Identification

• For women, long hair is loosely defined as hair that is longer than shoulder-length. For men, that definition is more conservative: Hair longer than 1.75 inches is considered long hair.
  Different time periods call for different hair fashions. In the 1970s, large Afros were popular. Hippies of both sexes sported long, straight hair parted in the center. The Broadway musical "Hair" featured many actors, male and female, with very long, thick hair, symbolizing the return to nature and unfettered creative freedom that many identified with during this time.
  
  

Considerations

• Factors such as having straight, curly or processed hair will dictate how to best care for and style long hair.
  Dry straight hair will require a gentle shampoo and deep conditioning. Trimming split ends will result in a more polished appearance. Get haircuts at least once every three months.
  Curly long hair may frizz and require a conditioner that is applied only to the roots and not the scalp, where the hair product can create build up and become heavy and unattractive.
  Sebum is oil secreted at the skin's surface and can build up with too-heavy hair conditioners. Opt for a lighter hair conditioner that is rinsed out and/or spray a light moisturizer onto the hair, focusing on the underside of the hair near the scalp.
  Very thick, long hair may be cut so that it is layered and thinned out to prevent a heavy curtain of hair from obscuring the face.
  Young girls can get away with wearing their hair thick, long and full. Most adults may find that style too time-consuming to care for. Opt instead for a long, layered cut that will frame the face and create a lighter feel, as there is literally less bulk and weight.
  
  

Misconceptions

• A misconception is that long hair is strictly for women under the age of 40. This may have been conventional wisdom, but as baby boomers have surpassed the age of 50, many women continue to sport long hair in layered, fashionable styles. It is no longer de rigueur to chop hair to shoulder-length or shorter once a woman reaches 40.
  Men, on the other hand, may have more freedom for long hair styles now than even during the '70s, when hippies brought very long hair into fashion for both sexes.
  Depending on the industry you work in, longer hair for men is no longer seen as a sign of subversive behavior. There are people of all walks of life wearing hair past the shoulder and even in well-kept ponytails.
  
  

Warning

• Although the generally progressive social mores in the U.S. allow for both men and women to sport long hair, figure out for yourself whether long hair is really your strong suit.
  There are longer bobs for women. Some styles for men are closely cropped around the ears and nape of the neck and have length across the top, giving the appearance of longer hair with more forgiving layers and shape.
  There may be a tendency to simply wear the hair long simply because you are able to grow your hair that length -- but, in fact, the result is messy, unprofessional and unbecoming. Work with a professional stylist to help determine if it's time for a new style.
  
  

Prevention/Solution

• There are software programs available that superimpose different hairstyles on an image of your face, allowing you to see what style is most flattering.
  No matter the style or length you chose, keep your hair in good condition: Shampoo at least every other day, avoid overdrying with curling irons or chemical perms and get it cut every 90 days.
  Deep condition your hair once a week or more if you have very dry hair or live in an arid place.
  The fountain of youth does not reside in the length of hair, but in the ability to use whatever you have to your best advantage. That assuredness and confidence is refreshing at any age. Let your crowning glory shine.