Team Tired Of The Shrinkage

bimbabe

Well-Known Member
I think I have had it with natural hair. I am tired of the shrinkage and the knots and knots and more knots.

I am going to do a mild texturizer. What brand should I use? Any application advice?
 
Aww too bad. I thought I was tired of my shrinkage at one point (mainly post wash). Then I tried a couple of new products to help stretch it and boom, not that much shrinkage (70% less shrinkage). Whatever you do I hope you have a really good outcome. Sorry I don't know of any good texturizers.
 
Last edited:
Maybe you need a break from your hair?

If you're adamant on chemically processing your hair, check out the Texturizers Support Thread or Relaxed Hair Thread (this one is more active). Also, it would be really helpful if you did a few strand tests so you'll know how much you want your curls to be relaxed. I'm relaxed, I use Vitale Sensitive Scalp.
 
The knots and resultant constant clipping got to me, as well.

This may or may not be something you would look into as an option (and I can't say whether it works or is healthy for the hair):

I've decided to elongate my hair naturally. I've done one application of the YouTube Green Beauty channel method of applying a natural relaxer. Already my hair is tangling less, though the extra elongation is very slight.

I'll apply it again every 6 weeks until I get the stretch I'd like.

I will also begin using henna to help elongate my strands.

I have no idea what the long-term consequences of this all will be. I'm taking these steps before giving in and using relaxer chemicals. I'm praying my hair does not sustain much damage.

I lose so much hair detangling and snipping that I have to try something.
 
The knots and resultant constant clipping got to me, as well.

This may or may not be something you would look into as an option (and I can't say whether it works or is healthy for the hair):

I've decided to elongate my hair naturally. I've done one application of the YouTube Green Beauty channel method of applying a natural relaxer. Already my hair is tangling less, though the extra elongation is very slight.

I'll apply it again every 6 weeks until I get the stretch I'd like.

I will also begin using henna to help elongate my strands.

I have no idea what the long-term consequences of this all will be. I'm taking these steps before giving in and using relaxer chemicals. I'm praying my hair does not sustain much damage.

I lose so much hair detangling and snipping that I have to try something.

The plan is to try henna as well first. The detangling and snipping has me feeling bummed.
 
The plan is to try henna as well first. The detangling and snipping has me feeling bummed.

:yep:

I really know just how you feel.

I am losing way less hair in the brush than ever before, but I still have to handle my hair so frequently (to detangle). It's the frequency and intensity of the tangling and shrinkage that has me bummed. I lose if I detangle frequently, I lose if I don't.
 
I also wanted to add: With henna and naturally relaxing, I'm expecting to have to wait for gradual, cumulative results over months. One treatment doesn't suffice for my strands. That's another consideration.
 
Ok here it comes.... Good-ole grease. This one right here -->.

I have never had such stretched hair until using this on top of my moisturizers. Grease has gotten a bad wrap, but IT WORKS.


So what moisturizers are you using under. Are your stretching via twists/braids?
 
I was just thinking about this today. I big chopped over the summer and predicted that I would be wearing my hair in a short bob with a bang by year's end....Wrong! I have a bob when it's unstretched but with shrinkage I am still closer to a twa than a bob. I won't mind the shrinkage when my natural hair is chin length unstretched but I'm sick of this super short hair and am considering making a wig to get me through to spring/summer. I'm being patient so I'm hanging in there.
 
Same here. I was 90% sure I was going to lightly texturize just to eliminate the shrinkage. Ended up hiding my hair under a weave. A bit getting used to (it was my first time) but eventually grew to love it since it was so easy.

My hair thrived and is much longer and thicker but now I'm trying to transition back to my hair and am back at the same dilemma.

But before going the texturizer route I decided to try henna. Then I stumbled upon @YvetteWithJoy ayervedic thread and am going to give that a try for a bit.
 
I was just thinking about this today. I big chopped over the summer and predicted that I would be wearing my hair in a short bob with a bang by year's end....Wrong! I have a bob when it's unstretched but with shrinkage I am still closer to a twa than a bob. I won't mind the shrinkage when my natural hair is chin length unstretched but I'm sick of this super short hair and am considering making a wig to get me through to spring/summer. I'm being patient so I'm hanging in there.

I permitted myself to add wig wearing into my week, and it's been a relief, to be honest. I keep my hair detangled in twists under a wig MANY a day.
 
So what moisturizers are you using under. Are your stretching via twists/braids?
After I wash my hair I twist in 8 jumbo loose twist to air dry. Next day I add my moisturizer. You can you whatever moisturizer you like. I use Care Free Curl Activator. When coating/sealing my hair with the Blue Magic gives me the stretch. The grease gives me the stretch, not really the twists or the moisturizer. The twists just keep my hair from tangling back up post wash because it's still wet. The next day I always apply the grease the day after the wash.

