Naturals - Stretched- Unstretched WHAT'S THE USE!!!

Happy2BNappy · Jan 31, 2005

OK, I am just venting. I love being natural - don't get me wrong, but I am sick of my shrinkage due to the tight coils. I want to have 2-strand twists that reach my shoulders, but to have that you have to hair that is almost at bra length. Right now stretched, my hair reaches my shouders but when it is 2-strand twisted it is just barely at my ears! I really do not want to texturize my hair..cuz' then I won't feel that I am 100% natural. AARRRRGGGGHHHH!!!!

kristina · Jan 31, 2005

I totally feel your pain- my hair looks so short in twist outs as well....my resolution is to try to grow more inches- basically my hair will need to be waist length stretched to be a decent length in a twist out.

Happy2BNappy · Jan 31, 2005

kristina said:
I totally feel your pain- my hair looks so short in twist outs as well....my resolution is to try to grow more inches- basically my hair will need to be waist length stretched to be a decent length in a twist out.

Kristina,

Good to know that I am not alone!!!! My hair has shrinkage in twist outs and twists! So I am stuck both ways! Hopefully the longer my hairs gets the heavier it gets and gravity will stretch my hair when it is twisted!!

Ms. Analeise · Jan 31, 2005

I remember when I felt like you and just did not understand the shrinkage concept. I knew my hair would shrivel up some, but not to the extent that my hair shrunk up.
But, I started to realize that this is a good sign. When you manipulate your hair (comb, brush, braid, etc.) and it shrinks, its showing that it has elasticity which is a sign of strong hair.
So, try to be patient and not focus so much on length, but health. Before you know it, you'll have longer hair.
However, you still will need to do some type of stretching to see your maximum length.

laketta · Jan 31, 2005

Trust me, I really feel your pain. My hair is near brastrap and yet, it shrinks to 2.5 inches. Yep. So you can imagine what I go through to twist my hair and to keep it from tieing itself up into knots and whatnot. BUt since I do not press my hair out often anymore. It is always a nice surprise to see how much length I actually have.

Happy2BNappy · Jan 31, 2005

egan26 said:
I remember when I felt like you and just did not understand the shrinkage concept. I knew my hair would shrivel up some, but not to the extent that my hair shrunk up.
But, I started to realize that this is a good sign. When you manipulate your hair (comb, brush, braid, etc.) and it shrinks, its showing that it has elasticity which is a sign of strong hair.
So, try to be patient and not focus so much on length, but health. Before you know it, you'll have longer hair.
However, you still will need to do some type of stretching to see your maximum length.

Egan26,

yes you are right...I must admit it is alot healthier since I went natural... Thanks!!

Happy2BNappy · Jan 31, 2005

laketta said:
Trust me, I really feel your pain. My hair is near brastrap and yet, it shrinks to 2.5 inches. Yep. So you can imagine what I go through to twist my hair and to keep it from tieing itself up into knots and whatnot. BUt since I do not press my hair out often anymore. It is always a nice surprise to see how much length I actually have.

Laketta,

Like you when I wash my hair it shrinks to about 1 visual inch..(I look like the afros on "Cooley High!")!! But when it is blown out it reaches my shoulders..and it IS a nice surprise!

Kengne · Jan 31, 2005

Happy2BNappy said:
OK, I am just venting. I love being natural - don't get me wrong, but I am sick of my shrinkage due to the tight coils. I want to have 2-strand twists that reach my shoulders, but to have that you have to hair that is almost at bra length. Right now stretched, my hair reaches my shouders but when it is 2-strand twisted it is just barely at my ears! I really do not want to texturize my hair..cuz' then I won't feel that I am 100% natural. AARRRRGGGGHHHH!!!!

Hi Happy2BNappy

First off, a texturizer will DEFINITELY remove you from the natural realm. A texturizer is just like a relaxer, only milder. Once you have a texturizer your hair is no longer natural, period.

