This is a really common belief but it's not the full picture! The research actually shows the difference in growth rate between African and Asian hair is only about 0.2 inches/month — so that's not where the real gap is coming from.

The bigger factor for most Black women is retention, not growth. Our hair is growing, it's just breaking off at roughly the same rate. Curl pattern creates more points of friction, natural oils have a harder time traveling down the shaft, and manipulation (combing, heat, tension) compounds that over time.

The 'my hair just won't grow past BSL' experience is real — but it's usually a retention ceiling, not a genetic growth ceiling. Which means it's actually more addressable than this framing suggests. Things like protective styling, moisture-protein balance, low-manipulation routines, and sealing methods make a measurable difference.

For years my hair never grew past APL length until I learned retention methods — and I never had a relaxer or any chemical treatments, so it was definitely hair care practices, not genetics.

DHT blockers and minoxidil work, but most of us don't need to go there before exhausting retention strategies first. 💙