Protective hairstyles are a popular choice for many black women as it offers both style and functionality. These styles range from box braids and twists, to cornrows and faux locs, and they not only look stunning but also help in retaining length, maintaining moisture, and reducing hair breakages.
However, the key to gleaning the benefits of protective hairstyle lies in properly caring for it. Without the correct maintenance, protective styles can lead to dryness, breakage, and sometimes hair loss.
The origins of protective hairstyles have their roots in African history and culture and it dates back thousands of years. These styles were not made for beauty as they also carried significant cultural symbolism. For instance, in West Africa, braids were used to signify marital status, age, religion, wealth, and rank. In ancient Egypt, intricate hairstyles were often drawn or shown in hieroglyphs and were used to denote social status and identity.
In this article, we’ll explore the best practices for caring for the various protective hairstyles in vogue, ensuring your hair remains healthy and vibrant throughout the duration of whichever hairstyle you’re sporting, or about to.
The Dos to Caring for your Protective Style
Moisturize your Hair:
You’re probably familiar with this rule but how well have you fastidiously followed it? Before you get that gorgeous, new hair done, it is advised that you prep your hair and scalp with moisture-enhancing products as it helps to prevent flakiness, dryness and itchiness.
Also, don’t forget to moisturize after you get your protective hairstyle done to ensure that both your scalp and hair remain nourished.
Regularly Shampoo and Condition your Hair:
Oil, dirt and of course, the products used while making your protective hairstyle can build over time. You can prevent this to an extent by cleaning your scalp with shampoo and conditioner before making any hairstyle.
Change up your Daily Hairstyles
If you’re rocking a protected style, you can damage your hair by always wearing it in an updo. This is because packing your hair in that manner makes it constantly pull at the baby hairs which over time, causes the hair to loosen at the roots.
Switch up the way you wear your protective hairstyles and limit wearing your hair up to only one or two times per week.
Use Satin or Silk Hair Bonnets
If you’re among the girlies that usually leave their hair out in the open when going to bed, think again. Wearing a silk or satin bonnet while sleeping can help to keep lint out of your beloved hairdo and prevent flyaways if your hair has extensions, hence keeping the hairstyle newer for longer.
The Don’ts to Caring for Your Protective Style
Avoid Hairstyles/Hairstylists that put Strain or Tension on your Hair:
I can relate to not speaking up at the hair salon when the hairstyle is not going the way you planned it in your head or when it gets too tight but if you consider the weighty consequences for not speaking up, you’ll sooner be outspoken.
Tell your hairstylist to avoid being too heavy-handed when twisting your hair to avoid damaging your edges.
Note that tension and strain from pulling your hair too tightly can cause great damage to your hair over time.
Don’t Wear your Hair for Too Long:
I know it can be tempting to leave your protective hairstyles in for more than 6-8 weeks (the recommended time), but doing otherwise can cause your hair to get extremely dry, tangle and break a lot.
When getting your protective hairstyle done, the goal should be for the style to help your hair as it grows. If you leave it on for much longer than recommended, it causes dirt buildup which can interfere with the new hair growth.
Don’t Rush When Taking Down your Hair:
If you hastily take down your protective hairstyle without being careful about it, you can damage your hair via accidentally cutting off more than you should or tangling the hair to the point of breakage.
To help alleviate the tedious process of taking down your hair, try watching Netflix or Showmax when next you’re doing this task, you wouldn’t even know when you’re done!
