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‘Real-life Rapunzel’ with the world’s longest hair shares the 6 ways she keeps her 7ft 9in locks healthy
From onion juice to avoiding hot water - Smita's top tips for healthy hair
A 'REAL-life Rapunzel' who holds the title for the world's longest hair has shared her top tips for healthy locks.
Smita Srivastava, 46, claimed the Guinness World Record for the longest hair on a living person in November last year.
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The longest strand of her Rapunzel-like tresses measured a whopping 7ft 9in.
Her hair is so long it trails on the ground behind her like a veil and often gets caught beneath her feet.
Growing her locks since she was 14 years old, the mum, from Uttar Pradesh, India, said she was inspired by her mum and sisters, all of whom have lengthy and luscious tresses.
Hindi actresses from the 1980s - with their “long and beautiful hair” - were another source of inspiration, Smita told Guinness World Records in a video posted to their YouTube channel.
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Though she often keeps her mane coiled in a bun or braids, she said that whenever she goes outside with her hair down, people are “amazed”.
“They are unable to believe how one can have such long hair,” Smita said.
“People come to me, touch my hair, take pictures, take selfies with me, and they often enquire about the products I use, as my hair is beautiful."
Holding the Guinness World Record title for her tresses has long been a dream of Smita's and she was overjoyed at the news she'd snagged it.
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But that doesn't mean her days as a modern day Rapunzel are over.
“I will take care of my hair as long as I can," Smita stated.
How to make your hair grow faster in 7 steps
"I will never cut my hair because my life is in my hair. I want my hair to grow more and see how long I can manage it.”
Though it would be hard to reach the same lengths as Smita, you can take a leaf from her book.
The world record holder has shared the secrets behind her gloriously long tresses - from unconventional natural remedies for growth to use her hands to detangle her strands.
1. Untangle with care
Smita tends to wash her hair twice each week.
Though most of us can hop in and out of the shower in a trice, the 46-year-old revealed that the whole process - from washing to drying, detangling and styling - can take up to three hours.
It takes Smita 30 to 45 minutes alone to wash her hair.
She then dries it with a towel before embarking on the arduous process of untangling - with not a brush in sight.
Instead, Smita says she uses her hands to work out the knots from her locks.
She lays down a sheet and stands on her bed to do so, collecting strands that break off or fall out.
Finally, she'll coil her hair into a bun or braid it.
2. Stay away from artificial products
Smita also tends to follow a natural hair care routine, avoiding artificial shampoos and conditioners.
Instead, Times of India reported that she uses ingredients like Indian soapberry, Shikakai and Indian goosebery to wash her hair.
She'll also sometimes use ingredients like egg and Aloe Vera.
3. An unconventional hair growth 'secret'
Smita's 'secret' remedy for hair growth? Onion.
She said the pungent alium can help boost hair growth and prevent hair loss, making locks thicker and longer.
In a video uploaded to her YouTube channel, she recommended grinding or pulverising two onions in a blender, straining out the juice and applying it to your tresses.
Leave it on for half an hour to 45 minutes, then wash it out and shampoo your hair.
Smita advised using the remedy once a week or every 15 days.
She said this unconventional remedy left her locks looking "silky and shiny".
4. Diet is key
In a separate video in which she listed tips for achieving long locks, Smita shared that diet is also important for hair growth.
Eating enough protein and getting plenty of vitamins from what you eat was the first thing she recommended.
Green vegetables and fruit were also key to healthy hair, she added.
Senior consultant trichologist at Phillip Kingsley, Zoe Passam, previously told The Sun which five vitamins are most important for hair health and how best to consume them.
Eat your way to good hair
WANT thicker hair?
Here are 12 foods to give your locks a healthy boost:
- Oily fish like salmon, mackerel, tuna and herring
- Nuts like walnuts, almonds, cashews and pistachios
- Eggs
- Beans like chickpeas, peanuts, soybeans, and lentils
- Dark leafy greens like spinach, kale and rocket
- Sweet potatoes
- Avocados
- Seeds like flaxseeds, chia seeds, sunflower seeds, and pumpkin seeds
- Yoghurt
- Peppers
- Berries
- Brocolli
Read more on the nutrients your hair craves here.
5. Oil it up
Smita said she slathers her hair in coconut oil to protect from breakage.
Almond oil also works well as a substitute, she added.
Aside from stopping your strands from breaking off, almond oil can can also help with hair growth too, she added.
6. Crank down your water temperature
Smita's final tip involved turning down your water temperature for washing your hair.
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She advised you avoid using hot water as it can damage your tresses.
Instead, sluice it down with cold or lukewarm water.
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