three images of nilanshi with longest hair ever on a teenager

Nilanshi Patel (India) has held the title of longest hair on a teenager since 21 November 2018 and has recently broken the record for the third time, as well as achieving the record for the longest hair ever on a teenager.

The original measurement for her hair in 2018 was 170.5 cm (5 ft 7 in), which she received on the Italian television show La Notte dei Record (The Night of Records). 

She's gone on to break her own record twice over the last two years as her hair has grown.

Firstly to 190 cm (6 ft 2.8 in) on 22 September 2019, then to a final staggering length of 200 cm (6 ft 6.7 in) this year.

Nilanshi Patel sitting on the floor with hair spread out

For this record, the measurement must be taken when the hair is wet, as hair is naturally longer when wet and therefore provides a clear measurement. 

The hair needs to be placed on a flat surface alongside a ruler to clearly show the length. 

Nilanshi, who is referred to as Rapunzel by her friends, secured her latest record days before her 18th birthday.

Nilanshi Patel having her hair measured in 2018

After turning 18 years old in August this year, Nilanshi is now no longer eligible for the record longest hair on a teenager, but will  continue to hold the record for the longest hair ever on a teenager.

Nilanshi has been growing her hair since she was six years old, following a bad experience at the hairdressers.

"I got my hair cut, a really bad haircut. So, then I decided that I won’t cut my hair. I decided that when I was six and have not cut it since," she explained.

Nilanshi Patel with her mum holding her hair

Nilanshi's mother has always supported her decision to grow her hair and helps dry and comb it every week after it's been washed.

When Nilanshi originally received her record in 2018, she was very pleased. 

"I feel very excited and I feel very happy… it is a big victory for me to be a world record and to set it on record." - Nilanshi Patel 

The future is unclear for Nilanshi’s hair – will she follow in the footsteps of former record holder Keito Kawahara and get a fresh new look, or will she endeavour to break the overall record held by Xie Qiuping (China) for the longest head hair (female)?

Either way, we're pleased to be able to award her with the longest hair ever on a teenager record title. 

Now it's time to see what teenager with luscious locks will be next in line for the record of longest hair on a teenager - who knows, they may even claim Nilanshi's "ever" title!

Longest hair on a teenager Nilanshi