wahmof9
May 21st, 2009, 08:19 PM
Terminal length:
Some people naturally have the ability to grow hair longer than others. This is primarily due to the length of the anagen or growing phase of the hair's life cycle. The average anagen phase is between two and six years; a longer phase simply gives hair more time to grow. During this time the speed of hair growth may vary according to diet, genetics and hormonal changes.
According to Clarence R. Robbins in Chemical and Physical Behavior of Human Hair (Springer, 2002), most humans can grow their hair as long as 100-150cm. Long hair contests demonstrate that this is by no means the upper limit – the current world record holder for long hair, Xie Qiuping, boasts tresses more than 5.6 metres long.
Does All Scalp Hair Grow to the Same Length?
People who never trim their hair often find that some hairs grow longer than others. Hair on the top of the head grows faster than hair around the temples and the nape of the neck. These slower hairs are also finer and weaker, making them more prone to damage. As a result these hairs are often shorter, creating a V-shape at the tips of the hair (known as the hemline). Some people also notice quirks in their hair growth such as hair growing longer/faster on one side of the head, or a few 'racer' hairs which remain a few inches longer than the rest.
False Terminal Length
Although it is common for people to state their hair 'doesn't grow' beyond shoulder-length or a similarly short terminal length, this is in fact very rare. Damaging haircare practices may result in so much damage and breakage that hair tapers dramatically; however, this does not indicate true terminal length. False terminal length may also be caused by resting periods in the hair's growth, or by previous haircuts which have already consumed the lifespan (and thus length) of a large number of hairs. Long hair experts recommend waiting a year or two from the point when the hair appears to stop growing, while using gentle hair care practices and maintaining good nutrition, before deciding that it has truly achieved its terminal length.
Short Terminal Length in Movies
One reason why many people think waist length or above is 'average' terminal length is due to the movies. Historical films tend to ignore actual historical haircare fashions and instead portray fantasized versions in keeping with modern sensibilities. As a result, not only are historical women routinely shown with their heads bare (inappropriate during most periods of Western history), but with their hair down – another historical faux pas – and at bra-strap or waist length. During periods when women kept their hair long, a more realistic length would be thigh-length; however, perhaps feeling that this would be seen as too extreme, filmmakers tend to opt for shorter looks.
Some people naturally have the ability to grow hair longer than others. This is primarily due to the length of the anagen or growing phase of the hair's life cycle. The average anagen phase is between two and six years; a longer phase simply gives hair more time to grow. During this time the speed of hair growth may vary according to diet, genetics and hormonal changes.
According to Clarence R. Robbins in Chemical and Physical Behavior of Human Hair (Springer, 2002), most humans can grow their hair as long as 100-150cm. Long hair contests demonstrate that this is by no means the upper limit – the current world record holder for long hair, Xie Qiuping, boasts tresses more than 5.6 metres long.
Does All Scalp Hair Grow to the Same Length?
People who never trim their hair often find that some hairs grow longer than others. Hair on the top of the head grows faster than hair around the temples and the nape of the neck. These slower hairs are also finer and weaker, making them more prone to damage. As a result these hairs are often shorter, creating a V-shape at the tips of the hair (known as the hemline). Some people also notice quirks in their hair growth such as hair growing longer/faster on one side of the head, or a few 'racer' hairs which remain a few inches longer than the rest.
False Terminal Length
Although it is common for people to state their hair 'doesn't grow' beyond shoulder-length or a similarly short terminal length, this is in fact very rare. Damaging haircare practices may result in so much damage and breakage that hair tapers dramatically; however, this does not indicate true terminal length. False terminal length may also be caused by resting periods in the hair's growth, or by previous haircuts which have already consumed the lifespan (and thus length) of a large number of hairs. Long hair experts recommend waiting a year or two from the point when the hair appears to stop growing, while using gentle hair care practices and maintaining good nutrition, before deciding that it has truly achieved its terminal length.
Short Terminal Length in Movies
One reason why many people think waist length or above is 'average' terminal length is due to the movies. Historical films tend to ignore actual historical haircare fashions and instead portray fantasized versions in keeping with modern sensibilities. As a result, not only are historical women routinely shown with their heads bare (inappropriate during most periods of Western history), but with their hair down – another historical faux pas – and at bra-strap or waist length. During periods when women kept their hair long, a more realistic length would be thigh-length; however, perhaps feeling that this would be seen as too extreme, filmmakers tend to opt for shorter looks.