Although this is a natural process, shrinkage often stalls new hair growth or gives the illusion of shorter curls. Stretching draws out knots and tangles to allow for natural hair growth while your curls are in a
Conclusions: Stretching forces result in changes in gene expression in human dermal papilla cells. Standardized scalp massage is a way to transmit mechanical stress to human dermal papilla cells in subcutaneous tissue. Hair thickness was shown to increase with standardized scalp massage.
When hair is stretched, it experiences less friction and tangling, reducing the likelihood of damage and breakage. This means you retain more of your hair's length over time. 🧖🏽♀️Easier Maintenance: Stretched hair is often easier to manage and style, which can lead to better overall hair health.
Stretching out your hair leads to greater manageability and less breakage when styling. The kinkier your hair is, the more you will benefit from wearing stretched out styles. It can also help to reduce single strand knots and tangling. How do you stretch out your hair? Share your ideas below.
It's important to note that while stretching the hair can help reduce shrinkage, too much stretching can damage the hair's cuticle. Be gentle when manipulating your hair and pour a little extra 'patience' into your detangling routine during preparation of your style.
How Long Should You Stretch Your Hair? Stretching your natural hair once a week is more than enough.
Benefits of stretching
However, research has shown that stretching can help improve flexibility, and, as a result, the range of motion of your joints. Better flexibility may: Improve your performance in physical activities. Decrease your risk of injuries.
If it stretches slightly and returns to its original length, your hair has good elasticity. If it stretches significantly and breaks, your hair is likely damaged and lacks elasticity. If it stretches a lot without breaking, it may be over-moisturized or lacking protein.
Start twisting from root to ends. Twist each section tightly around itself to form a tiny bun (secure it with a hair elastic if necessary). Cover your hair with a silk scarf and leave the style in place. In the morning, gently unravel each knot for a stretched out style.
Type 4B Hair - Your hair is prone to dryness and breaks and has a zig-zag shape and experiences shrinkage. Type 4C Hair - Your coils are dense and can range from fine and soft to coarse and wiry, your hair strand will have a "Z" shape and will experience significant shrinkage.
Shrinkage is caused by the absorption of water which causes the hair cuticles to expand and elongate due to the weight of the water. "Once the water begins to evaporate, shrinkage occurs," says Powell.
If you've recently highlighted or chemically treated your hair, you also need to use protein regularly. Protein treatments can help strengthen the hair shaft and restore its structural integrity. On the other hand, if your hair feels dry, frizzy, and lacks elasticity, it's likely in need of moisture.
Every time you fiddle with your hair, your locks rub against one another and get twisted and tangled. This repetitive yet minor damage can have repercussions on the hair fibre. Its natural protection becomes fissured and thus less effective. As a result, your hair is more damage-prone.
Healthy, well-hydrated hair should have some stretch or elasticity. Without it hair becomes brittle and can break. With too much stretch your hair can become matted and gummy.
“Stretching cannot make you taller, meaning it doesn't have the ability to increase the actual height of your bones,” says Devin Trachman, an orthopedic physical therapist with Physical Therapy Central in Oklahoma. Trachman explains that height is primarily determined by genetics, nutrition, and overall health.
Blow dry method
This method is the quickest way to stretch your hair without disturbing your curl pattern and takes less than 5 minutes. 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.
Low porosity hair is human hair that doesn't readily absorb water and treatments. Your hair may be low porosity if it takes a long time to wet and dry. If you use hair care products, they tend to stay on the surface of your hair rather than being absorbed. This makes hair care treatments less effective.
Hair relaxers are chemical treatments that work by breaking down the protein bonds in your hair, making it straighter and more manageable. They can transform even the tightest curls into smooth, straight locks. This process, while effective for achieving a certain look, does not directly influence hair growth.
Stretching Can Reduce Tangles
When your curls are in their natural state, it can sometimes be very easy for the curls and coils to become locked together in breakage-causing knots. Stretching can cut down on that, leading to less breakage in the long run.