I should’ve said protein/moisture balance, but I took cleansing, detangling, etc as a given. My regimen relaxed was once a week:
1. Shampoo
2. DC
3. Detangle
4. Moisturize & seal
I styled in a bun always, and about once every 4-6 weeks, I did a protein treatment before DCing. My relaxed hair was fine, hi-po. Moisturizing and sealing was done daily or at least every other day. My hair went from APL to WL in about 2-2.5 years. I had a very simple regimen and didn’t switch up products once I found what I liked.
I think anybody can grow their hair with cleanse, detangle, d/c (or appropriate treatment), and then a proper moisturizer & sealant as needed. Some naturals do no-poo but idk much about that. After shoulder length, ends optimally need to be protected from air exposure & friction w/ protective styles.
As far as wearing the hair in out styles after SL when it can rub on clothes, etc, I have no idea what growth would be like natural because I’m not there yet. Relaxed, I got more breakage after WL wearing braidouts all the time, but mostly from knots snapping off my ends. No clue how that works as a natural, but I assume wash & go’s and unstretched styles cause more knots and therefore breakage.
Anyway, what I personally am not a fan of for myself are growth aids, complicated regimens, and switching up products all the time. The people with the longest hair have the most basic regimens that prioritize moisture and carefully protect their ends. That’s been my own personal experience. Ends can’t break off if they’re moist and hidden.