You’ve been looking forward to your hair appointment for months; finally the day arrives and your hair looks perfect. But a few days later? The curls have vanished, your hair won’t behave, and you’re wondering what went wrong. Sound familiar? Then you’re probably experiencing curl shock. Good news: it’s temporary and completely normal.
What is curl shock?
Your curls have a memory. They’re used to a certain weight and length. After a cut, that changes and your hair needs a little time to reorganise itself. The curls are ‘searching’ for a new shape. Your hair hasn’t become any less curly; it’s just a bit confused.
How long does it last?
- Just a trim? Usually over after 1 to 2 washes
- A big cut or going from long to short? Then it can take weeks
- Waves and looser curl types often need more time, as they need a bit of weight to fall nicely
What makes curl shock worse?
- Thinning: the biggest culprit. Curls need volume. Thinning breaks those strands apart. A good curly-hair stylist doesn’t thin the hair.
- Cutting at the wrong point: every curl has a starting point. If you cut exactly there, the curl will fall differently afterwards.
- Using too much product: with less hair, you need less product. After your haircut, start with half the amount you’re used to.
What can you do?
Give your hair a rest and stick to your normal routine. Want to speed up the process?
- Use a clarifying shampoo to reset your hair
- Follow this with a nourishing hair mask. Cut hair is drier at the ends and needs extra hydration
- Adjust your products to suit your new length. Less hair also means you need less product
- Should you be worried?
No, in most cases not. Is your hair still not improving after 4 to 6 washes? Then take a critical look at your routine. Are you using the right products for your new length?
In a nutshell
Curl shock is annoying but temporary. Give your hair time, moisturise well with a deep conditioner and adjust your products. Before you know it, your curls will be exactly as you want them.
