Hair shrinkage, a natural characteristic of curly and coily hair, refers to the reduction in length when transitioning from a wet to a dry state. The amount of shrinkage varies from person to person, but typically ranges between 30-70%.
Understanding hair shrinkage is essential for maintaining healthy natural hair and styling it effectively. It can influence decisions on hair length, product selection, and styling techniques. Historically, the recognition of hair shrinkage has been crucial in the development of products and techniques specifically tailored to curly hair textures.