The Stages of Growing Long Hair

Growing out your hair can be a frustrating and long process, whether you're growing out a very short cut or aiming to grow your locks to extreme lengths. Smart hair care, including regular trims, is essential while your hair is growing to prevent damage and allow your hair to look its best. Manage your growing-out hair, including styling, by being aware of the stages of long-hair growth.

If you're growing your hair out from a short hairstyle, you may breathe a sigh of relief when it reaches your shoulders. A trim can help give your shoulder-length style shape, whether you opt for a blunt cut or layers. Stylist and long-hair expert George Michael refers to this length as the flip. Shoulder length hair can be put into a ponytail or a simple chignon or french twist, allowing you more styling options. Choose hair accessories that will not rip or tear the hair, opting for traditional bobby pins and ouchless, metal-free, ponytail holders, recommends LongLocks.com.

By the time your hair reaches your bra strap, it finally seems long. Your hair can be layered or blunt cut, but it should still be trimmed regularly for good health. Visit a trusted stylist or snip your own split ends with good hair-cutting shears, suggest LongLocks.com. Secure your mid-back-length hair into braids or buns, and experiment with hair sticks or forks. Wear your hair up as much as possible to protect it from rubbing against chairs and other surfaces. You may want to braid your hair loosely at night and sleep on a satin pillowcase to reduce tangles.

Once your long hair reaches your waist, you should be experienced at a variety of bun and braid styles. Worn down, waist-length hair can emphasize your waistline. You may find that your hair gets in the way when loose, and opt to keep it up as much as possible. Plan to wash your hair less frequently at this length, and consider adding moisturizing oil treatments to your hair care regimen to keep it soft and shiny, suggests LongLocks.com. Be objective about the health and condition of the ends of your hair and trim split ends as needed. Consider asking your stylist for a quick trimming tutorial, or trim blunt cut hair straight across if you would like to maintain your own style, recommends hairstyle site Hair Finder.

Hip-length hair reaches the hip bones, while tailbone length meets the tailbone. Classic length hair is long enough to sit on, fully covering the buttocks when standing, according to long-hair stylist George Michael. When your hair reaches your hips, it not only requires special hair care, but also extra care in daily life. Avoid sitting on your hair, and move it out of the way when you bend over. If your hair is down, be careful to keep it clean and free of damage. Look for up-do hairstyles that spread over a larger part of your head to disperse the weight of your heavy hair. Most people will reach a terminal length, or point at which their hair will grow no longer, at some point past waist length. Extreme lengths, including thigh, knee or calf are not feasible for many people.