Now back to your length dilemma...have u tried twisting on dry/stretched hair? I get the best length when I do twists on my hair when it's like that. Twists on wet hair shrink ALOT.

What I normally do is some wash my hair, and put it in big braids overnight to stretch out my hair. The next day, I undo the braids and twist section by section. My twists "hang" alot more like this. Check out my album to see what I'm talking about.

Another thing...how long is your hair, overall? The back of my hair is well past my shoulders, but the front and middle have yet to catch up. All over, my hair is approx. 10-12 inches and it's taken me 2 years to get from 0 inches (I went Bald when I big-chopped) to what I have now...so..patience is definitilely key!

K.

PhonyBaloney500 · Jan 31, 2005

Twisting dry is a good suggestion. When I had the patience to do twists wet (I'm too lazy now lol) I would put them in big rollers and/or WRAP THEM around my head with bobby pins. That helped stretch it out.

Happy2BNappy · Jan 31, 2005

Kengne said:
Hi Happy2BNappy

First off, a texturizer will DEFINITELY remove you from the natural realm. A texturizer is just like a relaxer, only milder. Once you have a texturizer your hair is no longer natural, period.

Now back to your length dilemma...have u tried twisting on dry/stretched hair? I get the best length when I do twists on my hair when it's like that. Twists on wet hair shrink ALOT.

What I normally do is some wash my hair, and put it in big braids overnight to stretch out my hair. The next day, I undo the braids and twist section by section. My twists "hang" alot more like this. Check out my album to see what I'm talking about.

Another thing...how long is your hair, overall? The back of my hair is well past my shoulders, but the front and middle have yet to catch up. All over, my hair is approx. 10-12 inches and it's taken me 2 years to get from 0 inches (I went Bald when I big-chopped) to what I have now...so..patience is definitilely key!

K.

K,
Thanks for the words of inspiration..I blow dry my hair before twisting. I just go it twisted this weekend and it had "hang time", but when I woke up the next morning and took off my satin bonnet it had major shrinkage. I would say that my 7 or 8 inches stretched and 3.5 - 4 inches unstretched. I guess there is nothing I can do as of now... I am really patience (I AM!!) but I want it to hurry up!! ha!!! Maybe I will braid up my twists at night to keep some of the length!

Happy2BNappy · Jan 31, 2005

PhonyBaloney500 said:
Twisting dry is a good suggestion. When I had the patience to do twists wet (I'm too lazy now lol) I would put them in big rollers and/or WRAP THEM around my head with bobby pins. That helped stretch it out.

PB,

Great tip! Thanks!

LaNecia · Jan 31, 2005

Wow, this was really helpful ladies as I cut off my permed ends (almost 4 inches to be exact and now my hair is about 4/5 inches long) on Saturday. The shrinkage is unbelievable! I've never seen it do this before (I've not seen my natural hair in 21 years). I feel much better for having gotten rid of the dry twigs that were once my hair.

I was very discouraged but have been working with putting the twists in nightly and it's getting easier but can you imagine how my little shrunken flat twists look on the ends?! :lachen:

They are about an inch and half long unstretched....little short fat things!

It's good to know I'm not alone or some sort of oddball! :look:

I know in six months or so, I'll have more length....not that you'll really be able to see it with all the shrinkage!

My son said he could use the coils from my hair (in the crown where it's coiliest) as a rocket launcher..... :lol:

Daughter · Jan 31, 2005

My hair has super shrinkage - about an inch away from my shoulders if I twists my hair when it's wet, just as short (but nice and wide!) for twist outs!

I've come to love and accept it though, it's a unique characteristic of its own that makes my hair mine

kitten73 · Jan 31, 2005

Kengne said:
Hi Happy2BNappy

First off, a texturizer will DEFINITELY remove you from the natural realm. A texturizer is just like a relaxer, only milder. Once you have a texturizer your hair is no longer natural, period.

Now back to your length dilemma...have u tried twisting on dry/stretched hair? I get the best length when I do twists on my hair when it's like that. Twists on wet hair shrink ALOT.

