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Original poster

Anyone successfully grown their hair long after 45?

37 replies

youvegottobekidding · 10/07/2019 11:30

I'm mid 40's, my hair is just a little past shoulder length. It's a bit dry, thick and I use to colour it frequently but haven't done so for around 4 months, just used a colour shampoo now & then. My last 'trim' was in March, where I had a good inch off with some longer layers put through.

I wash & condition my hair about e try two days, usually blow dry. I sometimes straighten it, always use a heat protection spray. I've just started to use a leave in conditioner instead of usual conditioner, to see if that will help my hair condition.

I want to grown my hair longer, ideally about boob length, however I just think, now at my age it's just going to take forever, I've got to this stage before & it just doesn't seem to get very long, or it starts to look too dry, so I end up having it cut. By not colouring it anymore & using the leave in conditioner, I'm hoping it will not look too bad. I'm wondering has anyone over the age of 45 grown their hair from shoulder length (or indeed shorter to quite long? Or do you think hair growth rate just really slows down & will only grow to a certain length & that's it?

OP posts:
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LoafofSellotape · 10/07/2019 11:35

Funnily enough I've started growing mine too,I'm 48. I missed a cut recently and a friend said she really liked my hair longer and it made me look younger. So since then I've just had a tiny nibble off the ends every 8 weeks. It hangs better and feels really nice. I'm planning on growing it mid shoulder / boob.

LollyBmummyof3 · 10/07/2019 11:40

I’ll be 40 soon! I tried unsuccessfully in my early to mid 30’s to grow my hair long, like it had been in my teens/early 20’s (waist length) but the longest it grew was to my bra strap. My hair is in good condition and is nice and thick. But once it reached that length that was it. I had it cut into a nice collar bone length bob last August and almost a full year on it’s not much longer. I’ve had two small trims just to keep it looking tidy, and it’s only a few cm longer than the original cut. I think as you age hair doesn’t grow long long. I know a few women my age who’ve had extensions to combat this, but that’s not for me, as I think it looks unnatural. Maybe you could try it though if it’s something you really want.

lovemyhairlonger · 10/07/2019 11:45

name change as adding pic! I did have long hair, cut it shorter then grew again. I have it highlighted two/three times a year, am sparse with the heat styling tools, I leave it to dry naturally as much as possible and use good shampoo and conditioner. I never treat it roughly, always with utmost care and I think its not bad?? ( I am 53 btw) Pics to sort of show??

Anyone successfully grown their hair long after 45?
Anyone successfully grown their hair long after 45?
lovemyhairlonger · 10/07/2019 11:47

oh and it didn't take that long really might not have read op properly first . But I rarely get it cut , once a year...

TheCatThatDanced · 10/07/2019 11:48

I have - but it looks better shorter apparently and the condition (thanks underactive thyroid!) isn't as good - was diagnosed with thyroid condition in late 30s.

LollyBmummyof3 · 10/07/2019 11:51

Lmhl your hair looks great! As do you, 53 wow I wouldn’t have guessed.

Summertimeatthebeach · 10/07/2019 11:53

At 48 my hair still grows really fast! Was past bra length a few months ago, had it cut to shoulder length and can see it's grown a fair bit already! Wish it would slow down tbh!
That's a lovely pic posted above!

Unburnished · 10/07/2019 11:59

Yes. My hair grows fast though and would get to bum level if i let it. Biosil/Biotin helps as does HRT (as well as a good diet and protection).

lovemyhairlong · 10/07/2019 12:06

awww shucks - thanks guys Blush.
I do eat pretty healthily - not sure it that makes a difference, and I just treat it with respect - I do put hand/nail cream on the ends most nights (as I figure your hair is made of the same protein as nails), so the ends don't get tatty and break when brushed. I also use leave in cream with argon oil after EVERY wash. I think all this does is to coat the hair so it is less susceptible to breakage, it won't mend split ends or damage. I am just aware that I do not want to look like 'mutton' IYSWIM, so I keep it simple.

Chanellta · 10/07/2019 12:08

Yes I have grown mine longer, it's never been fast growing but I feel it suits me better longer, I do look after it more than ever though and use a leave in conditioner, I rarely use heat on it either.

Wixi · 10/07/2019 12:15

I'm 50 and only get my hair cut (generally) once a year/18 months. My hair does generally get quite long - bra strap length - and then I get fed up with it and get it cut, but then leave it again! I've always had long hair for a year or so, short hair for a year or so, long hair .....

