As someone with type 4C, high-porosity, thin hair, I find myself constantly questioning the routines and “rules” that circulate in the natural hair community. One of the biggest ones is this: tuck your ends away if you want to retain length.
For years, we’ve been told that our fragile ends need to be hidden in protective styles like buns, braids, and twists to avoid breakage. The idea is simple: keep the ends tucked in so they don’t dry out, snag, or split. It makes sense, especially since type 4C hair is prone to dryness and tangling. But here’s where I pause: must we always tuck our ends away to see growth?
I’m currently on a hair healing journey, experimenting, researching, and learning new ways to care for my 4C hair. And honestly, the concept of constantly hiding my ends baffles me. Why? Because I actually want to enjoy my hair from root to tip, especially as it grows longer.
Here are my thoughts:
1. We can enjoy 4C hair without tucking it away all the time
Protective styling is great, but I don’t believe it should be the only way to enjoy our hair. I love seeing my coils stretch, curl, shrink, and flow freely. If I spend all my time hiding my ends, when do I actually get to enjoy the beauty of my hair? Other hair types are worn loose daily without guilt. Shouldn’t we also celebrate the uniqueness of our own texture without always putting it away?
2. We deserve to see the full length of our hair
One of the joys of growing hair is watching the length progress. But if we’re constantly tucking the ends away, we miss out on that experience. I want to see my 4C hair in its full length, not just stretched in protective styles or hidden in buns. Just like other races get to enjoy the full view of their hair, I believe we should allow ourselves that same freedom.
3. Maybe there’s more to learn about 4C hair care
I honestly feel there’s still so much about African hair care that hasn’t been fully explored. Perhaps there’s a better way to retain length that doesn’t always involve hiding ends. Perhaps the key lies in establishing a consistent moisture routine, practicing gentle detangling, or even embracing shrinkage rather than fighting it. My curiosity keeps me open to experimenting beyond the usual “tuck it away” advice.
4. I don’t think God intended for us to hide our hair’s beauty
I struggle with the idea that every other race can wear their hair in its natural state, while Black women are told to tuck ours away constantly. Our hair is beautiful, with shrinkage, coils, ends, and all. I don’t think it was created to be hidden most of the time. Instead, I feel we’re meant to discover how to care for it in a way that celebrates, not hides, its natural glory.
5. Have we been socialized to view the ends of our Hair negatively?
This thought really gets me. Have we been taught, maybe subconsciously, that our tightly coiled ends are a flaw that must be hidden? If so, then maybe the bigger task is unlearning that mindset. Instead of fearing frizz or shrinkage, maybe it’s time to embrace them as part of what makes type 4C hair so unique.
6. Shrinkage is normal, not an enemy
Shrinkage isn’t the enemy of length retention; it’s a natural part of our texture. Instead of fighting it, maybe we should start seeing shrinkage as a healthy sign that our hair is moisturized and thriving. For me, embracing shrinkage feels like a step toward enjoying my coils in their full, authentic form.
My Final thoughts
So, must we always tuck away our ends to retain length? I don’t have a definite answer. What I know is that I love experiencing my hair in all its forms, from root to end, shrunken or stretched. I’m still on this natural hair journey, learning, experimenting, and questioning what truly works for my 4C hair. Maybe the answer isn’t to completely reject tucking ends away, but not to rely on it as the only way either. The conversation is still open, and I think that’s a beautiful thing.