With lengthy locks measuring 236.22 cm (7 ft 9 in), Smita Srivastava from Uttar Pradesh, India, has claimed the world record for the longest hair on a living person.
Smita, 46, has been growing her hair since she was 14. She was inspired by her mother, whose genes she credits the “healthy growth” of her hair to.
Smita also sought to emulate the style of Hindi actresses from the 1980s, who had “long and beautiful hair”.
“In Indian culture, goddesses traditionally had very long hair. In our society, it is considered inauspicious to cut hair, so that is why women used to grow hair,” Smita explained. “Long hair enhances the beauty of women.”
Smita usually washes her hair twice per week. The entire process – including washing, drying, detangling, and styling – takes up to three hours each time.
She spends 30-45 minutes washing it, then she dries it with a towel before using her hands to detangle it, which typically takes two hours to do.
“I lay a sheet down on which I detangle my hair while standing on my bed,” Smita said.
Once her hair is detangled and fully dried, she combs it before braiding it or tying it into a bun.
