by
Rinny
Shrink City. Shrink, Shrink City. Hiding up to 90% of the actual hair length in some cases, shrinkage proves itself to be the ultimate magician when it comes to natural hair. Even though shrinkage is a common occurrence amongst naturals, our jaws dropped when we saw these photos.
LadyKandDice has since cut her hair, but this shrinkage picture she posted back in October had people’s jaws dropping.
Stylist Reniece of Reniece.com goes from a tight fro to mid- back length.
Ashley of Barbie Bones
How much hair length does your shrinkage hide? Feel free to share your own shrinkage pictures!
Editors Note: If any of you know the above un-credited naturals, please link us in the comments!
125 Responses
Wow!!! The shrinkage is indeed REAL!!! Beautiful!
I love seeing this.Its like looking at a magic trick.makes me feel like mine and all other black girls hair is magical too 🙂
African hair is longer than most Caucasians it just shrunk. ?
I have a teeny bit of shrinkage but it’s not so intense my natural plain hair is shoulder length and my stretched, relaxed hair is armpit length.
That’s why I don’t do wash and Go’s anymore.
My hair when straightened is to the middle of my back, but with shrinkage, it is to the nape of my neck. I have a love/hate relationship with shrinkage. Most days I think it’s the debil, but some days I can deal with it. My hair just will do its own thing. It doesn’t care what I want it to do.
Can someone please give me the explanation of “TWA?” There are a lot of acronyms and slang I’m just not familiar with! Like “fleek.” I have NO idea what that means…
Teenie Weenie Afro or something
Thanks very much, I appreciate it.
I used to straighten my hair (without heat protection!!) about every other day when I was going through my emo scene girl phase in high school. Once I grew out of that phase I only straightened it about once every month at most, basically whenever I felt bored with my natural hair. I didn’t cut it at all for about a year and a half, and since I was no longer constantly straightening it, it got curlier and shorter each day. Up until I did cut it, people kept asking if I got a haircut, and were absolutely floored whenever I straightened or blow dried it
wowowowowowow!!!!!! I cant wait for my first dominican blowout! i hate shrinkage so much!
This is totally me, except my hair isn’t nearly as long as these ladies, but shrinkage is amazing. lol
I don’t see about half of my hair either uugh I think 4 inches if shrinkage is about 50 to 75 percent of shrinkage I get more shrinkage then my grandma . She goes from shoulder length to back length though .
I’m about a year natural and I’m in the awkward stage length and hate it . When stretch edits a full shoulder length when I’m it’s natural state it’s to the bottom of my neck almost to the shoulders and every section if my hair is different lengths . The middle of my hair is the shortest. Everyone is telling me next year it will shrink up to my shoulders and be long past my shoulders when stretched even though my hair has grown a lot in a year hmmm I’ll believe it when I see it I have about 4 inches of shrinkage in the back and the front .
Our hair is magiccccc
🙂
…..I want to straighten my hair now.
I never had it bone straight
I have really afro 4c hair. like coily
my back reaches almost if not past my shoulders…
I wonder how long it is!
Man! Me too! I think a blow out is in order
Long road ahead, but natural is a blessing. Keep on moisturizing ladies!Thanks for the great info.
Wow,natural hair rocks!I’m currently transitioning but can’t wait to return natural!Would love some tips though,(like a regimen)(currently 1month plus post relaxer).Thank you!
Many lengths, many styles! Natural hair is amazing and beautiful!
I’m hoping in two or three months I can get it to mid awkward stage even with shrinkage without having to stretch it to see that it’s in that stage .
I’m a 4a . I have like two inches of shrinkage my hair is too my neck almost to my shoulders but it shrinks up and looks like a twa . Even though it’s only been three months technically I’m in the awkward mid length stage now .
I fear this is what I will be up against, considering my hair still looks like a TWA even though I’ve gained seven to nine inches all around!
Yeah Im about 2.5 post yrs relaxer and I usually keep my hair stretched. Stretched it a little past my collarbone and wet it’s to my ear lol
ahhaha this is so funny! I was looking up different sites about the CG method and i stumbled on this article and I find out I’m featured here! hahaha!!! this is too great. Yeah, my hair is 70%-75% shrinkage.