If you were to add a tiny bit to your hair right now you would start to see it stretch.
 
Last edited:
I'm in the same boat. I love my natural curls and coils but I'm sick and tired of tangling and multiple knots on a single strand. I'm impatient so end up tearing through my hair from frustration. I feel like I had healthier relaxed hair. I'm struggling with making the decision to relax.
Last weeks 5 hour wash day had me fuming.
 
I'm in the same boat. I love my natural curls and coils but I'm sick and tired of tangling and multiple knots on a single strand. I'm impatient so end up tearing through my hair from frustration. I feel like I had healthier relaxed hair. I'm struggling with making the decision to relax.
Last weeks 5 hour wash day had me fuming.

I found that wash day lasted way longer when my hair was shorter. I'm not sue if it was because I felt like I had to do everything to my hair or because my hair needed me to do everything to it or because I just hadn't hit my stride. Now I can just wash (1 pass of shampoo), condition (1 pass of conditioner), LCO and if my hair is loose maybe 7 or 8 twists or braids to stretch until it air dries. Maybe 40 minutes on a quick day.

It used to take a few hours if I also included a steam session... but I'm not sure why....
 
I keep my hair stretched by wearing small twist, this keeps knots and tangles at bay. However, now that my hair is getting longer it's taking me up to to 5 1/2 hours just to twist. I'm looking for another style to keep my hair stretched. I get your frustration OP, but I would take some of the tips offered in this thread and try to hang it there a little longer.
 
Do you wear the curls or just use this as a way to stretch the hair? How are you styling if you don't wear the curls. TIA
I don't wear the curls because I have to keep my hair pulled back in the military, so I usually twist/braid it up to go under a wig or I put it in a bun and slap a phony pony over it so that my hair doesn't catch on the Velcro of my work hat.

The last time around that I was natural 3 years ago I was at the length that I am now, so I used to wear the curls or use it as a base to flat iron or twist out my hair. I just like that the drying time is way shorter for me than a regular rollerset.
 
Another vote for henna! Jamila Henna loosened my curls in one application. Of course, you have to use henna consistently in your regimen for your curls to remain loosened, since the first time loosening is only temporary; overtime it will be permanent.

This is a blog post that I feel would be beneficial to you: https://hairscapades.com/2011/06/28/henna-and-me-my-story/
 
Another vote for henna! Jamila Henna loosened my curls in one application. Of course, you have to use henna consistently in your regimen for your curls to remain loosened, since the first time loosening is only temporary; overtime it will be permanent.

This is a blog post that I feel would be beneficial to you: https://hairscapades.com/2011/06/28/henna-and-me-my-story/

Where do/can you purchase Jamila Henna? Is it pretty easy to wash out? TIA!
 
-what styles are you ladies wearing? i would say try not to allow your hair to fully shrink up while loose....and then attempt to detangle it or manipulate it in some way....that's a recipe to be frustrated.
-i only do styles that will stretch my hair: twistouts, braidouts, flexi rod sets.
-deep conditioning helps immensely with elongating the hair. try something that is heavy on the cones for extra slip and detangling. :look:
-when have you last had a trim? my hair acts up when i don't get regular trims.
-how often do you apply heat to your hair? gently stretching your hair with heat aka altering the texture a bit with regular heat usage might honestly solve your problem. you could just blowdry once a week to start and you might like the results. i've been a lifelong natural and have always used heat pretty regularly, and i've never dealt with tangles and knots.
 
I found that wash day lasted way longer when my hair was shorter. I'm not sue if it was because I felt like I had to do everything to my hair or because my hair needed me to do everything to it or because I just hadn't hit my stride. Now I can just wash (1 pass of shampoo), condition (1 pass of conditioner), LCO and if my hair is loose maybe 7 or 8 twists or braids to stretch until it air dries. Maybe 40 minutes on a quick day.

It used to take a few hours if I also included a steam session... but I'm not sure why....
So true...
 
-what styles are you ladies wearing? i would say try not to allow your hair to fully shrink up while loose....and then attempt to detangle it or manipulate it in some way....that's a recipe to be frustrated.
-i only do styles that will stretch my hair: twistouts, braidouts, flexi rod sets.
-deep conditioning helps immensely with elongating the hair. try something that is heavy on the cones for extra slip and detangling. :look:
-when have you last had a trim? my hair acts up when i don't get regular trims.
-how often do you apply heat to your hair? gently stretching your hair with heat aka altering the texture a bit with regular heat usage might honestly solve your problem. you could just blowdry once a week to start and you might like the results. i've been a lifelong natural and have always used heat pretty regularly, and i've never dealt with tangles and knots.


This makes sense. I'm going to try.
 
Back
Top