5 Reasons You’re Not Retaining Hair Length & How to Fix It

Are you frustrated with your hair not growing past a certain length? Your hair is growing, but if you’re not seeing progress, it’s likely breaking at the same rate it grows. Retaining length is just as important as promoting growth; small mistakes in your routine could stop your hair from thriving. If you’re struggling with hair retention, here are five common reasons and how to fix them!

1. Lack of Moisture

Curly and coily hair is naturally prone to dryness. If your strands aren’t properly moisturized, they can become brittle, frizzy, and prone to breakage. Use hydrating, water-based products. Follow the LOC/LCO method to lock in moisture when styling. Deep condition your hair weekly with a moisturizing treating. Moisture is literally your hair’s best friend when it comes to retention.

2. Too Much Heat & Manipulation

Frequent heat styling, tight hairstyles, or excessive detangling can weaken the hair shaft, leading to split ends and breakage. Minimize heat styling to once or twice a month. Use heat protectant every time you blow dry or straighten your hair. Wear low-manipulation stylings like braids, twists, or buns to reduce stress on your hair. When detangling, use your fingers or a wide-tooth comb. Start from your ends and work your way up to your roots.

3. Skipping Trims & Ignoring Split Ends

Many avoid trimming their hair, thinking it will help it grow longer. But split ends travel up the hair shaft, causing even more breakage if left untreated. Trim your ends every 8-12 weeks. Look for signs of damage, rough ends, excessive tangling, or see-through hair. Invest in hair shears. Please don’t cut your hair with regular household scissors.

4. Not Protecting Your Hair at Night

Cotton pillowcases absorb moisture and cause friction, leading to dryness, tangles, and breakage while you sleep. Sleep with a satin bonnet, scarf, or pillowcase to retain moisture.

5. Poor Scalp Health

A healthy scalp equals healthy hair. Product buildup, dryness, or irritation can block hair follicles, slow growth, and contribute to shedding and thinning. Wash your scalp regularly with a sulfate-free shampoo to remove buildup. Massage your scalp for 3-5 minutes daily to improve circulation and growth.

If you’re struggling with hair retention, these small changes can make a big difference! By moisturizing regularly, limiting heat, trimming split ends, protecting your hair at night, and keeping your scalp healthy, you can retain length and achieve your hair growth goals. Need help with finding products to use on your natural hair? These 10 black-owned brands create products specifically for natural hair care.