“I have never cut my hair since 2015.”
Renu Dhariyal has claimed the Guinness World Records title for the longest hair on a living person (female), with her hair measuring an extraordinary 271.50 cm (8 ft 10 in).
The record was verified in Uttarakhand, India, in April, with Renu taking the title from Ukraine’s Aliia Nasyrova.
Renu previously held the record with hair measuring 257.33 cm (8 ft 5.3 in), meaning Dhariyal’s locks are more than 14 cm longer.
Renu has been growing her hair since 2015 and has never cut it during that time.
The Indian content creator and YouTuber was inspired by the cultural significance of long hair in India, where it has traditionally been associated with beauty and heritage.
Renu Dhariyal said: “I have been growing my hair continuously since 2015.
“In Indian culture, long hair is considered a symbol of extreme beauty and tradition, which is what inspired me to grow it so long.
“I have never cut my hair since 2015.”
Her remarkable locks can be seen trailing along the ground behind her in photographs, while other images show them draped over the edge of a bed.
When she needs to keep her hair off the floor, Renu ties it into an elaborate plait.
Maintaining hair of this length requires considerable time and patience, particularly when washing and detangling it.
Renu said: “It takes a lot of patience to maintain long hair. I spend hours washing and detangling my hair.
“My secret is completely natural. I stay away from chemical products and also share the secrets of chemical-free homemade hair oils and homemade shampoos I make on my YouTube channel.”
She regularly shares beauty tips and haircare advice with her audience online, including recipes for homemade oils and shampoos.
Her record-breaking achievement has also given her an opportunity to highlight her culture and local community to an international audience.
The attention surrounding her hair is already considerable whenever she appears in public or shares photographs online.
She said:
“With such long hair, whenever I step out or come on social media, people are surprised and I get a lot of appreciation and attention.”
“I want to give a message to the world that with determination, consistency and connecting with your natural beauty and culture, you can achieve any big milestone.”
At 271.50 cm, Dhariyal’s hair is also remarkably close in length to Robert Wadlow, the tallest person ever recorded.
Wadlow measured 272 cm (8 ft 11.1 in), meaning the difference between his height and the length of Dhariyal’s hair is less than 1 cm.
For Dhariyal, the Guinness World Records title represents almost a decade of commitment to growing and caring for her hair while celebrating the cultural tradition that inspired her journey.
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