For many women with textured hair, the goal isn’t just growth, it’s retention. Hair is always growing, but without the right care, breakage, dryness, and tangles can make it seem like your curls or coils are stuck at the same length.
According to celebrity hairstylist and educator Naeemah LaFond, length retention is less about making hair grow faster and more about preserving what you already have.
The right routine can make your strands look longer, stronger, and healthier over time.
The first key to length retention is moisture management. Textured hair naturally tends to be drier due to the shape of the strands, which makes it more prone to breakage. LaFond recommends a routine centered on hydration, using sulfate-free cleansers, nourishing conditioners, and weekly deep conditioning treatments. Locking in moisture with leave-ins, creams, and lightweight oils helps prevent dryness and keeps ends, the oldest part of the hair, protected.
Next, LaFond emphasizes the importance of protective styling and low manipulation. While braids, twists, and buns can help shield ends from damage, it’s equally important not to keep styles in for too long. Gentle detangling with wide-tooth combs or fingers, paired with protective styles that don’t tug at the scalp, keeps breakage at bay. She also stresses avoiding constant pulling or tight ponytails that place stress on fragile edges.
Another vital step in retention is trimming. It may sound counterintuitive, but regular trims prevent split ends from traveling up the shaft and causing more damage. LaFond notes that skipping trims in the name of length often results in thinner, weaker hair that breaks more easily.
Equally important is what to avoid: excessive heat styling, harsh chemical treatments, and sleeping on rough cotton pillowcases. Silk or satin pillowcases and bonnets can help maintain moisture and reduce friction. Heat should be used sparingly, and always with a protectant.
Finally, patience and consistency are everything. Length retention isn’t an overnight fix; it’s about building healthy habits that, over time, allow you to see progress. By focusing on preserving every inch of growth, you can maintain the fullness and length your textured hair deserves.
With the right balance of hydration, protection, and care, LaFond reminds us: length retention is possible, and it can transform your curls from fragile to flourishing.