Shrinkage in natural hair can be frustrating for those facing styling dilemmas. After twisting, stretching, combing, and pulling your curls to their full potential, they often retreat to the roots as they dry. However, shrinkage is a marker of healthy, hydrated curls and a natural part of the curly hair journey. Whether you have wavy dark brown hair or dirty blonde coils, understanding hair texture and how shrinkage happens is key to overcoming it and achieving your ultimate goal.
What Is Natural Hair Shrinkage?
Natural hair shrinkage happens when curls go from a lengthy, stretched-out form to a tight, compacted coil. Each strand contracts as hair dries and loses moisture, making your hair texture curly. Shrinkage isn’t a sign of unhealthy hair. To regain length, try anti-shrinkage products and occasionally switch things up with a hairstyle overhaul.
What Causes Natural Hair Shrinkage?
The best way to understand hair shrinkage is to compare it to a sponge that absorbs water and expands. As moisture is removed, hair shrinks back to its original size. This can occur through the air drying process or using a hair dryer. Shrinkage serves as a natural moisture barometer—when curls are hydrated, they become more plump and pliable. If your curls retreat, it’s time to rehydrate.
The Shape of Your Natural Hair Shaft
The shape of your natural hair shaft is determined by the curve or straightness of your hair follicle. If your follicle is straight, your hair will grow straight. If it’s curved, your hair will curl or coil as it grows, leading to shrinkage.
Your Hair’s Exposure to Water
Natural hair comprises proteins like keratin, linked by three types of bonds: hydrogen, disulfide, and salt. When hair gets wet, hydrogen bonds break, making it elastic and loosening curls. As it dries, the hair keeps its new shape. However, in humid weather or with water-based products, hair returns to its natural shape and shrinks.
No Heat Application
If you choose not to apply heat to your natural hair to straighten it, your hair will naturally shrink as it dries, maintaining its natural curl pattern and texture.
Which Hair Type Shrinks the Most?
Hair shrinkage can affect curly strands, but certain hair types are more susceptible. 4A, 4B, and 4C hair types experience the most shrinkage because their curls are coiled tighter than other curl patterns.
Hair types 1 and 2 usually don’t experience significant shrinkage. If you notice shrinkage, it could be a sign of damage or high porosity, where water flows in and out of highly porous hair freely.
For these types, understanding how to soften coarse hair is essential to maintaining curl definition and reducing shrinkage.
Do All Curl Types Experience Shrinkage?
Lee explains that all curl types experience shrinkage, especially type four hair and types five through eight on the Mizani hair chart.
These tighter patterns can recoil up to 50 percent of their original length. Shrinkage is a natural property of wavy and oily hair, influenced by how human hair is made
.However, excessive shrinkage can be a sign of damage from heat styling or hard water usage. To address this, visit a salon where a professional can evaluate your hair’s health and recommend a customized cut and care regimen to keep your strands back on track.
How Do You Know If You Have Hair Shrinkage?
Shrinkage is easy to notice. If your hair hangs over your shoulders when you step out of the shower but springs up to the nape of your neck after your washing and styling routine, you likely have shrinkage.
How to Reduce Natural Hair Shrinkage
It’s important to remember that shrinkage is a natural part of having curly or afro-textured hair. It’s nothing to be concerned about, but if it bothers you, there are things you can do to minimize it.
How Do I Stop My Natural Hair From Shrinking?
Shrinkage is completely fine and depends on a few things like your curl pattern and how well you care for your hair.
Use anti-shrinkage products, moisturize regularly, and look for hydrating ingredients like almond oil, shea butter, and avocado oil.
Certain hairstyling techniques can also help in stretching your strands. A hair consultation can provide personalized advice for your hair care routine.
Moisturize While You Wash
The key to ensuring your hair stays hydrated is during washing. Use a sulfate-free shampoo like Goddess Strength Fortifying Shampoo with Castor Oil to cleanse without stripping natural oils. This formula helps retain moisture, strengthen hair, and promote less breakage, addressing shrinkage concerns.
