While it has always been traditional for a man's hair to be shorter than a woman's, there are and always have been those who buck tradition and let their hair grow out long. Most people do not realize how difficult this can be, especially for a man who has less experience dealing with long hair. This article will attempt to explain how to grow long hair.

No matter how long one wishes to wear his hair, he must first start out with hair that is not damaged in any way. The only true way to accomplish this is to cut the hair. How short the hair must be cut to remove any damage is purely a function of how well the hair is taken care of under normal circumstances. If a large number of chemicals, especially colors or permanents, have been applied to the hair, it may be necessary to cut it extremely short before beginning to let it grow longer.

On average, hair grows at the rate of about half an inch per month. As long as the hair is properly cared for, this means that a person should see growth of about 5 inches a year. The reason we say 5 inches per year instead of six is because it will be necessary at least once or twice each year to trim the ends off the hair that have become damaged. Most stylists recommend trimming the hair a half-inch every 3 to 4 months while allowing it to grow, then to maintain the length once the hair becomes as long as is desired.

It is also important to limit the number of chemicals to which the hair is exposed when one is trying to increase the length. This is because excessive application of hair colors or perms can damage the hair so severely that it has to be cut off and the process begun again.

Avoiding tangles while trying to grow long hair is also important. One of the most common mistakes that people make is pulling their hair into a pile on top of their head while shampooing. In order to avoid knots and tangles, it is best to apply the shampoo to the scalp then work down the length of the hair to get a clean. Application of a good conditioner can also help in this area.

Contrary to popular belief, excessive brushing does more damage to the hair than beautifying. One should never use a brush on wet hair. And truthfully, it is better to use a wide toothed comb than a brush even on dry hair.

Following these steps will not guarantee that a person will be able to grow long hair. However, they will certainly increase the chances.