Shrinkage and natural 4C hair are closely related. Who can blame people for using chemicals or relaxers to prevent shrinking and maintain the length of their hair? Nobody!None of us, either!
This is due to the fact that maintaining natural hair can be rather difficult. After the curls become tangled and diminish, brushing your hair can become a nightmare, which is frustrating.
Sure, we know shrinkage is proof that your hair is healthy, but that doesn't make it any less annoying or pleasant for anyone.So, how do we tackle this issue? Or is it even possible to stop hair shrinkage? Honestly, not completely.
But there's hope. With the right products and methods, you can manage it. It takes a little TLC, but trust me, it works.
Note: These methods are safe and won't damage your strands in any way.
When you're ready, see the ways to stop hair shrinkage below.
1. Deep Conditioning
Deep conditioning is the first technique you ought to include in your regimen. When it comes to preventing hair loss, deep conditioning is like magic. And that's because it can aid in restoring your hair's moisture content.
The problem is that your hair may become dry since your natural oils may not reach your hair shaft. Therefore, applying a cure alters it. In order to combat shrinkage, the conditioning will increase its weight and add moisture.
See the great improvements that come about by doing this every day. Please return to express your gratitude for this (winks).
2. Blow Your Roots
We know what you're thinking: blow dryers are bad and can cause damage to your strands. That's true, so we don't recommend using a blow dryer too regularly. But hear us out–blowing your roots on minimal heat is a great way to stretch your hair. It can help reduce shrinkage and make it more manageable.
However, whenever you want to use a heat tool, it's a must to apply a heat protectant to your strands, whether a spray or a cream heat protectant. Though cream ones are best for those with thick hair and like its name, it will keep your strands safe.
You'll also want to use a blow dryer with a diffuser to evenly distribute the heat, especially since you'll focus more on your roots.
3. Section Hair Whenever You Wash
Practicing good habits when washing your hair can make it less frustrating once it dries. They'll make it easier for you to style your hair and the shrinkage won't be as much as you imagined.
One of the good habits you must implement issectioning your hair before or while you wash it.This can make it easier and shrink less. Remember that the fastest way your hair shrinks is when water touches it. By putting it in sections, you're giving it no room to curl once you start to wash.
So, after sectioning, go ahead and wash each part and twist them back after you're done. Do this one at a time, and your hair will retain more length.
4. Braids Work
You might be familiar with this method, but if not, it's time to use it to the fullest. It's one of the best, safest, and most protective ways to prevent your hair from shrinking.
Braids protect your hair, helping it to retain moisture and grow. But they can also help to stretch your tresses and make you not feel overwhelmed by the shrinkage.
All you have to do is braid your hair immediately after washing. You don't even need to blow dry it if you're using this method. Just let it dry, then section it and braid some cornrows. You can also braid when your hair is damp—ensure it dries thoroughly afterward.
Other braiding styles likebantu knotsandtwists, can also be effective.
5. Do You Detangle
Clumps, knots, and bumps are the enemies of your hair. Regardless of hair type, if you don't detangle it, knots will start to form, since your hair curls up by itself.
All this is to emphasize that detangling your hairis not tobe joked with. What it does is smoothen and soften your strands, removing every lump that's not to be there.
We recommend using your conditioner whenever you want to detangle. Suppose you have a good detangler mixture that's quite alright too. Butmake sureit contains oil or milk, as they are very effective in stretching and elongating the hair.
Here's how you apply and detangle:
- Pour your conditioner or detangler mixture on your hair, moving from the root to the ends.
- Make sure it's saturated well, then use a brush to detangle gently. You'll be combing from the tip until you reach your roots. This way, you can tackle every knot without experiencing much breakage.
6. Roller Set Your Tresses
This is a style of its own butrollersetting your hair also helps to fight shrinkage. The best time to use this method is after washing your hair, and while it's still a bit damp.
Yousimplyroll your hair on the tools you decide to use, then sit under a hooded dryer. You can also choose to skip sitting under a dryer. Just let it air dry, then unravel it. The results will be truly amazing—your hair is stretched, and you have a beautiful style.
The roller set method is one of the oldest ways to style natural hair. So, some people might consider it vintage and old-fashioned, but the results don't lie.
7. Using Silicone Hair Products
Will you be shocked if we say your shrinkage might be caused by the products you use? Well, some products make curls tighter, others have the opposite effect—and that's the case with silicone.
Silicone is a non-toxic chemical that can help protect the hair from humidity, which causes it to shrink. It's one of those ingredients that seals in the moisture you need and keeps your hair from becoming frizzy. And the weight it adds to your hair contributes greatly to alleviating shrinkage.
So, go for products that contain this ingredient and watch it help you counter shrinkage.
8. The Pineapple Style
This method does the trick at night. It's the perfect way tokeep your strands stretched, knowing it won't be the opposite in the morning.
Simply,putit in a pineapple and wake up to a style that's not out of place. But there's a catch to it, you must be careful not to cause tension to your hair.Make sureit's not tight to the extent that it leads to breakage. Remember, the goal is to stretch your hair, not damage it.
To make it safer, we advise you to twist your hair in sections before pulling it into a high ponytail or braid it instead. However, if you must leave it unbraided, be careful when you style this.
This style will prevent tangling and make it easy to maintain. Stylists also believe it gives your hair volume. So, there's no way you're losing with the pineapple style.
9. If It's Damp, Best Time to Style
Styling your hair while it's dry can make you rethink your decision about keeping natural hair. To avoid thoughts roaming your mind about your choice, style it while it's damp.
Let's give you a few directions: go in with your leave-in conditioner on your wet hair. Then, twist, braid, or achieve whatever style you want. Let it get dry and you'll see it'll be different. While your hair may not reach your waist, the shrinkage will be less.
10. Banding
Here's a method rooted in Africa and it works in fighting shrinkage! It involves using hair bands to stretch your hair, similar to traditional threading.
While it'll have been nice to use threads, they may be hard to come by in regular stores. So, grab some hair ties and get started.
- First, you want to dampen your hair if it's dry, then section to as many parts as you like.
- Use a hair band to hold your hair at the root, then continue to tie it with your hair bands.
- Stop once you reach the tip and move to the next section.
You can go ahead and have a good night's rest. And by morning, you'll see it's perfectly stretched once you remove the bands.
11. High Hold Gels
Given your prior experiences with gels, it's probable that they aren't your greatest buddy at the moment. Nonetheless, they are a substance that can maximize your hair's length and expand it.
Strong hold gels have the ability to weigh down hair, which prevents shrinkage and keeps your style in place. Therefore, use this product when styling your hair, but make sure to choose a high-quality one to prevent scalp flakes.
The annoyance of hair shrinkage is no longer necessary. You may enjoy wearing a style you love and stretch your hair with the help of the techniques and advice in this post.
Do you have more inquiries about hair shrinkage? Leave them in the space provided for comments. We'll try our best to respond.
