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If you have natural hair, you'll know that shrinkage can be frustrating to deal with. Even though shrinkage does in fact show that your hair is very healthy and hydrated, we understand you might want to make use of your full hair length for certain hairstyles. In this post, we'll go through various easy ways to stretch your hair without damage and breakage. But before we get into it, remember not to use stretching methods too often, as excessive use can cause damage and alter your curl pattern.

Benefits of Stretching Natural Hair

Before diving into the methods, let's understand some benefits of stretching your hair:

• Length check: Stretching allows you to see your true hair length and monitor growth progress
• Reduced tangling: Stretched hair can decrease tangling and knots
• Styling versatility: Stretched hair provides more styling options
• Easier maintenance: Stretched hair can be easier to maintain day-to-day, and help your hair absorb products better

How to Stretch Natural Hair Without Heat: 5 Easy Methods

Before using any stretching method, remember to start off with freshly washed, clean hair.

Banding

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This method uses hair bands placed along sections of hair to stretch it without heat.

Steps:

1. Start with freshly washed hair
2. Apply a generous amount of leave-in conditioner
3. Divide your hair into 4-8 sections
4. Take one section and place hair ties along the length, starting near the roots and moving down
5. Space the bands about 1-2 inches apart
6. Repeat for all sections
7. Allow hair to dry completely before removing bands

African Threading

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African threading is a traditional technique that has been used for generations to stretch hair. It uses a similar method to banding but uses thread instead of hair bands.

Steps:

1. Start with freshly washed hair
2. Apply leave-in conditioner
3. Divide hair into sections
4. Take a length of thread and tie one end around the base of a section
5. Wind the thread downward in a spiral motion around the hair strand
6. Secure the end by tying it
7. Repeat for all sections
8. Allow to dry completely before unthreading or wear this style for up to 6 weeks before unravelling.

Pro Tip: The more hair that is covered in the thread and the longer you keep the threading in for, the straighter your hair will be.

Twist-Out

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This is one of the easiest and simplest ways to stretch your hair.

Steps:

1. Start with freshly washed hair
2. Apply leave-in conditioner 
3. Divide hair into sections (smaller sections = more definition)
4. Two-strand twist each section by splitting each section in two and twisting both sections together. Secure the end by twirling it around your finger
5. Seal the twist with oil for extra hydration
6. Wear this for up to a week before unravelling or unravel once completely dry

Braid-Out

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A braid-out uses the same method as a twist-out, but you braid your hair instead of twisting it.

Steps:

1. Start with freshly washed hair.
2. Apply leave-in conditioner 
3. Divide hair into sections (smaller sections = more definition)
4. Braid each section
5. Seal the braid with oil for extra hydration.
6. Wear this for up to a week before unravelling or unravel once completely dry.

Bantu Knots

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Bantu knots look great to wear before and after the stretching process.

Steps:

1. Start with freshly washed hair.
2. Apply leave-in conditioner 
3. Divide hair into sections depending on how many knots you want.
4. Tightly twist each section until it wraps around itself into a twisted knot.
5. Secure the knot with a bobby pin.
6. Allow hair to dry completely before unravelling the knots.

How to Stretch Natural Hair With Low Heat

If you want an instant way to stretch your hair, you'll have to use heat.

Blow Drying with Tension

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When used properly and infrequently, low heat can be a quick way to stretch hair.

What you'll need:

• Heat protectant
• Wide-tooth comb or detangling brush
• Blow dryer with concentrator attachment
• Leave-in conditioner

Steps:

1. Apply heat protectant to freshly washed, conditioned, and detangled hair
2. Divide hair into manageable sections
3. Use the tension method: hold a section of hair stretched and direct airflow down the hair shaft
4. Use a medium heat setting and keep the dryer moving. For even less heat, use the "cool shot" button
5. Repeat this motion until the section of hair is dry
6. Repeat for the rest of your hair

Pro tip: Always use the lowest heat setting that will effectively dry your hair, and limit heat styling to prevent heat damage.

Preventing Breakage While Stretching

No matter which method you choose, follow these essential tips to minimise breakage:

• Start with well-moisturised hair: Dry hair breaks more easily
• Detangle thoroughly: Remove all knots before stretching
• Be gentle: Avoid pulling or tugging aggressively
• Protect your ends: Pay special attention to ends, which are the oldest and most fragile part of your hair
• Take your time: Rushing through the process increases the risk of breakage