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The Cut Down: How to Combat Shrinkage and Stretch Natural Hair

May 5, 2021

1 Min read

If long hair is your goal, shrinkage can definitely put a damper on things. But all hope is not lost! Here are a few styles that will help you stretch your natural hair after it’s dried.

Blow dry method

This method is the quickest way to stretch your hair without disturbing your curl pattern and takes less than 5 minutes.

  1. Begin with fully dried hair. Really make sure your roots are dry because wet hair will continue to shrink even after it’s been stretched. 
  2. Using a blowdryer with a nozzle attachment on medium heat, focus directly on the roots of hair while gently tugging at the ends.
  3. For best results work in sections to shape hair as you go.

Banding method

This is a heatless method that can be done in just a few hours or overnight. The one drawback to this method is that it will also stretch curls throughout the lengths of your hair.

  1. Start on fully dried hair and separate hair into 2 pigtails. 
  2. Using cloth hair elastics or scrunchies, begin wrapping the elastics down the length of each ponytail. 
  3. Be sure to wrap all the way down to the ends. For those with longer hair you may need 2 or 3 for each side.
  4. Let hair sit for several hours or overnight for best results.

Bantu method

Another heatless method to stretching out your length is to set your hair in bantu knots, flat twists or braids. These styles can be done on both wet or dry hair and, depending on the look you’re going for, can be really fun in changing up your style!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Faith is a NYS licensed cosmetologist with over 15 years in beauty. Starting her career as a master colorist, Faith spent years expanding her skills to include styling, editorial, blogging + media, along with working under some of the top names in beauty and fashion, such as Patricia Field and Rachel Zoe. By 2015, she stepped from behind the chair into salon management & education – always leading from the viewpoint of the stylist. This unique transition launched her into working with beauty start-ups as an industry expert to strategize their brands. Prior to her position at Prose, Faith worked alongside celebrity stylist Jen Atkin as Sales and Education specialist at OUAI haircare.

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