In most cases, unless natural afro-textured hair is not combed (i.e. styled or grown into dreadlocks), its unique shape itself often limits the length that the hair can reach because the act of combing and brushing tends to break the ends of the hair; resulting in what is effectively a "natural haircut" each time it is styled. In other words, due to conventional grooming practices, loose natural afro-hair, upon reaching a certain length (which varies by the tightness of the coil), reaches a "steady state" such that it does not appear longer despite continual new growth.
Source: Khumalo, NP "African hair length in a school population: a clue to disease pathogenesis?" Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. Sep 6(3),144-51. 2007
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3 comments
June 15, 2009 at 9:25 AM
Very interesting. I've always wondered about this. I'm happy I threw combs and brushes out my regime months ago. Do you think this can affect other nationalities as well? For example, one of my white girl friends has naturally loose curly hair that she believes will only reach a couple of inches past her shoulders.
June 15, 2009 at 10:55 AM
This is my thing, I don't believe some hair types were made for combing. Combs were designed for straighter hair. It's like putting a square block in a circular hole; it just doesn't work that way. I've seen that our hair texture grows best when it either a. isn't combed at all or b. when different detangling techniques are used. I don't believe it's impossible to grow Afro hair long, but if we keep using European methods of hair grooming, I'm sure it can be limiting. Great post girl!
June 16, 2009 at 9:55 PM
Combs are not our friends. Unfortunately, everything about modern hair care / styling begins and ends with combs and brushes. It took me years, but I realized that the enemy was the comb. My hair does fine about 96% of the time without one.
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