This photo used was actually after I washed my hair 2/3 days prior and left it to its max shrinkage. I wet my hands and smoothed my hair out and thought it’d be funny to see how much shrinkage was present.
You can submit your shrinkage photos to my side blog: http://www.smh-shrinkage.tumblr.com 🙂
ohhHHH!!!! this is fun
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Most importantly….this is natural.
I love what you guys are up too. This sort of
clever work and reporting! Keep up the excellent works
guys I’ve added you guys to my own blogroll.
I challenge anyone to help me grow my hair, I’ve been trying for over a year now and still no length, my hair has only grow out and not down and I’ve only seen it grow to my neck and stop since I’ve got older, I’ve seen it get too my sbl once or twice in my life, is that it for me? I would like to see it grow longer and tried, supplements, shampoos, oils, and nothing, can anyone help???
I’m going to be that person, Sammie, and I’m sorry: what’s your protective styling regimen like? Do you use combs/brushes? What’s your texture?
Kinky, mostly 4B here, with fine strands. I only ask because I used to hate protective styling and/or finger detangling, so I refused to do it or develop a regimen. As a result, my hair never really passed shoulder length, and when it did, it was so full of splits and knots that the stylist I saw at the time ended up hacking it off up to my ears two or three times in a row. Two years ago after a huge setback that left me with 3-5 inches of hair, I set a goal for healthy hair care and length. I started wearing two strand twists 80-90% of the time, sleeping with a scarf,exclusively finger detangling,trimming out my own knots, washing and DCing about every other week (every 3 for long-term styles), and the only products I regularly used was an ever rotating mixture of natural oils and essential oils (cheaper bought from soapmakers in bulk) and an aloe spritz (3:2:1 or 2:2:1 water, aloe gel, glycerin + a few drops of tea tree or lavender). Shampoos and conditioners are wholly dictated by my funds, or lack thereof. I only have $5 in my cosmetics budget? ACV rinse and Trader Joe’s it is.
I’m still doing all of that. Since I don’t use heat on my hair regularly, I have no idea how long it is overall, but I do know that the hair on my lowest layers is APL when pulled straight, and the hair at my crown is shoulder length. When my hair is in an old twist-out, most of it hangs around my shoulders and neck.
I don’t know you or your hair, so I can’t say that what I did will work for you. But the biggest thing that helped me? Consistency, and leaving my mane alone. No matter what your hair is like, finding what works for your schedule and sticking to your guns for a period of at least six months will no doubt show some benefit. Best of luck (and sorry for the novel)!
That was an awesome response, I too wondered why my hair was not growing as fast as it used to, I was too busy trying to cut off the frizz not knowing thats a part of natural hair! Silly me, I am now trying to grow the 5 inches I cut back! Lol
hi im extra late but you mention something about soapmakers in regards to essential oils? i’ve been looking where can i find this? essential oils are expensive
The best and fastest way to grow hair is to manipulate it as little as possible. Protected hair styles like braids or twists “protect” the hair from heat, styling appliances, and excessive dryness. I wore extension braids for two years. When the braids would get loose as the hair was growing out, I would just re-braid. I shampooed my braids just like I would my hair. Once I took the braids completely out, my hair was strong, long and healthy. Healthy hair should grow at a rate of 1/2 inch per month. I would definitely go with braids if I wanted to grow my hair longer again. Hope that helps!
I agree with the other commenters. I was in the same place and things changed when I started protective styling and deep conditioning once a week. Also, I’d avoid checking your length for about six months. Good luck!
Try changing your diet. Drinking more water and consuming more protein and other minerals hair needs to grow. Alomg with taking good care of your hair you’ll start to see a difference~
Hi Sammie,
My natural hair is cut even, and reaches a little past the bra line in the back. Straightened, it’s a little longer. I have what some call 4b hair.
