Why Your Curls Aren’t Getting Longer + How to Improve Length Retention

Do you feel like no matter what you do, your hair never seems to grow? Or maybe it is growing but it never actually looks longer and seems to stay at the same length forever.

In this video, we dive into the common causes of this and how to improve your length retention.

I’m also partnering with Curlsmith because they have a sale where you can get a free Curlsmith Strength Recipe product with orders $30+. Sale ends May 15th, 2023.

Hair Growth vs. Length Retention

Hair growth is new hair that grows from the scalp, at the root.  

Having good length retention is when you’re able to maintain the health of your ends so that the hair actually gets longer as it grows from the scalp. Those with poor length retention often experience breakage, thin ends, split ends, and damage.

Causes of Poor Length Retention

Problem: Your ends are split, causing breakage or the split is moving further up the shaft.

Solutions

• Get a trim to prevent the splits from moving further up.
• Protect your ends with oil before shampooing.
• Be very careful with detangling. Use an oil or conditioner to detangle before shampooing.

Problem: You’re skipping heat protectant and diffusing with high heat.

Solutions

• Use a heat protectant before applying any heat, even with diffusing.
  • Curlsmith Miracle Shield protects from heat, UV rays, pollution and more.
• Ensure your blow dryer isn’t getting too hot.
  • Curlsmith Defrizzion Diffuser is designed for naturally curly hair so it doesn’t get too hot, even on the high heat setting.

Problem: You’re not incorporating protein or bond repair and your hair is very fine and/or damaged.

Solutions

• Use Curlsmith Bond Curl Rehab Salve to strengthen the hair to prevent breakage.
• Use Curlsmith Multitasking Conditioner if you want more subtle protein and moisture.

Problem: You’re soaking your hair daily when refreshing, sleeping with wet hair, or over-moisturizing your hair.

Solutions:

• Avoid saturating your hair daily when refreshing. Use less water when refreshing and avoid it when possible.
• Do not leave deep conditioners in overnight or go to bed with wet hair.
• Avoid styling soaking wet and using heavy products and then air drying, which can leave your damp for hours on end

Problem: You’re wearing tight hairstyles or not protecting curls at night.

Solutions:

• Satin or silk is your best friend. Sleep on the Curlsmith Vegan Silk Pillowcase.
• Wear a scarf to protect your curls overnight or while outside in the sun.
• Wear looser hairstyles and opt for silk scrunchies.

Problem/Cause: Your curl or wave pattern has gotten tighter.

Solutions:

None! Maintain that healthy hair with all of the previously mentioned solutions.

If you want to elongate your curls, avoid brush styling, finger coiling, and diffuse by hovering instead of scrunching.

If your hair isn’t growing from the scalp, it can be from a number of internal issues such as:

• Nutrient deficiencies 
• Poor nutrition
• Medical conditions

Watch my video on Why Your Hair is Thinning for more help on this issue.