I just measured my growth for the first time last month. I measured it on the 10th of last month, and then again today (the 10th) and the difference is 3/4 of an inch.  I am now at just under 20 inches.  I'm pretty pleased about that actually   I always suspected that my hair grows pretty fast, but it's been an interesting experiment and one that I will keep doing (love statistics!).  

Anyway, I am trying to predict how long my hair will get by next Christmas.  That's a little over 12 months away, so based on last month's growth it will be just over 9 inches longer.  My hair would then be past my bra strap. That would be just fine with me and I'd consider that to be "long hair"   So.....my point/question is (and there IS one!), I would be at this length next year only if I did not trim it at all.  I'm assuming this would not be good, as everyone on here talks about trims and I figured that they are necessary.  I did plan on doing my own trims (sworn off hairdressers!), but then I was thinking today, what would happen if I just didn't trim at all?  I know my ends would look thin and wispy after a while, but besides the cosmetic appearance of them....would it do any harm?  I wear my hair up ALL the time now and I have not been able to see any split hairs at all (unless I am just not skilled/experienced enough to be able to spot them!) and maybe it's harder to see them in curly hair?  I have been taking EXCELLENT care of my hair, so it's ultra healthy right now.

How regularly do you all trim? What's the longest you've gone without a trim? What's the most growth you've gained in one year?  Do you think it's a BAD idea not to trim? Why?

Sorry so long and so many questions....

Hi Missrini

I love the colour of your hair, is it natural? If not....could I ask you what colour and brand you use.....its just beautiful. Thanks

I'd try a micro-trim here and there to clean up split ends.  Split ends can run up the length of hair if not checked.  Keep and eye on your hair to ensure that it doesn't start getting that fuzzy damaged look on the ends.

Not sure how often I trim - it is never on a fixed schedule.  I just watch my hair till I think it looks like it needs a trim.  The last one I took over an inch off - unusual for me.   I usually have split ends anyways, but I have a lot less than I used to.

BTW - in the US, there is a protestant offshoot church that prohibits women from ever cutting their hair. 

That would be the Hutterite faith. I'm not sure about other offshoots or classifications of Anabaptists though.

Missrini, microtrims help GREATLY even if you're not doing a full-fledged trim. I went through last year doing microtrims only, and search&destroy missions, but no big trims. This year I did a 1cm trim to "thicken up" the hemline. Without trims, my hair got really tangly at the ends. I agree with Susan that it really depends on your hair type. If you plan on wearing your hair mostly in updos, then not trimming won't be much of a problem. However since curly hair is soooo pretty when worn loose,  I think you should at least do microtrims so you can wear it down a lot.

aaaand take pictures

Anais

Dulcie and Thelaststarfighter: Thank you     I use Henna on my hair, that gives me a fantastic red that I could never get from any chemical colour.  Actually, henna is the main reason I have decided to grow my hair. I would not have been able to keep using chemicals on it if I wanted it long before, but henna gives me a way to have the best of both worlds   It has also sparked my interest in traditional Indian haircare and I'm having fun with herbs and oils on my hair.  My goal is waistlength.  I'm pretty sure I don't want it any longer than that.

Tyranna, that is so weird that you were just mentioning about that religion.....I happened across a site the other day which had MUCH information about how hair is a gift from God and you should never cut it for that reason.  It went on about lots of other philiosophies.  It was not Hutterite, it was Sikhism.  The link is http://www.sikh.net/SIKHISM/W/Hair1.htm - here   Btw, it's not something I believe in....I just like to read about other religions, so I'm not pushing anything here!

Anais, I will take lots of pics....my husband is a professional photographer so it shouldn't be a problem! hehe  It's just that my hair seems like it has grown so much and it is noticeable to me when doing upstyles, washing my hair etc.....but because it is curly, you can't really tell the length change in photos.   I will do some pics in a couple of months though, because I figure it will be long enough to see by then (surely?!)    As for microtrims, do you do them yourself?  Do you just follow that trimming method (from your website), but cut less off??