10 Ways To Reduce Shrinkage On Your Natural Hair
10 Ways To Reduce Shrinkage On Your Natural Hair. Although it is not possible to totally avoid shrinkage on natural hair, you can find ways to reduce it. Reducing shrinkage will ultimately make your hair much more manageable, healthy, and less prone to breakage. Gind out how from the 10 tips below.
1. Braid or Twist
Any natural girl knows the art of creating the perfect braid or twist out. This style helps achieve more curl definition and also adds a bit of length to your hair. It’s a go-to way to decrease natural hair shrinkage.
2. Bantu Knots
Bantu knots are done by take a section of hair and wind it in one direction. Take the wound section and continuously wrap it around and around, forming the knot. Tuck the very ends of the hair underneath the knot to secure it.
3. High Ponytail
A high ponytail is a great way to stretch your hair without heat, and it also maintains a textured look. Make sure not to fasten the ponytail too tightly, or you will end up with straighter hair at the roots, and a curlier texture on the ends. You can also put your hair in a low ponytail for less tension.
4. Wear Your Hair In A Bun
Another way to stretch your hair is by putting it in a high bun when it is slightly damp. Secure the bun in places with a pony tail holder. This will stretch your hair and give it a little more length. Try wearing the bun for an hour to an hour and a half and take it down.
5. Set Your Hair
Rollers, flexi rods, and straw sets are all methods you can use to stretch your hair. You can air dry or sit under a hooded dryer for straighter results. This method will only work if your hair is long enough to wrap around the rods.
6. Banding
Banding is the process of using ponytail holders to gently stretch out wet natural hair. The hair is divided into sections then the holders are wound tightly down the section from root to tip so that the hair stays stretched as it dries.
7. Blow Out
A blow out is simply blow drying your hair. The heat from the blow dry stretch the hair usually until you wash it again. Some ladies are anti-heat though. But you don’t have to be afraid of heat if done in moderation.
8. Blow Your Roots
You should be careful about how much heat that you apply to your hair though. As far as avoiding shrinkage goes, make sure that you’re intentional about blow drying your roots. The straighter they are, the longer your hair will look and the less shrinkage that you will have throughout the day.
9. Keep it Sectioned and Twisted While Washing
Do not allow your hair to shrink on wash day. Keep your hair organized in several twists when you wash it. Only take out a twist when it’s time to apply shampoo, conditioner, or for rinsing. Even after the shower, only take one twist out at a time to style your mane. You’ll find your hair is less likely to shrink if you keep it in elongated twists while it’s wet or damp.
10. Use Anti-Frizz Products
Anti-frizz styling products will help to smooth and elongate your curls. Creams and gels are useful for reducing both frizz and shrinkage while you’re doing twist-outs, braid-outs, and even wash and gos. Look for products which state “anti-frizz” on the front label.
