Soft Curls

Glossary

Shrinkage

Definition

  1. Shrinkage is the way tightly coiled hair appears shorter than its true length when it dries and springs up. It is a normal property of coily texture, not a sign of damage. A more stretched set, such as twists or braids on damp, moisturized hair, leaves longer-looking curls, but some shrinkage is unavoidable and a set will still look noticeably shorter once the curl springs back. Plan the length you want with that in mind. See also: Twist-out, Bantu knots, Hair porosity.

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