I was looking for something else and came upon this wonderful site! Natural Black hair is my passion. I’ve cut and regrown my hair several–lost count at about 5–times. The regrowing occurs because of something I’ve done myself. I’m trying not to go that route again, but the “something” I was looking for is a DIY Keratin treatment. Mentally I can see where that will end up, but I think I might still give it a go.
The best thing you can do is commit to getting to know your hair. “Protective” styles are fine, but are useless unless you have a goal in mind because once the “protection” stops, you have no idea how to care for your own hair. That’s why you have to have a goal in mind before you consider doing one.
Start with your doctor’s office. Tell him/her what you want to do, and during your yearly medical examine, ask if your doctor sees anything that might prevent your hair from growing.
Nothing there medically? If you want to go with a protective style like braiding, learn how to do it for yourself and stay away from those nice-looking–but horrible for your hair–micro braids.
Set aside time to wash and rebraid your hair weekly. If you’re using extensions, learn how to wash your hair with them in, and rebraid using the same extensions. Wash, air dry, rebraid by finger combing your hair (and the extension hair) ONLY–don’t use a comb, apply leave-in conditioner after or during the rebraid. Massage your scalp every chance you get. This process will help you get to know your hair, which is what you will need to do if you want to learn how to grow it out. I used this process to initially grow my hair. Now I cut it and grow it without having to braid it. But once you go braid, you don’t go back because you will simply LOVE your hair and the braided look. I love how my natural hair can look 2 inches long, and shock everyone when I pull it out to its true length.
Find a good shampoo and conditioner that make your hair feel like a million bucks. On my natural hair, I like Keracare (I buy it at JCPenney) and At One With Nature (biocarelabs.com).
If you decide to protective braid, use extensions–kanekalon, and not real hair. The first time you braid your hair might take 8 hours. Sounds like a long time, but ask yourself this question: Do I really want long hair, and am I willing to take the steps necessary to obtain it? If not, keep doing what you’re doing, and you’ll keep getting the same results.
Finally, when you do comb your hair, if it can be considered 4b like mine, comb it only when it’s wet–after shampooing and conditioning–and only use a wide-toothed comb. (You can comb more often if you press it, but still use a wide-toothed comb, and use it with care.) I use a plastic Goody afro pick. The best tip I can give you is to shampoo and condition at least weekly, and when you do comb your hair start at the ends and work your way up to the roots. If when combing it seems like you have a lot of resistance, then you probably have uneven ends. Get a good pair of shears, and don’t be afraid to take off at least 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch. Hair can grow anywhere from 1 inch to 12 inches a year. The norm is about 6 inches.
If you treat your hair right, it will grow (unless there is an underlying medical condition), so treat it right, and treat yourself right, too, by TAKING time out for YOURSELF and your hair.
I know I said “finally” up above, but this really is it: Nothing you put on your hair will grow it. It’s all in how you treat your hair. I say that because I know people who ear right and never miss a meal, but treat their hair horribly and then wonder why it doesn’t grow. Never yank or pull it, keep it clean, and if your hair is like mine, use the right comb and comb it the right way. And finally (for real this time) NEVER put grease on your scalp. On your hair, OK, but NEVER on your scalp.
Like everyone else who has responded to you, I hope this helps, too. Now go grow your hair like you mean it. 🙂
Very very very good advices !!!! Love from France
the Fourth and fifth pic are CRAZY….. i aspire ti have legnth like that one day.
those pics are jaw dropping. Shrinkage does give the illusion of stunted hair growth. but simply stretching the hair will show that your hair is growing.
themanecaptain.blogspot.ca
I have already learned to embrace my shrinkage.
What more I love it!!!. No use hating on it, most black people
have it. But after seeing these ladies Awesome,Gorgeous hair.
I’ll never complain about Shrinkage ever again. Shrinkage is
Beautiful!
I’m only ten weeks post BC after four months of transitioning, and I have major shrinkage as well.
I don’t mind it though. As stated in this article, it exihibits the versatility of My hair! AND it’s like me…leaving something to the imagination of others????
I’m only ten weeks post BC after four months of transitioning, and I have major shrinkage as well.
