Protective styles are a popular choice for many naturalistas, offering a range of benefits from promoting hair growth to reducing manipulation and breakage. However, proper maintenance is crucial to ensure the health and longevity of your protective style. In this article, we’ll share top tips and tricks to help you maintain your protective styles on natural hair, so you can enjoy the full benefits they offer.
1. Moisturize Regularly:
Proper hydration is essential to keep your hair moisturized and prevent dryness and breakage. Use a water-based leave-in conditioner or spritz your hair with a mixture of water and a moisturizing product. Seal in the moisture with a natural oil or butter to lock in hydration and keep your strands healthy.
2. Scalp Care:
Don’t neglect your scalp while wearing a protective style. Gently cleanse your scalp with a diluted clarifying shampoo or a scalp cleanser to remove product buildup and maintain a healthy environment for your hair follicles. Apply a lightweight scalp oil or serum to nourish and soothe your scalp, promoting optimal hair growth.
3. Avoid Excessive Manipulation:
One of the key benefits of protective styles is minimizing manipulation, but it’s essential to avoid excessive touching, pulling, or tugging on your hair. Constant manipulation can lead to breakage and damage. Be gentle when styling your hair and opt for low-manipulation hairstyles that require minimal pulling or tightness.
4. Protect Your Edges:
The delicate hairline and edges are prone to damage, so take extra care to protect them. Avoid tight hairstyles that place excessive tension on your edges, and use edge control products or gentle brushing to smooth and lay down your edges. Additionally, sleep with a satin or silk scarf or use a satin pillowcase to reduce friction and prevent breakage.
5. Maintain Proper Hygiene:
While protective styles are meant to keep your hair tucked away, it’s still crucial to maintain proper hygiene. Cleanse your hair and scalp regularly with a sulfate-free shampoo or a co-wash. Focus on the roots and massage your scalp gently to remove dirt, sweat, and product buildup. Don’t forget to condition your hair to keep it soft and manageable.
6. Address Itching and Dryness:
Sometimes, protective styles can cause itching and dryness due to lack of airflow and moisture. Combat this by using a scalp treatment or a lightweight oil to soothe and hydrate your scalp. If you experience excessive itching, gently rub the itchy area with your fingertips or use a clean hairpin to alleviate the discomfort.
7. Protective Styling Tools and Accessories:
Choose the right tools and accessories that support your protective styles. Opt for seamless or snag-free hair ties, soft headbands, or satin scrunchies to avoid hair breakage. Use hair-friendly tools such as wide-tooth combs, detangling brushes, or a soft boar bristle brush to prevent excessive pulling and damage.
Maintaining your protective styles is essential for the overall health and strength of your natural hair. Follow these top tips to keep your hair in excellent condition while rocking your favorite protective styles. Remember, healthy hair growth starts with proper care and maintenance.
Stay tuned for our next article on the best protective styles for fine hair to avoid breakage.
1. Moisturize Regularly:
Proper hydration is essential to keep your hair moisturized and prevent dryness and breakage. Use a water-based leave-in conditioner or spritz your hair with a mixture of water and a moisturizing product. Seal in the moisture with a natural oil or butter to lock in hydration and keep your strands healthy.
2. Scalp Care:
Don’t neglect your scalp while wearing a protective style. Gently cleanse your scalp with a diluted clarifying shampoo or a scalp cleanser to remove product buildup and maintain a healthy environment for your hair follicles. Apply a lightweight scalp oil or serum to nourish and soothe your scalp, promoting optimal hair growth.
3. Avoid Excessive Manipulation:
One of the key benefits of protective styles is minimizing manipulation, but it’s essential to avoid excessive touching, pulling, or tugging on your hair. Constant manipulation can lead to breakage and damage. Be gentle when styling your hair and opt for low-manipulation hairstyles that require minimal pulling or tightness.
4. Protect Your Edges:
The delicate hairline and edges are prone to damage, so take extra care to protect them. Avoid tight hairstyles that place excessive tension on your edges, and use edge control products or gentle brushing to smooth and lay down your edges. Additionally, sleep with a satin or silk scarf or use a satin pillowcase to reduce friction and prevent breakage.
5. Maintain Proper Hygiene:
While protective styles are meant to keep your hair tucked away, it’s still crucial to maintain proper hygiene. Cleanse your hair and scalp regularly with a sulfate-free shampoo or a co-wash. Focus on the roots and massage your scalp gently to remove dirt, sweat, and product buildup. Don’t forget to condition your hair to keep it soft and manageable.
6. Address Itching and Dryness:
Sometimes, protective styles can cause itching and dryness due to lack of airflow and moisture. Combat this by using a scalp treatment or a lightweight oil to soothe and hydrate your scalp. If you experience excessive itching, gently rub the itchy area with your fingertips or use a clean hairpin to alleviate the discomfort.
7. Protective Styling Tools and Accessories:
Choose the right tools and accessories that support your protective styles. Opt for seamless or snag-free hair ties, soft headbands, or satin scrunchies to avoid hair breakage. Use hair-friendly tools such as wide-tooth combs, detangling brushes, or a soft boar bristle brush to prevent excessive pulling and damage.
Maintaining your protective styles is essential for the overall health and strength of your natural hair. Follow these top tips to keep your hair in excellent condition while rocking your favorite protective styles. Remember, healthy hair growth starts with proper care and maintenance.
Stay tuned for our next article on the best protective styles for fine hair to avoid breakage.
