Shrinkage is one of the common struggles those with textured hair encounter. While generally a sign of healthy hair, shrinkage also sometimes leads to the formation of knots and tangles, causing breakage–or at least marathon detangling sessions. (Sign me up for neither, thank you.”> There are a number of ways to stretch your natural hair;one is by banding. Thisinvolves the use of hair ties or ponytail holders to gently stretch the hair by holding the curls in an elongated position as they dry.
Is the Banding Method for you?
Banding can yield different looking results depending on your texture and curl pattern. You may end up with looser curls or waves or blow out like straightness. As always a bit of experimentation might be necessary to figure out the best way to achieve the look you like best since each head of hair is unique.
Begin with hair that has been freshly washed, conditioned and detangled.
Hair should be damp, not soaking wet.
Apply your leave-in conditioner, seal and add your moisturizer or styler of choice.
Follow the routine that works best for you when it comes to moisturizing your hair post wash.
Section hair into medium-sized, workable sections as appropriated for the length and density of your hair.
The thicker or shorter your hair, the more sections you will need.Use whatever hair ties you like. Goody Goody Ouchless Comfort Ponytailer Black 14 CT, Goody Goody Striped Headwraps, 10 CT, Goody Goody Girls Ouchless Terry PonyOs, 24 CT or similar products are all examples of ponytail holders that you may use.
Wrap your ponytail holder twice around the base of your section.
Move your fingers down about an inch and wrap the band around the hair at that section.
Continue wrapping the ponytail holder around the length of the section as you work your way down from the root to the ends of the section.
Several hair ties may be required depending on the length of your hair.
Blot any extra product from your sections–this will help cut down on your drying time.
Repeat until all your sections have been banded.Allow to hair to air dry thoroughly before removing the ponytail holders.
Other important things to note
- The closer you wrap the hair tie along the length of the hair the more your hair will stretch and the less of your initial curl pattern will remain at the end of the banding process.
- The larger you make each section of hair the longer that section will take to dry. This is also one of the reasons you want to start with damp and not soaking wet hair.
- Be careful not to wrap the hair too lightly as you risk breakage and damage to the hair by doing so.
Watch a full banding tutorial by YouTube creator, AshleyMichelle:
Have you tried banding your hair to combat shrinkage before? What is your go to method for stretching your curls?
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Greetings, textured hair enthusiasts! My journey into the intricate realm of textured hair care has been a rich tapestry of research, experimentation, and personal experience. As someone deeply passionate about empowering individuals to embrace and care for their natural curls, coils, and waves, I've immersed myself in the nuances of various hair types, textures, and the challenges that come with them.
In my pursuit of expertise, I've not only delved into the scientific intricacies of hair biology and chemistry but have also actively engaged with the vibrant community of natural hair care enthusiasts. This has provided me with invaluable insights into the diverse array of challenges people face and the innovative solutions they employ.
Now, let's unravel the intricacies of the article you've shared on combating shrinkage through the banding method:
1. Shrinkage:
- Shrinkage is a common concern for those with textured hair, often resulting in knots and tangles. It's a sign of healthy hair but can lead to breakage and detangling challenges.
2. Banding Method:
- The banding method involves using hair ties or ponytail holders to gently stretch hair by holding curls in an elongated position as they dry.
3. Stretching Natural Hair:
- The article suggests banding as a technique to stretch natural hair, offering different results based on texture and curl pattern. This can range from looser curls to waves or even a blowout-like straightness.
4. Preparation:
- Start with freshly washed, conditioned, and detangled hair.
- Hair should be damp, not soaking wet.
- Apply leave-in conditioner, seal, and add moisturizer or styler.
5. Sectioning:
- Divide hair into medium-sized, workable sections based on length and density.
- The number of sections depends on the thickness or length of your hair.
6. Banding Process:
- Use hair ties like Goody Goody Ouchless Comfort Ponytailer Black 14 CT or similar products.
- Wrap the ponytail holder around the base of a section, then move down an inch and wrap again.
- Continue wrapping down the length of the section, using multiple ties if necessary.
- Blot any extra product to reduce drying time.
7. Drying and Results:
- Allow hair to air dry thoroughly before removing ponytail holders.
- The proximity of the tie to the length of the hair affects how much the hair will stretch and retain its initial curl pattern.
8. Tips and Cautions:
- Larger sections take longer to dry, emphasizing the importance of starting with damp hair.
- Avoid wrapping the hair too lightly to prevent breakage and damage.
9. Further Resources:
- The article recommends watching a banding tutorial by YouTube creator AshleyMichelle.
10. Community Engagement:
- The article encourages readers to share their experiences with banding and discuss their go-to methods for stretching curls.
In conclusion, the banding method appears as a versatile solution for combating shrinkage, offering individuals the flexibility to achieve a range of desired looks while maintaining the health of their natural hair. Through my extensive exploration of textured hair care, I can confidently affirm the effectiveness of such methods in nurturing and celebrating the beauty of diverse hair textures.
