Shrinkage While Relaxed?

[CheerHHS]

I know this is probably a REALLY stupid question ,but is this possible? At this point I'm 9 weeks post relaxer and my hair looks shorter, at least I think. I haven't used any heat on it and have been airdrying this entire time, so I haven't seen it completely straight in awhile. I only comb when wet or i just brush the crown when dry to put it up(I don't comb to the ends). I've found that for the past month or so I can't even comb through the top(detanglers do NOTHING to help me get thorugh it) so i just through a scarf over it and hope that will tame it. Do you ladies experience this? Do you think that I'm just obsessing or should I just completely attribute its new apperance to breakage? Sorry that was REALLY long! Thanks!

 

[chicamorena]

Yes CheerHHS you certainly can experience shrinkage while relaxed especially if you have a lot of new growth. Right now I am 11 weeks post relaxer and my hair shrinks about 2 or 3 inches if I airdry my hair.

 

[Wolftrap]

That is not breakage that is new growth. Your new growth will always be shrinkage. I get this too and when I relax my hair it's all good. Don't worry about that. you are 9 weeks post relaxer so this is normal. unless your hair is noticeable shorter on the ends and you notice shedding. then this is normal.

 

[Tracy]

Absolutely. My hair always looks 1 to 2 inches shorter when it's time to relax.

 

[nurseN98]

I always had shrinkage by the time I was ready for my touch-up, sometimes a couple of inches.

 

[Isis]

This is normal. I always have shrinkage before time to relax and I also airdry and comb only when detangling wet hair on wash days. If you are keeping your hair and ends moisturized, you have nothing to worry about.

 

[lthomas1]

You should see my hair! I have about 16 weeks of new growth and alot of shrinkage. This is normal. I have been wearing a wet bun for the last few week. You should not worry.

 

[CheerHHS]

Thanks for replying! This is good to know. When I used to stretch my relaxers (unintentionally) I knew NOTHING about hair care and I rarely looked for changes in my hair so this is something I've never noticed.

 

[jainygirl]

Of course

i have pics in my album right before touching up that show my shrinkage. It can be ALOT. -- jainygirl

 

[Angelicus]

I have two pics in my album that show a very good example of shrinkage. Look at my Feb 2004 weight loss picture, then look at my "Longing for long hair" picture with the dirty mirror.
---
CH: stop talking about my dirty mirror

 

[Supergirl]

Yep--I think it's possible

 

[AceH]

<font color="blue"> Good thing I found this thread. I thought I was going crazy! My hair looks way shorter, but now I know it's just shrinkage. *sigh* of relief whew! </font>

 

[dontspeakdefeat]

Before I put my braids in my hair looked way shorter than what it is. I was almost 4 months post relaxer at the time. I know I will be pleasantly suprised once I finally relax.

 

[jasmin]

I had mad shrinkage this last time. Now my hair looks way longer since I got a touch up Wednesday.