Hair shrinkage is a wrinkle thing that many girls with curly and natural hair will encounter. After washing or straightening your curly hair, it looks ideal, but it will "shrink" back soon and look several inches shorter! Especially for naturally curly hair types, this problem is even more common. Don't worry; today I will talk about the reasons for hair shrinkage and provide some effective solutions to help you stop your hair shrinkage.
What is Hair Shrinkage?
First of all, hair shrinkage is a normal phenomenon, especially for black people. Therefore, some people choose to wear wigs, weave hair extensions, or do some braids to avoid this problem. If you magnify your hair strands under a microscope 1000 times, you will find that it has a spiral structure like a vintage telephone wire. When the hair cuticles absorb water and open, the spiral is straightened; after the water evaporates, the spring-like rebound produces the shrinkage effect. African hair can shrink up to 70%, while Asian hair is about 30%-50%. Hair that shrinks significantly is usually more elastic and more resistant to styling. Naturally curly and highly curly hair type has strong elasticity. When the hair lacks stretching or humidity changes, it will return to a curly state and look like it has "shrunk". In fact, the hair has not really shortened, but the curling makes it look like it has no original length.
How To Stop Hair Shrinkage
Here are a few ways to help you stretch the length of your hair while maintaining healthy hair quality:
1. Deep Moisturizing is The Key
Hair shrinkage is closely related to dryness. Curly hair is more susceptible to dehydration, so you need to regularly use a deep hydrating mask or a hair product with nourishing ingredients such as shea butter or coconut oil. Deep conditioning once a week can make your hair smoother and reduce shrinkage.
2. Try the Stretching Method
Simple stretching styles such as bantu knots, braids, or twists can stretch your hair without damaging it, making it look longer. These methods can reduce shrinkage and increase styling variety.
3. Heat with Care
If you need to lengthen your hair quickly, use a hair dryer and a comb to straighten your hair. Remember to set it to low heat and apply a heat-resistant spray to protect your hair before use. However, try not to overuse high-heat tools to avoid damaging your hair.
4. Use Hair Products To Lock In Length
There are some products specifically for curly hair that can help "lock in" length, such as curling cream, moisturizing gel, or light hair oil. These products not only reduce frizz, but also keep your hair hydrated and smooth.
5. Accept Your Natural Beauty
While there are some ways to reduce hair shrinkage, it's also important to learn to appreciate your natural hair. This elasticity and unique texture are part of our natural beauty. Moreover, curly hair is highly popular in the fashion world, and achieving tight curls can be quite challenging with traditional perming. This is why many celebrities opt to wear wigs to achieve this naturally beautiful look. You can try some hairstyles, such as fluffy Afro style, or curly hairstyles with more concentrated curls to embrace your natural beauty.
Techniques to Maintain Hair Length While Styling
1. Blow Dry Your Hair
A blow dryer is one of the most common tools for stretching curly hair. Divide your hair into small sections, gently straighten it with a comb, and then blow dry it with a hair dryer. This way, your hair will look much longer. Remember, be sure to apply heat protection spray or hair oil before blow-drying to protect your hair from high-temperature damage. If you are afraid of trouble, using the low-temperature mode will also work well!
2. Use Hair Ties to Maintain Elongated Effect
After your hair is stretched, a hair tie is definitely a good helper if you want to keep it! Divide your hair into several small strands and tie them up with a hair tie. This can fix the elongated shape and prevent the hair from shrinking back quickly. This method is particularly effective for curly hair and can also change the style by the way.
3. Divide Hair into Sections
If you want to make the stretching effect more obvious, it is best to divide your hair into small strands for operation. This not only makes it more evenly stretched, but also prevents it from being messy if you are not careful, especially for hair with tight curls. Although the partition operation takes a little time, the effect is more lasting.
4. Be Gentle with Your Scalp
When stretching your hair, be sure to straighten it gently from the roots without excessive force. This will not only make your hair look longer but also will not hurt your scalp. Moreover, keeping the texture of the curls will be more natural and beautiful than completely straightening them, and it is not so tiring to operate.
5. Alternating Hot And Cold Air Blowing
Some people like to use cold air to blow after stretching with a hot hair dryer, saying that it can help fix the elongated effect and reduce the chance of shrinkage. You can try this method, but the effect varies from person to person, but at least it does not harm the hair, so it is worth a try!
6. Tie the headband again before going to bed
In order to make the stretching effect last longer, tie your hair again with a headband before going to bed. In this way, the hair will still be stretched the next day, and you don’t need to spend time to re-do it in the morning, which saves time and effort. And avoid repeated use of hot tools, and your hair will be healthier.Summary
Final Words
Rather than fighting your hair's natural attributes, learn to live with your curls. Remember: Some shrinkage is a sign of vitality. By moisturizing, stretching, using the right hair care products, and occasionally using low-heat tools, you can easily reduce shrinkage and show longer and healthier hair. I hope these methods are helpful to you, so try them now!
Remember, true beauty comes from confidence, and hairstyle is just one of the ways you express your personality.
