Shrinkage is your coils doing their thing.
Build the routine around that, not against it.

A shorter-looking style isn’t lost length

Shrinkage is just the gap between a coil at rest and the same coil gently pulled straight. The hair is all still there. Judge your routine by how comfortable detangling is and whether you like the finish, not by how long it looks today.

Stretching is a choice, not a chore

You don’t have to stretch coils to look after them. A rounded, loose shape is a complete style. When you want more visible length, use a gentle temporary stretch and keep the bands soft. Tight is never the goal.

Sections catch as you separate them

• Stop where the hair resists.
• Dampen and condition a small piece, hold it above the knot and start near the ends.
• Don’t keep pulling a snag to see how long it is.
• A knot that won’t let go needs a different approach, not more force.

Your ends keep catching on collars and straps

• Notice where today’s style meets a collar, a zip or a bag strap.
• Lift the hair clear before you fasten anything or shoulder a bag.
• A looser neckline or a smooth layer underneath can save a lot of catching.
• None of it requires a longer or flatter style.

Dense coils make the scalp hard to reach

• Part the hair where it opens easily and work through one loose portion at a time.
• Open each section right up so the cleanser and the rinse reach the scalp.
• Wash when the scalp needs it, oily, sweaty or full of product, rather than putting it off to protect a stretch.

Choose slip for the work your hands do

Conditioner should let sections come apart without a fight. Put it where the detangling happens and give any dry lengths their share before you rinse.

Browse rinse-out conditioners. For conditioner recommendations, share where your hair tangles and which products you have tried.

Give styling product one job

Choose hold for the finish you want, nothing more. Piling on more product won’t make shrinkage go away, it just leaves the coils coated. Sometimes a lighter hand is the whole fix.

Browse styling products. Bring your styling questions and current products to the consultation for personal recommendations.

1. Keep the scalp reachable while you wash

Wash in loose portions rather than braiding or piling the hair up. Let each clip go and rinse that area fully before moving to the next.

2. Try a loose stretch if you want one

Band detangled damp sections with soft, spaced bands and no pull at the roots. Let them dry completely, then unwrap carefully. Any band that pinches comes off.

3. Refresh just the sections that need it

Use a leave-in that’s meant for damp, between-wash use, only where the coils have lost their shape. Let the hair dry loose, and stop adding layers if it starts to feel coated.