I don’t mind it though. As stated in this article, it exihibits the versatility of My hair! AND it’s like me…leaving something to the imagination of others????
Wow I’m totally amazed. I want my hair like that too
I have never had this issue. What you see is what you get. Enjoy it! It’s nice.
[img]https://bglh-marketplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/image.jpg[/img]
I just don’t get why this is called “shrinkage.” It implies that it’s not the completely natural state of the hair, which it is. I been natural for 13 years though, so maybe I’m just too “old school natural” for all the new natural hair lingo.
Exactly. The natural state of the hair is “shrunken” if I may use that term. Your hair at that length is your actual length. Applying heat to achieve a “permed” look implies dis-contentment with your hair in its natural state. And the obsession with achieving certain length(s) of hair is plain unhealthy IMHO. Natural, relaxed or stretched, just do you.
Hmm. I have a different opinion on that. Yes, the natural state of out hair is shrunken, but I don’t think that your hair at your shrunken length is your “actual length”. If you take a 20-inch piece of rope and coil it up, it’s still 20 inches long, even if the coiled rope looks 5 inches long. That’s just how we measure things – or at least that’s how I measure things. I consider stretched length to be my true length, which is different from my shrunken length, which I call my “eye length”.
Also, I love seeing my hair reach certain lengths, because I used to think that I had worse hair – yeah, “worse”, not “different” – than other races, and while I adore my skin colour, it was hard for me to understand why our hair was so “difficult” and why it couldn’t grow past a certain length, and now that I know that it’s not difficult and that it CAN grow long, I’ve fallen in love with who I really am – kinks and all. I don’t envy white and asian women their hair lengths anymore, because I know that I can grow my hair long, too. If I were to keep my hair short, that’d be fine. But just knowing that it *can* grow long is a huge self-esteem boost. 🙂
Agreed!
I must be old school too, and by the way, the word ‘shrinkage’ is what dudes use to describe withering man-parts in frigid water. The online community may want to come up with a new word, I never hear anyone IRL use it….for curly-kinked hair.
we got the patent on ‘take your hair down’ sexy.
what’s that expression? “leave something for the imagination”.
awesomeness! 😀
I couldn’t believe it myself! My before and after!
Woops! It didn’t post, let’s try again.
[img]https://bglh-marketplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/beforeafter-1.jpg[/img]
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#shrinkage
Side note: my gravatar is old. I big chopped last month on the 19th. I’m just trying to find a cute enough pic to replace it 🙂
Honestly, shrinkage is my favorite part. I love how tight my hair gets and how long it secretly is. It’s like an alter-self or a superpower 🙂
exactly! reminiscent of my comment below! lol 🙂
*throws on cape & takes to the sky*
*swoosh*
This pictures are definitely a testament to what shrinkage can do! Shrinkage is definitely a killer. Honestly it keeps me from rocking wash and go’s. My hair shrinks a good amount, but once it gets a certain length (even with shrinkage) I don’t think I’ll mind. Most of the styles I wear are stretched styles…I just need that hang time!
I love these! My hair is pretty shrinky too… about 50-75% length reduction. I haven’t mastered moderate stretching though because my hair is so fine that when I tension blow dry it gets totally straight, but its so curly that when I band or twist the roots stay curly.
i don’t hate my “shrinkage”. i just define “shrinkage” as curly hair, period. that’s what curly textured hair does, that’s what defines it, that’s its signature. to me it’s nothing remarkable. it simply just *is*. but with that said, i can appreciate these photos and i simply chalk it up to the beauty that is natural hair.
Shrinkage hides all of my length so at this point I’m working to embrace it.
The uniqueness of our hair……..
My hair looks just like photo number 4. It has the same shrinkage rate and appears to have the same texture and length of mine too. I really don’t mind my shrinkage at all. I just know I have to keep it stretched. I feel a high shrinkage rate contributes more to problems with detangling than simply having 4c kinky hair…that’s why I never wear wash n goes.But shrinkage is awesome for my twistouts because it makes my normal density hair look a lot thicker than it really is. Pros and cons to everything ya know?
