There are negatives on either side, but unfortunately there are more negatives on the side of wearing your hair fully shrunken than if you stretched it a bit to avoid tangles. Not to mention the time you would have to put aside each week to detangle fully shrunken hair.
While many of us have embraced and love our natural textures, most of us have busy lives so we may not be able to put aside the hours it would take to detangle and groom long shrunken hair weekly. It’s simply not practical.
While the UBB article was a good one, it doesn’t mention the damage that can ensue from the host of single strand knots, tangles and snarls that would have to be cut out, and the dangers of allowing your hair to free form without any sort of clumping that protects the strands ultimately.
I would have loved to spend a bit more time on this topic because honestly we might feel like we are doing a disservice to our strands by not embracing what they naturally do, but in retrospect the strands suffer more in the long run and if length is your goal, and that’s the point of this post, your will find yourself unable to retain as much length as you could if you stretched and protected your hair in healthy ways.
2. Ignoring your scalp – Your scalp is where all the growth magic happens, so if you have scalp ailments try to take care of them first before worrying about your growth.
If you are constantly suffering from an itchy inflamed scalp or constant dandruff, we always suggest that you see a dermatologist as the first point of call especially if you find that you are suffering from hair loss, because you never know what could be causing it and it may need to be treated with medication rather than shampoo.
Do not ignore the signs, flakiness, uncontrollable itching, and excessive shedding are all indicators that you might want to take a critical look at your scalp. We will not under any circumstance recommend a bunch of oils*, massages, or shampoo products to you if you have not seen a professional first to ensure that it is not an internal issue.
3. Not listening to your hair as you comb – POP POP POP, what’s that sound you ask? That’s your hair breaking at various points in the strand as you comb your hair!
Do not ignore these sounds when you manipulate your hair as this spells disaster especially if the breakage is in the middle of the strand or even further up towards the roots.
Lynette Lynch says
I think doing what is best for your hair is best. I have been natural for 1yr 8 months. I found that twist outs work best for my fine hair it prevents it from getting knots.
Jasmine says
AWESOME ADVICE! THANK U SO MUCH
Panama M America says
I get so shear happy. Thin uneven ends is my weakness. going to try and reduce trimming to once pr yr. getting no where w/length bc, I keep chopping it off.
Keetah says
I had my barber clip my ends in September between 1 st and 5th. And then again on my birthday which is in March. That’s it. Iif i see knots i clip those too.
Terry Norman says
I do the majority of this stuff sadly, but my hair is still growing healthy.
Imples Paynter says
it ok =) it very nice by the way …very creative =)
RoAnn French says
Karamel Edwards checkout her blog. Gave me great advice! I’ll post pictures of what I use, where I was and where I am now.
K. Samuels says
Thank you so much for this incredible article!
Frankye Campbell says
Thank you!!!!
Bettina says
Good info.. this statement could have been number 6 “Note that this is very different from over elastic hair that is a result of too much conditioning. Do not condition your hair to the point of it feeling like mush because if it’s too elastic that will cause breakage too. – See more at: https://blackhairinformation.com/by-type/natural-hair/5-mistakes-costing-naturals-length/4/#sthash.LkZtwIQ7.dpuf ” A lot of women still don’t understand about over conditioning and how it too can cause breakage.
Michelle F. says
I probably need to see a dermatologist, BUT I’m already having another part of body checked via the gynaecologist and now the gastroenterologist; so I can’t take anymore specialists right now. The thousands of dollars are starting to add up and if I didn’t pray on a regular basis, I would’ve broken down already. It also helps that I have at least two family members there for support as well.
At the moment, whenever my scalp flakes I return to Remedi’s medicated shampoo and Hollywood Beauty medicated hair grease to eliminate the little buggers. And when my hair starts to look a bit ratty, I condition it with beer and give it a trim. Although it may be the painkillers I’m downing that frigging with my hair and scalp, and chances are when my gynaecological issues get sorted out so would the health of my scalp and hair. But I can’t concentrate on them now.
Keetah says
I wash and rinse my hair with black green tea only. I jave also been advised to wash my hair w black tea also. This is for shedding hair.
Felecia Campbell says
Natural for 10 years. It takes much patience thru trial and error.
Abbi says
These totally apply to us relaxed girls too. Even the uncontrolled shrinkage where new growth is concerned. Great post Emily.
Abbi of BelowtheWaist
Amy Toure says
WOOW!”Jolie”!!!
beryl michal says
can i apply protein and conditioner at the same time
Jason Neman says
Nice article! Very interesting. Your post caught my attention. I had a great time reading your this. Keep posting!
Diamond A. says
Great post! Embracing my shrinkage is a big no no for me not because I am ashamed of my kinky textured hair but because my hair would be a tangled mess. I also try not manipulate my hair too much, protective styles are my best friend. Finger detangling works very well for me, I can’t remember the last time I used a comb.
Keetah says
Its hrad for me not to use my comb. I keep my hair in boxbraids (my own hair) during the winter. I wrap my hair with a headwrap to protect it. I wash ny hair while its braided. I take out one braid at a time to tighten it again untill the summer time.
Keetah Hudson says
Love article ehich i could read more on this topic.
Keetah Hudson says
Thanks for this article, i wish it was longer.