How To Stope Shrinkage On 4C Hair: Top Tips and Tricks

Are you aware curly hair can shrink up to 90 percent of its length?

While this depends on the hair type and porosity, the shrinkage is real for those with type 4 hair, especially 4c hair type.

This raises unavoidable questions on how it can be stopped or how one can reduce it. In this article, we have the answers you need. So, come along with us.

Does It Mean My Hair Is Unhealthy When It Shrinks A Lot?

The answer is no. We know hair shrinkage can be very frustrating and annoying. However, let's inform you of some facts that will change your mind. 

• Hair shrinkage is an indicator of healthy hair. So, if your hair shrinks, it shows that your curls are fine and healthy.
• It's natural. This means your hair is doing what it is supposed to do.
• The shrinkage protects your hair from external damage, such as pollutants and UV rays.

So, as annoying or painful as it can be, it's a good indicator.

This shrinkage may be disturbing and harder on days when you want to achieve a particular style, making it beat its purpose. And some need help managing (especially if their length is shorter). Though shrinkage is one of the concerns women with 4c hair have, it's easy to tackle.

What Is Hair Shrinkage?

Hair shrinkage occurs when your natural hair goes from its lengthy form to a shorter length. This shrinkage decreases the hair length and forms tighter coils that knot together. It happens when your hair loses moisture and dries. But as we've mentioned, this act is healthy and okay.

You may have experienced this more after washing your hair or whenever water touches your strands and it starts to dry up. However, don't worry. There are ways you can counter hair shrinkage.

Yet, the real question is; can it be stopped?

Hair shrinkage is inevitable. This means it's unstoppable. The good news is you can reduce and minimize it. How much it shrinks will depend on what you do.

Let's ease your worry and have you slay your hair more often with these 11 ways to stop shrinkage on 4c hair.

11 Ways to Stop Shrinkage on 4C Hair

1. Section and twist hair when washing

This is the easiest and most effective way to prevent hair shrink. When washing, you can part and twist your hair to avoid shrinkage, only remove the twist when you apply hair products and rinse the hair. The result? It shrinks less when you stretch the hair when the hair is damp.

2. Use Bentonite Clay

Bentonite clay has become a popular product in recent years and we understand why. You may have seen videos on mixing this with apple cider vinegar. To be frank, it works. It's one of the effective ways you can deal with hair shrinkage. So, combine these two ingredients and counter your hair shrinkage.

Bentonite is an ingredient that helps define and elongate kinky hair. While you won't retain all your length, you should get most. The result may not be instant, but regular use should be effective. It will give you the ideal hair texture, and keep your hair longer.

Mix this with oil as well for some moisture. You'll surely thank us later.

3. Try Blowing Your Hair Roots

This is more of a temporary solution but it works too- using a blow dryer to blow your roots. While constant use of heat can damage your hair, and lead to dryness, breakage, and poor health over time, you can do this sparingly.

Apply heat protectant to your hair and with a blow dryer that has a diffuser attached, blow dry your roots carefully. You want to be careful of the temperature so it doesn't burn you. Once you do this, you'll notice the shrinkage has reduced and your hair is more manageable.

4. Choose a Natural Stretching

If you're not a fan of using heat styling tools on your hair, you can opt for this heatless method instead. It's natural and should loosen your strands a little. While it helps with the length, it's also protective of your hair, making it a good deal anyone would like.

The stretching involves twisting, braiding, or putting your hair in a low bun. This can be very painful, especially if your hair has already shrunk.

However, here's a more easy way out. Start by combing the ends of your hair and gradually work your way upwards. Do this in sections. Then, apply products and twist each section. It'll be easier and better this way.

5. Use Some Beeswax or Silicone

When washing, we make mistakes of using the wrong products on our hair. This causes our hair to shrink, and not absorb the moisture our hair needs. So, it's essential to use the right products that will keep the humidity we need and make the hair more manageable.

Some good ingredients that can help with that are beeswax and silicone. They will draw in the humidity your hair needs and make it retain length. These products do not only help with combating shrinkage, they are a solution to frizziness. That means you get all the goodness by using these products.

6. Apply Leave-in Conditioner

As much as you think this might not work, it will. Leave-in conditioner helps to keep the hair soft and defined, making it a product you can't do away with in your hair routine.

So, apply a good amount of lightweight leave-in conditioner to your hair for moisture and watch your hair shrink less. It'll make your hair shine, smooth, and soft, keeping the shrinkage at bay.

They are benefits you need, right? You should not sleep on this!

7. Apply an Anti-Frizz Serum

A product that comes in handy at all times is an anti-frizz serum. It works magic for 4c hair and keeps frizziness away. Not only does it fight the frizziness, but it helps with hair shrinkage too.

Since the hair can suffer from shrinkage and frizziness due to the moisture present in the air, the serum works to counter it. It will repel the moisture and seal your hair from it. And what's the result? A less shrinking hair with no frizz damage. That's a great measure for shrinkage if we must say so ourselves.

8. Use Coconut Milk

Another hack that reduces shrinkage on 4c hair is coconut milk. Coconut milk is rich in fatty acid content and full of protein beneficial to the hair. Using it to condition your strands will result in smoother and softer hair you never expected.

So, get your coconut milk and use it to condition your hair. You can use it alone or mix it with a little deep conditioner. Whatever pleases you. Apply it to your strands and wait about 20 minutes to an hour before rinsing it.

At this point, your strands should be hydrated, healthy, and full of nutrients.

9. Do Monthly Henna Treatments

Many will find the henna treatment confusing since they consider it for coloring gray hair. However, it doesn't have to be for that purpose only. You can have it strengthen your strands and bind the keratin to your hair. These are all good benefits that will help reduce shrinkage and make your hair softer, stronger, and smoother.

So, why not condition your hair with it and say goodbye to hair shrinkage? However, you must note that it takes time and several treatments before you see any difference in the shrinkage.

10. Use the Banding Method

With the banding method, you can keep your hair from shrinking immediately after washing it. It's effective and won’t take a lot of products to do.

• Start by sectioning your hair after washing or damping it.
• Then, pick your hairbands and roll the hairbands on your hair, starting from the root to the tip.
• Next, let it stay in your hair and allow it to dry before removing it. Once it's dry, you’ll see your stretched hair.

While it's a good method, we'll advise you to use tangle-free hair bands so you don't damage your hair or experience breakage. Also, wrap your head with a satin bonnet or scarf while you wait for it to dry.

11. Apply Aloe Vera Before You Style

Aloe vera is filled with lots of benefits your hair needs. It contains many nutrients that help build healthy and strong hair, resulting in your strands retaining their length.

With the enzymes and amino acids, aloe vera will hydrate, elongate, and smoothen your curls. So, apply Aloe vera to your hair before using styling products and see it transform your hair.

Although it's not a straightening agent, the properties will help smoothen your curls and make your hair more manageable. It's an ingredient companies even replace with water. So, don’t doubt what it can do. It'll work.

Conclusion

These hacks are a solution to reducing your hair shrinkage. But you should note that some can disrupt your curl pattern or change your curl type, making shrinkage even farther off.

Regardless, reducing shrinkage is a good thing. It'll make your hair more manageable without breaking and healthy.

So, if you're looking for long-term solutions that will help to keep your hair straighter, the methods above should help.

Now that you know 11 ways to reduce shrinkage on your 4c hair, which one will you try first? We'd like to know, so tell us in the comment section below. If you have any other questions, inform us below as well.