How to Stretch 4C Hair in 5 Ways & Defeat Shrinkage

As a natural hair babe, having the choice to switch up hairstyles whenever we want is what makes us 4C babes love our texture.

Yes, shrinkage is real, but it doesn’t last forever! Here are 5 methods you can use to stretch your 4C hair.

1. Banding

 

Search for all the hairbands/hair ties you have, because they’ll be handy in this method. To do the banding method, simply put multiple hairbands/hair ties around gathered sections of your hair. The more bands used, the more extended your washday hair will be.

 

Pro Tip - You can add moisture before stretching so that your hair doesn’t shrink up once its stretched.

Pros:

• Great alternative to using a blow-dryer if you want to stretch without heat.

Cons:

• If you wrap your hair too tightly, this can create breakage and damage.

Pro or Con:

• The larger you wrap each section, the longer it will take to dry.
• Depending on your patience, this method can take a while to do, and to wait to dry.

  

2. Braids/Twists

 

One of the OGs of stretching type 4C hair, can do a mix of twists and braids for a more versatile look.

  

Pros:

• Great alternative to using a blow-dryer if you want to stretch without heat.
• Ready style once completely dry. You can do a wide range of hairstyles.

 

Cons:

If you unravel the plaits/twists without any oil-based product on your fingers and hands, you hair will break.

If you plait/twist your hair too tightly, this can create breakage and damage.

 

Pro or Con:

• The more defined you want the curls, the smaller it has to be.

 

3. Bantu Knots

 

Another OG of stretching type 4C hair.

 

Pros:

• Great alternative to using a blow-dryer if you want to stretch without heat.
• Ready style once completely dry. You can do a wide range of hairstyles.

 

Cons:

• If you wrap your hair too tightly, this can create breakage and damage.
• If you unravel the plaits/twists without any oil-based product on your fingers and hands, you hair will break. 

Pro or Con:

• The more defined you want the curls, the smaller the sections have to be.

  

4. Pineapple/Bunning

 

Wearing a pineapple or high puff isn’t good for only sleeping. Putting all of your hair at the front of your head will help to stretch out the roots. Tie or slick your hair up into a high ponytail/puff.

 

Pros:

• Great alternative to using a blow-dryer if you want to stretch without heat.
• Ready to wear once completely dry.
• Super low maintenance.

 

Cons:

• If you tie up your hair too tightly, this can create breakage and damage. Especially around your edges.

  

5. Blow Dry

 

We left this method until last because let’s be honest, it’s a heavily debated method. This method is a quick go-to method for 4C hair. If you’re confident to go for it, here are the pros and cons:

Pros:

• Saves time in comparison to no heat methods.
• Can do a wide range of hairstyles once blow dried.
• Super low maintenance.
• Great to do before a protective hairstyle to keep hair slick.

Cons:

• Can create heat damage if done too often or at a high heat. 

Shrinkage doesn’t have to get in the way your best hair styles, have fun trying these methods out on your beautiful kurls!