(Picture by @dojahenshaw on Instagram)

Let’s be real, for years many of us have heard the myth that Afro hair can’t grow long. Whether it’s from lack of representation or generational misconceptions that have been passed down as “fact”, this belief has stuck around far too long.

So, can Afro hair grow long? Absolutely. The challenge isn’t whether it grows but it’s about how we care for it, protect it and understand its unique needs. If you’ve ever wondered why your hair doesn’t seem to retain length or what you can do to change that, this post is for you. Let’s dive into all about Afro hair growth and share some tips that can help you achieve the healthy, long hair you desire.

Yes, Afro Hair Can Grow Long

Afro hair grows at the same average rate as any other hair type, which is about half an inch a month. "So why doesn’t it always look like it’s growing?" you may wonder. Well, the answer lies in retention. Afro hair is naturally curly and coily, which makes it more fragile and prone to breakage. In addition, Afro hair is naturally dry compared to other hair types and dryness leads to breakage, which prevents length retention. That means if your ends are breaking off as fast as your roots are growing, you won’t see much length over time.

The good news is that with the right care, you can grow and retain length. Your hair just needs some consistent love moisture, and protective habits.

Afro Hair Growth Tips

1. Keep Your Hair Moisturised

Moisture is everything. Afro hair thrives when it’s hydrated. Use a good leave-in conditioner and seal in moisture with natural oils like coconut, olive or castor oil. The LOC or LCO method is a great, effective way to keep your curls strong and bouncy.

For more detail check out our post on 5 Afro hair growth tips.

2. Trim Regularly

It might feel counterproductive, but trimming your ends helps prevent split ends from travelling up the hair shaft. Regular trims every few months keep your hair looking and feeling healthy.

3. Be Gentle When Detangling

Afro hair is delicate. Always detangle when your hair is damp or after you apply a slip product such as a leave-in conditioner. Use a wide-tooth comb or your fingers to detangle slowly from ends up to your roots. Rushing through detangling can lead to unnecessary breakage so remember patience is key.

4. Sleep With a Satin or Silk Scarf

Cotton pillowcases suck moisture out of your hair and cause friction. Protect your hair at night by wrapping it in a silk or satin scarf or bonnet. You can also switch your cotton pillowcases to silk or satin pillowcases. This will help reduce moisture loss, frizz and breakage overnight.

5. Protective Styling is Your Friend

Whether it's braids, twists, locs or wigs, protective styles can be great for your hair. They help protect your ends and give your hair a break from daily manipulation. Just make sure the styles are not too tight and take down the style when it's time. Remember when you keep your protective style in for longer than it's meant to, it can do more damage than good so remove them at the right time and give your scalp some breathing room between installs.

6. Be Consistent and Patient

There’s no magic product that’ll grow your hair overnight. The key is consistency. Create a routine that works for you and stick with it.

Once you show consistent care to your hair it will thrive healthily without doubt! For more natural hair tips, how to's on natural hair care and Afro hairstyle inspiration explore our Afro hair tutorials.