Even with shrinkage, most of us that wear the fro absolutely love that look as much as we enjoy the flat ironed hair. It’s just nice having the option without having to fake either one – the fro or the flowy tresses. It’s just soooo beautiful either way we rock it.
I got this from Wikipedia about our natural hair and thought it was very interesting. This takes the mystery, I think, out of why we really have shrinkage.
” . . . the relatively sparse density of Afro-hair, combined with its springy coils actually results in an airy, almost sponge-like structure that in turn, Jablonski argues,[40] more likely facilitates an increase in the circulation of cool air onto the scalp. Further, wet Afro-hair does not stick to the neck and scalp unless totally drenched and instead tends to retain its basic springy puffiness because it less easily responds to moisture and sweat than straight hair does. In this sense, the trait may enhance comfort levels in intense equatorial climates more than straight hair (which, on the other hand, tends to naturally fall over the ears and neck to a degree that provides slightly enhanced comfort levels in cold climates relative to tightly coiled hair).
Many of us have ancestors that are from Africa (not all of us but some of us do) where it’s very hot, so geographically shrunken hair is practical for that climate.
Gotta luv shrinkage. Lol. Wow at those pics!
Wow that’s really hard to believe until u see these pics
Beautiful hair ladies. And wow that shrinkage is amazing.
My hair has incredible shrinkage too. Did a wash & go this weekend. Loved the curls. Hated the shrinkage, and I have yet to embrace it. Learning about my hair is a process.
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WOW! That’s all I can say.
Here’s a pic of mine!
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Beautiful Jamz!! How long have you been natural? Hair type??
I’ve been natural since 2006. I’m predominantly 4c. And thx! 🙂
Is it not the greatest trick a natural woman has up her sleeve
Wow that was great! My hair when its not stretched or anything goes to about the top of my ears, but when its stretched it just barely touches past the nape of my neck.
These ladies have lovely hair. Great inspiration!My hair does shrink about 80 % but thats the beauty and versitility of natural hair.
My daughters shrinkage is like the first picture. Today its wet and cold outside so I blow dried her hair and pulled it slightly just to see what would happen. She is only 2 and a half so this is not something I have done before as I am really not ok with putting even a mild heat near her hair at this age, but her hair was wet and the weather is too cold here. So after just two minutes of blow drying while lightly pulling the hair out into an afro style her hair tripled in length! The curls are still tight though so if my aim had been to actually stretch it out I think it would have fallen down her back. I estimate she gets about 80% shrinkage. I won’t be doing this often as I want to protective style her hair and restrict heat until she is about twelve, but it just shows how versatile African or mixed hair truly is and I look forward to exploring all the different ways to style her hair when she gets older.
And I embrace shrinkage as a style in and of itself.
I’ve always loved my shrinkage. …i think loving it keeps me from worrying about len.
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these pictures are amazing! I must say I love shrinkage cos it makes me feel like a magician, lol. Hair is about 6 inches stretched but barely 2 inches shrunken
*in my Craig and Day-Day voice* Daaaaayyyyyyyyuuummmm!
I was so busy tripping I forgot to say how beautiful it is! Wow, our hair is wondrous!
That was Craig and Smokey
Thanks for the correction, oops! You know who I meant, LOL!
A,azing…i still prefer curly/kinky hair though. I’ve always adored big hair over long hair. I’ve had long-ish straight hair and it’s overrated and boring imo.
You know I’ve always notice that people want the hair that they don’t have because its different and its a change, but you can always go back to your original. =)
Be sure to visit her (third picture) update. She’s still draping having her hair straightened constantly. http://www.naturalswhostraighten.com
The third picture is mine. I took this 3 years ago while straightening my daughters hair and decided to post on youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gQVFPuB1bM&feature=share&list=UUm4FAZz-3aI4o44lPaI070A&index=1 It’s nice to see it’s still making rounds.
My daughter’s hair is the same way. She is 7rs and I dread whenever she wants me to stretch her hair. It takes for ever. Got to love our little divas 🙂
I just started using African treading after seeing a few tutorials on Youtube. Love it because you can incorporate it into styles.
