01 May 2023 , 13:05
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A mum whose 6ft-long hair makes her look like a real-life Rapunzel has said she refuses to let her daughters cut their locks as it would be "traumatic".
Alena Kravchenko, 37, and her 10-year-old twin daughters Valeria and Miroslava always get compliments for their long hair - and they are proud of it.
The model from Odessa, Ukraine, said her mother cut her hair when it was unmanageable as a child, which she described as a rite of passage that she will never inflict on her daughters.
The woman's hair is six feet five inches long while she is only five feet five inches tall.
Valeria's hair is four foot one inch long and she is five foot one inch tall, while her sister Miroslava is four foot seven inches tall with three foot two inch hair.
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Alena has not cut her hair in 32 years and said er daughters see her as a role model - and do not want to cut their locks either.
Alena's daughters are following dutifully in her footsteps looking to her as a role model (mdwfeatures/Alena Kravchenko)
Alena said she doesn't want her daughters to suffer the 'trauma' of a trim (mdwfeatures/Alena Kravchenko)The mum explained: "The issue was not even discussed in the family and by unanimous decision from childhood we did not cut their hair.
"They look at their mother, I am an example for them to admire. They love our family of long haired girls.
"They compare themselves and me to their favourite character Rapunzel and are proud to have long hair.
"For three years in a row they have been participating in the All-Ukrainian competition for long hair, and they proudly represented our family by winning and taking first place."
The family also found fame on social media after sharing their pictures online - but Alena says that despite receiving many compliments, some people say it is not beautiful or convenient.
Alena thinks everyone should do what makes them comfortable (mdwfeatures/Alena Kravchenko)
Alena's hair gets her a lot of positive attention online (mdwfeatures/Alena Kravchenko)But she hit back saying: "I am not calling for anyone to grow their hair, everyone wears the length with which they are comfortable and beautiful.
"I'm just sharing my hair and I think that long hair has always adorned and made a woman special. I am proud of my long hair and if my hair continues to grow, I will make every effort to take care of it and keep it in perfect condition.
"Each girl can try to grow her hair with a very strong desire and proper care. The main thing is to believe in it and not give up halfway."
Alena works in modelling and her daughters have also modelled alongside her, as she explained: "The peculiarity of my hair is not only how long it is, it is also the natural colour, nature has awarded me a golden colour, which I am infinitely happy about.
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"In the sun, the hair shimmers with gold and shines beautifully.
"I haven't cut my hair since the age of five, when I was five a hairdresser cut my hair short because my hair curled a lot and my mother couldn't comb it for me, I did not like it and never cut it again.
"Luckily my hair grew quickly and these beautiful long curls fascinated me with their beauty and the longer they became, the more straightened out under the weight and the curls were aligned.
"Since that period, my braid has been growing to my toes. I only trim the ends of my hair two times a year.
"I never drank any hair growth products and did not use growth stimulants. I think it depends on the combination of genetics and proper hair care.
To grow such luscious locks Alena places a lot of emphasis on proper hair care.
She said: "Over the years, I have found for myself the ideal and correct care that suits me, which helps to maintain the entire length of the hair in a healthy and beautiful form.
"These are properly selected cosmetics, proper combing, home-made masks to strengthen the roots, scalp massage for proper blood circulation, etc.
"You can't talk about it being only one thing that gets you a beautiful and healthy result, it is the whole combination of actions for caring for my long curls that is important."