Banish Knots and Snarls
To avoid curly hair shrinkage, make sure your hair is properly detangled and knot-free. Use a wide-tooth comb and Goddess Strength True Stretch Defining Cream with castor oil, black cumin seed oil, and ginger to deeply moisturize and reinforce strands. This helps showcase true length and prevent unnecessary tugging or breakage. Keeping hair healthy also enhances the most attractive hair color.
Use Traditional Conditioner and Leave-in Conditioner
To combat the shrinkage of hair, start with a clean foundation by layering moisture. Use a traditional rinse-out conditioner like Monoi Repairing Conditioner to add moisture and detangle curls. Follow with Monoi Repair + Protect Multi-Styling Milk as a primer to infuse more moisture and Hair Milk Nourishing and Conditioning Styling Pudding for added hydration to smooth each strand and keep frizz away.
Use a Hair Treatment
Incorporate an intensive moisture treatment like Coco Creme Curl Quenching Deep Moisture Mask into your monthly mix for added hydration. With ingredients like coconut oil and mango seed butter, this treatment infuses moisture, seals it in, and helps reduce hair shrinkage once your strands are dry.
Physically Stretch Your Curls
To combat shrinkage, use manual elongation techniques on wet and dry hair. Stretch your hair while applying styling products using the LOC method (leave-in, oil, cream). Finger comb from root to ends and use a pick at the roots to pull and loosen compacted curls.
Style With Sleep In Mind
To keep your hair and curls healthy and loose overnight, cover your hair with a satin bonnet or scarf before bed. Gather your hair into a pineapple at the top of your head using a scrunchie. This will stretch your curls, adding volume by morning. Remember, shrinkage might be frustrating, but it’s a helpful marker of how well-moisturized your hair is.
Maximum-Hold Gels
Utilizing products like high-hold gels can alleviate shrinkage while defining natural curls. Lee recommends strong-hold gels like Redken’s Max Sculpting Gel or Matrix’s Controller Gel to weigh down hair, hold your style, and maximize length as it dries. These gels offer flake-free control and added thickness, enhancing the structure and shine of your curls and coils.
Curl-Elongating Creams
Elongating creams and lotions are designed for waves, curls, and coils. These formulas contain nourishing oils and rich butter to moisturize locks. Mizani True Textures Curl Define Pudding is a lightweight, curl-defining cream with coconut oil, olive oil, and marula oil that gives smooth strands, mirror shine, and soft, touchable twist-outs or braid-outs.
Moisturizing Systems
Shrinkage happens when water leaves strands. Use products that retain moisture to prevent curl pattern shrinking.
For parched curly locks, try Redken All Soft Mega Curls with shampoo, conditioner, and HydraMelt Leave-In Treatment.
With star ingredients like cactus extract, aloe vera, and sacha inchi oil, this complete system promotes hair hydration and increases moisture, nourishment, softness, and shine for up to 72 hours.
Conclusion
Shrinkage in natural hair is a common and healthy sign of elasticity and hydration. While it can be frustrating, especially when styling, understanding its causes and employing proper care can minimize its effects. Using moisturizing products and techniques to retain moisture helps maintain curl definition and reduces shrinkage, keeping your hair looking its best. Regular hair consultations can also provide personalized advice to enhance your routine and achieve your styling goals.
FAQ’s
What causes hair shrinkage?
Shrinkage happens when water leaves strands. To prevent your curl pattern from shrinking, use products that help locks retain moisture. This is especially important if your hair is prone to dryness. Hydrated curls stay plump and elongated.
Is your hair healthy if it shrinks?
Shrinkage is a sign of healthy hair. Natural hair that is curly, compact, and coily can bounce back to its naturally curly state. This shows your hair has elasticity and is not damaged by heat or chemicals.
How to avoid shrinkage?
Avoiding heavy-duty cycles, fast spins, and high-heat drying can prevent shrinkage. Use delicate cycles and mesh laundry bags for added protection. Opt for low-heat or air-dry settings. Always follow the instructions on the garment’s care tag.
How do you fix shrunken hair?
Infuse moisture with coconut oil and mango seed butter to seal it in. This will reduce hair shrinkage and help your strands stay less dry.
