Does curl definition increase with length??

Gmo · 07-23-2012, 07:40 PM

I'm a guy with 4b/4c hair. I've read that a lot of people don't recognize 4c as being a legitimate category, and that's fine, I'm just trying to say my hair is REALLY coarse with pretty much no natural curl definition. I was wondering though if curl definition increases as your hair grows??? I've seen natural hair journey videos on youtube of people with hair similar to mine in length initially and then 7-8 months to a year later it looks like they've attained a new head of hair or something. So is that something that just comes with time or is it just a matter of them learning to work with their hair better....or maybe both?? My hair is like 3 1/2 inches on top at the moment and a bit shorter on the sides and back. I've got solid wave/curl patterns when my hair's wet and when I first style it, but as the hours go by it just starts to poof up and look like an uneven mess of an afro.

CuteKinks · 07-24-2012, 09:34 AM

Hey there!
To answer your question, I do not think that curl definition will increase with length if there is no curl to begin with. If one's hair is 2 inches or 24 inches, if there is no curl then there will be no curl (am I making sense lol?)

To your point about people learning to work with their hair to increase curl definition, what may be happening is that they learned to better moisturize their hair so instead of seeing frizz you see their curl pattern. Or they could be wearing a twist out or braid out

. Hope this helps.

CuteKinks

Gmo · 07-24-2012, 02:36 PM

Hmmmmm ok then.......I guess I'm gonna have to find some products my hair agrees with more then. Thanks!!!

bharjala · 07-27-2012, 12:33 PM

It does seem like some people's hair magically changes over time. I had this hope too, that if my mixed 4 hair grew long that it would weigh itself down and become pretty.... False!

The back of my head, 4b/c, when straightened, is at the middle of my back. But it shrinks up in to a puff at my neck with no definition at all when wet. No matter how long it gets, it's not changing!

Every head is different though.. but don't count on it.

I've heard of women, after pregnancy, being graced with either wonderful, tame hair, or being so nutrient deficient that it falls out. I've seen it, curlies/wavies getting pregnant and their hair becoming nearly bone straight! Ahh, that's another thread...

sewt15 · 08-04-2012, 08:22 AM

What I have seen in some cases is that as your hair gets longer, your curls start to hang and show more definition. this is not all cases ive seen and everyones hair is different.

RadNatural · 08-11-2012, 06:05 PM

I have noticed, people with the looser curls, like 3s, have bouncier curls when their hair is short, opposed to when they have longer hair and it looks wavier.

People with hair in the 4s I've noticed have curly hair when longer as opposed to when it's short. I guess it's because type 4 hair is SO coily and curly, that when it's short, it's all compacted until it gets longer, then it's like WOAH . jmo

Gmo · 08-12-2012, 10:04 PM

^^^^^Yea I agree, that makes sense.

ravenm721 · 08-13-2012, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gmo

^^^^^Yea I agree, that makes sense.

+1, I agree that it makes sense too.

*Marah* · 08-16-2012, 06:38 AM

I don't think the curl pattern changes per se but I think what happens is over time (especially when people go on the whole natural hair journey) they learn to care for their hair in much better ways and as their hair grows it's growing in a much healthier state as opposed to when they used chemicals and/or regular heat tools on the hair. I think a lot of naturals that take care of their hair over time learn the moisture balance their hair needs which is incredibly important for optimal curl or kink defintion. So when you see their hair grow from short to longer lengths of course the hair appears to change or even if they keep it short and just take very good care of it..the overall look to the hair feels and looks different. The curls or kinks look healthier more defined and most likely hang much better.
But it's the same curl or kink pattern they were born with..it's just in a better state. A lot of naturals that utilize the Curly Girl Method report that over time. They can't get over how their hair looks so different..they have more curl or kink definition than they believed.

Also hair dye over time can change the look of curl pattern depending on what chemical dyes are is used on the hair and that in conjunction with proper care can really make a big diffence in the appearance of the hair. For a lot of people certain hair dyes actually help with frizz and the curls seem to come out a lot more defined. Henna can do this as well. Also a lot of "hold" products such as gel help with the "setting" of the curl pattern as it dries. Without it certain hair types can look very poofy and of frizzy. But I think what a person's natural curl or kink pattern is a genetic issue and pretty much a set deal.

adthomas · 08-16-2012, 10:40 AM

I have seen many 4s with short and very defined twas. After I bc'ed my hair was curly but I didn't realize how curly until I learned to properly moisturize it. For me proper moisture= defined curls and to do that I have to wash my hair several times a week, dc regularly and stay away from buildup. Others may have different methods. Now that my hair is long the no moisture no definition still applies. I use gels certain times of the year but they are not necessary for me but li is.