Lol, I meant threading not treading.
Thanks Nicole! I updated the article with your link! That is an amazing head of hair!
Well damn! That is a HUGE difference! I love it!!!
Photo credit: The 3rd photo is Reniece of RenieceHairTv.
All I can say is WOW!!!!!!
Loving these shrinkage pictures!!
75% shrinkage, my twist outs are still about 50% shrinkage
I’m learning to embrace my shrinkage! I do enjoy looking at the amazing photos!
Let me tell you, my own shrinkage shocks ME sometimes. Like dang I didn’t realize my hair had grown that much! hahaha
YASSSS! LOVE it!! 🙂 This is why I keep saying shrinkage makes our hair the most versatile of all. Rather than consider it a handicap, think of all the different looks and styling possibilities between shrunken and straight.
For the record, my shrinkage is way up there as well…I haven’t straightened my hair in years but when I did (about once or twice a year just for the hell of it; I don’t believe in straightening “for special occasions”) the difference in length never failed to shock people. I loved the reactions, to be honest…now if only they’d just stopped with “Wow!” and not gone on to “You should keep your hair like that…” *grrr* *smh*
yes, I hate that statement…you should keep your hair like that all the time
Let me start embracing my shrinkage if that’s the transformation that could be hiding within, lol.
I don’t care what ya’ll say, shrinkage is my BFF! will care and love it, and have ALL to see
No the first pic and the 4th pic is crazyyy
Checkout http://www.curlskinksfashion.con for Fashion & Natural Hair perfect combo!!!
is there a problem with me if on’t get major elasticity for my shrinkage
[img]https://bglh-marketplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Dudlyinstapics-1.jpg[/img]
yes, shrinkage is the truth
Wow and those 4th and 5th pictures though. I like it.
Yeah that’s exactly why I don’t do wash & go’s or wash my hair without it being in twists but on this day I wasn’t feeling well.
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When people wrote about ‘shrinkage’, I thought they meant the difference between their natural curls being stretched without heat – wet or twist-out – versus no stretching or manipulation, their natural ‘fro.
I haven’t heat-straightened my hair for years and the difference between dry twists and its natural spring is already dramatic enough. Beautiful curls on all the featured women.
The great thing about these pictures, is that all of their hair looks very strong and healthy.
Thank you for this post. My hair is mid-back when straightened. When it’s curly, it’s barely shoulder-length; but, it’s big. That’s where the awesomeness comes from the width and height, rather than the length.
Awesome. I not too concerned with length. I just want big -strong and healthy- voluminous hair.
That’s the beauty of our hair…love it!!!!
Us 4b and cs have the most shrinkage, you can see it when looking at these pics. Pic 3 appears to have 50% shrinkage whereas many tighter textures are looking at 75%
Girl its not just 4b’s and c’s my hair is predominantly 4a and my grazing brastrap length hair shrink up to a 2-3 inch twa if i let it. shoot natural hair period aint no joke lol
I’d love to see my “true” length but I’m scared of the intense heat that’s needed to achieve it. Plus it won’t last long.
I hate shrinkage to be honest. What’s the point of all this length retention malarkey if the hair looks stagnant (putting aside health benefits)? Lol. Honestly I think I’ll have to grow my hair considerably long to see the length I want. Although judging by these pics, that might not make a difference :-/ Lol
Me too Anon87! Every time I think about doing it I worry about the damage I would most likely get from the heat it would take to straighten. To me in the end it’s not worth it.
Do a silk wrap. It lasts longer and from what I hear it takes less heat.
I will never complain about my shrinkage again. O_o
I just straightened my hair for the first time and I couldn’t believe the length. It makes me smile to see how diverse our hair is though. We can stretch it or not but the choice is ours.
I actually posted a shrinkage pic earlier this morning.
[img]https://bglh-marketplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/shrinkage.PNG[/img]
Whoa!!! These ladies have some long hair.
I still prefer the curly look, though.
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Yep it’s real out here lol
what? wow!! that’s amazing!
Yep. And I don’t even have long hair yet lol