Shrinkage
The way curly and coily hair draws up shorter than its true length as it dries.
Shrinkage is the difference between how long curly or coily hair is when stretched and how long it looks when dry. Type 3 hair may shrink by a third or more; type 4 hair can shrink to a quarter of its stretched length. Shrinkage is a sign that the curl is intact. Some people stretch hair with braid-outs, twist-outs, banding or heat to show length; others keep the shrunken shape, which suits afros and puffs.