Getting regular haircuts is part of most people’s grooming routine. However, some people choose to grow their hair out indefinitely without trimming it. So what happens if you never get a haircut? Here is an in-depth look at the effects of not cutting your hair.
Hair Growth Rate
Human hair grows at an average rate of about 1/2 inch per month. However, hair growth rates vary slightly depending on factors like age, health, genetics, and sex.
On average, hair grows about 6 inches per year. Therefore, if you never cut your hair, it would grow approximately:
- 12 inches after 2 years
- 18 inches after 3 years
- 24 inches after 4 years
- 30 inches after 5 years
The rate of growth begins to slow down as people get older. For example, a 20 year old might be able to grow their hair down to their waist in 3 years. But it would likely take a 50 year old at least 5 years to achieve the same length.
Potential Length
If left entirely alone, the maximum length hair can grow to is about 15 feet for women and 8 feet for men. However, hair this long is extremely rare. Most people never achieve their maximum hair length because the ends become damaged and break off over time.
The average terminal length (maximum length before breakage) for Caucasian hair is about 3.5 feet for women and 2-3 feet for men. For Asian hair, the terminal length is around 5-6 feet for women and 3-4 feet for men.
Factors like hair texture, thickness, and health impact terminal length. People with very thick, healthy hair can retain length better than those with fine, fragile hair.
Change in Hair Texture and Weight
As hair grows longer, the texture and properties may change:
- Coarseness – Long hair tends to become coarser and thicker as it ages.
- Tangling – Long hair tangles more easily due to exposure and the extra weight.
- Wave pattern – Curly or wavy hair often loses its pattern when allowed to grow very long.
- Frizziness – Long hair has more exposed surface area to absorb humidity and get frizzy.
- Dryness – The ends of long hair tend to get drier over time.
In addition, the extra weight of long hair can gradually stretch out the curl pattern in curly or wavy hair. So hair that started out very curly can become wavy or straight over several years of growth.
The weight of long hair also puts strain on the roots and follicles. In some cases, this constant pulling can lead to temporary or permanent hair loss from traction alopecia.
Time Requirements for Care
Long hair requires more time and effort when it comes to daily maintenance and styling. Some extra time investments include:
- Detangling and brushing hair
- Washing and conditioning hair
- Drying hair after washing
- Styling hair (e.g. braiding, blow drying, using hot tools)
- Extra shampoo and conditioner used
Whereas short hair might take 5-10 minutes to wash and style, long hair can take 20 minutes or longer. Very long hair below the tailbone may take 45+ minutes to properly wash, condition, detangle and style.
Haircut Frequency for Healthy Hair
Getting occasional trims is recommended even if you want to grow your hair very long. Here’s why:
- Trims remove split ends and prevent breakage, allowing hair to retain more length.
- Layers or face-framing pieces can be added for shape and movement.
- Taking off a small amount (1/4-1/2 inch) won’t drastically affect length.
- Regular trims help hair stay healthy from root to tip.
Many experts recommend getting a trim every 8-12 weeks for healthy hair growth. Just taking off the damaged ends can maintain the look of long hair while keeping it in good condition.
Potential Health and Hygiene Issues
Keeping extremely long hair can potentially cause some health and hygiene issues such as:
- Increased dirt and oil – Long hair produces more oil and collects more dirt and debris.
- More shed hair – Long hair sheds more, so shed hairs are more noticeable.
- Hygiene challenges – Keeping very long hair clean and detangled can be difficult.
- Headaches – The weight of long hair can sometimes cause headaches or neck pain.
- Hair chewing – Some people nibble on long hair unconsciously or as a habit.
- Impaired vision – Very long hair hanging in the face can obstruct vision.
While not necessarily dangerous, these potential issues should be considered. Keeping long hair tidy and clean takes extra effort.
Social Considerations
There are also some social aspects to consider when foregoing haircuts:
- Lifestyle constraints – Jobs, activities, or dress codes may prohibit very long hair.
- Negative perceptions – Extremely long hair can sometimes be seen as unprofessional, lazy, or unconventional.
- Dating and relationships – Potential partners may have preferences about hair length.
- Unwanted attention – Very long hair draws attention and may attract comments.
- Age perceptions – Long hair can influence whether someone is perceived as young or mature.
While social norms are gradually relaxing, very long hair can still carry certain assumptions or judgment in some situations.
Excess Shedding
On average, people shed about 50-100 hairs per day as part of the normal hair growth cycle. As hair grows longer, there are more hairs growing and shedding at once. Therefore, long hair means more shed hairs coming out when brushing or washing.
Seeing large amounts of shed hair can be alarming, but it’s usually normal. Hair often seems like it’s shedding excessively when it’s long simply because the shed hairs are more visible in the brush or shower drain.
However, if excessive shedding persists for months and is clearly beyond the normal range, it may indicate an underlying health or hormonal problem triggering hair loss. Consulting a doctor is recommended in that scenario.
Hairstyle Options
The longer your hair, the more styling options become available. Styles like braids, buns, ponytails, and updos work best on medium to long hair. Some styles that require length include:
- Braided chignon
- Fishtail or french braid
- Braided crown
- Gibson tuck
- Ballet bun
- Half-up styles
- Waterfall braid
- Milkmaid braids
Once hair is past the shoulders, all kinds of creative styling possibilities open up. Very long hair also provides enough length for multiple braids, dramatic updos, and fantasy hairstyles.
Is Long Hair Higher Maintenance?
There are some mixed opinions on whether long hair equals high maintenance hair. Here are some considerations:
- Long hair does require more time for washing, drying, brushing and styling.
- Trimming split ends is key to keeping long hair healthy.
- Using hydrating products reduces unwanted frizz and damage.
- Braiding, bunning, or ponytails simplify daily styling.
- The right hair texture helps make long hair more manageable.
Overall, the amount of daily maintenance depends on your hair type and health. For example, straight, smooth hair is typically lower maintenance at longer lengths. Coarse, thick, frizzy hair usually requires more work.
Damaged Ends
No matter how healthy your hair is, the ends always tend to get damaged with age and exposure to the elements. Signs of damage include:
- Split or frayed ends
- Knotting at the ends
- Dry, rough feeling ends
- Ends looking thinner or stragglier
Repeated brushing, washing, styling, sun exposure, and rubbing against clothing gradually causes wear and tear. The only solution is to trim off the damaged parts periodically. Leaving split ends untrimmed can allow the damage to travel up the hair shaft.
How to Grow Hair Faster
On average, hair grows about 1/2 inch per month. But some simple strategies can help maximize your hair growth potential:
- Eat a healthy, balanced diet with plenty of protein
- Take biotin and vitamin supplements
- Reduce heat styling damage
- Avoid tightly pulled styles that cause tension
- Massage the scalp to increase circulation
- Stay hydrated and drink plenty of water
- Use repairing hair masks and oils
- Get occasional trims to prevent split ends
While genetics play a big role, nutrition, scalp health, and hair care habits also impact hair growth rate.
Conclusion
Growing your hair out for years without cutting it may seem like an intriguing experiment. But in reality, most people don’t have the patience to find out what having 5+ feet of hair would be like.
If you decide to try it, be prepared that the longer your hair gets, the more care and maintenance it requires. Make sure to trim split ends regularly. Also practice protective styles, deep conditioning, and gentle handling to keep hair healthy and minimize tangles, matting, and breakage.
While it’s possible to grow your hair impractically long, consider whether the time and maintenance will be worth it. Ultimately, finding a length that suits your lifestyle and flatters your face shape is the real goal.