length hair. You know it won't be quick, but logic dictates that it should be possible. Now what?

To achieve extremely long hair, you'll need to know how to help it grow, how to keep it healthy, and how to take care of it once you've reached the desired length. To help get you started on the journey, we spoke with board-certified dermatologist Brendan Camp, MD, and pro hairstylist Jenna Spino. Read on for everything you need to know about growing and maintaining waist-length hair.

Meet the Experts

• Brendan Camp, MD, is a double board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology: Medical Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery.
• Jenna Spino is a hairstylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago.

How to Grow Waist-Length Hair

Your hair can only get extremely long if it's in a healthy state. "The biggest thing is to keep the hair healthy or, if it's not healthy, to get it healthy," says Spino. That's because "hair that has damage can break."

To begin, you'll want to take great care of your hair. "Develop a consistent hair care routine that involves regular washing with a gentle shampoo, a hydrating conditioner, and [using] a wide-tooth comb to detangle hair," advises Camp. Both experts recommend getting regular trims and avoiding heat styling and harsh chemical processing as much as possible. Additionally, Camp suggests using "accessories that are gentle on the hair shaft, such as silk pillowcases, that limit friction and tangling."

As your hair grows, you'll want to care for it from root to end. Camp says to "avoid hairstyles that could potentially damage hair, such as those that put a lot of tension on the root of the hair, which can lead to traction alopecia." You might want to consider your diet as well.

How Long It Takes

As for how long it'll take, Spino says, "It depends on the length of the hair you're starting with and the health of your hair." Camp agrees: "The full amount of time it takes to reach your waist may be determined by how long your hair is initially." Our experts tell us that hair grows about a centimeter or a half inch each month.

Just know it won't be quick: "Growing waist-length hair is a process that takes time," says Spino, adding that "it is not for the faint of heart."

Why Isn't My Hair Growing?

If your hair isn't moving along at your desired speed, here are some suggestions.

Be Patient

As mentioned, this is going to take some time. "Most people trying to grow their hair feel [like] it isn’t growing, so keep in mind it does take patience," says Spino. Know that it's common to feel like you aren't seeing any progress—we look in the mirror regularly, so it's hard to see small changes.

Try a Growth Vitamin

Some supplements and supplement combos can help support faster hair growth. That said, they aren't a miracle cure. "Taking hair growth supplements can help hair grow faster, but even that can take a few months to notice," says Spino.

Abstain From Heat

It goes without saying at this point, but heat styling can be damaging and cause breakage—meaning even if you're experiencing decent growth from the root, you won't see any results. If your hair isn't completely healthy, Spino recommends taking a heat break and abstaining for a little while. During the break, use moisturizing and strengthening products to help get your hair back in fighting form, she says.

See a Professional

If you've tried everything but you're still not getting the growth you want, it might be time to look further into it. "Hair growth can be affected by underlying medical conditions, medications, nutritional deficiencies, and previous damage from hair styling and treatments," says Camp. "If basic at-home measures are not helping, see a board-certified dermatologist for evaluation and treatment."

How to Care For It

Congratulations, you made it! Now that you've got waist-length hair, here are some tips for caring for it.

Keep away from heat and chemicals: Just like you've already been doing, you'll want to continue avoiding harsh treatments. "Opt for natural hairstyles that limit heat and exposure to chemicals, which can damage hair strands," recommends Camp.
Don't stop trimming: Just because you made it to this length doesn't mean the upkeep ends here. "Waist-length hair will need regular trims," says Spino. "Having waist-length hair with scraggly ends isn't the goal."
Use the right products: You must keep your hair in great condition to maintain length. "Consider using a cleansing shampoo periodically to remove excess oil and product buildup," suggests Camp, who also recommends the occasional mask for boosting moisture and hydration. Additionally, "regularly using a hydrating, gentle conditioner is also important to keep [hair] hydrated and help with any tangles," says Spino.
Be gentle: It may be as long as a rope, but your hair is not as tough as one. "Remember, hair that long is really old... so you need to be gentle," says Spino.

The Final Takeaway

Waist-length hair won't happen overnight, or even over a few months. If you want super long hair, you're looking at putting in some serious time—possibly years. To get there, you'll want your hair in as healthy a state as possible. Eat well, trim regularly, and avoid heat and chemicals to prevent breakage. Once you've hit your goal length, continue trimming regularly, treat your hair gently, and use the appropriate products when cleansing, conditioning, and moisturizing. It won't happen quickly, but with these tips, you can achieve (and maintain) the waist-length hair of your dreams.