# How is extremely long hair possible? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 23, 2015, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-extremely-long-hair-possible/718388 "2015-04-23T21:01:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Cold\_Dish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ce7236/32.png) [@Cold\_Dish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cold_Dish)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2015, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-extremely-long-hair-possible/718388/1 "2015-04-23T21:01:49Z")
Human hair grows, on average, six inches per year. The growth cycle can span from two to six years. This calculates to a max of 36 inches. So how do some people grow extremely long hair. Is it possibly genetics? ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2015, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-extremely-long-hair-possible/718388/2 "2015-04-23T21:10:48Z")
Go back and look at your first statement. It’s says _on average_. Some people have hair that grows _faster_, just as some have hair that grows slower. If someone has hair that grows 9 inches a year (150% of average) then after 6 years you have 54 inch length hair. Presumably, those with the super long hair have, in addition to healthy hair (it has to last years without significant breakage) also have hair that grows faster than average. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2015, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-extremely-long-hair-possible/718388/3 "2015-04-23T21:45:39Z")
fertilizer. also short legs help. ---
**Author:** ![Ornery\_Bob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/da6949/32.png) [@Ornery\_Bob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ornery_Bob)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2015, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-extremely-long-hair-possible/718388/4 "2015-04-23T22:01:37Z")
Works the same with with men’s beards. Some guys can grow them long, and some can’t. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2015, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-extremely-long-hair-possible/718388/5 "2015-04-23T22:17:13Z")
that true otherwise they’d be ZZ Crop. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2015, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-extremely-long-hair-possible/718388/6 "2015-04-23T22:22:24Z")
And beyond a certain age, some men’s eyebrow hair embarks on a path of acceleration. And then there’s nose and ear hair. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2015, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-extremely-long-hair-possible/718388/7 "2015-04-23T22:23:52Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > And beyond a certain age, some men’s eyebrow hair embarks on a path of acceleration. And then there’s nose and ear hair. Preach it. The hair god’s a jerk. ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2015, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-extremely-long-hair-possible/718388/8 "2015-04-23T22:52:58Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > And beyond a certain age, some men’s eyebrow hair embarks on a path of acceleration. And then there’s nose and ear hair. I have sometimes wondered what genetic advantage eyebrow, ear and nose hair is to older men. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2015, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-extremely-long-hair-possible/718388/9 "2015-04-23T23:32:24Z")
> [@Cold\_Dish](#): > > Human hair grows, on average, six inches per year. The growth cycle can span from two to six years. This calculates to a max of 36 inches. So how do some people grow extremely long hair. Is it possibly genetics? As I’ve seen it explained, hairs fall out naturally when they hit a certain weight. for different people, that weight varies. You can let your hair grow out all you want but if your scalp only supports a light weight, then you won’t be able to get past your shoulder blades; others can get to the mid-back; yet others can go to their feet. If you use a turban, have dreadlocks, or otherwise use some method for supporting your hair, then you will be able to grow it out a lot longer than you would otherwise be able to. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2015, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-extremely-long-hair-possible/718388/10 "2015-04-24T00:18:35Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > And beyond a certain age, some men’s eyebrow hair embarks on a path of acceleration. And then there’s nose and ear hair. Witness, _e.g.,_ [Andy Rooney _et_ 6 even crazier _al._](http://guycodeblog.mtv.com/2011/09/30/eyebrows-andy-rooney/) ETA: > [@](#): > > A legendary journalist, classic humorist and iconic curmudgeon, Rooney possesses a physical trait that outshines all of those: his eyebrows. Rooney’s unruly eyebrows are so distinct that if Hitler had them, he’d be known as they [_sic_] guy with the eyebrows. > > To honor Rooney as he prepares to sign off on his last “60 Minutes” segment, we present a prestigious list of eyebrows that make his look completely regular. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2015, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-extremely-long-hair-possible/718388/11 "2015-04-24T00:26:16Z")
> [@Senegoid](#): > > Witness, _e.g.,_ [Andy Rooney _et_ 6 even crazier _al._](http://guycodeblog.mtv.com/2011/09/30/eyebrows-andy-rooney/) > > ETA: how can that list be valid if it doesn’t have Pierre Salinger on it? ---