What I normally do is some wash my hair, and put it in big braids overnight to stretch out my hair. The next day, I undo the braids and twist section by section. My twists "hang" alot more like this. Check out my album to see what I'm talking about.

Another thing...how long is your hair, overall? The back of my hair is well past my shoulders, but the front and middle have yet to catch up. All over, my hair is approx. 10-12 inches and it's taken me 2 years to get from 0 inches (I went Bald when I big-chopped) to what I have now...so..patience is definitilely key!

K.

I agree with your method. That is what I do to my little girls hair. I put it in 4-6 braids and I let it dry over night ( I apply iol moisturizer to the hair and a little oil to the scalp). The next day, i take out each section and proceed to put in individual two strand twists. Her hair hangs much better this way. If I do it wet, her hair shrinks to her head.

Healthb4Length · Jan 31, 2005

In the book curly girl by Lorainne Masey, she suggests putting clips on the ends of your curls or kinks to weigh them down. I've tried this using duck bill clips, I misted my hair with a light moisturizer, attached the clips to the ends of my hair and let the clips stay on for about 10 minutes. Guess what? It worked! I do this from time to time to combat the shrinkage, maybe this may work for you.

Valerie · Jan 31, 2005

egan26 said:
I remember when I felt like you and just did not understand the shrinkage concept. I knew my hair would shrivel up some, but not to the extent that my hair shrunk up.
But, I started to realize that this is a good sign. When you manipulate your hair (comb, brush, braid, etc.) and it shrinks, its showing that it has elasticity which is a sign of strong hair.
So, try to be patient and not focus so much on length, but health. Before you know it, you'll have longer hair.
However, you still will need to do some type of stretching to see your maximum length.

I totally agree with you and it is such a nice surprise to realise that your hair is much longer than it really is :yay:

Happy2BNappy · Jan 31, 2005

Alli77 said:
In the book curly girl by Lorainne Masey, she suggests putting clips on the ends of your curls or kinks to weigh them down. I've tried this using duck bill clips, I misted my hair with a light moisturizer, attached the clips to the ends of my hair and let the clips stay on for about 10 minutes. Guess what? It worked! I do this from time to time to combat the shrinkage, maybe this may work for you.

A,

I did the clips before...but I usually slept in them..and some nites I forgot...maybe I will do the "10 minute" method....or while I am getting dressed in the morning... THANKS!

sassygirl125 · Feb 1, 2005

to have 2-strand twists that reach my shoulders you have to hair that is almost at bra length

You're absolutely right! I never really thought about this. As slowly as my hair grows, it's gonna be 15 yrs before my hair looks decent. :crying3:

Happy2BNappy · Feb 1, 2005

sassygirl125 said:
You're absolutely right! I never really thought about this. As slowly as my hair grows, it's gonna be 15 yrs before my hair looks decent.

SO TRUE!!!!

Bublnbrnsuga · Feb 1, 2005

I agree with Kenge or you can try these methods ( I know because I did them last night.)

1. After washing hair, you can air dry for about an hour or sit under the dryer for no more than 30 minutes. This way your hair is not completely dry, but it is damp.
2. Two strand twist your hair after these two methods and you will notice less shrinkage. I would recommend banding, but that can be very damaging if not done right. Plus the above methods are less time consuming. You can wash, airdry or sit under the dryer then two strand twist in one day. HTH

Bublnbrnsuga · Feb 1, 2005

PhonyBaloney500 said:
Twisting dry is a good suggestion. When I had the patience to do twists wet (I'm too lazy now lol) I would put them in big rollers and/or WRAP THEM around my head with bobby pins. That helped stretch it out.

Oh wee, good idea!!

Bublnbrnsuga · Feb 1, 2005

Alli77 said:
In the book curly girl by Lorainne Masey, she suggests putting clips on the ends of your curls or kinks to weigh them down. I've tried this using duck bill clips, I misted my hair with a light moisturizer, attached the clips to the ends of my hair and let the clips stay on for about 10 minutes. Guess what? It worked! I do this from time to time to combat the shrinkage, maybe this may work for you.

