I don’t think my hair has grown for the past five years. It has been in the same position, and I think it’s getting shorter. Does this statement sound like you? If yes, you might want to stick around for the rest of this article.
The biggest misconception is that type 4 hair doesn’t grow past ear level. And while that might be the reality for some people, it’s not for the majority. Now, if you have been trying to grow your hair and are seeing no results, these might be some of the reasons.
Excess detangling
Detangling your hair is necessary, but it gets to a point where you are doing more harm than good. You increase the risk of breakage every time you manipulate your hair, especially when it is dry or fragile. If you’re detangling too often or using the wrong tools, you might be causing tiny breaks that add up over time. Even if your hair grows from the roots, those little breaks at the ends will make it seem like there’s no progress.
Using your fingers gently or a wide-tooth comb on damp, conditioned hair is often safer. Also, try not to detangle every day unless necessary. Less manipulation helps retain length in the long run. You’ll also notice that people whose hair hasn’t been growing suddenly loc their hair, and the next thing you see is they have inches. That’s because they’re no longer over-manipulating their hair. Using your fingers gently or a wide-tooth comb on damp, conditioned hair is often safer. Less manipulation helps retain length in the long run.
Wrong hair products
Just because the next person uses a particular hair product, or an influencer spoke on it, doesn’t mean it’s for you. There are many things to consider before choosing hair products, and one major thing is your hair’s porosity. A product that works beautifully on high porosity hair might sit on your strands and cause buildup if your hair is low porosity.
Some products are also packed with drying alcohols or heavy proteins that your hair might not need. Over time, using the wrong products can strip your hair of every bit of moisture, leading to dryness, brittleness, and severe breakage. This is why it’s essential to understand what your hair needs rather than following trends blindly. Pay attention to how your hair reacts to a product, not just how it looks on day one, but how it feels over time.
Protective hairstyles
This might sound controversial, because how can something that’s supposed to be protective cause hair loss or stop your hair from growing? Here’s the thing: some protective hairstyles are just hairstyles. They’re meant to make you look pretty, and that’s it. They don’t do any actual protection. Some of them do the opposite.
Styles that are too tight, too heavy, or left in for too long can put tension on your scalp and edges, leading to breakage or even traction alopecia over time. A protective style is only truly protective if it reduces manipulation, keeps your ends tucked away, and doesn’t stress your strands. It should also be paired with a proper routine that regularly moisturises your hair and scalp. If your braids are so tight that your forehead is fighting for its life, that’s not protection, it’s damage in disguise.
Neglecting Your Scalp
Many of us focus so much on our hair strands that we completely forget the foundation, our scalp. If your scalp isn’t healthy, your hair won’t grow properly, no matter what products you use. A clogged, dry, or inflamed scalp can block growth and cause shedding. Think of your scalp like soil. You can’t expect healthy plants to grow in dry, neglected soil. Regularly cleansing your scalp, massaging it to boost blood flow, and ensuring it’s moisturised can make a massive difference. Sometimes your hair is fine, it’s your scalp that’s starving.
So if you’ve been stuck at the same length for years and it feels like your hair isn’t growing, don’t beat yourself up. Sometimes it’s not that your hair isn’t growing, it’s that it’s breaking just as fast. These little habits add up over time, from detangling too often, using the wrong products, rocking styles that look cute but stress your strands, or simply not showing your scalp enough love. The good news is, once you know better, you can start doing better. It’s not about having perfect routines; it’s about understanding your hair and giving it what it needs. Growth will come, give it the right conditions to thrive.