jmartinez · 08-17-2012, 07:04 AM

Its not that curl definition increases, it appears to. The weight of longer hair will stretch out springy curls to make them fall better and really enhance whats already there. And in some cases not. It may look the same. But even if it does stay the same, a head full of healthy hair looks great on everyone

Sent from my PC36100 using CurlTalk App

ILoveHim · 08-25-2012, 08:33 PM

I think you're asking as your hair grows will you get curls and the answer is no..

now as far as in general im a 3C and my hair is curlier and appears shorter now that its longer.. my friend told me the other day your hair use to be long, "oh you have it in a bun..," I laughed to myself because no i did not!, it draws up and shrinks so tight now i can barley pull it to stretch it to see the length...

honey3 · 09-30-2012, 10:23 PM

Hi, i think you are correct. Curl definition increases as your hair grows longer.

My 4b/3c hair has more spirals now than before and my waves are more defined. There are many things that I suspect cause this --

vitamins, diet and exercise
the weight of my hair has increased

i use sulfate free shampoo and i use sulfate free smoothing conditioner, which i rinse out after a few minutes.
i use a small amount of curlaway, cool water and 2 tsp of jojoba oil to detangle my hair. then i use some more natural oil (like olive oil) and band and let my hair air dry. once i wrap my hair after this (for about 15 minutes), i start seeing waves in it. i open up my hair and let the hair air dry.
after the hair has dried, i apply some pure unrefined shea butter (for shine and smoothness) to each section of hair and i flat iron my hair. every night i loosely band my hair and wrap it with a satin scarf.

if my hair gets dry by mid-week when i am in a hurry and i need to move at lightning speed -- i may use a small amount of mixed chicks leave in conditioner. then after 5 mins i use my conair hot air brush/ iron (model 160 -- such a simple tool but i love it) to smooth the front of my hair only and then wrap my hair with a satin scarf. my hair becomes soft, smooth and shiny again.

all the stretching and smoothing and the products & lifestyle have made my curls more defined over time.

it is easier and faster for me to take care of my hair.

Gmo · 10-01-2012, 11:54 PM

Well I'm back after about 2 months and my curl/coil definition has definitely changed/increased. I didn't really think I had any curl or coil pattern at all a couple months ago.......but since then my hair's developed all these coils everywhere, kinda like the spring on the inside of a pen just a bit bigger in diameter. I can't say that it's actually my natural pattern changing though, I think maybe before I just wasn't taking the best care of my hair or something. I stopped using shampoo since then and only use conditioner and I've ditched any kind of cone containing products and I've also stopped picking my hair out and I only use my fingers to mess with it. It also might have something to do with the length increase??? I doubted though cause it's still just an afro, it's not like it hangs or anything. But either way, I've got coils all over my hair that I didn't have before. Just thought I'd give an update.

KinkyRN · 10-02-2012, 05:51 PM

I think it is really just that you are finding the right products and ways to care for your hair. If you are good to your hair it will be good to you!!

adthomas · 10-11-2012, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gmo

Well I'm back after about 2 months and my curl/coil definition has definitely changed/increased. I didn't really think I had any curl or coil pattern at all a couple months ago.......but since then my hair's developed all these coils everywhere, kinda like the spring on the inside of a pen just a bit bigger in diameter. I can't say that it's actually my natural pattern changing though, I think maybe before I just wasn't taking the best care of my hair or something. I stopped using shampoo since then and only use conditioner and I've ditched any kind of cone containing products and I've also stopped picking my hair out and I only use my fingers to mess with it. It also might have something to do with the length increase??? I doubted though cause it's still just an afro, it's not like it hangs or anything. But either way, I've got coils all over my hair that I didn't have before. Just thought I'd give an update.

I'm glad you are enjoying your hair. Sounds like the lack of curls was a moisture issue. If you start having problems moisturizing your hair even with lots of cowashes it is likely buildup. That is when you would want to clarify your hair, do a dc, then you should be able to go back to your regular routine.

honey3 · 10-14-2012, 12:59 PM

Congrats GMO,

Maybe avoiding sulfates and cones has helped you too. I luv the products I use now.

Water makes 4b hair soft and the other thing that seems to help is stretching and smoothing the hair with a flat iron or bantu knot outs/ bantu knot outs after flat ironing. Braiding my damp hair is almost impossible because the curls move by themselves.

Good luck.