Does braiding make your hair grow longer, true or false and why?

Question

Does braiding make your hair grow longer, true or false and why?

Answer 1

False, because hair growth is determined genetically and hormonally. It occurs beneath the surface so no amount of trimming, braiding, shampooing, .... will do anything about it. It does sometime grow faster during adolescence and pregnancy because the hormones are stronger then. Hair will seem to grow faster on straight hair than curly because it goes straight down and not horizontally. It will also appear to grow faster on short people than tall because it takes less time to grow to the chin, neck, back, in comparison.

Really tight braids left in for long periods of time may even cause traction alopecia, which is hair loss in a specific area because the hair follicle (part under the skin where it grows) is being pulled so hair it is damaged.

However, big braids will protect your hair from damage so you will have to trim split ends less, resulting in seemingly faster growing hair.

Answer 2

True. Its not the braids that are making your hair grow longer its the lack of attention you have to give your hair that makes the difference. You brush and comb it less. And you put less product in it which helps it grow faster.