How To Scrunch Out The Crunch (SOTC) & Break The Gel Cast

Learning how to scrunch out the crunch (sotc) from your curly or wavy hair is vital to transform crunchy curls into defined, soft and bouncy curls or waves throughout the week.
So, whether you have long or short curly or wavy hair, let’s look at the different ways to scrunch out the crunch to reveal beautiful curls and waves.
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What Is A Gel Cast On Wavy & Curly Hair
Scrunching out the crunch is a curly girl technique used to get rid of crunchy, stiff curls that were created by a gel cast.
A gel cast forms on your curly or wavy hair when you apply a strong hold curly girl product to your wet curls. When your hair dries, the gel forms a cast that holds your defined curls in place.
You’ve achieved a gel cast when your curls look and feel stiff or crunchy. Doesn’t sound like the ideal outcome for your wash day, right? Who wants crunchy curls? But those crunchy curls are a great thing because it means that your defined curls are going to last long after wash day, after you scrunch out the crunch (sotc).
To create a good gel cast on your curly hair or wavy hair:
- Apply a curly girl gel, curl cream or mousse to your wet curls
- Do not touch or manipulate your curls or waves while your hair is drying and while the cast is forming
- Wait until the gel cast forms and then diffuse
How To Scrunch Out A Gel Cast On Curly Or Wavy Hair
Even though a gel cast is good, nobody wants crunchy hard hair. Curly and wavy girls want to achieve long-lasting, soft, and bouncy curls.
To achieve this, you want to gently scrunch out the crunch when your curls are fully dried. This will help to reduce the change of frizzing when you sotc.
So let’s look at some ways to sotc without getting your hair frizzy:
- Diffusing To SOTC
- Argan Oil to scrunch out the crunch
- Scrunch Out The Crunch Without Oil
- Scrunch Out The Crunch With Conditioner
- Sleep on it to sotc
Diffusing To SOTC
After diffusing your curly hair dry without touching it, continue diffusing while gently scrunching your curls with your hands until they feel soft.
Flip your hair over and from side to side as you sotc, to ensure that you get volume at the roots.
Argan Oil To Scrunch Out The Crunch
Once your hair is completely dry, you can scrunch out the crunch with argan oil or your preferred oil or serum.
Using oil will reduce frizz, provide shine and seal in all the products you’ve used.
Rub a very small amount of oil in the palms of your hands and gently scrunch your curls from roots to your head, until they’re soft and bouncy.
You can flip your hair over and on either side, while you sotc. This creates voluminous, defined curls at the roots.
Try these other oils and serums to scrunch out the crunch:
How To Scrunch Out The Crunch Without Oil
A great way to scrunch out the crunch without oil is to use a cotton tshirt.
When your curls have completely dried, use a cotton tshirt instead of using your hands directly on your hair, to scrunch out the crunch. This helps to reduce frizz if your hair doesn’t love sealing oils.
Scrunch Out The Crunch With Conditioner
You can also use a little leave in conditioner to sotc to transform those crunch curls into soft, defined curls.
Instead of oil, with a small amount of leave in conditioner in the palm of your hands, sotch using the same technique outlines above.
Sleep On Your Curls
If you’re not going anywhere, a good way to sotc is by not scrunching it at all.
After your curls have completely dried just leave it with the gel cast and head to bed. To protect your curls while you sleep, try these tips and by the morning, your curls may very well be soft and bouncy in the morning.
If it’s not, at that point, you can use any of the techniques above to finish scrunching out the crunch until your curls or waves are soft.

Final Thoughts
Now you have a great technique to turn those crunchy curls that the gel cast creates, into soft, voluminous curls that will last for a few days. SOTC is also perfect to transform stringy looking waves, created by a gel cast, into gorgeous frizz free wavy hair.
Before You Go, You Will Love These Other Posts For Curly Hair:
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- Affordable Curly Girl Products For 2a 2b 2c Wavy Hair
- Sulfate Free (Low Poo) Shampoos – Curl Girl Method Approved
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- Curly Girl Gift Guide – Get Something On This List For The Curly Girl In Your Life
Product Reviews
- 5 Ways To Use Coconut Oil To Transform Curls
- Hairitage Curl Creme – Curly Girl Approved Curl Cream Review
- Aussie Instant Freeze Gel – Curly Girl Approved Gel Review
- Eco Argan Oil Gel – Curly Girl Approved Protein Gel Review
- Kinky Curly Curling Custard Product Review
- Shea Moisture 100% Virgin Coconut Oil Daily Hydration Shampoo & Conditioner Review
- Curly Girl Product Review – Cantu Moisturizing Curl Activator Cream
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Important Information To Care For Curls & Waves
- How To Take Care Of Curly & Wavy Hair
- Learn How To Deep Condition Curly Hair
- How To Squish To Condish Wavy & Curly Hair
- Find Out How Often Should You Use Leave In Conditioner
- Can You Put Leave In Conditioner On Dry Hair?
- Can You Leave Conditioner In Your Hair?
- Find Out What Happens If You Leave Conditioner In Your Hair
- Signs of Moisture Overload & How To Fix It
- Protein Overload Signs & How To Fix It
- How To Fix Wet Frizz
- How To Start The Curly Girl Method
- This Is How To Tell If You Have Naturally Curly Hair – Take the free quiz
- Curly Hair Care Tips & Super Quick Wash Day, Refresh Day Routines For Moms
Dyeing Textured Hair At Home Without Damaging It
Wavy & Curly Hair Routines & hairstyles
- Curly Hair Styling Routine for 3A & 3B Curls
- Wavy Hair Styling Routine 2a 2b 2c Curls
- Curly Hair Winter Routine
- Easy Way To Refresh Curly & Wavy Hair
- How To Style Low Density, Fine Cury Hair
- The Best Way To Define Curls, Make Hair Curlier & Curls Tighter
- How To Grow Curly Hair Faster
- 3 Easy Ways To Sleep With Curly Hair Without Ruining Your Curls