How to Avoid Curl Shrinkage

You can avoid major curl shrinkage with natural household items.

Nothing is more annoying than when you took the time to style your naturally curly hair, only to see your reflection in passing when you are out and realize that your hair has shriveled up into super-tight curls, devoid of any style. Even the smallest amount of humidity in the air can cause this. And it's exacerbated for naturally coarse African-American hair. Luckily, there are popular techniques and tips you can try to keep your curls elongated and avoid major shrinkage, thanks to a variety of natural remedies and hair products.

Things You'll Need

• Lactic acid hair products
• Avocado
• Milk
• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Hair bands
• Blow dryer or hood dryer

Instructions

1. Treat your hair with products containing lactic acid, such as yogurt or sour cream. Lactic acid is believed to be the key to elongating curls. For a simple, natural, milk-based hair treatment, combine a mashed avocado with 1/2 cup of milk. Apply to shampooed, wet hair and leave on for 15 minutes. Rinse thoroughly and continue with your usual hair regimen. Other products, such as gel and commercial curl-defining products, may also work to keep the hair stretched when applied to wet hair before drying.

2. Twist or braid your hair after washing and conditioning it. Take small sections of hair and braid or twist them, then dry them underneath a hooded dryer, or let them air dry. The braiding and twisting forces your hair to remain stretched.

3. Band sections of your hair to stretch it. Take sections of your wet hair and place several soft, elastic bands, evenly spaced out, down the length of each section to hold the hair in place. The amount of bands you need depends on the length of your hair or how much you want to stretch it out. Leave it overnight or until your hair dries fully, then remove the bands and continue to style as you wish.

4. Shampoo your hair in braids. Divide your hair into four to eight sections and make a big braid in each section. Gently wash your hair with the braids in, being careful to work the shampoo and conditioner into the braids. This will prevent the hair from shrinking because it is stretched out in the braid.

5. Blow dry your hair instead of air drying it. Blow drying is one of the most effective ways to stretch out your hair, especially if you find that letting it air dry results in significant shrinkage. Just be careful, as too much heat will weaken your hair. Only blow dry clean, freshly washed hair and keep the setting on warm, not hot. Use a small amount of natural oils and butters (like shea butter) on the hair before blow drying to further prevent major curl shrinkage.

Tips & Warnings

• Not every recommended technique will work for your hair, so you must be willing to experiment until you find the right curl-stretching regimen for you.

• Avoid daily heat styling at all costs. If you hair has become very curly, but you just heat styled it, try to work with it in its curly state, using hair clips to style it. Or wear a hat for a day to give your hair a break from the heat.

References

• Black Hair Information; Shrinkage in Natural Curly Black Hair - How to Work With It; Alma; February 2010
• Real Health Hair Center; Curl-Lengthening Techniques to Overcome Hair Shrinkage; July 2011
• The Moptop Maven; Products + Techniques that Help Prevent Shrinkage; December 2010

Resources

• Textured Roots; Got Milk?; March 2011
• Natural Hair Grows: Does Shrinkage Affect Your Natural Hair Style?