StCharlotte · 10/07/2019 13:06

I've grown mine long three or four times as an adult, last time was in late 40s. Grows really quickly, lovely hair, good condition (I don't colour it) etc. but it really doesn't suit me so I invariably go back to short hair.

Sooverthemill · 10/07/2019 13:10

I'm 61 and have anything from collarbone to shoulder blade length hair ( any longer and I don't like how much effort it takes). My whole life I had short hair then in my 40s I decided to grow it to collarbone length. Didn't take very long. But for work I decided at 50 to get it shorter again. At 54 I had chemotherapy and lost all my hair and was stricken. I felt so awful. When it started to grow back after about a year I just decided to grow it. I think from June 2013 to July 2014 it grew to about chin length and I had it trimmed occasionally. From then until August 2015 I just left it. Then had a bob cut. Then I left it until March 2017 when it was between my shoulder blades and I had a proper style cut in. I now am going grey as well and am having highlights done three times a year to blend in the grey with the sludge brown mouse! This is what it looks like now. I like it. Sometimes it looks dreadful, but mostly it makes me feel good. And that's the point

Anyone successfully grown their hair long after 45?
AltogetherAndrews · 10/07/2019 13:13

Am 42 with fast growing, waist length hair!

OldJoseph · 10/07/2019 13:14

I'm the same, trying to grow it, am nearer 50 though. I've never had long hair so it's all new.

Leg / underarm hair still seems to grow at a faster rate during the summer unfortunately.

CitadelsofScience · 10/07/2019 13:28

I'm in my 50's and mine still grows fast. Had it cut shorter last year and hated it, it's top of the cup of the bra length again. I'm not going shorter again.

Oldraver · 10/07/2019 13:39

I'm 54 and at the moment my hair is about Soovers length as I chopped a couple of inches off recently. I dont seem to be able to grow it past 'bra strap' length though.

I think it depends on the individual...we were at an event on Friday and I noticed how long someones hair was (down to boobs and plaited) as all the growth was the last few years (think due to chemo)

Unburnished · 10/07/2019 16:24

I think it’s all about the condition and whether or not it suits you. I think sarah jessica parker and jeniffer aniston look amazing with long hair.

Original poster
youvegottobekidding · 10/07/2019 17:33

Wow lots of replies, thanks!

Soover & LMHL, great pics & you both look fab!

It's encouraging to hear that hair can grow as we mature. Obviously it's down to the individual but I was intrigued as I don't know anyone who has tried to grow their hair long & is the same age as me.

I use to have longish (mid back) hair around 12 years ago & over the years (have dyed the heck out of it) it's been cut up to shoulder length, bob length, lob length. For the last two years I've kept it about lob length, but looking at photos from 12 years ago (okay so I know I am younger) I really do suit longer hair, I have such a round, full cheek face! I just have to get past the 'my hair looks shit & dry' stage & stop the urge to cut 2 or 3 inches off! I'm not dying it anymore so that's a plus, whatever colour it comes out, I'm ok with!

I will try to reduce the straightening as well, but will probably still blow dry, otherwise it'll will look like James May on a really really bad day.

Just to add, i used the Palmers leave in conditioner spray the last time I washed my hair & it's really nice, smells gorgeous & left my hair really soft & the shine once blow dried was really good too. I know there is a shampoo & normal conditioner in the same range but I'm think it could make the hair look too greasy?

I might start taking Berroca again, that has biotin in.

OP posts:
Original poster
youvegottobekidding · 10/07/2019 17:36

Sorry, Palmers Cocoa Oil Leave in Conditioner!

OP posts:
Original poster
youvegottobekidding · 10/07/2019 17:37

Arghh! Palmers Coconut Oil!!

OP posts:
Danniotley · 10/07/2019 17:44

This is mine. Had it cut shoulder length about 18 months ago but decided to grow it again. I am 48 by the way.

Anyone successfully grown their hair long after 45?
Lardlizard · 10/07/2019 19:33

I do think it’s harder to grow As to get older

MikeUniformMike · 10/07/2019 20:36

Yes. My hair has always been slow growing and I grew it long after 45.
It is a lot dryer than when I had long hair when I was younger.

goose1964 · 10/07/2019 22:00

I'm in my mid 50s and for years had bra strap length hair. A few months ago I bought Tresemme Platinum strength conditioner, and my hair is nearly waist length now, especially impressive as I have loose curls