Ohhh, another good idea!! Keep'em coming ladies!

Happy2BNappy · Feb 1, 2005

Bublnbrnsuga said:
I agree with Kenge or you can try these methods ( I know because I did them last night.)

1. After washing hair, you can air dry for about an hour or sit under the dryer for no more than 30 minutes. This way your hair is not completely dry, but it is damp.
2. Two strand twist your hair after these two methods and you will notice less shrinkage. I would recommend banding, but that can be very damaging if not done right. Plus the above methods are less time consuming. You can wash, airdry or sit under the dryer then two strand twist in one day. HTH

I tried banding before and I don't think I did it right! I think I need a refresher!! What I did this morning was sorta did my version of banding on my way to work (I wore a hat!!

and when I got to work I took them off. It is so funny...I got my hair done on Saturday, I went to work yesterday and TODAY people noticed that I got it done! THE LENGTH, LENGTH!! ha ha!!

CocoaButterflyy · Feb 1, 2005

I have terrible shrinkage... I've pretty much accepted it but what did work was putting a rod on the end of some twists it weighed them down and pulled it a little... I like the shrinkage though because it shocks people the rare instances I straighten

PhonyBaloney500 · Feb 1, 2005

Bublnbrnsuga said:
Oh wee, good idea!!

Thanks! My hair was a blit FLAT after doing the wrap though....I guess one would just have to fluff it out.

I just learned about something else for wash and go's from nappturality. I slept with my hair in a ponytail pulled from back all the way to the front and it stretched it out a LOT today. My hair is really big lol.

So it's wearing a scrunchie ponytail with the hair ALL the way in the front, almost blocking your face!

Carefree · Feb 1, 2005

PhonyBaloney500 said:
I just learned about something else for wash and go's from nappturality. I slept with my hair in a ponytail pulled from back all the way to the front and it stretched it out a LOT today. My hair is really big lol.

So it's wearing a scrunchie ponytail with the hair ALL the way in the front, almost blocking your face!

OK i have to try this! I usually put my hair in a low ponytail towards the back, next time I'll pull it to the front and see what happens.

ricochet · Feb 1, 2005

You ladies have the best ideas! I was recently crying to Bubblin about this same issue! In a nutshell, I have to continue to accept my hair for what it is and stop trying to "change" it. My hair shrinks to shoulders from a wet two strand set and above my shoulders when allowed to dry on it's own(no manipulation), I have since stopped worrying so much about my shrinkage and I have be wearing my fat two strand twist out(done from 10 two strands airdried overnight). I will continue to do this until the Spring. I am trying to see if my hair has stopped growing. It is now past bra strap(in the back) and I just trimmed about 1.5"-2"off because those ends were good and raggedy! Lol! I love my hair and until I cut it back to a twa, I will cherish it, shrinkage and all!

babyblue · Feb 1, 2005

ahhh...the never ending battle with shrinkage. I've pretty much given up on it. no matter how long my hair is it will forever shrink above my shoulder. So ive pretty much been wearing styles that accentuate the shrinage. It doesnt matter if anyone around me doesnt know my hairs true lenght. As long how long I myself know how long it is thats all that really matters to me at this point.

PhonyBaloney500 · Feb 1, 2005

Carefree said:
OK i have to try this! I usually put my hair in a low ponytail towards the back, next time I'll pull it to the front and see what happens.

Oooh I did it again today while working out and my hair was even bigger/longer lol!

Remember to use a satin scrunchie so your hair doesn't get ripped.

unlvgirl · Feb 1, 2005

Last week my daughter got an ward at school, so I put her hair in a high bun with the nape out in a braid out. Well it rained that afternoon and when she got home her midback length hair had shrunk all the way up to base of her ears. She was so upset.

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