**Author:** ![pool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pool/32/4152_2.png) [@pool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pool)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2015, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-extremely-long-hair-possible/718388/12 "2015-04-24T00:40:44Z")
Holy crap: [http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/longest-hair-%28female%29](http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/longest-hair-%28female%29) I think I might cut my hair if it was messing my spine up: [http://www.oddee.com/item\_98708.aspx](http://www.oddee.com/item_98708.aspx) How about longest ear hair: [http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1147686/Pictured-The-man-worlds-longest-ear-hair.html](http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1147686/Pictured-The-man-worlds-longest-ear-hair.html) ---
**Author:** ![grude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47774/32.png) [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2015, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-extremely-long-hair-possible/718388/13 "2015-04-24T00:59:52Z")
Dreadlocks at least the portions furthest from the scalp are no longer attached. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2015, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-extremely-long-hair-possible/718388/14 "2015-04-24T05:18:39Z")
> [@Senegoid](#): > > Witness, _e.g.,_ [Andy Rooney _et_ 6 even crazier _al._](http://guycodeblog.mtv.com/2011/09/30/eyebrows-andy-rooney/) > > ETA: For the record, I am not on this list. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2015, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-extremely-long-hair-possible/718388/15 "2015-04-24T12:58:14Z")
> [@bob\_2](#): > > I have sometimes wondered what genetic advantage eyebrow, ear and nose hair is to older men. No qualities that specifically happen due to being older are a genetic advantage, because we already had our chance to make genetic copies. After a certain age, it’s only stuff breaking down or going haywire ☹ ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2015, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-extremely-long-hair-possible/718388/16 "2015-04-24T14:25:54Z")
> [@Senegoid](#): > > Witness, _e.g.,_ [Andy Rooney _et_ 6 even crazier _al._](http://guycodeblog.mtv.com/2011/09/30/eyebrows-andy-rooney/) > > ETA: Do their barbers/stylists not trim those things when they get haircuts? My eyebrows are in the very beginnings of getting wild and crazy, and when I get a haircut, I have them trim my eyebrows while they’re at it. 5 seconds later, and no wolfman look. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2015, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-extremely-long-hair-possible/718388/17 "2015-04-24T14:29:51Z")
the reason men’s eyebrows get bushier is to attempt to provide some shading to the eye that was previously provided by forehead hair. ---
**Author:** ![Cazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cazzle/32/75_2.png) [@Cazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cazzle)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2015, 7:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-extremely-long-hair-possible/718388/19 "2015-07-27T07:49:47Z")
Anecdote! I had my hair cut into a pixie cut on my birthday in 2013. Since then I’ve been growing it out and I’ve only had it trimmed a couple of times. I just measured and, scalp to ends, it’s about 30cm (12 inches) long. My birthday is about six weeks away, so it’s getting close to two years - I guess my hair has been growing at twice the average they give in that article. ---
**Author:** ![watchwolf49](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e9c0ed/32.png) [@watchwolf49](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/watchwolf49)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2015, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-extremely-long-hair-possible/718388/20 "2015-07-28T14:50:52Z")
> [@bob\_2](#): > > I have sometimes wondered what genetic advantage eyebrow, ear and nose hair is to older men. Stops them from procreating? ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2015, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-extremely-long-hair-possible/718388/21 "2015-07-28T15:55:20Z")
> [@Sage\_Rat](#): > > As I’ve seen it explained, hairs fall out naturally when they hit a certain weight. for different people, that weight varies. You can let your hair grow out all you want but if your scalp only supports a light weight, then you won’t be able to get past your shoulder blades; others can get to the mid-back; yet others can go to their feet. > > If you use a turban, have dreadlocks, or otherwise use some method for supporting your hair, then you will be able to grow it out a lot longer than you would otherwise be able to. Hair falling out might correlate to weight but the reason they fall out is that the [hair follicle goes dormant for a period](http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/hair-loss/science-hair?page=2), the hair falls out, then the follicle resumes growth with a new hair. It has nothing to do with what weight the follicle can support. A hair doesn’t weigh very much. You will discover quite quickly that if you gently pull on your hair, it doesn’t all come suddenly falling out. And the force you are using to pull is hundreds of times larger than the weight of the hair. > [@bob\_2](#): > > I have sometimes wondered what genetic advantage eyebrow, ear and nose hair is to older men. Just because we have it doesn’t mean there is an evolutionary advantage. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-extremely-long-hair-possible/718388.md?page=2)